My Genealogy Hound

FRED HELM, one of the enterprising business men of Sedalia, is agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, besides being proprietor of large bottling works. He was born in Boll, province of Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 8th of August, 1852, and is a son of Andreas Helm, an agriculturist of the Fatherland, who also conducted a hotel. The father died in his native land in 1855, at the age of forty-two years. He held membership with the Lutheran Church. The mother, whose maiden name was Annie Maria Esslinger, was also born in Germany, and was the daughter of a farmer. She became the mother of seven children, six of whom are still living.

In the beautiful land of his birth our subject passed his boyhood days, and there attended the common schools. At the age of eighteen he learned the baker’s and confectioner’s business with the firm of Obonndorf & Rottweil, but, believing that better opportunities were afforded young men in the New World, he decided to leave Germany, and embarked at Bremen on the steamer “Hohenzollern.” After a stormy voyage of nineteen days he landed at Baltimore, Md., in July, 1872. He proceeded at once to Kansas City, where for three years he worked as a baker, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he also followed his trade for a time. He next made his home in St. Louis, but came to Sedalia in 1875, where he followed his trade for some four years. On account of ill-health Mr. Helm was obliged to give up that vocation, and began the bottling business on Main Street, which he conducted very successfully for seven years. On the expiration of that time he went to Kansas City, where he opened a grocery store on the corner of Seventeenth and Madison Streets. He returned to Sedalia, however, in 1890, and bought out J. S. McFadden, agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, becoming a member of the firm of Heuerman & Co., but one year later bought out his partner and is now alone in business. His place of business is 91x120 feet, and is located at No. 213 Osage Avenue. He also carries on steam bottling works in connection with the other, and has an excellent trade, keeping two delivery wagons busy all the time. Besides his main building he also has a large icehouse, storerooms and stable.

Mr. Helm has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Mary Siebe, who died, leaving one child, Ida. After her death he married Maggie Wolf. Our subject is a member of the Sons of Herman, in which society he takes an active interest, and for many years served as Secretary. He also belongs to the Leiderkrouz, in which he holds the office of Trustee. In politics he affiliates with the Democracy, being a stanch supporter of that party. He is largely interested in real estate in Kansas City, Kan., and in Sedalia, owning both buildings and lots.