George Washington Helme facts for kids

George Washington Helme (born May 18, 1822 – died June 16, 1893) was the person who founded the town of Helmetta, New Jersey. He was an important businessman and a leader in his community.

George Helme's Early Life and Family

George Helme was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA. He was one of many children in his family. When he was a young man, he got a job working for Asa Packer. Mr. Packer was a rich businessman who built things like canals and railroads to move coal. He also started Lehigh University.

Later, George Helme left that job and moved to Louisiana. His older brother lived there. George studied law and became a lawyer in New Orleans around 1851. He had his own law office until the American Civil War began.

In 1856, he returned north to marry Margaret Appleby in Spotswood, New Jersey. They had four children together. Their first two daughters were born before the Civil War. Their third child was born in Mississippi during the war. Their last child, a son, was born in New Jersey after the war ended.

Serving in the Civil War

When the Civil War started, George Helme stopped being a lawyer. He joined the Confederate States Army on March 8, 1862. He was a captain in a group called the Crescent Regiment.

His regiment quickly went to Corinth, Mississippi, to help General P. G. T. Beauregard's army. On April 6, 1862, his group played a big part in the Battle of Shiloh. They helped capture two Federal divisions. Captain Helme was praised for his "coolness, bravery, and the faithful discharge of their duty" during the battle.

His regiment was disbanded in June 1862. Captain Helme then resigned and was moved to a special mining service. This group, called the "Niter and Mining Bureau," was in charge of finding important materials for the war. They looked for things like niter (which is used to make gunpowder), copper, lead, and coal. Captain Helme's earlier experience working with Asa Packer might have helped him get this job.

After the war ended, Helme moved back north to New Jersey and New York City. He worked in the real estate business for several years. He bought a lot of property during this time.

Building Helmetta: A Snuff Town

In 1866, George Helme started a business with his brother-in-law, Jacob Appleby. They made snuff and other tobacco products. Snuff is a type of tobacco that people sniff instead of smoke.

Around 1877 or 1878, Helme became the only owner of the business. He renamed it the George W. Helme Tobacco Company. It became one of the biggest snuff makers in the country.

In the mid-1880s, he bought land between Spotswood and Jamesburg, New Jersey. He built his factory there, along with 105 homes for his workers. This area was first called Railroad Mills. Later, it became the town of Helmetta, New Jersey. It's said that the town was named after his youngest daughter, Olivia Antoinette, whose nickname was Etta.

When George Helme died, Helmetta had about 500 people. There were five factories that employed over 300 workers. Many of these workers came from nearby Spotswood and Jamesburg. George Helme was also involved in his community. He was a trustee for the State Reform School at Jamesburg for ten years and was president of the board for eight years. His family also helped start St. George's Episcopal Church in Helmetta.

Death

George Helme passed away in 1893 in Helmetta. He was 71 years old and died from a heart attack. Many people attended his funeral. A special train car was even arranged for those who wanted to come from Jersey City. Reports said that 1,500 people attended the funeral.

The funeral procession, with almost 500 people, went to Fernwood Cemetery in Jamesburg. He was buried in the Helme Mausoleum, which is the largest one in the cemetery. At the time of his death, he was said to be the second wealthiest man in New Jersey.

He was survived by his wife and three of his children. His grandson, Henry Hyacinth Strater, later became a painter.