Frank Hellam is a wholesale and retail dealer in candies and tobacco, enjoying a substantial and growing business at 404 Alvarado Street, Monterey. He is a native of Michigan, born at Pontiac, September 13, 1869, the son of John and Fannie (Woodhull) Hellam, the former a brick-mason who came to California in 1881 with his son Frank and settled at Monterey. Later the family removed to Shasta county but after twenty years returned to Monterey, where Mrs. Hellam passed away in 1922. Mr. Hellam, having built many of the fine residences here, at last retired, and is now enjoying a well earned rest.
Educated in the public schools of Michigan, Frank Hellam came to the Golden state at the age of eleven, and as a mere boy went to work for a living, making himself handy at odd jobs. One of the prized souvenirs of his youth is a photograph showing him shining shoes,—a view of his place of business thirty-four years ago. At this same location he has since built up a flourishing trade in tobacco and confectionery, selling to both the wholesale and retail trades, and his reputation for dependable, fair dealing is second to none in the state.
At Monterey, in the year 1899, Mr. Hellam was married to Miss Amelia Plapp, a native of Germany, and the union has been blessed with seven children. Monty is with his father; and there are Frank, Jr., John, Frances, Anstice, Le Gray, and William R. C. Mr. Hellam belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all the chairs, and has been delegate to the Grand Lodge. In politics he is a “man above party,” working truly in non-partisan fashion for the common weal. His entire career is most creditable. Suffering the handicap of being crippled he has nevertheless won success in business and his own condition has made him most sympathetic for others, prompting a generous charity while his cheer and kindness have been a blessing and inspiration to others. All Monterey knows, honors and loves Frank Hellam, and both town and county are proud of his success and his exemplary citizenship.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.