Helena Carolina Kayser was born December 28, 1894 in Robinson, Kansas to Frederick and Caroline [Knecht] Kayser. The Kayser family emigrated to Salem, Oregon in June of 1911. Here Helena met and married Henry Matthew Murhammer on December 16, 1913. Ten children would be born to the couple, including two sets of twins. Henry was the son of Franz and Anna [Arracker] Murhammer, and part of a colony of Germans from Pennsylvania that emigrated to Salem, Oregon in 1910. On arrival, father Franz Murhammer purchased agricultural property along Croisan Creek in the Liberty District of South Salem. It was to this property that Henry brought Helena after their marriage. Under Henry’s management, the family property of 120 acres was used for a dairy herd with milking parlor, gravel pit, strawberries, and other agricultural pursuits. After Henry’s untimely death in 1947 from diabetes, Helena continued to run the property with the help of her children. In addition to her work as a mother and farm manager, Helena was a talented seamstress and textile creator. Helena died 22 Jun 1959 in Salem General Hospital from kidney failure related to heart disease. She was 64 years old. Both Henry and Helena are buried in City View Cemetery.

This collection contains photographs, documents, ephemera, and textiles from the Helena C. Kayser-Henry M. Murhammer family from the Croisan Creek area of South Salem.

Click here to access collection list: Helena C. Kayser – Henry M. Murhammer Family Collection

Preferred Citation:

Helena C. Kayser – Henry M. Murhammer Family Collection, Willamette Heritage Center, 2023.011

Restrictions on Use:

The Helena C. Kayser – Henry M. Murhammer Family Collection is the physical property of the Willamette Heritage Center. Please contact the Willamette Heritage Center for information regarding specific use of this collection.

Processing Information:

Collection processed and researched by Cathy Russell and Kaylyn F. Mabey, 2023.