Scraps of Early Texas History (1884)
By Mary Sherwood Helm, Elias R. Wightman
OBITUARY. MEREDITH HELM.
Died at his residence in Connersville, May 27, 1859. He was born in Kentucky, A.D., 1796, and immigrated to Indiana, then a territory, in 1811. Early thereafter he settled in Connersville, where he resided until his death. He was associated in early life in the mercantile business with Solomon Harlan, John Conner and others, of the first settlers of this place, and spent the best years of his life as a merchant. After acquiring a competency he retired, like a philosopher, to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
His manhood has been spent in this town, and his energies have been directed to the promotion of the true interests of the county. He was an early friend and the first president of the White Water Valley Canal Company, and continued acting president thereof, until the completion of the canal ; was the first president of the Fayette County Bank, and continued as such, during its existence in business, and until the organization of the bank of the State of Indiana, when he was chosen president of the branch thereof located at Connersville, which position he retained until the bank went into active operation, when at his own request, he retired from the presidency. All of which positions he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to those interested, exhibiting under all circumstances most excellent judgment and business qualities. Thus has passed away the oldest inhabitant of Connersville. He came here when it was a wild unbroken forest, inhabitated by the Indian and wild deer, the rude wigwam standing where the stately mansion now marks the progress of civilization ; has seen the forest give way to the woodman's ax, witnessed the building up of the town and country round about, until it is almost without a rival in beauty and magnificence ; has seen a generation come and go, as he has gone, to "that bourne from whence no traveler returns."
In all the relations of life he manifested those stern and manly qualities that characterize the pioneers of our country - open, frank, generous, free, independent and undisguised ; as an honest man, without a spot or blemish. Few men have lived so long and acted as conspicuous a part in society, against whose integrity the breath of suspicion has blown so lightly. He lived and died a splendid example, "that an honest man is the noblest work of God."
He died in the fullness of years, loved by those who knew him best, respected by all, hated by none - leaving a host of friends and relations to mourn his departure.
