Varnum Helm

It

appears that Varnum went from New York to Michigan, where he purchased land in November 1833. He probably remained there until at least 1835, when his son Alonzo was born. He arrived in Illinois by 1838, where his daughter

Charlotte was born. He then went to Iowa by 1843, but returned to Illinois where he purchased land in 1848. He remained

there for a short period and by 1850 is in Benton County, Iowa. The 1850 census of Benton County lists his place of birth

as Rhode Island, and his age as 56. It states that he is a farmer. The 1870 census of Washington, Black Hawk County, Iowa

lists his place of birth as Rhode Island, his age as 75, and states that he is a farmer. He and his wife Anna live alone, except

for an 18-year old farm laborer, Harvey Adams. Ten years later, the 1880 census of Washington Township, Black Hawk

County gives his age as 87, and indicates that he is living with his son, William Helm. His wife Anna had died several

years earlier. If Varnum is the son of John, then he had a grand-uncle, William Helme, who in 1775 and 1776 served in a

regiment of the Rhode Island Line commanded by Colonel Varnum. Is it possible that this is where his name came from?

Articles provided to the writer by some of his descendants indicate that Varnum appears to have been of strong, perhaps

pungent, character, as can be seen from the following:1501,1502

1. A paragraph in the 1883 “History of Tama County” states: Varnum Helm was another of the early settlers. He was a

native of Rhode Island. At quite an early day he left his native State and pushed to the frontier. He remained but a short

time in one place, for as soon as the country commenced to settle he would sell out and seek another home farther west. He

came from Benton county in 1853, and settled on section 36 in this township. After remaining a few years, although an old

man, he became restless and dissatisfied, settlers coming in made him again desirous of seeking another home in the

western wilds, and consequently, he concluded to sell out again and journey toward the setting sun. But his wife refused to

make another move in that direction, having had all the experience in pioneer life desirable. Not being able to persuade

her to accompany him he divided the property and journeyed on alone, but soon returned and lived here with his family for

a time, then exchanged his land for a farm in Black Hawk County, to which place he moved and was living at last

accounts.

2. Another book on North Tama County has a section “Old Buckingham, Two Men and Their Quest” which contains a

paragraph on page 13 which describes Varnum as follows: Varnum Helm was of the type that moved on and whom the

neighbors like to see move as soon as possible. Varnum had reached Benton about 1850. The family had an “extensive”

reputation. One day some men called at the house, took one of the sons out and buried him. The family moved hastily to

Clark township, then Buckingham. Timber was desirable. (Two men) went to Six Mile grove after timber; meeting Helm,

they inquired the location of a certain corner. “I don't know,” Helm replied. “I ain't got no learnin'. I don't know nothin'.

Soon Helm (not wanting them to buy timber) cried back to them , “Say, be you speculators? If you be, we will steal all

your timber.”

3. An article entitled “A Visit to the Poorhouse” in the “Iowa State Reporter” on February 1, 1882 states: The oldest

inmate is Vernum Helm, who is past 99 (ED: 89) years old, and is strong and hearty. He looks back upon almost a century

of time. He has been in California and has spent some time on the Isthmus of Panama where it is proposed to cut the canal

which is creating so much excitement both in this country and in Europe. His travels did not have the effect of improving

his disposition, as he is able to be extremely ugly occasionally, though quite good natured generally.