Thomas Helming

HELMING, HAGER, KRAMPE, KANNE, FLAGE, TONEY, BAUERCAMPER, KREIGER, ERNST

Posted By: volunteer transcriber
Date: 3/3/2004 at 12:36:32

Thomas Helming

Life is pleasant to live when we know how to make the most of it. Some people start on their careers as if they had weights on their souls, or were afraid to make the necessary effort to live up to a high standard. Others, by not making a proper study of the conditions of existence, or by not having the best of all trainers, good parents, are side-tracked at the outset and never seem thereafter to be able to get back again on the main track. Much depends on the start, just as it does in a race. The horse that gets the best start, all other things being equal, will almost invariably win the race. So in the race of life, if you are properly started with suitable grooming, such as good educational and home training, you will lead in the race in after years and enjoy your existence. Such home influences were thrown around Thomas Helming, well-known contractor of Baxter, Jasper County. Both father and mother were people of sound principles and exemplary habits and at their deaths, a number of years ago, there was no word of reproach spoken by anyone, and they left a name revered by all their many friends.

Thomas Helming was born in Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa, October 7, 1865. He is the son of Conrad and Wilhelmina Helming, both born in Germany, the father in the province of Lippe-Detmold, and there they spent their early lives, emigrating to America in the year 1842, and established a good home in Allamakee County, Iowa, in the early days, and there they both died, the father at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Fred, deceased; George lives at Alexandria, Minnesota; John lives in Chicago; Thomas of this sketch; Frederick and Albert are both deceased. These children were born and reared in Allamakee County.

Thomas Helming grew to manhood in Allamakee and Dubuque Counties, being reared on the farm, and he received his education in the common schools. Upon leaving the farm he engaged in the implement business in Baxter for a period of four years, enjoying a good trade. In 1893 he moved to Jasper County and has since resided here. He engaged in the lumber business in the town of Baxter for a period of six years. He gave up this line of endeavor in 1899 and took up the implement business again, which he continued for five years. He is at present engaged as a contracting mason and bricklayer in Baxter and is kept busy with numerous big jobs.

Mr. Helming understands thoroughly every phase of the work in which he is now engaged and, being an honest, conscientious contractor, he has all the work be can do in all seasons.

The subject was married on December 6, 1889, to Ida Hager, who was born in Allamakee County, this state, October 17, 1867, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is the daughter of Simon and Minnie (Krampe) Hager, both natives of Germany, the father born on July 7, 1835, and the mother in July 1848. There they spent their earlier years, finally immigrating to Allamakee County, Iowa, where they established a good home and there the father is still living, the mother having died on May 4, 1900. They became the parents of ten children, named as follows, and all living in 1912: William lives in Waukon, Iowa; Mrs. Ida Helming lives in Baxter; Mrs. Mary M. Kanne lives in Malaka Township, this County; Mrs. Sophia Flage lives in Allamakee County; Mrs. Minnie Toney lives in Waukon, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Bauercamper lives in Allamakee County; Mrs. Meta Kreiger, of Allamakee County; Lizzie lives on the old home place in Allamakee County, on which Albert also lives; Mrs. Ella Ernst, wife of Rev. Ernst, of St. Paul, Minnesota. These children were all born and reared in Allamakee County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Helming has been born one son, Arthur Benjamin, whose birth occurred in Allamakee County on August 31, 1892. He completed the high school at Baxter with the class of 1906, then attended Drake University at Des Moines for two terms. He is at present engaged as clerk in the Baxter Mercantile Company's store at Baxter, and is a young man of much promise.

Politically, Mr. Helming is a Republican, but while he has always been interested in the progress of his community along all lines he has never been an aspirant for public favors. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Baxter, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Waukon, Iowa.

Mr. Helming has a pleasant and well-furnished home in Baxter, which he keeps well supplied with good literature.

- source: Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa; Gen. James B. Weaver, editor-in-chief, B.F. Bowden & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1912;pg 1078
- transcribed by Ernie Braida