Helvetia was settled in 1869 by a group of Swiss and German immigrants who came by way of Brooklyn, N.Y. Along with farmers and herdsmen, the settlers included many craftsmen and professionals, including stone masons, carpenters, painters, wagon makers, shoe makers, watch makers, hat makers, cheese makers, a musician, a teacher, a minister, and a doctor. Later groups arriving from Switzerland and other parts of the U.S. increased the population to 308 by 1874.