MICHAEL J. HELM was in 1890 elected Sheriff of Marion County, carrying every township with the exception of three, and that, too, against a most popular opponent and an older politician.
Mr. Helm is the son of John Helm, who was born in Fayette County, this state, in 1835, and who in turn was the son of Jesse Helm, a native of North Carolina. The latter reared a family of eight children:
The lady who became the mother of these children was Miss Dollie Burkett, who came from South Carolina to Illinois with her parents in a very early day.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Jane Justice. She was a native of this county and the daughter of Michael and Sarah (Wilkins) Justice, the former a native of Tennessee, and the Jatter born in Illinois. Mr. Justice came to Illinois in 1838, locating near Foxville, in Haines Township. He was the son of Ezra Justice and has the following sons residing in Marion County:
The parents of our subject, John and Mary Jane (Justice) Helm, were married in Marion County and located in Haines Township, where they improved a raw tract of land. They reared a family of eight children, of whom those living besides our subject are
They are devout members of the Christian Church, and in the congregation at Williams' Grove the father holds the positions of Elder and Trustee. John Helm has alwaj-s been a stanch Democrat in politics, and at all times takes an active part in the various enterprises calculated to prove of benefit to the community.
Michael J. Helm, of this sketch, was born October 4, 1859, in Haines Township, Marion County. He attended the district school near his home and also was a student for some time in the academy at Savannah, Mo. He began to make his own way in the world when reaching his twelfth year by working out on farms. While residing in Missouri, he held a position in a warehouse for some time, and on returning to this county, when nineteen years of age, attended school until reaching his majority.
In March, 1881, Mr. Helm was united in marriage with Miss Belle Retta, daughter of Samuel P. and Clara (Kinney) Hill. The father was a son of William Hill, whose parents were among the earliest settlers in Marion County. Mr. Hill was a prominent farmer in this section and died in 1893, while residing in Missouri, whither they had removed. Mis. Hill is still living and makes her home in Haines Township.
Mrs. Helm was born in May, 1864, and after her union with our subject located with him in the above township, where they were engaged in farming pursuits until the spring of 1887. That year they took up their abode in Salem, with whose interests Mr. Helm is prominently identified. Of the four children born of their marriage, two are living, Ida Ethel and Dora Edith.
Mrs. Helm departed this life in 1888, greatly mourned by a host of old-time friends.
The lady to whom our subject was married in December, 1890, was Miss Lola D., the daughter of Oliver J. and Anna (Chew) Hays, old residents of Stevenson Township, Marion County where they still reside. Mrs. Helm was born in luka Township in 1866, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two daughters, Clara and Ula. She is a thoroughly good woman and is prominently identified with the Christian Church.
Socially, Mr. Helm is an Odd Fellow, and has occupied all the chairs of his lodge. A life-long Democrat, he has always taken an active part in politics, and when only twenty-one years of age was elected Constable of Haines Township, serving a term of four years. At the expiration of his term of oflice he was re-nominated, much against his will, and was elected with an overwhelming majority, being the only candidate for any office elected on the Democratic ticket, everything else going to the People's party. In 1886 he was a candidate for Township Assessor, defeating one of the most popular Republicans in the county.
Mr. Helm, who was a very intimate friend of W. Scott Matthews, secured the latter's nomination through the convention for Sheriff, to which position he was elected in the spring of 1886. Mr. Matthews was then subjected to great pressure by older politicians to appoint a deputy from the county seat. Hut he made answer that he knew a good man when he saw him and made his appointment accordingly, choosing our subject as his assistant. The latter discharged the duties of his position in a most acceptable manner and, indeed, has the best record of any deputy in the history of Marion County.
In the spring of 1890 Mr. Helm received the nomination on the Democratic ticket for the responsible position of Sheriff, and although there were three candidates in ttie field, secured the election by one of the largest majorities of later years. After being installed in his new office, Mr. Helm appointed as his deputy his opponent in the Democratic Convention. Since his incumbency of the office of Sheriff, Mr. Helm has conducted affairs in such a worthy manner that even those who are opposed to him in politics say of him that he is the best Sheriff this county has ever had.
Although he devotes the greater part of his time to his official position, yet our subject has found opportunity to superintend the operations of his fine farm of two hundred acres, located in Salem and Ilaines Townships. He is also a stockholder in the Centralia Railroad, and is liberal in his contributions to all public enterprises. He is pre-eminently a self-made man and is now favorably spoken of as a candidate for the office of County Treasurer.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 363 - 364
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer