A city's history comes from the many individuals who live and work in it. Since the 1950s, the library with the assistance of the Alliance Historical Society has worked to interview community members to record their reminiscences of events, locations, and people.
- To listen to or watch an interview, you need a player that will play mp3 (audio) or mp4 (video) files such as Windows Media Player or QuickTime
- To read a transcript of an interview, you need Acrobat Reader.
For the audio recordings, photographs of individuals interviewed can be found on Alliance Memory.
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Reminiscences of:
John W. Ament
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on January 21, 1977; president of Transue and Williams talks about Alliance and about forging companies.
Margaret Antonini
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on May 15, 1978; head cook of the Alliance Woman's Club for over fifty years reminisces about her past.
Virgil "Red" Artino
Part 1 
Part 2
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on November 6, 2008; Alliance native discusses his Italian heritage, growing up in Goat Hill, World War II, Mount Union football, his teaching career and the future of Alliance.
Wayne Ashbaugh
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on August 26, 1981; retired Mount Union College administrator talks about his life and about the college.
Dave Ault
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on April 30, 1975; local plumber, whose ancestors were among the first settlers in the Lexington area, discusses his life and Alliance history.
DeLoris Barret
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on December 19, 2008; longtime resident of Alliance talks about life in White Hollow after World War II, Union Avenue United Methodist Church and social groups of Alliance.
Robert Bell
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on May 17, 1976; Alliance businessman associated with Lindesmith's Hardware gives personal reminiscences and Main Street history.
John Benincasa
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on October 7, 2008; President of City Council discusses his life in local politics and thoughts on the City of Alliance.
Cathie Bixler
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on April 17, 2008; retired Rodman Public Library employee discusses her career as a data processor and bookmobile staff member.
Jessie Bowman
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on May 19, 1975; Alliance resident, whose father was associated with the Allott Kryder Hardware Company, gives Alliance and family history.
William B. Bowman
Recorded interview conducted by Louise Johnson on April 23, 1992; former Stark County Auditor discusses growing up in Alliance, politics, and music.
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on September 8, 2008; former Stark County Auditor talks about his career in politics and his active avocation in music.
Keith Brill
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on February 12, 2009; owner of Lingenfelter-Brill discusses the family business, which began in 1939, the fur trade and his family history.
Daisy Brunie
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on May 1, 1975; former employee of the Ohio Bell Company recalls early telephone service in the Alliance area.
Glenn Clark
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 10, 1977; retiring professor of mathematics talks about his life and experiences at Mount Union College.
Helen Codrea
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on August 15, 1975; Romanian (Transylvanian) emigrant gives personal reminiscences.
Mary Lou Conroy
Recorded interview conducted by Lyle Crist in August 1986; granddaughter of Col. Morgan discusses life at Glamorgan Castle and the Morgan family.
Ronald Cross
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on October 22, 1977; Alliance resident related the history of some of the local theaters.
Anthony Dawson
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on March 19, 2009; retired restaurant owner talks about his family and his career in the restaurant and bar business.
Ray Diehl
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 8, 1977; retiring business professor recalls personal and Mount Union College memories.
Arthur Dimit
Part 1
Part 2
Parts 1 & 2 Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on February 19, 1980; retired photographer talks about his life and about the photography business in Alliance.
Bert A. Dunbar
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on May 25, 1977; longtime resident talks about his early memories of Alliance, especially regarding the athletic history of the area.
Ellen Evans
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on September 4, 1968; Alliance resident discusses the Alliance Historical Society and Alliance history.
F
Karl Fiegenschuh, Sr.
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on April 25, 1975; Alliance jeweler talks about his life and about Alliance.
Jake Flickinger
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on January 7, 1977; American Steel Foundries associate discusses industry and local politics in Alliance.
Roy Fullmer
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on October 18, 1973; brothers whose family has been associated with the Coca Cola Bottling Company discuss the early bottling industry in the Alliance area.
Arthur Garnes
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on November 18, 2008; retired Alliance Superintendent of Schools reflects on education in Alliance.
Tony Gates
Recorded interview conducted by Richard L. Elliott on September 29, 1976; radio station manager relates the history of the Alliance radio station WFAH.
Thelma Geiger
Part 1
Part 2
Parts 1 & 2
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet M. Clem on February 20, 1980; retired Alliance Review editor recalls her life and career in Alliance.
Paul Giovanini
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on May 21, 1976; Safety Service Director of Alliance recalls Alliance history.
Marilyn Hahn Gobely
Recorded interview conducted by Russell Newburn on June 3, 2008; Alliance resident discusses her lifelong career in music.
Gordon Harrison
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on September 30, 2008; retired owner of Alliance Hardware discusses Main Street businesses and running a family owned hardware store.
William Lincoln Hart
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on February 28, 1962; retired judge talks about the first six presidents of Mount Union College and also about himself.
Sidney C. Hartenstein
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on February 3, 1976; head of the Alliance Traffic Safety Council and the Alliance Disaster Service Agency discusses these organizations and relates his own personal memories.
Helen L. Hendershot
Recorded interview conducted by Dr. John E. Saffell on January 10, 1979; former president of the Alliance Education Association discusses her background and relationship with education in the Alliance area, as well as her activities in the Alliance Friends Christian Church.
History of the Alliance Woman's Club
Recorded discussion held on May 14, 1982, with an introduction by Mrs. Yost Osborne; several participants relate historical notes pertaining to the club.
Ralph Hunt
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on January 6, 1976; Alliance grocer gives recollections on Alliance history.
Russell E. "Duke" Iden
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on July 13, 1977; Taylorcraft and Alliance aviation history are recalled by this local resident.
Richard Jones
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on April 1, 2009; retired owner of Alliance Builder Supply discusses his business, schooling, and service organizations.
George H. Judd
Part 1
Part 2
Parts 1 & 2
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on July 2, 1955; longtime Alliance resident recalls early Alliance and Mount Union history.
Lucile Ketcham
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on December 11, 1973; wife of former Mount Union president Charles Ketcham discusses Mount Union College history.
Lucile Kitzmiller
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 9, 1977; former Mount Union College student and later wife of Professor A. B. Kitzmiller recalls Mount Union history.
Edwin Knowles
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on September 24, 1975; Alliance druggist relates drugstore and pharmacy history of Alliance.
Mel Knowlton
Recorded interview conducted by Alan Aldinger on August 5, 1977; Alliance High School coach and athletic director gives his background and career.
Steve Kramer
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on May 25, 2018; University of Mount Union professor emeritus discusses his career in the psychology department, his development of the Wilderness Trip and Social Responsibility programs, the founding of Habitat for Humanity in Alliance, and his commitment to sustainability and leaving a legacy in Alliance.
Allan Krash
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on February 26, 2009; lifelong Alliance resident discusses his Jewish heritage and career in the Stark County prosecutor's office.
Dr. J. Fred Lembright
Recorded interview conducted by Dr. Christopher M. King on November 11, 1973; Alliance medical doctor recalls his life and practice.
Elvin Madison
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on March 5, 2010; Retired Alliance Machine employee talks about the Madison family coming to America, three generations of employees with the company, and many of the products constructed by Alliance Machine. Photographs of product installations in a narrated slideshow concludes the video interview.
Dave Mainwaring
Recorded interview conducted by Lyle Crist on June 2, 1995; former mayor of Alliance discusses his career in high school sports, politics and automotive associations.
Gloria Malone
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on March 30, 2009; retired educator discusses her teaching career in Alliance City Schools and Mount Union College and growing up in segregated Alliance.
Donald McKnight
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on May 21, 2010; Alliance native and former owner of Joel's Garage talks candidly about Main Street, service stations, and family.
William H. McMaster
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on September 16, 1960; former Mount Union College president relates his memories of the college.
William H. Morgan
Letter from William H. Morgan to Mrs. Harriet Clem dated June 1, 1982; the story of the olive poisoning at the Lakeside Country Club of Canton, which resulted in the illness and death of several prominent Alliance residents, is recounted.
William H. Morgan
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on January 9, 1976; Alliance resident, whose father and grandfather were associated with the Morgan Engineering Company, talks about his family and life at Glamorgan Castle.
William M. Morgan
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 7, 1978; professor reminisces about his life and about Mount Union College.
Newell Yost Osborne
Part 1
Part 2
Parts 1 & 2
Recorded interview conducted by George W. S. Hays on November 17, 1978; Mount Union College librarian talks about his association with the college and the community.
George Osterman
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 1, 1978; retiring biology professor recalls his experiences at Mount Union College.
Mary Frances Lindesmith Payne
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on February 4, 1976; woman whose family has been associated with Lindesmith's Hardware in Alliance talks about her family.
Frank Peters
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on August 6, 1975; Alliance restaurateur talks about Alliance history and about the Raven Restaurant.
John F. Peters
Recorded interview conducted by Dick Elliott on December 16, 2009; Retired financial VP for Stifel Nicolaus (the former Butler Wick) and founder of the Greater Alliance Foundation recounts stories of businesses in Alliance.
Lewis Phelps
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on November 9, 2009; Mount Union College professor emeritus discusses his career in the music department, his life in Alliance, work with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Calligraphy Alliance.
John J. Popa
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on September 8, 1976; longtime employee of American Steel Foundries recalls the steel industry in Alliance.
Herbert Pritchard
Recorded interview conducted by Dr. John E. Saffell on February 12, 1975; Alliance teacher relates personal reminiscences.
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on December 1, 2015; Founder of the Alliance Community Pantry discusses the history from its beginnings as a Kiwanis Club project to its recognition as a "Choice Pantry" on its fifth anniversary.
August Quattrocchi
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on August 14, 1975; Italian-American Alliance resident discusses his family.
Rev. Ralph Reamsnyder
Recorded interview conducted Dr. George L. Cutton on August 29, 1977; pastor of Alliance Trinity Episcopal Church gives personal history and reminiscences.
William A. Rice
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 21, 1978; retired professor of geology reminisces about his life and about Mount Union College.
Belle Rosenberg
Recorded interview conducted by Professor Lyle M. Crist on May 23, 1963; local centenarian recalls her life in Alliance and at Mount Union College.
John E. Saffell
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on May 1, 2008; retired Mount Union College professor discusses his life in Alliance and his teaching career.
Mary Beth Schulze
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on August 21, 2008; Lifelong resident recalls her volunteer work with the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, and Carnation City Players.
Ruth Scott
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 7, 1978; Mount Union alumna, and wife of Professor Joseph Scott, relates her thoughts on Mount Union College.
Walter W. Scott
Recorded interview conducted by Dr. George L. Cutton in December of 1978; former Alliance Service Director and building contractor reminisces about Alliance and about his career.
Sanford Slifkin
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on October 12, 2006; former Taylorcraft employee and test pilot discusses flying and the Taylorcraft company.
Harry Snyder
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on February 27, 1975; commercial manager relates the history of the Alliance area telephone company.
James Sobotka
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on October 12, 2006; owner of Cornie's Steak House talks about running the family owned bar and restaurant.
Clyde Stanley
Recorded interview conducted by Dr. John E. Saffell on March 25, 1976; Beloit native talks about his life and his experiences.
Robert Elihu Stauffer
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on December 11, 1973; retired librarian of Mount Union College recalls his life and career.
Clarence Steffy
Recorded interview conducted by Richard L. Elliott on June 15, 1975; Alliance Review editor gives recollections on his career and on Alliance.
Phil Stewart
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko Jr.; American Steel worker discusses what it was like growing up in Alliance in the African American community.
Frank K. Tanner
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Recorded interview conducted by Harold J. Vogus on June 11, 1979; Alliance native discusses at length early Alliance and the Tanner family.
Willie C. Teague
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on October 13, 1975; New Zion Baptist Church pastor relates his career and personal experiences.
Mary L. Thompson
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on November 19, 1975; widow of black Alliance physician K. T. Thompson talks about her husband's career.
Robert Tolerton
(part 1)
(part 2)(part 2)
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on November 1, 2006 (part 1) and April 18, 2008 (part 2); lifelong Alliance resident discusses his family, Taylorcraft flying experience, and business ventures (Tolerton Lumber, The Ski Shack)
Barbara C. Turkle
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on January 29, 1976; Alliance woman whose family is associated with the Cassaday and Turkle Funeral Home talks about her family and about the funeral business in Alliance.
Brinton Turkle
Recorded interview conducted by Harriet F. Miller on August 28, 1975; Alliance native author and illustrator of children's books recalls his career.
Walter W. Webb
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on June 20, 1978; former professor and graduate of Mount Union College relates his family history and thoughts on his career.
George Weimer
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on March 12, 2009; Mount Union College and Alliance advocate tells stories about his great grandfather, his father's years at Mount Union College, his family and years living in Alliance.
WFAH FM Bicentennial Series of Broadcasts
WFAH FM bicentennial series of broadcasts, Feb. 2 - Oct. 29, 1976 ; scripts written by Robert A. Gates.
WFAH AM Dedication
Recorded dedication from September 9, 1953; speakers include Arthur J. Hoiles, Donald A. Peterson, and Mayor Harley R. Ewing.
George M. Wilcoxon
Part 1
Part 2
Parts 1 & 2
Recorded interview conducted by Alan Aldinger on August 10, 1977; Alliance football coach discusses his life and career.
Ruth Winner
Recorded interview conducted by Joseph Zelasko, Jr. on September 22, 2009; Alliance resident and former City Treasurer looks back on her life, family, career and community service.
Robert Wise
Recorded interview conducted by Karen Perone on September 2, 2009; retired Morgan Engineering employee talks about working for the company and describes the facilities and the types of cranes that were manufactured.
Edward Witherspoon
Recorded interview conducted by Brice Glendening on June 11, 2009; Alliance native and automobile enthusiast reminisces about automobile garages and dealerships in Alliance.
Frank Woolf
Recorded interview conducted by Forrest Barber on March 22, 2011; Alliance native talks about his time in World War II, working at Taylorcraft and Alliance Machine, his love of photography, and the many community groups with which he volunteers.
Elliott and Lillian Young
Recorded interview conducted by N. Yost Osborne on August 11, 1975; Alliance residents give personal reminiscences.