One House’s Story: The Gribble Family

The stretch of North Broadway that spans from Ray Avenue to Tuscora Park is dotted with many fine homes. Among them is a home built by a man who was a Civil War veteran, a longtime public servant, a well-respected member of the New Philadelphia community, and son of one of Tuscarawas County’s early pioneers.Continue reading “One House’s Story: The Gribble Family”

One House’s Story: The Hendershott Family

This house sits prominently on the corner of a busy New Philadelphia intersection and has, over time, transitioned into a multi-family dwelling. Its roots though lie with the family of a Civil War Veteran and successful New Philadelphia businessperson. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. There is someContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hendershott Family”

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If you read enough historical documents you inevitably come across some small item that gets your attention.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: The Hammond Family of Dover

I recently travelled through Dover, taking a route I don’t usually take, and came upon this home sitting on the corner of what was once a busy Dover neighborhood. I hoped that the house had a story to tell me, and I was not disappointed. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names oftenContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hammond Family of Dover”

One House’s Story: The Espich Family

When Driving down South Broadway Street in New Philadelphia today you don’t see too many remaining residences; however, one that does survive is connected to a family with historic roots in Tuscarawas County. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. Christian Espich (1766-1842) was born in Germany in 1766Continue reading “One House’s Story: The Espich Family”

One House’s Story: The Manley Family

Over the course of the growth and history of New Philadelphia many homes are built, torn down, replaced, or remodeled for their modern occupants. Some homes are never replaced and the lots on which they sat become parking lots or vacant land. Despite that, they still have stories to tell us that deserve telling. ThisContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Manley Family”

Fallen Heroes: Private Francis Blickensderfer

This fallen hero was the descendant of an American Revolutionary War patriot and early settler of Tuscarawas County. He would make his sacrifice in a war to preserve the nation his ancestor helped create. The Blickensderfer family arrived in Tuscarawas County, Ohio with the arrival of Christian Blickenderfer, Jr. (1753-1820) and his family who purchasedContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Francis Blickensderfer”

One House’s Story: The Hickman Family

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: Private Samuel Stocker

It is all too common that we rarely discover the exact circumstances of a fallen heroes death. Unless a witness thinks to write down the particulars, the sacrifice often becomes merely a footnote in their own history. This is yet another example of such a sacrifice, but worthy of telling nonetheless. The Stocker family inContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Samuel Stocker”