January 2026 – Tuscarawas County Stories

Fallen Heroes: PFC Carl E. Anderson

Troops of the 81st Infantry Division during the Battle of Angaur, 1942.

Carl Eugene Anderson’s short life traced a path from Depression-era Tuscarawas County to a distant Pacific battlefield. Carl Eugene Anderson (1922-1942) was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the son of George William Anderson (1884-1967), a coal miner, and Mabel Marie Collar Anderson (1889–1974). He entered the world as the Anderson family was growing and firmlyContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: PFC Carl E. Anderson”

The 1913 Death of John Vlohasthanal and an Unmarked Grave

Ai generated image depicting an argument between two men in an alley in 1913. (Source: Microsoft Designer)

In 1913 New Philadelphia, a Greek immigrant’s American dream ended in violence and controversy. John Vlohasthanal’s name is, not surprisingly, presented a number of ways in the period documents. I have chosen to use the spelling as it appeared on his official death certificate. John Vlohasthanal (c. 1868–1913), reported in newspapers as John Vlohas, wasContinue reading “The 1913 Death of John Vlohasthanal and an Unmarked Grave”

Fallen Heroes: Specialist 6 James T. Conway

Helicopter of the 15th Medical Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam, c. 1970. (Source: 15thmedbnassociation.org)

James Thaddeus Conway grew up in Tuscarawas County before service to country carried him to Vietnam and the ultimate sacrifice. James Thaddeus Conway (1946-1970) was born in Dennison, Ohio. He was the son of Thaddeus Conway (1909-1989), a World War II veteran, and Leithana Mary Hammond (1908-2000). In the early 1930s, Thaddeus Conway’s family movedContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Specialist 6 James T. Conway”

Fallen Heroes: Flight Sergeant Paul F. Brawley

Vickers Wellingtons of 9 Squadron flying in formation. RAF photographer - This photograph CH 5 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

Born in Newcomerstown, Ohio, Paul Franklin Brawley rose from orphaned youth to wartime aviator. Paul Franklin Brawley (1914-1942) was born in Newcomerstown, Ohio, the only child of Edward Brawley (1860-1922) and Lydia Miller (1876-1928). His parents married, three years before Paul’s birth, in Stark County, Ohio. It was Edward’s second marriage after the death ofContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Flight Sergeant Paul F. Brawley”