brickmaker – Tuscarawas County Stories

Fight of His Life: The 1915 Trial of Frank Rose

Ai generated image of rural Ohio brickyard in the early 20th century, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

A young Italian laborer fought for his life twice; first in a Bolivar boarding house and then in a court of law. Frank Rose (1895-?), born Francesco Russo in Caronia, Italy, immigrated to the United States aboard the S.S. Italia, arriving at the Port of New York in April 1913. A laborer described as 5’4”Continue reading “Fight of His Life: The 1915 Trial of Frank Rose”

$100 for a Life: The Aul Case of 1930

AI generated image depicting the confrontation between Paul and John Aul in 1930, 2025. (Source: ImageFX)

A quarrel between cousins at an Tuscarawas County brickyard in 1930 ended with one cousin dead. John Christian Aul (1904-1930) was born in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the son of Conrad Henry (1866-1940) and Emma Margo Aul (1871-1952). He grew up in a large family that included several brothers and sisters and spent hisContinue reading “$100 for a Life: The Aul Case of 1930”

One House’s Story: The Hammond Family of Dover

The Hammond House on Fourth Street in Dover, Ohio, 2012. (Source: google.com)

I recently travelled through Dover, taking a route I don’t usually take, and came upon this home sitting on the corner of what was once a busy Dover neighborhood. I hoped that the house had a story to tell me, and I was not disappointed. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names oftenContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hammond Family of Dover”