The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-16
OBITUARY.

DIR. Jefferson Helm, a Wen-Known Retired
Physician of RushviIIe.
Special to the indianapolis journal.
RUsHv1LLE, Jan. 15.-Dr. jefferson Helm died
yesterday.
Jefferson Helm, though not a native of Indi->
ana. was identified with her history for nearly
three-quarters of a century. He was born in
Mason county, KY, Nov. q, 1903, of AngloSax
and Scotch parentage Before their marriage
his father, William Helm, and his mother Eiz-
abeth Drummond. were inmates of Bryant's Sta
ton during Its memorable siege by the Indians,
and his father was engaged for some time in the
border wars. March 10, 1911, the family moved
to Indiana. settling on the "Twelve-mile Pur-
chase" FIVE miles below Connersville. William
Helm served in the of 1912, serving
major. Up to the age of sixteen
jefferson worked on the farm and
then began the study of medicine in the Office of
Mason & Moffett, the latter of whom was a
skilled physician. Up to that time he had at
tended in the winter time the common district
schools. never having gone to one in a building
provided with glass windows. After three years
he formed partnership with his preceptor, DIR.
Philip Mason, AID began the practice of his pro-
fession at Fayetteville. Rush county. At the
end of year DIR. Mason returned to Conners-
vile, and DR.. Helm went three miles north, and
laid out the town of Vienna. now Green
wood. Here he remained until 1845, when
he removed to what is Harrington.
There he founded Pennington Academy, where
three of his children were educated for college.
In 1856 he removed to Rushville where he had
since resided and where he retired from active
practice about the time of the breaking out of
the He charter member of the Fifth
District Medical Society, and was either censor
president as long as it existed.
With his medical skill DIR. Holm united large
political intelligence and ability and a mem
Der of the convention of 1850, helped to frame
our present Constitution. In 1852 he was elected
Senator from Rush county. serving one term.
Having shown himself, in the investment of the
proceeds of his practice and In the management
of his business. to be an excellent fnancier.
Governor Willard appointed him sinking fund :.
commissioner in 1853 in which position he had
charge with his associates of SIS. 900. 000 When
q call for surgeons in the civil war made, he
volunteered his services, and was appointed
with the Twenty seventh Regiment, but
count of his age Governor Morton had him de-
tailed for post duty, in which capacity he served
at Shiloh, Louisville, Evansville and Madison.
Dr. Helm was married April %. 1881, to Miss
Eliza Arnold a native of the Isle of Wight, by
whom he had six children. three of whom sur
vive-William H., of Nashville, Elizabeth, wife
of W. A. Pattison and Florest, now Mrs. h P.
Cutter, a widow. The daughters residents
of tn is city. North Illinois street.
Since retiring from practice. Dr. Helm en-
gagged in general trading largely of real estate.
He was director of the Rushvie National
been recognized the wealthiesr resident of
Rush county. His success in life due to
strong common sense and remarkable Judgment,
moined with rapid intuition. He at the
head of his profession while engaged in that and
no less successful in business. With these tall
ents he united a moral excellence that gave him
wide influence and q high regard in public esti-
nation. Few men were more widely known in
Indiana than DIR. Helm, and his death will be
regretted by all who knew him.