63 Parkwood Avenue
Mayers House

Lot 26 Cornfield's Addition

This two story house was built about 1905. It had a brick first floor and a the second floor was slate clad. It was torn down after 1971. The Board of Education purchased many of these homes located in the East Long Street block behind East High School starting in 1975. 

The Mayers bought the house on June 30, 1905 from the Columbian Building and Loan Company.

Horace Cushing Mayers was born November 16, 1851 in Ohio, son of Louis and Sarah Wheaton Mayers. He married Hannah E. Wolgamot in Holmes County on July 29, 1875. Hannah was born about 1852 in Ohio, daughter of Henry and Hannah E. Cook Wolgamot. They had three children: Karl Louis (1877) , Mary L. (1878) and Horace C., Jr. (February 27, 1884).

The Mayers lived in Millersburg, Holmes County, until about 1900 when they moved to Columbus. Horace was then a traveling umbrella salesman. In 1905 the Mayers lived at 961 Neil Avenue. Starting in 1906, the Mayers lived at the Lenox Hotel, 107 West Goodale Street, right across from the southeast corner of Goodale Park. In 1912, Mayers was Secretary of the Columbus-Pocahontas Coal Company. In 1913 he was President of Mayers Coal and Land Company in Columbus. Horace is also listed in the 1913 and 1915 Houston, Texas City Directories. He followed his son Karl, who was a dentist who lived there. Interestingly, in 1910 Karl ran a health ranch in Lavaca, Texas.

In 1930, Hannah lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Fred M. and Mary Nigh in Montebello, California.

Horace died in Houston, Texas on December 10, 1915. He is buried at Glenwood Cemetery there. 

The Mayers never lived in this house, but must have held it as a rental property.

The first tenant was J. Porter Davis in 1906. 

Joseph Porter Davis was born April 9, 1861 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, son of Robert B. and Sallie Porter Davis. He married He married Eliza Howard Young in Hamilton County on February 14, 1888. Eliza was born April 6, 1867 in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of Daniel and Mary H. Huesmann Young. They had a daughter, Mary Harriet (March 29, 1913 - March 21, 1990).

In 1906 Davis was Treasurer of the Scioto Valley Supply Company, a plumbing supply, owned by Louis Huesmann. Louis was Eliza's uncle. In 1907 the Davises moved to 333 Linwood Avenue. In 1929, Davis was Treasurer of the Ross-Willoughby Company.

The Davises both died at home at 1810 Oak Street. Joseph on April 4, 1929 and Eliza on February 10, 1933. They are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati. 

The second tenants were the Tesseymans from 1907 to 1909.

John Edward Tesseyman was born April 19, 1874 in Montgomery County, Ohio, son of Henry and Lydia Butler Tesseyman. He married Ida A. Heinrich on April 15, 1896 in Montgomery County, Ohio. Ida was born about October 1874 in Ohio daughter of Augustus and Wilhelmina Heinrich.

In 1900 the Tesseymans lived at 201 Curtis Avenue in Dayton. John was working as a draftsman. The Railway Age of December 14, 1900 reported that "Mr. John E. Tesseyman, for many years in the draughting department of Barney & Smith Car Company, Dayton, O., has connected himself with the Stringworth Railway Supply Company of Easton, Pa., as chief draughtsman."

In 1903, John was the "Head of Order Department" of the Pressed Steel Car Company in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. In 1907 Tesseyman was Superintendent of the Ralston Steel Car Company in Columbus. In 1908 he became General Manager. In 1910 the Tesseymans moved around the corner to 1573 East Long Street.

In 1916 he was General Manager of the newly created Youngstown Steel Car company in Youngstown, Ohio. In 1918 The Tessymans lived at the Park Hotel in Warren, Ohio. John was then Superintendent of the Chicago-Cleveland Car Roofing Company. The Petrolem Age of March 1921 reported that "J.E. Tesseyman has been appointed plant superintendent" of the General American Tank Car Corporation at East Chicago. From 1927 to 1943 the Tesseymans lived in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. John was a Sales Engineer for the Bethlehem Steel Company.

The Mayers' last tenant in 1909 was B.A. Hanna, estimator.

Robert Dittey bought the house from the Mayers on July 18, 1910 for $7,000.

Robery M. Dittey was born January 24, 1854 in Louisville, Kentucky, son of Irish parents, Thomas and Ann Dorrance Dittey. 

Robert lived at the Great Southern Hotel from 1898 to 1909 before purchasing this house. Dittey was an attorney. In 1898 he was with the law firm of Ross and Dittey. From 1910 to 1913 he was Secretary and later Chairman of the new Tax Commission of Ohio. He was also a Probate Judge in Hillsboro, Ohio starting in about 1881.

Dittey purchased a a half interest in the Hillsboro Gazette newspaper in 1883. Judge Dittey also authored a 25 cent booklet called A Handy Guide for Ohio Taxpayers in 1916.

Robert's sister, Mary Ann lived with him at 63 Parkwood Avenue. Mary was born March 20, 1858 in Louisville, Kentucky. She died March 13, 1921.

Robert died January 25, 1917. Robert and Mary are buried in Lynchburg, Highland County, Ohio.

Mary Dittey sold the house to Arthur Helmick on October 28, 1919.

Arthur Geary Helmick was born October 2, 1879 in Commerical Point, Ohio, son of Samuel Corbus and Sarah Margaret Chenoweth Helmick. He married Bess M. Ewalt about 1919. Bess was born in Peoria, Illinois on August 20, 1887, daughter of Holmes and Rosemarie Betz Ewalt.

A biography of Dr. Helmick appears in the 1909 Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County, Volume 1, "Dr. A. G. Helmick, chief physician of the Ohio penitentiary at Columbus, was born in Pickaway county, this state. October 2, 1879.His father S.C. Helmick, is a native of Zanesville, and a practicing physician who has followed his profession in Pickaway county for many years...His mother Margaret (Chenoweth) Helmick, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, a daughter of Elijah Chenoweth, a well-known resident of this locality. The family is of German and Scotch descent.

Dr. A. G. Helmick pursued his education in the schools of Commercial Point, Ohio, being graduated from the high school there, after which he took up the study of medicine in the Starling Medical College completing the course with the class of 1902. For one year he was house surgeon at Mount Carmel hospital, after which he was appointed on the staff of the Ohio State Hospital for epileptics continuing in that position for three years.He was next appointed night physician at the penitentiary (about 1906), and while thus serving also engaged in the general practice of medicine...(On August 1, 1908) he was appointed chief physician of the penitentiary and is occupying the position at the present time, having become well qualified for the onerous duties that devolve upon him by previous extended hospital work.

Dr. Helmick is a member of the Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Alpha Kappa Kappa, a medical fraternity. He is also on the staff of the Starling Ohio Medical Dispensary, in charge of the department of gynecology. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a young man of ability, who is making steady progress, in professional circles while his high worth of character commends him to the confidence, friendship and regard of all with whom he has been thrown in contact."

Dr. Helmick maintained an office at 78 South Fifth Street from at least 1917 through 1950. His listing in the City Directory says his practice is limited to "diseases of children."

Dr. Helmick's wife Bess was the widow of Dr. Harley Howard Emerson. She and Dr. Emerson were married in Preble County on December 24, 1906. In 1910 the Emersons lived in Gratis, Preble County, Ohio. Dr. Emerson died at home in Columbus at 2493 West Broad Street on January 26, 1918. The American Contractor of March 18, 1913 touted the architect's plans of that West Broad Street house, "Residence & Garage (10 rooms): 2 sty. & bas. $10,000, W. Broad st. & Hill Top. Owner Dr. H.H. Emerson, care architect. Plans in progress; architect will take figures. Brick, stucco, shingle roof, galv. iron cornice, oak & pine finish and floors, cabinet, mantels, gas & electric fixtures." Bess sold the West Broad Street house on September 29, 1919.

Dr. Helmick transfered the house at 63 Parkwood Avenue to Bess on November 17, 1922. This was probably about the time of their divorce. Bess returned to using her previous married name of Emerson. Dr. Helmick moved to 1645 Franklin Park West. 

In 1930 and 1940 Bess was living with her mother and sister in West Alexandria, Preble County and working as a nurse. Bess died in Preble County on February 15, 1964.

Dr. Helmick died in Columbus on August 18, 1964. He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Bess E. Emerson sold the house to Webb I. Vorys on February 2, 1923.

Webb Isaiah Vorys was born in Lancaster, Ohio on July 23, 1892, son of Arthur I. and Jeanny McNeill Vorys. He married Adeline Agnes Werner on April 27, 1918 at 1640 East Broad Street. Adeline was born December 13, 1893 in Zanesville, Ohio, daughter of Henry Conrad and Otillie Gaeneslen Werner. They had three children: John (1920), Arthur (1924), and Marguerite "Margo" O. (1929).

Webb lived with his parents at 441 East Town Street from 1913 to 1919. In 1917 he was a candidate for the Officer's Reserve Corps and stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. Adeline had been a teacher before their marriage. Webb was an attorney. His father Arthur was a founder of the law firm known as Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease in 1909.

Adeline was a founding member of the Columbus Junior League, member of the board of the Columbus School for Girls, and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts. 

In 1930 the Vorys lived at 43 Hamilton Avenue. In about 1939 they moved out to the country, they lived on Havens Corners Pike in Blacklick, Ohio. 

Adeline died May 18, 1952. Webb died August 30, 1972. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Alvan Tallmadge bought the house from the Vorys on August 2, 1928, assuming the unpaid balance on a mortgage of $6,000.

Alvan Brasee Tallmadge was born January 9, 1893 in Washington, DC son of Theodore and Leah Gapen Tallmadge. He married Elizabeth Grace Guerin at First Congregational Church in Columbus on December 9, 1922. Elizabeth was born about March 25, 1901 in Petosky, Michigan, daughter of Henry F. and Anna Lenhart Guerin. They two children: Elizabeth Guerin "Betse" (June 22, 1926) and Theodore "Ted" (October 17, 1931 - October 8, 1959).

In 1910 Alvan lived with his parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 1911 to 1913 Alvan was a student at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana.  In 1914 he was a traveling demonstrator for the Jeffrey Manufacturing Co. Alvan was a World War I veteran, serving as a field artillery Captain from November 27, 1917 to June 21, 1919. In 1923 the Tallmadges lived at 1407 Franklin Avenue. In 1954 Alvan had his own company of structural enginners, Alvan Tallmadge Company at 624 Harmon Avenue until 1967. In 1956 The Tallmadges lived at 21 Sessions Apartment B.

Captain Theodore Tallmadge died in a crash of a Boeing B-47E-65-BW Stratojet bomber at Lincoln Air Force Base in Nebraska on October 8, 1959. He was a 1953 graduate of Annapolis along with Ross Perot.

Alvan died and August 18, 1978. Elizabeth died in July 1987. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Elizabeth Grace Guerin Tallmadge sold the house to James W. Williams on January 4, 1956.

Williams was a real estate broker. He sold the house to Duboise Myers of Deep Water, West Virginia on February 15, 1956.

Betty M. Hawkins bought the house from Duboise Myers on October 20, 1964. 

The Board of Education bought this house from Betty M. Hawkins on February 19, 1975.

63 Parkwood Avenue, center, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, circa 1922.

Judge Robert M. Dittey, circa 1911

Webb I. Vorys, circa 1917

Webb I. Vorys, circa 1918

Webb I. Vorys, circa 1954

Alvan Tallmadge, circa 1914

Theodore Tallmadge, circa 1953

Elizabeth Guerin "Betse" Tallmadge, circa 1948