Wayne County Civil War Roundtable Program

Wayne County Civil War Roundtable Program, free and open to the public in the Wooster Branch of the Wayne County Public Libraries, Sep. 17, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – continuing with quality programs! Thank you to our CWRT Members, the Wayne County Libraries, R.W. Gasbarre & Assoc. Surveyors, Ed & Penny Gasbarre, and John Spaziani for being sponsors of our WC CWRT!!

We are pleased that the Rev. John D. Hyder of Lima, OH will be sharing “Little Known Stories of Gettysburg” which will include highlights of the battle, how the National  Park as it exists today came to be, etc.. The presentation will be informal, in a more conversational style, encouraging participation from the audience.

Hyter grew up in Toledo, Ohio. He is a graduate of Ashland University and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He is retired from a career in ministry, teaching, counseling and business. In retirement he is currently serving as a chaplain at Lima Memorial Hospital where his work focuses mainly on trauma and loss.

Hyter’s interest in the American Civil War goes back more than fifty years. It began with a family legend that he is related to Gen. U.S. Grant. His sixth-grade teacher encouraged him to read more by leading him to books that were just coming out for the centennial commemoration of the war. One of them was about the Battle of Gettysburg, and that’s where his passion for the battle and the place began.

Hyter and his wife, Deb Hyter, lived on the battlefield during his years at the seminary. They spent many hours walking every inch of the field, reading monuments, and “soaking up” the spirit of the place. In the years since, he has been back dozens of times and has seen firsthand the changes as land is restored to its 1863 appearance and as more historic land is acquired for preservation. While he loves to discuss the technical stuff with fellow history nerds, he is especially fascinated by the almost unknown story of how historic land was acquired, preserved, and used in the century and a half since the battle. He is a frequent speaker on Civil War topics for Civil War Roundtables and other local history groups in Northwest Ohio.

The Hyters have three grown children and thirteen grandchildren. They are no strangers to Wayne County.  Hyter was the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Smithville for ten years. He was active on the Smithville Community Fire Department. The Hyters maintain contact with family and friends in Smithville.

Dear Editor, below are photos taken at Gettysburg that you may use/choose from – The first is the Pennsylvania Monument, next the Cemetery, next is general view of cannon and split rail fence, next is cemetery sign, next is Museum & Visitor Center sign, and last is the peach orchard from Little Round Top.  You might come up with something better??

Thank you for your coverage! Gerald Payn, WC CWRT Coordinator, 330-345-5547

Date

Sep 17 2019
Expired!

Time

6:30 pm
March 28, 2024, 9:05 pm
42.3
°F
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