Martha, Margaret, Anna and Ella Helm, photograph taken in the early 1930s.

Ella’s younger sister, Martha Helm, began her teaching career in Webb City in 1892. She taught in the elementary schools and served as principal of Eugene Field. Another sister, Margaret Helm, was five years younger than Ella. She was employed by the First National Bank. Ella’s niece, Anna Helm, was a teacher and also taught violin for many years. The three Helm sisters enjoyed spending their summer vacations at Excelsior Springs.

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Old News

Webb City High School was graced by Missouri’s 1926 outstanding teacher for 50 years

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

August 14, 2024

Ella F. Helm was born May 31, 1861, in Cooper County, Missouri. She graduated from high school and business college in Clinton, and became a school teacher. Miss Helm taught school in Butler, Missouri, and in Parsons and Montrose, Kansas. In 1886, she visited the booming mining town of Webb City and without her knowledge she was elected to teach in the town’s first schoolhouse located on Webb and Joplin (Broadway) streets.

Students called her Miss Helm or Miss Ella, and she was known as a gentle and encouraging teacher. Few former students ever forgot her, and they stayed in touch with calls and letters. The Class of  1923 erected a bronze plaque in the high school auditorium recognizing her then 38 years of service.

Miss Ella formed the Alethean literary society and was very involved in other school activities, such as the Hi-Y Club and student council. She served as vice-principal of the school, coached the debate team and took part in the production of school plays.

Miss Ella died suddenly at her home on Sept. 14, 1935, at the age of 74.

She had taught school the previous Friday and seemed in good health. Heart trouble was given as the cause of death. The fall of 1935 had marked her 50th consecutive year at Webb City High School.  The schools were closed in her honor and many Webb City businesses were closed during the hour of her funeral service. Miss Ella is buried near her family in Mount Hope Cemetery. 

Miss Ella began her teaching career in 1885 and in 1926 was declared by the University of Missouri most outstanding teacher. She was given a trip to the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia and went to Washington as a chaperon for the leading boy and girl students of the state. On that Washington visit she was presented a gold medal by President Calvin Coolidge. It remained a treasured possession.
In 1931 at an old settlers gathering, Miss Ella Helm told of coming to Webb City in the 1880s and having a job thrust on her by Greely Gaston. At that time there was an eight-room frame schoolhouse with 450 pupils and seven teachers. There was no graduation the first years but a strawberry festival instead made $94 which purchased the school organ. In 1890, the first school board was organized and a smallpox scare closed the school. In 1890, the first graduating class of Webb City High School had six members with Superintendent Axline in charge.

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.

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