“Negligence Born of Familiarity”: Tragedy at the Penn Iron and Coal Company

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”

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 Lachenmeyer Family

This house’s story is one of the family of a German immigrant who, after arriving in the United States at the age of 22, was able to become a successful businessman, community leader, and father in the city of Dover. The street it sits on was called Factory Street at the time he and hisContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Lachenmeyer Family”

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”

One House’s Story: The Seibold Family

This house was constructed by one of the county’s most significant business families of the late 1800s and early 1900s. While the family’s patriarch is perhaps best known, this house was the residence of one of his sons for nearly fifty years. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time.Continue reading “One House’s Story: The Seibold Family”

One House’s Story: Flaccus Brothers

I’ve driven past this New Philadelphia building many times and, given its proximity to the railroad tracks, had always assumed it was somehow connected to a railroad. I now know that it was associated with an entirely different type of business that sat on that property for many years at the beginning of the 20thContinue reading “One House’s Story: Flaccus Brothers”