ROBERT J. HELMER
Robert J. Helmer was born in the town of Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y.,
May 18, 1847. He was a son of Adam Helmer, one of the oldest residents of
the town. His farm stretched over a wide area of the southern part of the
town, being one of the best developed valuable farms in the northern part of
Oneida county. He was one of Oneida county’s prosperous agriculturists,
from which he accumulated a large estate. His wife was Catherine Bargey of
Frankfort, Herkimer County, N. Y. They had two sons, George H. and Robert
J., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Adam Helmer died in 1884 and his wife
in 1890. George H., the son, also died in 1881. The Helmers originally
came from Germany, and were frugal, industrious, and upright in character.
Jacob Helmer, the father of Adam, came from Herkimer county, (where Adam was
born), into Oneida county in the earliest days of its settlement, giving
many years of his life to improving the land. Robert J. was educated at the
Whitesboro Seminary and Fairfield Military Institute. The next two years
were spent in teaching in the town of Boonville. Then with Benjamin Beynon
he entered into business at Alder Creek, conducting a general store. This
business connection continued ten or twelve years when the death of Mr.
Beynon terminated the copartnership. Mr. Helmer bought the interest of his
partner and carried on the business in the same place for the next five
years. At that time, 1886, he built a larger store better adapted to his
largely increased trade. From that time forth Mr. Helmer was recognized as
one of the leading merchants of the northern part of the county. He was
conservative, careful and withal conscientious and straightforward in
business affairs. At the time of his death in May 8, 1896, he was engaged
in several lines of business in connection with the other line. The saw
mill at Alder Creek was one of the adjunct enterprises which he conducted
with marked success.
Although Mr. Helmer had never been an office holder he was always one of the staunchest and, at that time influential, members of the Democratic party. He devoted much time to advancing its interest in the town and county.
In 1875 Mr. Helmer married Sophia L., daughter of John T. and Mary (Owens) Jones, of the town of Steuben. Mrs. Helmer was one of eight children, five of whom are now living. Ellen, Louisa, Ann, and Margaret. Mr. And Mrs. Helmer have had one son, George Cleveland, and one daughter, Maude Louise, who is a graduate of the Boonville High School.
Pages 58-59 (Contributed by Linda)