tuscarawas – Page 20 – Tuscarawas County Stories

One House’s Story: Joseph J. Williams

The Williams House on Grant Street, Dennison, Ohio, 2012.

This week I decided to write about a house that no longer exists. While taking a Google StreetView “stroll” through Dennison, I came across this unique house on Grant Street and wanted to learn more about its history. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. The extended Williams familyContinue reading “One House’s Story: Joseph J. Williams”

Fallen Heroes: Specialist 4 Donald Eugene Allan, Jr.

Sheridan Tanks from H Troop, 17th Cavalry, 198th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division, cross the Song Diem River during Operation Nantucket Beach, about 10 miles northeast of Quang Ngai, Vietnam.

Typically when I look at the short life of a fallen hero, I trace his roots in the community along his paternal line. In the case of this Vietnam War fallen hero from Midvale, I chose to follow his mother’s family instead. The Chaney family arrived in Ohio in the early 1800s with the migrationContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Specialist 4 Donald Eugene Allan, Jr.”

One House’s Story: Captain Oliver C. Powleson

The Powleson House, New Philadelphia, June 2022.

I frequently pass this well-maintained home on my walks around New Philadelphia and wondered about its history. I had no idea that it had been the home of one of New Philadelphia’s heroes of the American Civil War and a later Mayor of the City of New Philadelphia. A note about addresses: House numbers andContinue reading “One House’s Story: Captain Oliver C. Powleson”

Fallen Heroes: Private First Class John W. Rector

C-119s drop the 187th RCT over Korea, 1952. (Source: wikipedia.com)

It was the nature of the conflict in Korea that the front lines shifted dramatically, often making it difficult to recover the the bodies of fallen heroes. This Newcomerstown fallen hero, and paratrooper, did not return home for almost five years following his death. The Rector family appeared in Ohio with the arrival of WashingtonContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private First Class John W. Rector”

One House’s Story: The Hartman Family

The Hartman House, Ray Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, 2022.

There is a row of homes along Ray Avenue that, without a doubt, have seen better days. Built in the latest fashion of their day, hosts to many parties and gatherings on their well manicured grounds, they expressed their owners’ pride and success. Today they pale in comparison to their glory days, but they haveContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hartman Family”

Fallen Heroes: Private Thomas J. Forbes

Surrender of American troops at Corregidor, Philippine Islands, May 1942 (Source: wikipedia.com -NARA-535553).

This family had two older sons, both of whom volunteered to serve in the United States military during World War Two. Each would be sent to the Philippines to combat the Japanese, and each would die while a prisoner-of-war. This is one of those sons’ stories. Determining when this branch of the Forbes family treeContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Thomas J. Forbes”

One House’s Story: The Maholm Family

There is a little house on a corner along Front Street in New Philadelphia that was once the home of well-known, entrepreneurial family. That family saw a number of highs-and-lows while living there. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. The Maholm family was residing in Harrison County, OhioContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Maholm Family”

Fallen Heroes: Corporal William Hickman

A view of Fredericksburg after the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 1862. (Source: loc.gov)

I discovered when researching the Hickman House in Bolivar that one of the family members had served, and sacrificed, during the Civil War. Needless to say, I wanted to learn more about this fallen hero’s story. The Hickman family arrived in Ohio in 1844 when Daniel Hickman (1804-1886) and his family settled on land inContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Corporal William Hickman”

One House’s Story: The Hickman Family

The Hickman House north of Bolivar, Ohio, 2014. (Source: bing.com)

As one travels along Interstate 77 north of Bolivar one can see, especially in the winter, an abandoned house sitting amongst overgrown trees and bushes along Sherman Church Road. This windowless and empty shell was once a family’s home, and that home has a story to tell. A note about addresses: House numbers and streetContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hickman Family”

Fallen Heroes: Bugler Victor J. Mattevi

28th Infantry Division troops, August 1918. (Source: army.mil)

This fallen hero’s parents immigrated from Europe in order to provide a better life for their future children in America. Unfortunately, one of their sons would return to a Europe at war and make the ultimate sacrifice. Celeste Mattevi (1868-1940) was born in the southern part of the province of Tyrol in what was thenContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Bugler Victor J. Mattevi”