Charles J. Helm

Charles John Helm (June 21, 1817 – February 26, 1868) was an American politician, diplomat, and lawyer from Kentucky. He served as a major in the Mexican-American War. He was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. He was U.S. commercial agent to St. Thomas and became involved in the Butterfield Claims dispute with Denmark. He then served as U.S. consul general of Cuba. During the Civil War, he was a special agent of the Confederate States government to the West Indies. Following the war, he lived in exile in Toronto for the remainder of his life.

Early life Charles John Helm was born on June 21, 1817, in Hornellsville, New York, to Sallie (née McKinney) and Francis T. Helm. The family moved to Newport, Kentucky, in 1817. He attended local schools and read law with John W. Tibbatts. He was admitted to the bar in 1842. Following the war, he continued to practice law in Newport.

Personal life Helm married Louise A. Whistler, daughter of William Whistler, on June 16, 1854. They had five children, including Charles Jr. His son Charles was a circuit court judge in Kentucky.

Helm died of erysipelas on the morning of February 26, 1868, at the Rossin House Hotel in Toronto.