Turner - Helm Families Among First to Establish Homes on Mariposa Creek
By MERLE KROH

HELM FAMILY

The Allen Helm Family all settled in Merced and Mariposa counties, after arriving here from Missouri. Henry Helm, the oldest child, married Sophronia Turner and died a few years afterwards, leaving one child; John Wesley Helm married Nancy Redman. Their children are Henry Helm of Chowchilla; James Helm, who lives on the family home of his grandfather, at White Rock. This place has never been out of possession of the family; Elle, Mrs. Evans of San Francisco; Myrtle, deceased, who was the wife of James Allen of Los Angeles; Lucy, Mrs. Earnest Reed of Cupertino; Maud, Mrs. William Duncan of Willows; Gladys, Mrs. Earl Southward of Le Grand. A son, John, died in his early youth and a daughter died at 5 years.

Charles Helm married Priscilla Annie Lewis daughter of Jake Lewis who was Grayson Russell's grandfather. They raised a large family but none live here; James Benton Helm married Nancy Barker. Their children were Melissa, Mrs. Don Donovan, deceased, who was the mother of Cecil Wilkerson of Le Grand and Eugene Donovan of Oakland; Millie Foran Griffith and James Helm of Merced are the two remaining children of this family. The Wilkerson family, old time Le Grand residents, have two daughters, Mrs. Lucille Raynor of Le Grand and Mrs. Alice Peak of Merced.

Mary, Mrs. John Czerney of Merced, was also a daughter of Benton Helm. Mr. and Mrs. Czerney both died several years ago. Her daughter are Mrs. Helen Smith and Mrs. Lillian Jones of Modesto. An only son, Clyde, resides in Tracy.

Eugene Donovan married Le Rena Jones and this couple have two children. Jane Helm's history was mentioned in the Turner story she was Mrs. Rupert Turner and mother of John and James Baker whose great grandfather came from London.

Melinda Helm married Thomas Wilcox, who was one of the first Justices of the Peace in Plainsburg. He performed many early day wedding ceremonies. The family consists of Charles Wilcox, local custodian at the high school, and father of Jeanne Wilcox of Merced; Steve Wilcox who married Miss Leitha Walker of the White Rock district; Nettie, Mrs. James Calhoun, deceased, of White Rock; and Nona deceased, first wife of J. H. Helm.

Nancy Helm became the wife of Arthur Welch, son of P. Y. Welch of Plainsburg. They later separated and she married "Doc"Washer of Near Fresno. Both are now dead. Frances Helm, known as Aunt Bee, married Henry McClure, who came here with the family when they crossed the plains. Their family was Cissy, who died young; Cooney (a nickname), deceased, mother of Viola Ramsden Wood, who is married now to an archaeologist. She is a writer and narrator of history of great ability, and is a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. Ona, deceased, who was Mrs. Porter Laird of Modesto. She was a sister-in-law of Mrs. Lily Laird of Le Grand. George, the only son, died of typhoid fever. The surviving member of the family is Minnie, Mrs. Wm. Coughran of San Francisco. This couple's wedding ceremony took place on top of Historic White Rock, near the J. H. Helm home, from which the district has received its name.

Allen Helm, who was named for his father, settled near Plainsburg when he first came here with his parents in 1856. He engaged in farming and stock raising. He first married Malvina Smith of Mariposa county in 1863 and they had two children, Mrs. Ida Westrup and Mrs. Annie Wynn of Fresno. After her death he married Nina Allen and they made their home near White Rock. Their children are Leona, Oriole and Artie. Leora Helm married Nicholas Turner son of Luther and Sarah Turner again cementing a link in the Turner-Helm families. Oriole became Mrs. Scott Fuller and Artie lives in Fresno county.

William Ryland Helm married Elizabeth Barker, sister of Nancy Barker, wife of John Benton Helm. He was born September 25, 1829 in Missouri, and died in January 1854. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1852 when their daughter Betsy (Elizabeth) was but two weeks. Betsy married Daniel Thompson September 19, 1872. The surviving Thompson children are John, Harvey, Lula, and Ethel, John married Maggie Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Jones, pioneer county residents; Harvey married Marguerite Jordan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jordan deceased; Lula became Mrs. R. Earl, Jr., and Ethel became the wife of Eddie Murray. Betsy Helm was only 2 years old when the family came here from Missouri.