new philadelpia – Tuscarawas County Stories

Before the Titanic: John E. Joss and the City of Rome

Image of the SS City of Rome striking an iceberg in 1899 from the New York Journal newspaper. (Source: loc.gov)

Thirteen years before the Titanic disaster, a New Philadelphia jeweler survived a terrifying North Atlantic iceberg collision. In April 1912, as the world reeled from the news of the Titanic disaster, John Ernest Joss (1873–1961) came forward to share a chillingly similar experience from thirteen years earlier. A prominent jeweler and optometrist in New Philadelphia,Continue reading “Before the Titanic: John E. Joss and the City of Rome”

An Auctioned Image, A Local Life: Edwin P. Parr

Postcard image of West High Street in New Philadelphia, Ohio, early 20th century. (Source: eBay.com)

You never know what local gems, and stories, you’ll discover on online auction sites. While recently searching for Tuscarawas County material on eBay, I stumbled across a photograph of a young New Philadelphian and thought I would explore his life if possible. The photograph was of Edwin P. Parr, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia,Continue reading “An Auctioned Image, A Local Life: Edwin P. Parr”

The Black Ghost of Minnich Avenue

The story of a shadowy “black ghost” captivated the imagination of New Philadelphians. For about two weeks in March 1914, a neighborhood in the city of New Philadelphia found itself captivated by an unlikely visitor. A mysterious “black ghost” was said to be wandering the neighborhood around Minnich Avenue. Residents discussed the appearance of aContinue reading “The Black Ghost of Minnich Avenue”

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”