new philadelphia ohio – Page 3 – Tuscarawas County Stories

One House’s Story: Gustavus A. and Elizabeth Senhauser

The Gustav and Elizabeth Senhauser Hose located on the corner of North Broadway and North Street in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2023. (Source: google.com)

Swiss immigrant Gustavus Senhauser began his American journey as a lighthouse tender in New Jersey, but would build a thriving family business in Ohio, that left a lasting architectural legacy in New Philadelphia. There is a house that sits prominently on North Broadway in New Philadelphia, Ohio that would, at first glance, give one theContinue reading “One House’s Story: Gustavus A. and Elizabeth Senhauser”

A Quiet Life Broken: The 1909 Murder of Alice Parsons

AI generated image of a quiet residential street in a medium sized Ohio city, 2024. (Source: Microsoft Designer)

The seemingly idyllic life of Alice and Lewis Parsons in New Philadelphia, Ohio was shattered by gunshots on a fall morning in 1909. Content warning: This post contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to getContinue reading “A Quiet Life Broken: The 1909 Murder of Alice Parsons”

George J. Edwards and New Philadelphia’s First Automobile

George J. Edwards made New Philadelphia history in 1902 by becoming the town’s first automobile owner, a milestone that drew significant public interest and marked the beginning of a new era in local transportation. George J. Edwards (1866-1937) was the son of Joshua Edwards (1815-c. 1890) and his wife Maria Johnson (1829-1915). It is notContinue reading “George J. Edwards and New Philadelphia’s First Automobile”

Rails to Riches: The Journey of James Carlile from Tuscarawas County to Colorado

1880s view of Pueblo, Colorado. (Source: Denver Public Library via https://dp.la).

New Philadelphia carpenter William Carlile laid the foundation for his family’s future. Little did he know, his son James N. Carlile would carve a path far beyond the realm of sawdust and nails. William Carlile (1806-1887) was a Pennsylvania born carpenter who migrated to Tuscarawas County, Ohio in the 1830s with his family. He originallyContinue reading “Rails to Riches: The Journey of James Carlile from Tuscarawas County to Colorado”

Seances and Slates: W.A Mansfield Visits New Philadelphia

AI generated image of a slate writer holding a seance at a home in the 1890s, 2024. (Source: Microsoft CoPilot)

During the last half of the 19th century, the spiritualism movement garnered a great deal of attention and followers. Oftentimes those interested in spiritualism attempted to contact those who had passed away through seances and people known as mediums. Tuscarawas County was not immune to the attraction of spiritualism. Content warning: This post contains aContinue reading “Seances and Slates: W.A Mansfield Visits New Philadelphia”

Shine On: Philip Barnhard and the Birth of New Philadelphia’s Iconic Sign

Photo of the New Philadelphia, Ohio "Welcome To Our City" sign taken by by Brenda Gottsabend (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gottgraphicsdesign/7206367452), May 2012.

Cover photo by Brenda Gottsabend In the winter of 1910, amidst the warmth of Eagle Hall, a newcomer to New Philadelphia ignited the imagination of the community with a visionary proposal for an electrified welcome sign and set in motion a tale of civic pride that would span decades. There were nearly 150 members ofContinue reading “Shine On: Philip Barnhard and the Birth of New Philadelphia’s Iconic Sign”

Dreams of Disaster: Laura Martin and the Sinking of RMS Lusitania

Last photo taken of the RMS Lusitania as she departed New York, 1 May 1915. (Source: wikipedia.com)

A couple travelled to New Philadelphia, Ohio from England in 1914 to visit family members and possibly create a new home in America. The husband’s death resulted in the wife returning home on an ill-fated, soon to be infamous, ocean liner. Elizabeth (1854-1921) and Laura (1860-1941) Truman (sometimes spelled Trueman) were the daughters of aContinue reading “Dreams of Disaster: Laura Martin and the Sinking of RMS Lusitania”

Emmet D. Sharp and the Sharp Building of New Philadelphia

The pediment above the Sharp Building on Fair Avenue NE in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2024.

A building down the street from my home is lovingly being given a new life and purpose as a community gathering place. I thought I would take a look at the man responsible for its original construction over 100 years ago. John Sharp (?-1853) immigrated from England to the United States before the 1830s andContinue reading “Emmet D. Sharp and the Sharp Building of New Philadelphia”

The “Venerable Jonas Warner” of Tuscarawas County

Circa 1860s image of Jonas Warner. Image taken by author. (Source: The Ohio Genealogical Society Lyle H. West Archives)

My employer, the Ohio Genealogical Society, recently acquired a collection of materials that included items and documents relating to a Tuscarawas County family. I thought I would explore the story of one of those family members. Jonas Warner (1821-1905) was born in February 1821 at the home of his parents on Fry’s Creek in TuscarawasContinue reading “The “Venerable Jonas Warner” of Tuscarawas County”

A Business Card Tells a Story: Robert Bruce Tomlinson

AI generated image of a 1920s era band standing on the steps of a building, 2024. (Source: Microsoft Copilot)

During my usual perusing of eBay searching for Tuscarawas County material, I came across a simple business card from the early 20th century for a New Philadelphia piano tuner. What I discovered was that the individual was far more than what his business card claimed. The card reads simply “Bruce Tomlinson, Fine Piano Tuning andContinue reading “A Business Card Tells a Story: Robert Bruce Tomlinson”