Roots of Resilience: The Orem Family and the Heart of New Albany
Cleo Orem (top left) with the Moores & Ross ball team.
New Albany, Ohio, is known today for its visionary planning and beautiful Georgian architecture. But long before the white fences and scenic trails, this was a town built on grit, hardware, and a community that refused to let its neighbors fall.
As the founder of Buckeye Homes, my connection to this land isn't just professional—it’s ancestral. Today, I’m sharing a few chapters from my family’s history through original newspaper archives that tell the story of the Orem family and their deep roots in the village we call home.
The Midnight Blaze and the 'Bucket Brigade'
In the early hours of a Saturday morning in 1911, tragedy struck the heart of the village. A fire broke out in the two-story brick building occupied by Frank B. Orem & Son Hardware—at the time, the oldest building in New Albany.
My ancestors, Mr. and Mrs. Cleo F. Orem, were sleeping in the rooms directly above the store. They narrowly escaped death, waking to a room filled with suffocating smoke. Cleo managed to raise a window, call to his wife, and lead her to safety just in time to give the alarm.
What happened next defines the spirit of New Albany: The Villagers formed a "Bucket Brigade." Before the Columbus Fire Department could arrive, neighbors stood side-by-side, passing water to keep the blaze from spreading to the rest of the street. Though the building and $4,400 in hardware stock were lost, the community saved the town.
Love for a Colt: A 16-Mile Journey
History isn't all tragedy; sometimes, it’s about the simple, heartwarming pull of the farm. One of my favorite archives tells the story of "Two Columbus Urchins"—Fred and Ernest Fuller—who were so homesick for the colts they left behind that they walked 16 miles from Columbus all the way to the Orem farm in New Albany.
The "young prodigals" were eventually found safe at the home of Frank Orem, who looked after them until they could be safely returned home. It’s a testament to the kind of welcoming, "open-door" reputation the Orem family held in the community.
A Legacy of Hard Work: Frank Orem
The archives also tell of the incredible work ethic that ran through the family. Frank Orem, a farmer turned hardware dealer, was a man who couldn't be kept down. Even after suffering a severe injury from a fall at a barn, Frank ignored his physician's orders to stay in bed.
He was seen navigating his store on crutches, determined to serve his neighbors until his final days. That level of dedication to one's craft and community is a value I strive to bring to every family I work with today at Buckeye Homes.
The Home Team
Beyond the storefront, the Orem's were part of the social fabric of Central Ohio. Included in our family archives is a photo of the Moores & Ross ball team, featuring a young Cleo Orem (pictured top row, far left). Whether it was the hardware business or the baseball diamond, the family was always "all in" on local life.
Why This History Matters Today
When I walk the streets of New Albany now, I don’t just see properties; I see the legacy of people like Frank and Cleo Orem. I see a town that was saved by a bucket brigade of neighbors and built by families who valued hard work and community.
At Buckeye Homes, we aren’t just helping you buy a house. We are helping you find your place in a story that has been unfolding for over 180 years.
Does your family have deep roots in New Albany? I would love to hear your stories and see your photos in the comments below!