When renowned Dover bicyclist and businessman Henry Greb died in November 1904 at the age of 34 his death was reported in newspapers as far away as Cincinnati. This is the story of his short life and tragic death.
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Twenty-one year old Henry Greb (1830-1892) and his new bride Margaret ‘Mary’ Steiner (1833-1912), sometimes also written as Steitler, immigrated to the United States from Germany in August 1850. The couple arrived in New York and made their way westward, eventually settling in Canal Dover, Tuscarawas County. Henry was a cabinetmaker by trade and quickly found work and success. The couple had three children by the time the 1860 census recorded their family and Mary’s parents were living with them as well.
The family relocated for a brief time to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for reasons unknown and were residing there when the 1870 census was taken. Their stay there was short however and, by 1871, had returned to Canal Dover. That same year they welcomed another son, Henry Greb, Jr. (1871-1904). Henry Sr.’s success continued and he acquired considerable land holdings in the town as well as partnering with various manufacturing business as well. The family lived in a home located on two acres on the west side of Wooster Avenue, just north of the then city limits.
Henry and Margaret Greb recorded on the passenger list of the Ship Devonshire, August 1850. (Source: familysearch.org) 
The Greb family recorded in the 1880 census for Canal Dover, Ohio. (Source: familysearch.org) 
Henry Greb mentioned in the Canal Dover newspaper as a partner in a planned planing mill in Canal Dover, Ohio, October 1881. (Source: newspaperarchive.com)
Henry Greb Sr. died in the fall of 1892 from heart failure and left his considerable estate, land holdings, and business interests in the hands of his wife Mary. Shortly after his fathers death is when Henry Greb, Jr. begins to appear in the local newspapers for his bicycling interest and skills. Henry, in October 1896, won first place in a 12 mile road race in Strasburg and first place again in a race at Canal Dover. Henry took part in bicycle races throughout the region, winning many, and not surprisingly, taught himself how to repair bicycles as well.
Henry, perhaps with funding from his mother, converted his interest and hobby into a business. At first he worked out of a small on Wooster Avenue, but eventually moved into an old tin shop behind the Canal Dover Post Office. Here he expanded into the repair of motorcycles and automobiles as well. Henry also continued to take part in bicycle races as well as experiment with new bicycle technology including electric bicycles. Henry, along with three other siblings, were all living in the family home on Wooster Avenue during the time he established his business.
Newspaper report of Henry Greb’s ownership of an electric tandem bicycle, May 1900. (Source: newspaperarchive.org) 
Henry Greb’s bicycle shop announced in the New Philadelphia, Ohio newspaper, November 1901. (Source: newspaperarchive.com) 
The location of Henry Greb’s bicycle repair shop on Cherry Street, behind the Post Office, as seen on the 1899 Sanborne Fire Insurance Map for Canal Dover. (Source: loc.gov) 
Advertisement for Henry Greb’s shop from the 1903 City Directory for New Philadelphia and Canal Dover. (Source: ancestry.com)
During the summer of 1902 Henry was driving his automobile, with a another bicyclist as a passenger, to promote an upcoming race. As the two started up a steep hill near Bolivar, the automobile started to drift backwards back down the hill. Henry attempted to apply the brakes but they failed so Henry turned the wheel and directed the auto into a bank on the side of the road. It struck the bank with such force that, while the auto was undamaged, Henry suffered an injury to one of his legs. A little over a year later Henry was stricken with a serious case of small-pox that left him bedridden for several weeks.
Henry Greb had followed in his father’s footsteps as a successful local businessman as well as being an accomplished cyclist. The morning of Tuesday, November 8, 1904 Henry went into town to vote and then returned home. Shortly after, a neighbor came by and he and Henry discussed politics for a while before Henry, who looked tired according to the neighbor, went back into the house. Once inside, Henry went to a spare room and put a .32 caliber revolver to his temple and ended his life. There is no way to know of course why Henry committed suicide that day. Perhaps his injury and illness had affected him. The death of noted bicyclist and up-and-coming 34 year old businessman Henry Greb was reported in newspapers throughout the state of Ohio. He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Dover, Ohio.
Location of the Greb family property on Wooster Avenue, Canal Dover, Ohio as depicted in the 1908 Tuscarawas County Atlas. (Source: ancestry.com) 
Henry Greb’s bout with small pox reported in the New Philadelphia, Ohio newspaper, April 1904. (Source: newspaperarchive.com) 
Headline in the New Philadelphia, Ohio newspaper announcing Henry Greb’s suicide, November 1904. (Source: newspaperarchive.com) 
Henry Greb’s death reported in the Columbus, Ohio newspaper, November 1904. (Source: genealogybank.com)
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© Noel B. Poirier, 2023.
Tuscarawas County Stories 