Pages 294-295, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.

CHARLES F. HELLE.

CHARLES F. HELLE—In Humboldt township is a well developed farm which is the property of Charles F. Helle, one of the most prosperous agriculturists of the county. He was born in Allen County, Indiana, on the 20th of November, 1843. His father, Frederick Helle, was a native of Prussia and in that country married Celatara Pence. With his young wife he sailed for America in 1841, and after a short time spent in New York continued his westward journey until he established his home in Allen County, Indiana. He was a passenger on the first canal boat that was ever taken through the Erie Canal. By trade he was a tanner and worked with General Grant at the tannery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The friendship formed between them at that time continued throughout their remaining days. Mr. Helle was also an engineer and during the latter part of his life was employed in that capacity in the foundry of Stacy & Bouser, at Fort Wayne. He died in 1876 at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife passed away in 1870 at the age of fifty-five years. They were the parents of only two children, the daughter, Louisa Dolman, being now a resident of Allen County, Indiana.

Charles F. Helle was the elder. Although his parents were natives of the fatherland he never learned the German language. He associated with boys who spoke the English tongue and has always been an American in thought, purpose and feeling. His time in youth was devoted to the studies of the school room and to different employments that would contribute to his livelihood. In Allen County, Indiana, he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Bishop, the wedding being celebrated November 3, 1862. The lady was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and was afterward a resident of Ohio, but later moved to the Hoosier State. Unto them have been born seven children, namely: Charles F., who is engaged in the transfer business in Chicago; Lizzie, the wife of J. W. Wheatley, a resident of Iola; John, at home; Warren, who is also engaged in business in Chicago; Frank, who has business interests in Kansas City; George and Daisy, who are with their parents.

Thinking to find better opportunities in the west where there was not such great competition, Mr. Helle removed from Indiana to Allen County, Kansas, and purchased three hundred acres of land a mile and a half north of Humboldt. To his property he has added until now he has land aggregating seven hundred and fifty acres, a rich farming tract in this section of the State. He raises wheat, oats and corn on an extensive scale, and has large numbers of horses, mules, cattle and hogs, and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and modern in appointment. His residence occupies a commanding building site, standing on a bluff of the Neosho river in the midst of a beautiful grove of natural forest and cedar trees. In politics he is independent, voting for the man he regards as best qualified for the office. His business career has surely been a most successful one, due to his well directed, earnest and indefatigable efforts. He has made a good record as a business man and citizen, being at all times reliable and upright. His name is high on the roll of Allen County's most

prosperous agriculturists. His code of morals is such as to impel him to a just consideration of the rights of all with whom he has been brought in contact and a conscientious observance of all the proprieties of life. 

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