John H. Mellinger

As printed in 1902

JOHN H. MELLINGER.

John H. Mellinger, now deceased, was for many years a respected and worthy resident of Clark county. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1835, a son of Jacob and Martha (Hertzler) Mellinger. The father’s birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there he learned the miller's trade, which he followed during his early manhood, while later he devoted his energies to farming. When the subject of this review was about fourteen years of age the father came with his-family to Clark county, Ohio, settling below Springfield on the Mud Run pike, where he purchased a large tract of land and there carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six years of age. A prosperous man, he owed his success to untiring energy, business ability and executive force, and his life proved conclusively that prosperity can be obtained along these lines. His wife survived him only about two years, passing away when seventy-eight years of age. Both were members of the Mennonite church and Mr. Mellinger was a Republican in his political views, endorsing that party from its organization.

John H. Mellinger of this review spent the first fourteen years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. His education was secured in the public schools of his native city and of Clark county, and when not engaged with the duties of the school room he gave his attention to the work of the farm, being employed upon the old family homestead until after he had attained his majority. He was married on the 20th of November, 1860, the lady of his choice being Miss Rachel Rosser, a daughter of William and Maria (Snyder) Rosser. A native of Scotland, her father came to America in early life and located near Springfield, Ohio, making his home in this county throughout his remaining days. He was engaged in the lumber business at the time of his death, which occurred in 1860, when he was about fifty-two years of age. His widow still survives him and resides with Mrs. Mellinger at their attractive home on West Pleasant street. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mellinger was blessed with five children, of whom four are yet living, namely: Harry S., a well known citizen of this county; Emma M., the wife of David Herr, an undertaker, of Springfield, Ohio, by whom she has one child, Harry Samuel; Martha, the wife of Harry Hedges, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and has one child; and John, a farmer, who resides in Springfield. The deceased member of the family is Annie, who was the wife of Robert Mills, a dealer in stone, lime and

‘eastern markets.

cement in Springfield. She had three children, but the youngest, Robert, died before the mother’s death. The others are Rachel and Ralph.

After his marriage John H. Mellinger engaged in business as a stock dealer and jobber, making extensive shipments to the He carried on business on a large scale, and his industry was not only the means of bringing to him a very handsome competence, but also proved of benefit to the community, for he furnished a home market to the local stock dealers. In all his business transactions he was fair and just and was held in the highest regard by those with whom he came in contact, by reason of his honesty and his genuine worth. He took great pleasure in providing well for his family and at his death, which occurred in 1896, his loss was deeply deplored by many friends as well as by his wife and children,

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.