"The Twilight Years" The Fifth Decade
Frederick and Katharine had reason to be content with their lives as the Twentieth Century opened in 1900. Having taken out a $3,000.00 mortgage at eight percent annual interest in January of 1887 to "consolidate previous promissory notes," they filed a Certificate of Release on 9 September 1899. The farmland was now free and clear of all debts.
Carolina "Carrie" Moretta Amalia married HIRAM WALTERS on 25 July 1901
and George Adam married IDA LODEMA KALER 1 September 1901.
Katharine and Frederick faced one sad chapter in the twilight years of their lives. As Willie had matured, it was apparent that he was mentally handicapped. He grew to adulthood protected by his parents and siblings, never attending school. He never married either.
Now at retirement age, Frederick and Katharine sold 110.67 acres of the family farm to son, Anthony, 25 August 1904 for $3,450.00. This was the last time Katharine's signature would appear upon a legal document related to the farm. .She signed it "Katharina."
As in almost all shared life experiences, one dies before the other. Having survived the hazards of childbirth and the diseases of her times, Katharine was to live fourteen years after Frederick's death 28 march 1907.
The following clipping of Frederick's obituary and his will were loaned by Burta (Sheets) Owings, granddaughter of Mary (Helle) Gray. The clippings probably appeared in the Canton Daily Register.
FRED HELLE, SR.
Respected Old Citizen of Cass Township Who Was Buried Saturday
Fred Helle, sr., died Thursday at his home in Cass Township, north of Smithfield, aged nearly 72 years. The cause of death was lung fever.
Burial was on Saturday in the Brockl5 cemetery. The Rev. Mr. Douglas, of Cuba, officiated at the funeral.
Mr. Helle was born in June, 1835, in Westphalia, Prussia and came to America in 1857 landing in New Orleans. He worked for several months in St. Louis, Chicago, Bloomington and Peoria and came to Canton in November, 1859, remaining about a year, when he went to Macomb, where he was married, in 1860, to Miss Catharina Krauser.
In 1863 Mr. and Mrs. Helle removed to Chicago, and a few months later he entered government service in Louisville, I Ky., as a baker, continuing in this capacity until the end of the Civil war. He then located in Bushnell, and in 1869 settled on the farm on which his death occurred.
Of a family of 13 children, 11 are living, and Mrs. Helle survives her husband.
At this writing Mrs. Helle is dangerously ill.
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The Last Will and Testament
The last will and testament of Fred Helle, Sr., deceased, is in the hands of the county clerk, having been filed for probate. Fred Helle, sr., died at his home in Cass township 'March28, 1907.
The terms of the will are as follows:
That funeral expenses and all just debts shall be fully paid from the personal property of the estate.
The wife, Catherine Helle, is to have the use of all the property, both personal and real, after the payment of all debts against the estate, for and during her natural lifetime, for her own proper use and benefit, and for the care and support of an invalid son, William August Helle, during his natural lifetime. The property is to be managed and controlled for the uses and purposes set forth, by Fred Helle, jr., and Fred Blout, who are named as executors.
The wife and invalid son shall have their home on the farm where they now reside, so long as they shall live. In case the wife should die, the brothers and sisters are to care for and look after the invalid son and brother, from the proceeds or income of the estate; provided he shall not be sent to an asylum or public institution for care. At the death of the wife the executors are directed to sell all personal property of said estate, and after providing for matters mentioned, divide the same equally among the heirs to the estate.
The executors are to keep all buildings on said estate fully insured. After the death of the wife and invalid son, the executors are directed to sell all real estate and accumulated personal property, at public or private sale, and divide the proceeds thereof after the payment of all expenses equally among the children of said Fred Helle, sr., deceased, giving to the heirs of any deceased child the parent's share.
The subscribing witnesses to the will are G. L. Miller and J. W. Strong, both of Canton.
The deceased left the following named heirs at law and legatees; Catherine Helle, widow, Smithfield; Francisca E. Orwig, daughter, New Philadelphia; Mary J. Gray, daughter, Smithfield; Martha D. Keuhn, daughter, Smithfield; Tracy M. Fouts, daughter, Ellisville; Kate Blout, daughter, EllisviIle; Bertha Bolon, daughter, Smithfield; Carrie Walters, daughter, Canton; Fred Helle, Jr., son, Smithfield; A. J. Helle, son, Smithfield; George A. Helle, son, Smithfield; William Helle, son, Smithfield.
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As directed in Frederick's will, Katharine and Willie remained on the family farm during their natural lifetimes. Katharine was to experience the grief of the death of two more of her children.
On 24 July 1909 Anthony died from crushing injuries sustained when a hay pole being erected fell
on him. On 29 May 1911 Willie died at home. The last years of her life Katharine chose to "take her bed" and rotate living with her married children. She died 14 July 1921 in the home of her oldest son, Frederick, Jr. Her obituary and related articles which follow appeared in the Canton Daily Ledger.
Smithfield -- Friday, July 15, 1921
Mrs. Kate Helle, an aged and honored woman, and almost a life long resident of this vicinity, passed away at the home of her son, Fred Helle, northwest of town, Thursday afternoon, July 14, after an illness of little more than a week. She was in her eighty-third year. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 o'clock, at the United Brethren church. Burial in Brock cemetery.
Smithfield -- Monday, July 18, 1921
Biography of Mrs. Helle Catherine Frances Krause(r) was born in Mosbach, Germany, Feb. 25, 1839, and passed from this life July 14, 1921, at the home of her son, Fred, having reached the age of 82 years, 4 months and 19 days. The years of her girlhood were spent along the river Rhine. Coming to America when she was 19 years of age, she was for two years a resident of the state of Ohio. She afterwards lived in Macomb until 1860. In this same year she was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Fred Helle. Their union was blessed with 13 children, two of whom died in infancy. Two others died after they had become of age -- Anthony on July 24, 1909, and William A. on May 29, 1911. Those living are: Mrs. John Orwig, Cuba; Fred Helle, Smithfield; Mrs. Mary Gray, Canton; Mrs. Dena Keuhn, Smithfield; Mrs. Sherman Fouts, Ellisville; George Helle, Cuba; Mrs. Kathryn Blout, Ellisville; Mrs. Charles Bolan, Smithfield; Mrs. Hiram Walters, Cuba. The husband preceded her in death 14 years ago.
Besides being a good mother to her 13 children she was a grandmother to 46 and great grandmother to 22. She labored faithfully with her husband in caring for the family and assumed her share of the hard times that the settler of the country endured. Besides the relatives, she has many friends who sincerely mourn her passing.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 16 at the United Brethren church, Rev. C. W. Martin officiating and burial was in Brock cemetery. The pallbearers were her grandsons.
William Brown (Braun) and son George and daughter Mae and Lewis Krauser all of Macomb, Mrs. Fred Hartwick, Miss Bertha Brannan and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Krauser of Bushnell, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Yocum of Canton, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Blout, their sons, Leo and Floyd and daughter, Amy, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Fouts and daughter, Alta of Ellisville, were here to attend the funeral of Mrs. Kate Helle Saturday.
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank our friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the illness and death of our beloved mother, Mrs. Katherine Helle, also Mrs. M.B. Galloway and the young people who conducted the singing at the funeral.
Frederick and Katharine (Krauser) Helle lie at rest beneath a marker in the Baughman Cemetery, one mile northeast of Smithfield, Illinois. Wilhelm is on their right and Christina is on their left.
