USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 42
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AMOS H. HELSER.
Amos H. Helser is a member of the firm of A. H. Helser & Son, undertakers, of Somerset. In this business they have en- gaged since 1897, but since 1881 Mr. Helser has been connected with the express busi- ness of Somerset, has conducted a hack line and has dealt extensively in horses. He has become widely known as an energetic and reliable, as well as progressive, business man and well deserves representation in this
volume. Mr. Helser is a native of Thorn township, Perry county, his birth having oc- curred in 1850. He is a son of John and Fannie (Snider) Helser, both of whom were natives of Perry county. David Hel- ser, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state, coming from Pennsylvania to Perry county at a very early day in its history. The parents resided upon a farm and were
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well known and respected people of the Miss Mattie Karr. a daughter of Noah and community. The father died in 1865, at the age of sixty-seven years, while the mother passed away in 1870, at the age of sixty years. She was a daughter of Daniel Snider, also an early settler of Thorn town- ship. In the family of John and Fannie Helser were two sons and four daughters, the brother of our subject being Eli Helser, a resident of Warsaw. Indiana. The sis- ters are Ellen, who is also living in Warsaw ; Sarah. now Mrs. Whitehead, of that place ; a half-sister. Mrs. Levi Helser, of Perry county ; and Nancy, who is the eldest of the family. She became the wife of Joseph Dupler and died a number of years ago in Thorn township.
Amos H. Helser, of this review. was reared to manhood upon the home farm and pursued his education in the district schools and continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits until 1872. when he took up his abode in Somerset, where he has since made his home. Ile has been extensively engaged in dealing in fine horses and has had a liberal patronage in the sale of fine matched teams. He has sold a number of teams at excellent prices and has gained a wide reputation by reason of the fine animals which he handles and his reliability in business transactions. Since 1881 he has conducted a hack line in Somerset and has also filled a position as agent for the United States Express Com- pany. In 1897, in connection with his son, he embarked in the undertaking business and they now have a very large patronage in this line.
Mr. Helser was united in marriage to
Catherine (Smith) Karr. Her father was born in Thorn township in 1824 and was a son of Rev. William Karr, who was one of the first settlers of Perry county. He was a teacher of German and English, was also a minister of the Baptist church and his efforts for the intellectual and moral development of the community were effective and far- reaching. His wife bore the maiden name of Susan Griffith, and among their children was Noah Karr, who became a prominent and influential citizen of Perry county. He was called upon to fill a number of positions of public trust. In 1870 and 1872 he was clected sheriff of the county and in 1878 was chosen for the position of county treas- urer. In all of these offices he was found loyal and faithful to the public trust. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Helser has been blessed with the following children: Or- phenna, the wife of Hon. William E. Finck. of Somerset : Otis, who is associated in busi- ness with his father: Jeanette C., who was a graduate of the high school of Somerset and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in 1901, at the age of twenty-seven years, three months and ten days ; and Mary, who is still attend- ing school.
Mr. Helser is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and is sery- ing as treasurer of his local lodge, of which he is also district deputy grand master. He has been honored with some political posi- tions, having served as township trustee for six years, while for twelve years he has been a member of the board of education. Mr.
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Helser takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community. He has ever discharged his public duties with marked ability and fair- ness, for he is a most loyal and public- :spirited citizen. As a business man he has
been respected not only for his success but for his probity and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical, and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life.
STEPHEN M. GOULD.
Stephen Martin Gould is the manager of extensive industrial interests at Shawnee, being the superintendent of the Ohio Min- ing & Manufacturing Company, of New York, which owns an extensive plant at Shawnee for the manufacture of pressed and ornamental brick. In the control of this large enterprise Mr. Gould displays su- perior powers of management, keen busi- ness insight and capable control and well may he be numbered among the leading representatives of industrial circles in Perry county.
Mr. Goukl is a native of Norway and is of Norwegian and Scotch descent. By his parents he was brought to America in his boyhood days and was reared upon a farm in Iowa, but he preferred other busi- ness than that of the farm and after attain- ing his majority put aside the work of field and meadow to enter other lines of life. He came to Shawnee in 1896 as foreman of the plant of the Ohio Mining & Manufac- turing Company and acted in that capacity continuously until November, 1899, when he
accepted a position in Colorado. There he remained until October, 1900, when he was recalled and became the manager of the pres- ent plant and has since served in that in- portant position. The plant was established in 1896 and has a capacity of forty thou- sand brick per day. Employment is fur- nished to eighty men exclusive of the min- ers. There are ten coal diggers in the coal mine and twenty clay diggers, making one hundred and ten men altogether. A large quantity of pressed brick is daily manufac- tured, and all lines of fancy brick, of any color and any shade are made. The product is shipped throughout the country, there be- ing a good market in thirty-one states and one hundred and thirty-one cities. Large agencies have been established in all the principal cities of the United States. Mr. Gould came to his present position well equipped for his responsible duties by practical experience. He has been engaged in brick-manufacturing for fif- teen years, principally in Towa, Minne- sota, Colorado and Missouri. He then
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came to Shawnee, and his supervision of the large plant of which he now has charge is one which gives entire satisfac- tion to the company which he represents. His practical knowledge of the business en- ables him to carefully direct the working of this large establishment and under his supervision the business is constantly in- creasing. both in volume and importance. He has the entire management, including the manufacture, the purchases of materials and the sales, and therefore its profitable and successful conduct is due entirely to his efforts.
Fraternally Mr. Gould is well known and is a valued representative of the Ma- sonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. During the years of his residence he has be- come quite widely known in Perry county and has gained a very desirable reputation as an enterprising and reliable business man, while outside of the office he is known for his genial disposition and many admirable qualities which have gained him warm per- sonal regard. On December 7. 1893. Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Jet- tie M. Doty, of Van Meter, Dallas county. Iowa.
BERNARD MECHLING.
Bernard Mechling. now deceased. was a highly respected farmer of Perry county and one whose life contained in it many elements worthy of commendation and of emulation. He resided in Hopewell town- ship upon a farm where his birth occurred and it remained his place of residence throughout his entire life. He passed away April 17. 1896, while he was born April 21. 1837. His parents were Samuel and Magdelene ( Poorman) Mechling. He was a native of Westmoreland county. Pennsyl- vania. The paternal grandfather was Jacob Mechling, who with his family came to Ohio about 1811, settling in Hopewell township, Perry county, where he entered eight tracts of land of a half section cach
and this is still in possession of the Mech- ling family. He became a very prominent and influential farmer of his day and was an active member of the Lutheran church. The Mechling family is one of the oldest and most prominent in this part of the county, representatives of the name have taken a very active part in the welfare and upbuilding of the town and county along po- litical, religious and social lines, and the family record is a creditable one.
Bernard Mechling, the subject of this re- view, pursued his education in the district schools and at an early day began to assist his father upon the home farm. As soon as old enough to handle a plow he began work in the field and became an active fac-
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tor in the cultivation and improvement of his father's land. On the 26th of May, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Humberger and unto them were born two sons, Owen H., who resides in Hopewell township and married Miss Em- ma Burkett, by whom he has two children, Luke and George ; and Albert W., who mar- ried Cora Springer and resides in Hopewell township. They also have two children. Florence and Helen. After the death of his first wife Mr. Mechling was again mar- ried on the 17th of January, 1867, his sec- ond union being with Miss Leah Zartman, who was born in Hopewell township. Perry county, and is a daughter of Isaac and Re- becca ( King) Zartman. Her mother was a native of Hopewell township, while the father was also a native of Perry county, and was a son of Alexander and Saloma (Cobel) Zartman, both of whom were na- tives of Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, whence they removed to Hopewell township. Perry county, about 1810, set- tling in the southern part of the township. where Mrs. Rebecca Zartman is now liv- ing at the age of eighty-six years. Unto Alexander Zartman and wife were bom nine children, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Margaret. They were Sarah, who became the wife of George Mechling: Catherine, who died in child- hood; Israel; Isaac, the father of Mrs. Bernard Mechling; Joshua; Henry; Levi; Mrs. Margaret Foucht, a resident of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; and Magdelene, who be- came the wife of Joel Smith. Isaac Zart- man, the father of Mrs. Mechling, was a
very successful farmer and a man well liked by all who knew him. He was a Democrat. in his political views and for a number of years served as treasurer of Hopewell town- ship, while for a long time he was justice of the peace. He was also an active member of the Reformed church and led the music in the organization to which he belonged. Isaac Zartman and his wife were the par- ents of nine children : Leah A., the wife of Bernard Mechling; Solomon K., who mar- ried Malinda Foucht and resides in Dayton, Ohio: Sarah, who is the widow of Noah Swinehart and is living in Somerset, Ohio; Levi, who died at the age of seven years: Magdelene, the wife of Jacob Foucht, a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Angeline, who is the wife of Benjamin Alspaugh and re- sides with her mother in Hopewell town- ship: Allen K., who married Libbey A. Conrad, of Canton, Ohio, and is a minister of the Reformed church now located at Fort Wayne, Indiana: Margaret J., the wife of William H. Parks, a resident of Hopewell township: and Rufus Calvin, who wedded Hattie Eaton, of Fostoria, Ohio, and is a minister of the Reformed church, now preaching at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Isaac Zartman was the owner of about one hundred and seventeen acres of valuable land at the time of his death. He and his wife had lived together in the holy bonds of matrimony for nearly sixty-six years. His death occurred March 5. 1901, when he was eighty-seven years of age and his re- mains were interred in St. Paul's cemetery in Hopewell township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mechling were born three children: Mary
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Estella became the wife of .August H. Dorn- birer. a Lutheran minister of Sandusky. Ohio, and they have two sons, Wayne Mechling and Elmer Robert. Sylvia R., the second child, died at the age of four months. Homer C. married Miss Gertrude Gordon, a daughter of Le Roy and Almetta ( Rousculp) Gordon. They reside with his mother. Mrs. Mechling.
In his political views Bernard Mechling was a stanch Democrat and supported his honest convictions without fear or favor. He owned about two hundred acres of fine farming land and devoted his time and at- tention to general farming and to stock- raising. He prospered in both branches of his business and annually raised and sokl a large number of cattle. In 1874 he erect- ed a fine large brick residence and a com- modious barn. His was one of the fine homes of the county and everything about his place indicated the careful supervision of a progressive. practical and enterprising ·Owner. He took great delight in providing well for his family, counting no personal
sacrifice too great that would promote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his wife and children. Mr. Mechling held member- ship in the Lutheran church, while his widow, a most estimable lady, having many warm friends throughout the community, is a member of the Reformed church. In his church Mr. Mechling led' the singing for many years and was the Sunday-school superintendent for over thirty years. He passed away April 17, 1896, and his remains were interred in St. Paul's cemetery. His was largely a blameless life and his entire life was characterized by industry. by per- severance. by honorable principles and by his Christian faith. He treated his fellow men fairly, was loyal in friendship. faithful in citizenship and was a devoted husband and father. He made friends wherever he went and when called to the home beyond his death was widely and deeply mourned throughout the entire community, in which he had spent his entire life. To know Bernard Mechling was to esteem and honor him.
CALVIN ESSEX.
.A representative of the business inter- ests of New Straitsville, Calvin Essex is there engaged in dealing in furniture and is also conducting an undertaking establish- ment. He is likewise one of the owners of coal mine No. 37. belonging to the Essex
Coal Company, in which enterprise he is associated with his brother. H. H. Essex. who is acting as superintendent of the mine. A man of resourceful business ability, our subject is successfully carrying forward these various undertakings and in their man-
CALVIN ESSEX
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
agement displays excellent business ability. He belongs to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting individual success, also advance the general good.
beth Elmira, the widow of Rev. Thomas Cook, of Hocking county, Ohio, who was a minister of the Bible Christian church and clied June 1, 1902 : Zelda, the wife of Isaac Wolfe, of Tocsin, Indiana; and Harriet, the wife of Samuel Wolfe, a farmer of Toc- sin, Indiana.
Mr. Essex is a native of Noble county, Ohio, his birth having there occurred in 1848. He is a son of Nathan H. and Eliza- beth ( Morris) Essex, whose ancestry can be traced back to England, whence repre- sentatives of the family came to New Jer- sey in 1650. The parents of our subject were both natives of Noble county, Ohio, born near the Morgan county line. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Hardesty Essex, who came from New Jer- sey to the Buckeye state and here established the family. Nathan H. Essex remained at home until the time of the Civil war, when he offered his services to the government and joined the Union army. His son Cal- vin also attempted to enlist but was re- jected because of his youth. Nathan Essex was a well known, active and enterprising citizen of Noble county and enjoyed the high regard of a large circle of friends there. In his family were six sons and four daughters. Of the sons Nelson Summerbell Essex is a resident of New Straitsville; W. S. Essex is a prominent lawyer and citizen of Fort Worth, Texas; Rev. La Fayette Essex is living in Nelsonville, Ohio, and is a min- ister of the Christian church; H. H. Essex is connected with our subject in the coal business: Sherman Essex and our subject complete the number. The daughters of the family are Mrs. C. A. Rogers, the wife of Sylvester Rogers, of Columbus; Eliza- until 1898. In 1895 Mr. Essex suffered
Calvin Essex spent the days of his boy- hood and youth under the parental roof and when twenty-three years of age came to New Straitsville. He at once secured em- ployment in the Troy Coal Mine as a miner and later he hauled coal by contract. He began business on his own account in 1878 as a grocer and baker and continued in that line until 1898, meeting with creditable and gratifying success. In 1879 he added un- dertaking, and in 1880 furniture was also added to his business. In 1898 hie estab- lished his present furniture and undertaking business, which he has since carried on .. Since that time his patronage has steadily increased, for his fellow citizens and people of the surrounding country realize the fact that his prices are reasonable, his business methods honorable and that his goods are as represented. He therefore has prospered in his commercial pursuits and to-day is one of the leading merchants of the place. In 1885 he became connected with coal mining interests and in that year he opened up a mine at Monday, Ohio. He was first asso- ciated with Robert Stalter, but in 1893 this partnership was dissolved. In 1898 he or- ganized the Essex Coal Company, the part- ners being his brothers and others. Mine No. 37 was opened and operated from 1893
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considerable loss by fire in the destruction of his home and store, all being destroyed with the exception of some of his household goods and a part of his stock. In 1895 he built a fine brick store and residence com- plete. It is the finest business place in the town. The dimensions of the building are one hundred and seventy-six by twenty-two feet and at the back are three rooms each twenty-two feet in depth. Above and at the side there are nice rooms for residence purposes, making a pleasant and convenie! home as well as a good business block.
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Mr. Essex was married in Hocking county, Ohio, to Miss Evalyn Stalter. a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Rose) Stalter, who were pioneer settlers of Ohio. Unto our subject and his wife have been born the following children: Luella, the wife of Dr. B. E. Winters, of New Straits- ville: Charles S., who is living in the same place : Mabel Elizabeth, the wife of R. A. Duvol: Robert and Frederick, who are liv- ing in New Straitsville; and one who died
in infancy. In his social relations Mr. Es- sex is a Mason, belonging to lodge, chap- ter and council. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in both the subordinate branch and encampment, in which he has passed all of the chairs. He likewise belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and is a valued mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee for a num- ber of years. His political support is given the Democracy and for three terms he has served as a member of the city council, filling the office from 1874 until 1878 and again from 1899 until 1901. Hle has put forth every effort in his power in his official position to promote the welfare of the town, and at all times has been true to public trust. In the conduet of his extensive and important business affairs he displays ex- cellent executive force and keen discrimi- nation and his prosperity is the merited re- ward of his own energetic and progressive labors.
ROBERT M. SMALL.
Robert M. Small is a practitioner of law in New Lexington, having been ad- mitted to the bar in 1900. He is therefore in the initial years of his professional ca- reer, but he has by close study well prepared himself for his chosen vocation, and pos- sessing a laudable ambition and indefatig-
able energy, he will doubtless win a very creditable position as a lawyer : in fact, he is already well known in this connection and is likewise an active factor in business cir- cles, being the sceretary of the Junction City Building & Loan Association, which is one of the leading financial institutions
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of Perry county. He has filled the office for three years and his management of the affairs of the company has brought to it creditable success.
Mr. Small is a native of Wood county. Virginia, born in 1871. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent and was established in North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary war. Robert Small, the father of our sub- ject, was born in that state and after arriv- ing at years of maturity he wedded Mary Swink, a native of Virginia, her people hav- ing been pioneer settlers of the south. After acquiring his preliminary education Rob- ert M. Small, of this review, continued his studies in the Ohio State University, at Columbus. Later he received the degree of M. Ph. from Mt. Hope College, having completed the three courses in philosophy, civil engineering and law. Prior to his ad- mission to the bar he was engaged in teach- ing school in Montgomery county, Ohio,
for three years. Later he filled the posi- tion of superintendent of the Junction City schools, Perry county, from 1897 until 1900. In December, 1900, he opened an office in New Lexington and has gained a good clientage for one so young. He is determined that success shall attend his efforts and strong determination is always an important factor in business. He real- izes that advancement must come through capability and close application and these qualities have already been manifest in his career.
Mr. Small is a member of New Lex- ington Lodge, No. 509, B. P. O. E. In politics he is a Democrat, active and earnest in support of his party and in 1895 he was a candidate for the state legislature from Montgomery county. He has served on the county executive committee here and puts forth every effort in his power to se- cure the success of the Democracy.
EDWARD CALL.
Edward Call has been honered with the position of mayor of New Straitsville and is now capably serving in that capacity. He has filled many positions of public trust and is a prominent factor in Den.cratic circles in this portion of the state. His fidelity to duty and his reliability in all public posi- tens has made his record one of worth and value to the community. He has ever placed the general good before partisanship and the
welfare of his community before personal aggrandizement.
Mr. Call was born in the city of Phila- delphia, in 1849. and is a son of Edward Call, who with his family came to Perry county in 1855, settling in Pike township. He was born in county Donegal, Ireland, and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Mary Sweeney, also a native of the same county. Unto them were born the fol-
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lowing children: Charles, who is a mine boss at Shawnee: Dennis, who is living in Sulphur Springs, Perry county; John, a resident of New Straitsville: Mrs. Mary Nutter, of Hocking county; Mrs. Rose Wile. of Sulphur Springs, Perry county; and Mrs. Hannah Biven, of New Straits- ville. The father of this family departed this life in New Straitsville, at the age of fifty-nine years, in 1878. Mrs. Call is still living, making her home with her children.
Edward Call, whose name introduces this review, was only six years of age when brought by his parents to Perry county and here he has lived since. He pursued his education in the public schools and was mar- ried in Illinois to Miss Dora Sheridan, a daughter of Silas Sheridan, a native of Hocking county, Ohio, where his people were pioneer settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Call have been born six children: Charles, Albert, Lawrence, Mary, Edith and Ruth, all of whom are yet residing under the par- ental rooi.
Mr. Call has served for many years in
positions of public trust. He has been a resident of New Straitsville since 1872, and from 1878 until 1880 he served as marshal of the town. He was also city clerk and for three years was a mem- ber of the school board. In 1898 he was elected justice of the peace, and in 1901 was re-elected, so that his incumbency was continuous for six years. He was also chosen mayor of the city in 1901 and is therefore the present chief executive of the town. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, has served on the county committee and has frequently been a delegate to county and state conventions. In 1901 he was his party's candidate for the state legislature. In the community where he is best known he receives the hearty endorsement, not only of men of his own party, but of the opposi- tion as well, and he has ever demonstrated that the trust reposed in him has not been betrayed. Mr. Call became a member of the Miners' Union and in 1876 joined the Knights of Labor, in which organization he has been very active.
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