Abel Helman
Encyclopedia
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pioneer of Ashland, Oregon
Ashland, Oregon
Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, near Interstate 5 and the California border, and located in the south end of the Rogue Valley. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other...
.
Early life
Helman was born in Wayne, Ashland County, OhioAshland County, Ohio
Ashland County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States, and was formed in 1846 from parts of Huron, Lorain, Richland and Wayne Counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 53,139. Its county seat is Ashland...
on April 10, 1824. He was of German descent. He was the fourth of seven children. His youth was divided between work on the farm and education through a subscription school, which was common to that period. On October 23, 1849, he married Martha Jane Kanagy. They had eight children altogether.
Travels
He learned the carpenter's trade in Wooster, OhioWooster, Ohio
Wooster is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio approximately SSW of Cleveland and SW of Akron. Wooster is noted as the location of The College of Wooster...
, and worked in cabinet-making until he was twenty-six years old. He heard news of the gold discoveries in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
from time to time until his desire for fortune led him to make his way to California. In January 1850, he sailed for Aspinwall
Aspinwall
-Places:* Aspinwall, Iowa, United States* Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, United States* Alternative name of Colón, Panama-Persons:*Edward Aspinwall* Lloyd Aspinwall , American general* William Aspinwall Englishman emigrant to Boston...
as a passenger on the steamer Ohio.
In April 1850, he arrived in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he made his way to Beaver Creek and eventually on to Sacramento. In 1851, he made a trip over the mountains to the Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
of Oregon, driving a mule team from Yreka, California
Yreka, California
Yreka is the county seat of Siskiyou County, California, United States. The population was 7,765 at the 2010 census, up from 7,290 at the 2000 census.- History:...
, to Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, and while en route he crossed a part of the tract of land that he afterwards took up as a donation claim
Donation Land Claim Act
The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 was a statute enacted by the United States Congress intended to promote homestead settlement in the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest...
and upon which a large portion of Ashland, Oregon
Ashland, Oregon
Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, near Interstate 5 and the California border, and located in the south end of the Rogue Valley. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other...
now resides.
Oregon
He returned to California, and made his home at Yreka until January 1852, when he came to Jackson County, OregonJackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
with several others, all of whom secured donation land claims. After making preparations for having a home there he returned to Ohio and brought his wife and children back with him to Oregon.
Ashland, named after their old home county in Ohio, became their permanent place of residence. From that time on, Helman was closely associated with the growth of Ashland and the development of his part of the county.
The boundaries of his farm extended north and south along what is now First Avenue above the Chautauqua
Chautauqua
Chautauqua was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with...
grove and west on what is now Nutley Street, then north through what is now the old North School grounds almost to Bear Creek. As the town developed, he sold off much of his original tract but at the time of his death was still occupying a portion of the northern part of the claim, about 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of land.
Business
Upon moving to Ashland, Helman joined with other settlers in many works of public improvement. They built the first sawmill on the banks of Ashland Creek and the first flour mill which occupied a site near the center of the city that is now Lithia ParkLithia Park
Lithia Park is the largest and most central park of Ashland, Oregon. It consists of of forested canyonland around Ashland Creek, stretching from the downtown plaza up toward its headwaters near Mount Ashland...
. The work of development and progress was not accomplished without much labor on the part of the early settlers. They were forced to endure many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and in the early days there was constant danger of Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
attack. Helman was with those who defended the interests of the pioneers in the Indian war of 1855 and 1856, being stationed at a fort on Wagner Creek. His commission as a first lieutenant of Company A, of the first Regiment, First Brigade, Oregon Militia, was dated December 20, 1865. He became the first postmaster of Ashland and continued in that position for twenty-seven years, from 1855 until 1882.
Career
Helman ranked high in the Independent Order of Odd FellowsIndependent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows , also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 18th century, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were...
(I.O.O.F.), having a wide acquaintance among the order throughout the state. He was one of the first members of Ashland Lodge, No. 45, I.O.O.F., and for many years served as one of its officers, filling every position in the subordinate lodge. In 1892, he was grand master of the grand lodge of Oregon. He became a member and past patriarch of the Pilot Rock
Pilot Rock, Oregon
Pilot Rock is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,532 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Pendleton–Hermiston Micropolitan Statistical Area. The main industries are timber and agriculture...
encampment and he was also grand patriarch of the grand encampment of Oregon. For two years he was grand representative from Oregon to the sovereign grand lodge sessions and he was also prominent in the Rebekah Lodge.
He was interred with the honors of the order, having died on 5 March 1910, at the age of 85.
Helman Elementary school in Ashland, Oregon is named for him.