I am often drawn to tragic stories because, in many cases, the individuals involved end up being lost to the historic record. This often happens because many tragedies occur when people are younger and have yet to establish themselves or create a family to carry on their names and stories. This is one such tragedy.Continue reading ““Negligence Born of Familiarity”: Tragedy at the Penn Iron and Coal Company”
Tag Archives: tuscarawas county ohio
One House’s Story: The Horning Family
This large brick home on East High Avenue in New Philadelphia, one of many large homes on that stretch of road, was home to one New Philadelphia’s most successful businessmen and his wife. The son of an immigrant, the home stands as a testament to the immigrant goal of achieving a better life in AmericaContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Horning Family”
The White Bridge Murder
It was 2 o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, February 8, 1928 when Blicktown farmer John Hinig heard knocking at his front door. Cautiously he opened the door and saw a man, soaking wet, freezing, and seemingly in distress standing in his doorway. The man, William Herron, told Mr. Hinig that while he was drivingContinue reading “The White Bridge Murder”
One House’s Story: The Campbell Family
This New Philadelphia home, located on Tuscarawas Avenue, once belonged to an Irish immigrant who became one of Tuscarawas County’s most prominent and respected educators of the late 1800s. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. The Campbell family immigrated to the United States from County Down, Ireland atContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Campbell Family”
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”
Noel B. Poirier 