Valentine: A Tuscarawas County Conductor on the Underground Railroad

If you read enough historical documents you inevitably come across some small item that gets your attention. This is one of those lose threads that I could not resist pulling. Recently, while reading late 19th century accounts of people who assisted with the Underground Railroad in Ohio, I came across a brief mention in theContinue reading “Valentine: A Tuscarawas County Conductor on the Underground Railroad”

One House’s Story: The Wise Family

Some houses still exist only on dated images found on Google Street View. I noticed this New Philadelphia house there, hidden behind hedges along Beaver Avenue, and wondered what stories it had to tell. I had no idea it had been the home of one of the community’s most respected Civil War veterans and hisContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Wise Family”

One House’s Story: Captain Oliver C. Powleson

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 Paul Brewer

This fallen hero saw numerous engagements during three years of campaigning with the Union army. He probably never expected that, after experiencing the violence of war, he would lose his life while safely in the bosom of home. The Brewer family arrived in Maryland in the 18th century, settling in the city of Baltimore, thoughContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Paul Brewer”