He was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania in 1882, the fifth son and ninth child of Major Oliver Helme and Sarah Pease, part of the family of Rhode Island blue bloods, originating in the early 1600's with Christopher Helme. From early on, George Helme possessed good work ethics and a strong sense of the importance of business association. In Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Helme took a job with Asa Packer, a well-entrenched businessman in the construction of railroads, boats and locks, who later became the founder of Lehigh University.
George Helme grew restless and by the time he reached his middle twenties, he was off to Louisiana. He studied law and in 1851 was admitted to the bar in New Orleans. Ever the enterprising businessman, he opened his law practice just as the Civil War was roiling throughout the country. With the outbreak of war, Helme decided to return to the north. He settled in Spotswood, New Jersey where he married Margaret Appleby, from a prominent Spotswood family. His first two children, daughters, were born shortly before the Civil War. The first of the two daughters died one year after her birth.
Helme returned to New Orleans in 1862 where their third child was born just across the Louisiana border in Chatawa, Mississippi. Helme became a captain in the Confederate Army where he fought in the Battle of Shiloh. When the Civil War ended, Helme and his family returned to New Jersey where he and his wife's brother, Jacob, began to manufacture snuff and tobacco. Eventually, by 1877, he controlled the company and changed the name of the factory to The George W. Helme Tobacco Company. It soon became the world's largest producer of tobacco snuff.
The Tiny Town of Helmetta
Helme decided to buy land located between Spotswood and Jamesburg, New Jersey. There, he built the impeccably styled red brick snuff mill that still stands today. He proceeded to build over 100 homes for his workers in row fashion as well as a beautiful mansion for himself and his family, adjacent to his factory. The factories on his land grew to five. Among the tiny town's additions was the Avon Inn, a hotel also used by boarders, several supply stores and a social club.
The town, known as Railroad Mills, would be renamed Helmetta, combining the family name with the nickname of his youngest daughter, Etta. His family helped establish St. George Episcopal Church, with its beautiful dark wood frame perched high above the avenue, that leads in and out of town. The long railroad track, passing just in front of the huge snuff factory building, was the main source of shipping in the late 1800's.
A railroad station was built on Railroad Avenue and later moved to a different location. Until the final days of World War II, the track served passenger travel and freight. Conrail operates the track today and transports goods from north and east to Pennsylvania and beyond. Helme built a town that was all-inclusive for his business and his workers. By the time he died, the factory employed more than 300 and the town population grew to more than 500.
A Businessman and Philanthopist
In addition to the enhancements he generously provided to the town and his workers, George W. Helme was involved in many philanthropic efforts as well. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Jamesburg Home for Boys and maintained a seat on the Borough Council. Throughout his lifetime, he worked diligently to create a safe workplace and a quiet, peaceful town that remains synonymous with the roots of the Helme family. Each spring, pink crab apple blossoms bloom from trees that separate the main street from the railroad track. The town's activities, ice cream socials, family picnics and other special events are posted on a large sign in front of the Helmetta Police station, an old stone building that is a reminder of the town's beginnings and its founder, George Washington Helme.
Sources: Colliers Encyclopedia, The Jamesburg Historical Archives
 |
