One of the founders of Montour, Iowa, he was a native of New York, a son of Woodhull and Lucy (Ruggles) Helm. The family at an early day moved to Illinois and became pioneers in Ogle County. Here Phineas united in marriage with Miss Caroline Moffatt. He was engaged in various businesses until 1853, when he came to Iowa, and settled at Indiantown. At that place he erected a hotel and was engaged as its landlord for some time; then followed farming until 1863, when he traded his farm for land on section 21, and became one of the platters of Montour. He subsequently opened a stone quarry at Indiantown. Mr. Helm represented Tama County in the Tenth Iowa General Assembly. He was a resident of St. Louis, where he engaged in business. He is remembered as a wide-awake business man, and an enterprising, energetic fellow.