Joseph E. Heffelfinger

JOSEPH E. HEFFELFINGER.

The large business interests capable controlled and managed by Joseph E. Heffelfinger indicate his business capacity and executive force and the financial reward of his labor has been adequate, placing him among the men of affluence in Springfield. His position is that of manager of the Union Central Life Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, for the central Ohio district, his oihces being in the Bushnell building.

Mr. Heffelfinger was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1844, and a son of William and Margaret (Bistle) Heffelfinger. The father, also a native of the Keystone state, was in the county wherein his son’s birth occurred, and by occupation he was a farmer. Being left motherless when only eleven years of age, Joseph E. Heffelfinger started out to make his own way in the world two years later, having previous to this time attended the public schools, where he acquired a good practical education. He made his way to Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, where he had a brother living, and there he worked as a farm hand, at first receiving only five dollars per month. He was thus employed when he attempted to enlist soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, but was rejected, however, on account of light weight. At the time of the Morgan raid in Ohio he enlisted for six months and was located at Camp Dennison. After his company was disbanded Mr. Heffelfinger accepted a position as sutler’s clerk in the Army of the James, and was later in the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war.

Mr. Heffelfinger returned to Kenton, Ohio, in 1865, and in the spring of 1868 he became interested in the insurance business at West Liberty, representing the Union Central Life Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, soon ‘after its organization, His capability in this line was soon recognized and he was promoted to a general agency. Later, in 1876, he removed to Springfield to assume the management of the affairs of the company in central Ohio and has since continued in that position, making thirty-four years’ service with the same company, during which time over thirty million dollars’ worth of business has passed through his hands. In point of service he is today the oldest general agent in the company, and it is needless toi say that he has the entire confidence and high regard of the officials, as his long retention in the important position he now fills plainly indicates that fact.

In 1870 Mr. Heffelfinger was united in marriage to Miss Dora McDonald at West Liberty, Ohio. Her father, Major James McDonald, was of Scotch nativity and prior to the Civil war was engaged in the wholesale dry goods business. During that struggle he served as division quartermaster in the Army of the Cumberland, and was also on the staffs of General Stedman and General Thomas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heffelfinger were born four children, namely: Maud, now the wife of C. J. McDiarmid, an attorney at Cincinnati; Nellie E., who died in 1901; Mabel J., the wife of Harry E. Bauer; and Gwendolyn, now Mrs.

John A. Bookwalter, of Springfield. The wife and mother died in 1877, and in June, 1879, Mr. Heffelfinger married her sister, Miss Gertrude McDonald. The family hold membership in the High Street Methodist Episcopal church and occupy quite a prominent position in social circles. F raternally Mr. Heffelfinger is a prominent Mason, belonging to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. € A. M.; Springfield Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M.; and Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T. He is a man of marked business and executive ability, of keen perception and unbounded enterprise, his success in life being due entirely to his own efforts, and he deserves prominent mention among the leading and representative citizens of this section of the state.

Harry S. Mellinger, who is successfully carrying on farming and stock-raising in Springfield township, four miles from the city of Springfield, was born on the homestead where he yet resides in the year 1861, his parents being John H. and Rachel Mellinger. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Mellinger, a native of Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated westward to Clark county, Ohio, locating on the farm which is now the home of our subject. In his family were four children: Mary who is now living in Springfield; John H.; Martha, the wife of Montgomery Patten, of Springfield; and Jacob, also of that city, who married Ella Wheeler and has one child, Frank.

John H. Mellinger, the father of our subject, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born in 1837, and there spent the days of his childhood and youth. When about six years old he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, taking up his above upon a farm in Mad River township, two miles southwest of the home of Harry S. Mellinger, and after his marriage purchased the farm on which our subject now resides. He wedded Mrs. Rachel (Line) Rosser, and unto them were born five children, namely: Harry S., of this review; Emma Rosser, the wife of David Heer, of Springfield, by whom she has one child, Harry; Martha, the wife of Harry Hedges, a resident of Cleveland, Ohic; John, who is living in Springfield; and Annie, who married Robert Mills and had three children, Robert, Rachel and Ralph. Her death occurred on the 6th of May, 1901. The mother now resides in Springfield, but the father died August 27, 1896. For many years he was engaged in stock buying and was an extensive stock shipper. He spent much of his time upon the road and he thus became widely known as an upright, honorable business man, who gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. He never forgot a face nor a name and could always remember a man whom he had once met. Genial and courteous in manner, he made a host of warm friends wherever he went, and was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.

On the old homestead Harry S. Mellinger was reared and the place is therefore endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood as well as of later years. It was his playground in youth, his training ground for the practical duties of life, and it has been the scene of his activities through manhood. He has always engaged in raising stock and in general farming on this place, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good land located on the Fairfield pike four miles from Springfield. Mr. Mellinger was united in marriage to Miss Emma Flenner, of Hamilton county, Ohio, a daughter of Charles and Cora Flenner, who now reside in Hamilton, where her father was at one time engaged in the livery business. Our subject and his wife have one child, Harry Flenner, born June 30, 1902. In his political views Mr. Mellinger is a Republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. Frank and jovial, his genial nature has won him many friends. He is now in comfortable financial circumstances and is recognized as one of the enterprising farmers of the community, well liked by all who know him.

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.