Who Was Alfonso Stewart?

If you’re like me you thumb through Fred Miller’s book Images of America: Tuscarawas County Ohio, published in 2000 by Arcadia Publishing, a lot. I love just spending some time seeing the county as it once was. On the last page of the book is an image of men who served as patrolmen in theContinue reading “Who Was Alfonso Stewart?”

One House’s Story: The Wilkinson Family

The man who built this home in New Philadelphia was the son of an immigrant and started out as a small town Tuscarawas County coal miner. Eventually he moved to New Philadelphia where he became a successful local businessman and built a home that stands today. A note about addresses: House numbers and street namesContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Wilkinson Family”

One House’s Story: The Keuerleber Family

The history of Tuscarawas County is full of stories of first generation immigrants coming to the area and becoming successful and respected members of the community. This is the story of one such immigrant who made Dover, Ohio his home at the turn of the 20th century. A note about addresses: House numbers and streetContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Keuerleber Family”

Samuel F. Hensel and the Hensel Transfer and Storage Building

This large building has dominated the first block of South Broadway in New Philadelphia since its construction and, when it was built, was considered state-of-the-art. I thought I would explore its construction and tell the story of how it became the focal point of an early 20th century Ohio Supreme Court case. The Hensel familyContinue reading “Samuel F. Hensel and the Hensel Transfer and Storage Building”

The “Freak Animal Critter” Hoax of New Philadelphia

Since April Fools Day is coming up, I thought I would share a story of a time when someone tried to fool the entire Tuscarawas County community and beyond. As Oscar R. Long (1888-1960) told it, he was out hunting racoons in the Stonecreek Valley in early February 1930 when he caught the most unusualContinue reading “The “Freak Animal Critter” Hoax of New Philadelphia”

A Tuscarawas County Find: The Journal of George H. Zimmerman

The other day my wife came home from visiting local thrift stores with an interesting item. She purchased what appeared to be the journal of a person named George H. Zimmerman (1889-1946) and I, being me, needed to learn more. How George H. Zimmerman’s journal for the year 1912 ended up in a Tuscarawas CountyContinue reading “A Tuscarawas County Find: The Journal of George H. Zimmerman”

One House’s Story: The Kreiter Family

There are many large and decorative homes lining North Wooster Avenue in Dover, Ohio. Nestled among them is a somewhat more modest house that was once home to a Dover grocer and his family. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. While it has been difficult to establish detailsContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Kreiter Family”

One House’s Story: The Denison Family

Every house in a community, regardless of size or expense, can tell us a story about its past inhabitants and their lives. This modest brick home in New Philadelphia includes stories of a beloved community member and family tragedies. Content warning: This post contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know has aContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Denison Family”

A Fort Laurens Soldier’s Life and Death

Many of us are familiar with the many struggles faced by the short-lived garrison at Fort Laurens. Rather than focus on that, I thought I would look at the life, and death, of one soldier in particular. He was a Virginian and his name was Private George Osborne. This branch of the Osborne family hasContinue reading “A Fort Laurens Soldier’s Life and Death”

One House’s Story: The Hendershott Family

This house sits prominently on the corner of a busy New Philadelphia intersection and has, over time, transitioned into a multi-family dwelling. Its roots though lie with the family of a Civil War Veteran and successful New Philadelphia businessperson. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. There is someContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hendershott Family”