California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 MRS. A. M. HELM. � The distinction of having conducted the first hotel in Laytonville, and then being the proprietors of the leading hostelry there for a period of thirty-five years, has been that of Mr. and Mrs. Martin V. Helm, the former of whom passed away in 1908, leaving behind him a most estimable memory among all. who knew him. The lives of this splendid couple are most interesting to the reader of pioneer experiences, for the year 1870 witnessed their coming to Mendocino county, where they ever afterward made their home and helped to build up the interests of their vicinity. Mrs. Helm was born in Corydon, Harrison county, Ind., the daughter of Charles B. and Mary (Fleshman) Dyer, both natives of Indiana, who were farmers there and spent their last days in that state. Of their eight children, Artiemecia was the eldest, and she received her educational training in the local public schools of Corydon, where she was married July 7, 1864. to Martin V. Helm. He was a native of Decatur, Ill., and after his graduation from college he was engaged in teaching for a period. He saw active service in the Civil war as a member of an Illinois regiment. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Helm followed farming in Harrison county, Ind., until 1870, when they came to Long Valley, Mendocino county, to engage in farming and stock-raising. Purchasing nine hundred acres just north of Laytonville, they remained there for a few years, then selling out and embarking in the hotel business at Laytonville, which was the first of its kind there. When the residence of Mr. Layton was burned, they purchased the property, built a new hotel, and the Laytonville hotel became a prominent place for travelers from all over the country, its excellent service, genial hosts, and favorable reputation for the many splendid details of its management, attracting many guests to its doors. Especially was it known for its fine table, Mrs. Helm herself personally superintending all the cooking, and the neatness of her table, the abundance of good food, and the sunny, pleasant manner of the Hostess brought comfort to the hearts of a great many lonesome travelers. In about 1905, the hotel was destroyed by fire, and Mrs. Helm rebuilt just across the street, where she had previously purchased a hundred and forty acres. This was a fine, modern house, with all conveniences essential to the comforts of their patrons, and the hotel business was successfully conducted by Mrs. Helm until in May, 1912, when she sold the entire property and retired from all activities of a business nature. In the meantime, however, she has acquired several valuable pieces of property, including a residence and several business buildings. Besides the hotel interest, during these years, Mr. Helm conducted a stage line from Laytonville to Westport, for about four years, becoming well known throughout that locality. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Helm, Demaris, who became a Mrs. Corn, and is now deceased ; and Cora, Mrs. Greenfield, of Minority, N. Mex. Mrs. Helm's business ability and unusual executive forcefulness may be recognized in that she served for nine years as postmaster of Laytonville most acceptably, and she was also agent for the overland stage line between San Francisco and Eureka for twenty years.