Hosts: County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes
Speaker: Kathryn Hardgrove Popio's book of Civil War letters, "Cross Keys, Carpet Bag and Pen."
Local author, educator and historian Kathryn Hardgrove Popio brings her collection of hats to introduce the many lively characters from her new book of Civil War letters titled, "Cross Keys, Carpet Bag and Pen." This collection of letters was written by three lines of the Stark County Hardgrove family from 1858-1866.
Margaret Jackson Hardgrove, a cousin of President Andrew Jackson, was a widow who had given up her own home just before the war began. From then on, "home" was wherever she and carpet bag happened to go. This was mostly alternating her time between four of her adult children. Wherever she stayed, her busy pen recorded social news and insider-business dealings in and around Massillon Village and neighboring communities at a time when there was no local newspaper.
As the war unfolded, letters also arrived home from her son Lt. John Henry Hardgrove. He depicted experiences from regimental sites of the 76th Ohio Volunteer Infantry which he and several Hardgrove cousins served.
Popio, who resided in Wadsworth, taught at Kent State and Akron University for over 20 years and is author of more than 100 of the history features appearing in The Medina Gazette's special history "tabs." She was also the Gazette's weekly Religion columnist for 9 years.
Public Welcome and No Admission Fee. Park across North Market Street from the church.