Helen (Renfrow) Lemme
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Frances Helen (Renfrow) Lemme (abt. 1904 - 1968)

Frances Helen (Helen) Lemme formerly Renfrow
Born about in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Daughter of and
Sister of , , , and
Wife of — married 26 Sep 1929 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United Statesmap
Mother of
Died at about age 64 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, United Statesmap
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Biography

Notables Project
Helen (Renfrow) Lemme is Notable.

Helen Renfrow Lemme was a civil rights activist and community leader in Iowa City.

Frances Helen Renfrow, daughter of Lee Augustus Renfrow and Eva Pearl Craig, was born on 20 February 1904 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States, [1] or on 25 February 1904.[2] She was the eldest of six children.

The family moved to Minnesota for a few years, based on her siblings' births in the 1910 census.

In the 1910 census Helen F Renfrow (age 6) was the daughter of Lee A Renfrow in Grinnell Ward 3, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States.[3]

In the 1915 census Helen Renfrow (age 11) was in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States.[4]

She won an essay contest in the 8th grade but the D.A.R did not give her the the award because she was black.[5][6]

In the 1920 census Helen F Renfrow (age 15) was the single daughter of Lee A Renflow in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States.[7]

She graduated from Grinnell High School in 1923.[8] She was valedictorian of her high school class and received a gold coin.[9]

She began college in 1923 at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1925 she transferred to the University of Iowa, where she studied science and biology and served as the president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.[5] After her graduation in 1928 with a BA from the University of Iowa, she was as a teacher at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina for a year.[10]

At age 25, she married Allyn Lemme (age 26) on 26 September 1929 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States.[11][12]

After her marriage, she taught briefly at Alabama State Teachers College located in Montgomery, Alabama.[10] In the 1930 census Helen R Lemme (age 25) was a married roomer in Montgomery, Montgomery, Virginia, United States. Allyn remained in Iowa City.[13]

By 1931, the couple had moved back to Iowa City where their eldest son, Lawrence was born. Her occupation was listed as a housekeeper.[14]

Lemme worked as a laboratory research technician in the University Hospitals.[15][16][17]

Helen was active in the Baptist Church and a variety of other organizations, including the Democratic Party, Parent Teacher's Organization, the Human Rights Commission, the Iowa City Area Council of Churches, and the Iowa City League of Women Voters.[18][19][20]

In the 1940 census Helen Lemme (age 35) was the wife of Allyn Lemme living at 15 East Prentiss St, Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, United States. They lived next door to the Tates. Betty Tate would also be known for providing housing for African American students, who were not allowed to live in the dorms at this time.[21]

Until 1946, black students could attend the University but could not live in the the dorms. The Lemme's provided housing for male students in their home. After 1946, students continued to live in private residences after this change. Lemme made her her home a center for the black community.[22] In 1949, Duke Ellington played at her home after performing on campus.[23][24]

In 1944 she advocated for black voters at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.[18]

In 1949, Lemme received the Best Citizen Award from Alpha Phi Omega.[25] She was also elected to the state board of directors of the League of Women voters.[26]

In the 1950 census Helen Lemme (age 45) was the wife of Allyn Lemme at 603 South Capitol St, Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, United States. The family had 13 African American student lodgers living with them. [27]

She was invited to the inauguration of President Lyndon Johnson in 1965 because of her work with the black caucus in the Democratic Party.[9]

Helen died Saturday, December 14, 1968 of smoke inhalation in a house fire.[28] "Mrs. Lemme had been prominent in Iowa City and in the state for more than 20 years. She was the first to receive Iowa City's "Woman of the Year" award in 1955 and was a member of the first Iowa City Human Relations Commission."[29] "Helen Lemme was an extraordinary woman ― and she was more than that. She was a charming and gracious lady; she was an outstanding citizen whose dedication toward making this world a better place for all men knew no limits."[30] She was buried in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, United States.[31]

Iowa City School District named Lemme Elementary in her honor in 1970.[32] Her family members attended the 25 year anniversary of the school.[33]

Sources

  1. ↑ Birth: "Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940", State Historical Society of Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Title: Iowa Birth Records, 1888-1904, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61441 #253790 (accessed 9 May 2023), Frances Helen Rentrow born on 20 Feb 1904, daughter of Lee Augustus Rentrow & Eva Pearl Craig, in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA.
  2. ↑ Pension: "Iowa, Old Age Tax Assistance Records, 1934-1958", citing Pension, Iowa, United States, multiple county Recorders, Auditors, and County Clerk Offices, Iowa; FHL microfilm 007897326, FamilySearch Record: QG3F-MLBS (accessed 9 May 2023), Name: Helen F Lemme; Pension Date: 1934-1946; Pension Place: Iowa, United States; Birth Date: 25 Feb 1904; Birth Place: Iowa; Id: 436829; Record Type: Pension; Event Place Year Range: 1934-1934.
  3. ↑ 1910 Census: "United States Census, 1910", citing enumeration district (ED) ED 115, sheet 7B, family 152, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 421; FHL microfilm 1,374,434, FamilySearch Record: MG9H-F17 (accessed 6 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRVF-Q9K Image number 01002, Helen F Renfrow (6), single daughter, in household of Lee A Renfrow (38) in Grinnell Ward 3, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
    Lee A Renfrow M 38 Married Head Texas - employed as a cook
    Eva P Renfrow F 30 Married Wife Iowa
    Helen F Renfrow F 6 Single Daughter Iowa
    Alice L Renfrow F 4 Single Daughter Minnesota
    Rudolf B Renfrow M 3 Single Son Minnesota
    Evnoll Renfrow F 1 Single Daughter Minnesota
  4. ↑ 1915 Census: "Iowa State Census, 1915", citing Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States, card no. , Iowa State Historical Department, Des Moines; FHL microfilm , FamilySearch Record: QK4T-LXYQ (accessed 6 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9PN-ZRZ9 Image number 03129, Hellen Renfrow (11), single in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
    Hellen Renfrow Single F 11 Iowa
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kelley, Kayla (18 February 2008). "Helen Lemme: A Life of Activism" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. 1A, 5A.
  6. ↑ Questions from school children answered by Lemme's family, in Lemme Family Papers, Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa Libraries
  7. ↑ 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920", citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 511; Line: 27; FHL microfilm: 1820511; Record number: 8691, FamilySearch Record: MDM8-ZML (accessed 6 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR6Z-97F Image number 00184, Helen F Renflow (15), single daughter, in household of Lee A Renflow (45) in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
    Lee A Renflow M 45 Married Head Texas - laborer in packing house, both parents born in Texas
    Eva P Renflow F 44 Married Wife Iowa - father born in Kentucky, mother in North Carolina
    Helen F Renflow F 15 Single Daughter Iowa
    Alice L Renflow F 13 Single Daughter Minnesota
    Rudolph B Renflow M 12 Single Son Minnesota
    Evanel E Renflow F 11 Single Daughter Minnesota
    Edith V Renflow F 5 Single Daughter Iowa
    Paul J Renflow M 3 Single Son Iowa
  8. ↑ 1923 School Yearbook: "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016", "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Grinnell High School; Year: 1923, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1265 #1440979036 (accessed 7 May 2023), Name: Helen Renfrow; Estimated Age: Abt 16; Birth Year: abt 1907; Yearbook Date: 1923; School: Grinnell High School; School Location: Grinnell, Iowa, USA; Yearbook Title: Grinellian Yearbook.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Remembering Helen Lemme – Grinnell’s Golden Girl" , Marty Boller, Our Heritage
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Helen Lemme
  11. ↑ Marriage: "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934", citing reference 7809, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,763,687, FamilySearch Record: KC4Y-JN8 (accessed 6 May 2023), Helen Renfrow (25) marriage to Allen Lemme (26) on 26 Sep 1929 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States.
  12. ↑ Marriage: "Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1947", Iowa Department of Public Health; Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Marriage Records, 1923–1937; Record Type: Marriage, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8823 #3095617 (accessed 7 May 2023), Helen Renfrow (26) marriage to Allen Remme on 26 Aug 1929 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA.
  13. ↑ 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930", citing enumeration district (ED) ED 33, sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll ; FHL microfilm , FamilySearch Record: 3V55-FMM (accessed 6 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR4C-JV2 Image number 01192, Hellen R Lemne (25), married roomer, in household of Hellen R Lemne (25) in Montgomery, Montgomery, Virginia, United States. Born in Iowa.
    Hellen R Lemne F 25 Married Roomer Iowa
  14. ↑ Birth of son of son Lawrence Craig Lemme: "Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940", State Historical Society of Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Title: Iowa Birth Records, 1888-1904, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61441 #301067469 (accessed 9 May 2023), Lawrence Craig Lemme born to Frances Helen Renfrew and Allyn Lemme in about 1904.
  15. ↑ "Civic Leader Dies in Iowa City Fire," Des Mine Register 15 December 1968, 4L
  16. ↑ She may have worked in the Department of Internal Medicine for Dr. Elmer DeGowin. No dates of her emplyment have been located yet.
  17. ↑ Unsourced, undated photo of Helen working in the lab
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "UI Blacks Remember Lemme", Daily Iowan, 28 February 1989, p.2
  19. ↑ "Lemme: Education was Salvation", Cedar Rapids Gazette, 9 February 1992, p.19A
  20. ↑ "Lemme opened doors for community," Iowa City Press Citizen, 9 February 2004, 1A, 4A; list of major activities/accomplishments on 4A
  21. ↑ 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940", citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 9, FamilySearch Record: KMYD-R1J (accessed 6 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9M1-FQTZ, Helen Lemme (35), wife, in household of Allyn Lemme (36) in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
    Allyn Lemme M 36 Married Head Illinois
    Helen Lemme F 35 Married Wife Iowa
    Lawrence Lemme M 8 Single Son Iowa
    Paul Lemme M 5 Single Son Iowa
    Daisy Miller F 64 Widowed Moth Iowa
  22. ↑ "Helen Lemme: Her house was home for black students", Iowa City Press Citizen, 4 May 1989, p.19E-20E
  23. ↑ Daily Iowan, 13 March 1949, p.8
  24. ↑ Iowa City Past
  25. ↑ "Mrs. Lemme Receives 'Best Citizen' Award," Daily Iowan 2 April 1949, p.1
  26. ↑ "Women Votes Pick Mrs. Allyn Lemme for State Position," Daily Iowan, 17 May 1949, p.1
  27. ↑ 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census", citing Page: 37; Line: 13, FamilySearch Record: 6FQD-6Q2P (accessed 6 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QHK-SQHW-TX2L, Helen Lemme (45), wife, in household of Allyn Lemme (46 years) in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
    Allyn Lemme M 46 years Married Head Shoemaker Illinois
    Helen Lemme F 45 years Married Wife Iowa
    Laurence Lemme M 18 years Never married Son Student Iowa
    Paul Lemme M 15 years Never married Son Student Iowa
    John Rawls M 26 years Never married Lodger Student Florida
    Herbert Harris M 22 years Never married Lodger Student Texas
    Leroy Harris M 27 years Never married Lodger Student North Carolina
    Edward Wilson M 25 years Never married Lodger Student Maryland
    Laurence Dennie M 22 years Never married Lodger Student Missouri
    Ulysses Davis M 24 years Never married Lodger Student South Carolina
    Luther Ward M 33 years Never married Lodger Student Miss
    Louis Mathews M 18 years Never married Lodger Student New York
    Harold Bradley M 20 years Never married Lodger Student Illinois
    Earl Banks M 25 years Never married Lodger Student Penn
    Marcellius Boston M 19 years Never married Lodger Student Washington D C
    Donald Riley M 20 years Never married Lodger Student Minn
    Leonard Sykes M 19 years Never married Lodger Student Illinois
  28. ↑ "Helen Lemme dies in Home Fire: Prominent in Local Activities", Iowa City Press Citizen, 14 December 1968, p.1 (headline)
  29. ↑ Daily Iowan 17 December 1968, p. 1
  30. ↑ "Helen Lemme," Editorial page, Iowa City Press Citizen, 16 December 1968
  31. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image), Find A Grave: Memorial #92539652 (accessed 6 May 2023), Memorial page for Helen Renfrow Lemme (25 Feb 1904-13 Dec 1968), citing Memory Gardens Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, USA (plot: I 182/2); Maintained by Sue (contributor 47214540).
  32. ↑ "About Lemme / History of Our School"
  33. ↑ "For 25 years, feeling of family alive at Lemme," Iowa City Press Citizen 22 May 1995, 1A, 5A

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