The Mellott Memorial Building that now exists, including the new addition, is maintained and financed by the Mellott Trust.
The Mellott Trust was created by two brothers, William D. Mellott and James F. Mellott in memory of their father, Amos.
Amos O. Mellott was born in Richland township, near Glencoe, in September, 1830. His father, William Mellott, born in 1800, was a native of Eastern Pennsylvania. Both Amos and his father followed farming as an avocation.
Amos was educated in the schools of Richland township and in the Barnesville Academy, and for the following 18 years he taught school. Then he followed agricultural pursuits for about five years. In 1867 he moved to Bellaire. He operated a general merchandise store on Union Street and carried on a successful business there for three years. Disposing of his business at a fair profit, he embarked in the manufacturing business with the Bellaire Stamping Company. Then followed a prosperous period, during which he served as mayor and as justice of the peace.
Amos Mellott was mayor of the city of Bellaire from 1868 to 1870. Both he and his father were staunch Democrats. He was a senior member of the firm of Mellott and Son, undertakers and furniture dealer. Amos was the owner of the Marietta Chair Company. The building in which his business was conducted, at two stories high, was located on the corner of 33rd and Belmont Streets. The undertaking parlors were located on the second floor and Amos was considered to be an expert embalmer. The furniture store was located on the first floor of the same building.
He was also one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Bellaire and had been a director of that institution since its organization.
Amos was joined in marriage with Phoebe Jean Myers, a daughter of Dixon Myers. Mrs. Mellott was born in 1837 and died in February, 1897. Three children were born. William D., the eldest son; Alice, the only daughter, married Aaron Smalley of Indianapolis, IN; and James F., the youngest. Even though Alice was the middle child, she died in 1930, before her two brothers.
In all respects, Amos Mellott was a useful and influential member of society. Although a business man, he was well informed on all topics of general interest. As a friend he was highly valued, for he was ever ready with counsel, help and encouragement. His success came from steady purpose, and constant industry, and he justly merits the position of true worth and esteem which he had attained. He maintained a fine residence on the corner of Harrison and 32nd Streets on what was known as Brewery Hill.
Amos Mellott died in 1885 at the age of 85.
William D. Mellott was born on July 28, 1862 in the Mt. Zion District, west of Bellaire. He was a graduate of Bellaire High School. He was the junior member of the firm of Mellott & Son. He operated the furniture business, from the time of his graduation from high school in 1884 until his retirement around 1930. His keen interest in civic affairs emanated from the residence at 3550 Belmont Street in many ways, although he preferred to remain in the background, insofar as publicity was concerned. He was a faithful member of the First Methodist Church and kept in close contact with its functions. He was secretary of the Grafton-Bauknecht-Mellott Funeral Company, and a member of the First National Bank board of directors, and a member of the hospital board.
An active Mason, he was affiliated with Bell Aire Lodge 267 and Hope Commandery No. 26 Knights Templar. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery on January 23, 1942.
Upon his death in 1942, William left the substantial part of his estate in trust for the erection of a Library Building in the City of Bellaire, and the furthering of a Community Center, to be supplemented by funds he expected his brother James to provide for the same purposes. He left all of his property in trust with his brother for as long as James would live.
James F. Mellott was born in 1867. He was a prominent Eastern Ohio business executive, and one of the founders of the Interstate Bridge Company. He was educated in Bellaire public schools and the Ohio State University. He was president of the National Bank of Bellaire from 1922 to 1946, and was associated with that institution for 64 years, being chairman of the board at the time of his death. He also had been honored as a 39 year member of the Bellaire Kiwanis Club.
He was treasurer and director of the Interstate Bridge Company, secretary of the Mellott Furniture Company for a number of years. He also was secretary-treasurer of the Grafton-Bauknecht-Mellott Funeral home for a period of 20 years, a director of the Columbian Enamel & Stamping Company of Terra Haute, Indiana; was treasurer of the No. 8 Coal Company, and treasurer of the Cloverdale Dairy Company.
He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Aladdin Temple of the Shrine of Columbus, Ohio; the Bellaire BPO Elks and Belmont United Presbyterian Church. James Mellott was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery on August 12, 1952.
Those who knew James generally called him by the name “Frank.” Frank Mellott, upon his death in 1952, created a similar trust for a Library and Community Center, to be used jointly with the trust previously created by his brother. In this manner, the two estates were combined to form a larger trust that grew.
Today, at the Library’s 32nd Street entrance, is a large mural that represents the things that were important to the Mellott Family. There is a picture of the “Amos Mellott” house; the “Bank” building; a coal tipple; the Interstate Bridge; and a horse-drawn river barge. Also in this mural are depicted the Mellotts’ cultural interests: a book for reading; a palette and brushes for painting; and a lyre for music.
The mural can be seen by everyone who uses the 32nd Street entrance as well as those who pass by on the street or sidewalk. Every evening, floodlights shine on this memorial mural as it serves as a 24-hour reminder of the generosity of the Mellott Family. It is a hope that this gift will substantially contribute to the cultural, social, and spiritual development of our community and stand as a memorial to the memory of persons who had abiding faith in their hometown of Bellaire.
