March 2023 – Noel B. Poirier

One House’s Story: The Dodd Family

The Dodd House on Fair Avenue NE in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2014. (Source: google.com)

This house’s origin story is tied to a another New Philadelphia building’s history through its owner and his nearly 40 years of business in Tuscarawas County. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. The Reverend James H. Dodd (1833-1891) relocated his family from Pennsylvania to Port Washington, Ohio inContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Dodd Family”

One House’s Story: The Nabor Family

The Nabor House on Tuscarawas Avenue in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2019. (Source: google.com)

I have driven past this home on Tuscarawas Avenue in New Philadelphia many times and thought, after my passing it again the other day, it was time to explore its history and discover what stories it had to tell. It is a story connected to two others already told. A note about addresses: House numbersContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Nabor Family”

Ruffled Feathers: A Gunfight at the County Jail

Aerial view of the Tuscarawas County Jail and grounds, c. 1930. (Source: ohiomemory.org)

Early in the evening on a cold February night in 1912 neighbors of the Tuscarawas County Jail on East Fair Street in New Philadelphia heard the sounds of gunfire ring out. It was the exclamation point on a busy and successful weekend by local law enforcement, having broken up a large gambling event two daysContinue reading “Ruffled Feathers: A Gunfight at the County Jail”

One House’s Story: The Carey Family

The Carey House located on 2nd Street NE (historically North Third Street), New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2014. (Source: google.com)

There is a little house in New Philadelphia that I’ve walked passed numerous times and, as it still looks like it is beloved by its owner, was curious about its history. It turns out it is the story of a late 19th century family matriarch, her status as an esteemed resident, and her modest lifeContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Carey Family”

Unsolved and Forgotten: The 1901 Murder of Mrs. Martha Hensel

A particularly grizzly murder took place in New Philadelphia, Ohio in the fall of 1901. Despite the violence of the crime, and the fact that there were a number of potential suspects, no one was ever brought to justice. The victim’s death, and life, were subsequently forgotten. It was a Wednesday afternoon in late OctoberContinue reading “Unsolved and Forgotten: The 1901 Murder of Mrs. Martha Hensel”