USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 21
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DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, AUDUBON.
The Danish Evangelical Lutheran church, of Audubon, was organized, February 9, 1909, under the leadership of Rev. G. B. Christiansen, R. D. However, the church work among the Danish people in Audubon was begun about 1884. As most all of the Danes belong to the Lutheran church in Denmark and wished to continue the same relationship, the work was taken up among them, not by the mother church in Denmark, but by men whom God called to the ministry in this country, and who gladly took hold of the work among their countrymen in the United States.
Rev. Mr. Auker, now (1914) located at Lincoln, Nebraska, was the first who held a Lutheran meeting in the Danish language in Audubon. He came here in 1884 from Elk Horn, Iowa, where he, at that time and for about thirty years, was located. He served the people for about two years.
From 1886 to 1888, Rev. C. Falck, now ( 1914) located in Jewell, Iowa, but who at that time held a charge in Oak Hill, came here and held services (15)
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once each month. After some interruption in the services, Rev. A. C. Weis- mann, from Jacksonville, Iowa, came and held services from 1894 till 1902. Following him came Rev. Brede Johnson, from Buthana, Iowa, who served two and one-half years. In 1905 Rev. G. B. Christiansen, from Ebenezer, took up the work and continued to preach here until 1909. During the years prior to 1909, the church had no building of its own, but held services in the Evangelical church a large part of the time. Now it became more thoroughly organized with a membership of about one hundred and, oppor- tunity presenting itself, bought the Baptist church, at a cost of three thou- sand dollars. The church has a seating capacity of four hundred. At the same time, the congregation bought a house located next to the church on the north, to be used as a parsonage. This house was rebuilt and modern- ized in 1914, so that now the church owns a splendid property, including a fine home for the pastor. In November, 1908, Rev. J. P. Christiansen, then in Lincoln, Nebraska, accepted a call here and, with his family, came here May 14, 1909, and has continued the work since.
The present membership is two hundred and seven. The Sunday school has ten teachers, with sixty-five children. The Young People's Society was organized, December 9, 1909, with twenty-eight members. The present membership is seventy-two. The Ladies Aid Society, which was organized some years ago, number forty-five. All of the services are conducted in the Danish language and, as one-fourth of the population of Audubon is Danish, there is a great field for work.
EBENEZER DANISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Ebenezer Danish Evangelical Lutheran church, which is located in Douglas township, was organized in 1895, the following persons uniting in the organization : Nels C. N. Schmidt and wife, Peter N. Schmidt and wife, Ham N. Schmidt and wife, Ham Nelson and wife, Peter Andersen and wife and Nels Andersen.
In 1896 a church edifice, twenty-six by forty feet in size, was erected. at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars. In 1908 the growth of the congregation compelled the providing of more room and an addition and improvements were made at a cost of two thousand dollars, the present church being twenty-six by fifty-two feet in size. In 1904 a fine parsonage was built adjoining the church, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dol- lars. Rev. A. C. Weismann was the first pastor, continuing until about 1905, when Rev. G. B. Christiansen became pastor and remained with the church, giving excellent service.
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Reverend Christiansen is president of the Danish Evangelical church in America, his work occasionally calling him to the Atlantic or Pacific coast. A good Sunday school, with a membership of about forty, is maintained, also a Young People's Society. The present membership of the church is thirty-two families and over one hundred and fifty members.
OTHER DANISH CHURCHES.
The Danish Evangelical Lutheran church of Exira was organized on May 19, 1905, and in 1907 erected a substantial church edifice, at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. This is a flourishing society, with a membership of ninety-eight. Those who have served as pastors are Revs. Thomas Jersild, James K. Jensen, Jens P. Christensen and Peter Rasmussen, the present pastor.
The Danish Evangelical Lutheran church of Hamlin was organized in 1904 and in 1906 bought its church edifice from the Evangelical church. The value of its building is one thousand five hundred dollars. The present mem- bership is one hundred and fifty-two. The following have served as pastors : Reverends Johnson, James K. Jensen, Jens P. Christensen and Peter Ras- mussen, the present pastor.
Immanuel church of the Danish Evangelical church of America, located at Kimballton, was organized in 1897. The church edifice, which has a seat- ing capacity of four hundred, was erected in 1904, at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars. The membership of this church is one hundred, and the church being located in the very heart of the Danish settlement, is favor- ably situated for doing a large amount of good. The following have served as pastors : Revs. C. Sorensen, J. M. Gregerson and J. Jorgensen, who is the present pastor.
DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
Bethany Danish Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized in 1890. During the same year five acres of land, located on a beautiful hill two and a half miles northeast of Kimballton, on section 16, Sharon town- ship, were purchased and a church, thirty-two by forty feet, costing one thousand five hundred dollars was built on this land. This church stood only eight years, when it was destroyed by fire caused by its being struck by lightning. Neither discouraged nor down-hearted, the congregation immediately set to work, contributed liberally of their means, and had a new church edifice built upon the same site in the fall of the same year-1898.
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The next year, 1899, a comfortable and convenient six-room parsonage was built. The church is located on one side of a public highway and the par- sonage is on the other side. The cemetery adjoins the church grounds.
At the beginning of this congregation, there was no church in Kimball- ton, so that a number from that place belonged to Bethany church. Later, when a church was built in Kimballton, these withdrew, but, notwithstanding their leaving, this congregation has made steady progress and today numbers fifty-four families, comprising three hundred souls.
Rev. Christian Auker, Rev. P. S. Vig, Rev. Frimodt Moller, Rev. N. P. Simonson, Rev. Buda Johansen and Rev. Christian Hansen have served as pastors of this church, Rev. H. L. Jensen being the present pastor. This church is splendidly located for doing a great work among the Danish people.
Oak Hill Danish Lutheran church in America is located on section 21, Oakfield township. It was organized about 1895 by a number of Danish families who had settled west of Brayton. From the first, this has been a flourishing congregation. The church edifice, which is twenty-four by forty- eight feet in size, was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. Among those who have served as pastors are, Rev. Skovgaard, November, 1890, to November, 1893; Reverend Gravengaard, 1894; Rev. N. P. Hold, May, 1900, to June, 1903; Reverend Jensen, 1903 to 1907; Reverend Jorgensen, 1908-9; Rev. H. E. Raven, 1910-13. The present pastor is Rev. H. C. Strandskoo, who has a catechetical class of thirty-six children. The pastor of this church also serves St. Johannes church in the northeast part of Oakfield township. The two churches pay a salary of seven hundred and fifty dollars per year and the free use and occupation of the parsonage and eight acres of land. The present membership is fifty families or two hundred members.
St. Johannes Danish Lutheran church of the Danish Lutheran church in America is located near the northeast corner of Oakfield township and was organized about 1905. This church is affiliated with the Oak Hill Danish church and is served by the same pastor, Rev. H. C. Strandskoo being the present minister. The church, which was built in 1905 and is twenty-eight by fifty feet in size, cost two thousand dollars. The congregation consists of about fifty families, or two hundred souls and is in a flourishing condition.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES.
In the winter of 1885-86, Elder O. A. Olson came to the small settle- ment of Danes living in Indian Creek valley, and began a series of religious meetings. These were the first religious meetings held in this neighborhood. There were but a few families living there and they were somewhat scattered
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but an interest was soon awakened, the meetings being held in the small and humble homes of the people. Success attended the labors of Elder Olson, and a large portion of the community accepted his teachings. On March 17, 1886, at the home of Peter Axelson, in Sharon township, the first church of Seventh-Day Adventists in Audubon county was organized with a member- ship of twenty-three. About the same time occurred the first baptism in Indian Creek.
Only four of the original members are now living in this vicinity, a num- ber having passed away and others having found homes elsewhere. During 1886 seven more joined the church and, early in 1887, another seven joined, making thirty-seven members at the end of the first year. During this year (1887) this church was received into the Iowa conference of Seventh-Day Adventist. The first officers were, elder, John H. Johnson; deacon and treasurer, Nels J. Boose ; secretary, Peter Axelson. These have all passed away. Jens Sorensen was the next elder. Many years of his life were given to the work, and, by his labors, example and influence, he did much to build up this church. For four years after the organization, services were held in the Stanley school house, but, in the spring of 1890, the first Seventh-Day Adventist church in the county was built, on section 36, Sharon township, at a cost of eight hundred dollars. Although the members were poor, the church was dedicated free from debt. Since that time, J. M. Peterson, Chris Juhl and H. C. Peterson have served as elders. The church has steadily grown in numbers and now there is a membership of seventy-four.
In 1909 an addition was built to the church, to be used for school pur- poses, at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. This school is sup- ported by the church and in it the children are educated in hand, mind and heart, the Bible being a part of their daily studies. The enrollment the first year was about thirty. After two years of successful work, two years were added to the eighth grades, making ten years in all. Miss Anna Johnson was the first teacher. Then Miss Marion Johnson was selected to take charge of the advanced work. Following the retirement of Miss Anna Johnson from school life, Miss Iva Dike filled the vacancy. In 1913-14 Miss Jennie Nelson assisted Miss Marion Johnson and, this year, Miss Della Jensen is teaching the lower grades. The earnest, faithful and efficient efforts of these God-fearing girls have greatly assisted the young people of this church in avoiding many of the evils existing today; not one of the young men is addicted to the habit of tobacco or liquor. Thirteen have graduated from this school, having passed the examination given by the county, and three more will receive the eighth grade diploma this spring.
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Thousands of dollars have been raised by this church in tithes and offerings for the support of missionary work in this country, and in China, Africa, India and in other mission fields abroad. In 1914 the sum of three thousand seven hundred ninety-three dollars and fifteen cents was paid in tithes and offerings for foreign fields, besides maintaining the expense of both church and school. Several hundred dollars have been given for churches and schools located elsewhere. The officers of this church for 1915 are: Elder, A. P. Hansen ; deacon, Henry Andersen; treasurer, Lawrence Axel- son ; secretary, P. C. Knudson. These men have held these offices a num- ber of years.
One young lady, Miss Rose Boose, has been sent from this church as a foreign missionary, and is now laboring in India. Others of the young people of the church are in training for like service. The work of this church is surely equalled by few and, we are inclined to believe, surpassed by none, taking into consideration size of membership and opportunity.
If each organized church in the county would do a proportionate amount of good, according to their ability, what a mighty force for righteousness our churches would be.
The East Exira Seventh-Day Adventist church was organized in a school house, about nine miles east of Exira, on April 21, 1900, by Elders E. G. Olson and William Johnson. There were eight charter members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Chris Juhl, Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Bascom, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Berthelsen and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Jensen. Chris Juhl was elected as the first elder, which position he filled for a number of years until he moved to Stuart. Since then J. W. Jensen has served as elder. The meetings were held in various school houses at different times until February, 1913, at which time the Christian Science people of Exira kindly consented to rent their church to the Seventh-Day Adventists for Sabbath services, and whenever not in use. Meetings were held here for one year. Then the congregation became tòo large for the little church and a larger building was needed. The Congregational people then kindly consented to lease their church for services, when not needed by themselves, and the East Exira Seventh-Day Adventists church now meets regularly there. There are forty members in the organized church and about sixty in the Sabbath school.
The Seventh-Day Adventist church in Audubon was organized on May 15, 1887, by Elder J. W. Wiloby and Ira Hankins, the following being enrolled as charter members: Mrs. R. G. Ping, Mrs. J. N. Brockway, Mrs. George Keene, Mrs. F. Trude, H. Johnson and wife and Mr. Martin and his mother. The first meetings were held in the school house, until 1889,
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where the present church was built, being in size twenty-four by thirty-six feet and costing one thousand dollars. The present membership of the church is fifteen. The church has not maintained a regular pastor, but the following have served: Rev. J. W. Wiloby, Rev. Ira Hankins, Rev. E. G. Olson, Reverend Starr. E. G. Olson, W. A. Frederickson and Chris Juhl have served as elders. A sabbath school has been maintained regularly, Mrs. Rose Brockway being superintendent. Mrs. Alice Esbeck is secretary of the church.
BAPTISTS.
The First Baptist church of Audubon was organized on April 1, 1881, at a meeting presided over by Rev. D. D. Proper. The charter members were E. F. Fales, Mrs. C. A. Fales, H. M. Talbot, Mrs. M. Scott, Mrs. E. J. Ford, Mrs. V. Sands, Mrs. S. Davis, Rev. H. F. Sharpmack and wife, F. M. Van Pelt, Mrs. Mary J. Van Pelt, Mrs. Elnora Howald, V. Sands, Isabel Harris and Mrs. E. M. Funk. The first deacons were E. F. Fales and F. M. Van Pelt; the first clerk and treasurer was H. M. Talbot. Rev. A. F. Sharp- nack was engaged to preach once in two weeks for the first year. The first covenant meeting was held on April 27, 1881. The church did not advance rapidly. Some removed, while others seemed for a time to slacken their former zeal for the cause they had once espoused. Hence, the society has but little history to record until October, 1887, when it was reorganized, embracing some few of the remaining charter members. In September, 1888, plans were matured for the erection of a church. Lots were purchased of the railroad company, directly opposite the court house. During the winter of 1888-9 a good-sized edifice was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. Rev. A. C. Zollhoffer was pastor when the plans for the building were made, but, in October, 1888, he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Richmond A. Smith, under whose pastoral labors the work prospered for a time. The church was completed and dedicated. After Reverend Smith, came Rev. Mr. Parsons. A number of active and influential members moved away, the services finally ceased and, after some years in 1909, the church was bought by the Danish Lutheran, who still own and occupy it. After the discontinuance of the services, some of the remaining members joined the Christian church, some the Methodist and others the Evangelical church.
OAKFIELD DANISH BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The Danish Baptist church in Oakfield township belongs to the Danish Baptist denomination, or church, affiliated with the Danish Baptist general
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conference and the various connections of the Baptist denomination of America and the world. It is located five miles west and two miles north of Brayton, section 5, Oakfield township. It was organized in 1888, with twenty-four charter members. Among the old members yet belonging to the church are Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Kragelund, Mr. and Mrs. Jens Christensen, Messrs. O. H. Jacobson, Nels Hansen, Chris Jorgensen and others. The church grew for some years, had large congregations and exerted a good influence. Later, some of the members moved away and others live at some distance from the church, necessitating the taking up of an outstation, eight miles southeast, in Cass county, where many attend the meetings. The pres- ent membership is fifty-five. The church edifice was erected in 1893, its seating capacity being about three hundred.
One quarter of a mile west of the church the parsonage, a six-room house, with barn and other buildings, and five acres of land, is located. The value of the property is about three thousand five hundred dollars and is free from debt.
The pastors who have served are Revs. F. M. Andersen, C. Pedersen, C. L. A. Christensen, A. P. Nielsen, C. Andersen and the present pastor, Rev. P. C. Larsen, who serves the church, together with an American church in Shelby county. Besides these pastors, other men who have done good work are Revs. A. C. Nasby, F. Olsen, H. A. Richenbach, M. A. Wesgaard, C. H. Bobirg and M. U. Sorensen. The present pastor has been on the field about two years, coming from Cuppy Grove Baptist church in Shelby county. He uses the English language in his services, not only in the American church, but also in his two out-stations. He has held rural pastorates in Iowa for the past thirteen years ; is vice-president of the Danish conference ; a member of the Iowa Baptist board and of the Baptist state commission.
The majority of the Oakfield church members are quiet, devoted, indus- trious people, who are some of the best citizens of the community, and, as this church is located in a good field, it is undoubtedly doing a good work for the saving of souls.
The Union Baptist church of Greeley township, located on section 23, was organized in 1882 by the following charter members: Rev. and Mrs. Charles Berry, S. S. Berry, Hugh McClaren and wife, Henry Mapes and wife, Adolphus Burtt, Mrs. Harriet Burtt, Mrs. Hannah Cox, Mrs. Margaret Huston, Henry Snowgoose and Maggie McClaren, thirteen in all. For several years, meetings were held in the school house, but in 1891 the present church, a comfortable frame building, was erected, at a cost of two thou- sand dollars. The following have served as pastors: Revs. A. F. Sharp-
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nack, Charles Berry, Reverend and Mrs. Mackey, F. Reed, D. D. Downs, George Hickok, C. V. Bentley, Charles Sloan, H. H. Cross, L. L. Smith and Eli Loney, who is the present pastor. The present membership is forty-one. A very interesting Sunday school is maintained. Also a Baptist Young Peoples Mission, with a good membership, is in a flourishing condition.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BRAYTON.
By reference to the history of the Oakfield Methodist Episcopal class, it will be seen that religious services were held in Oakfield as early as 1856-7, and also by referring to the Oakfield Congregational church, it will be observed that about 1866-8 the congregationalists organized there, and later the Evangelicals also, held services there. These services were held in the school house, where a Sunday school had been maintained during all these years. The successful continuation of these services and the Sunday school during many years can be credited to the untiring effort of Prof. H. G. Smith and family and J. M. Hill and family, both of whom have passed to their reward. It was reserved for the Baptists to erect the first church edifice and to organize the first denominational church in Brayton. That the Bap-
tists should have secured a footing there is, perhaps, due to the efforts of one man, A. T. Horton, familiarly known as "Uncle Ace," more than any other one. In the spring of 1880 he with his family, removed from Marion county, Iowa, and settled about two miles northwest of Brayton. He was at this time fifty-eight years of age, but "Uncle Ace" had always been a Bap- tist and could not be anything else. No sooner had he became established in his new home, than he began efforts to secure religious services in the school house nearest his home and, although there was no formal church organization, religious services were conducted there more or less frequently by the Baptists for a number of years. These efforts, with the assistance and cooperation of others heretofore mentioned. crystalized the religious senti- ment of the community and rendered it possible to cement it together in one organization. In the winter of 1893 three Baptist ministers, Reverend Downs, Reverend Hickock and Rev. Harry Ferguson, conducted revival services in the old hall at Oakfield. At first, their efforts were fruitless, but they persevered with a trust in God. Ferguson was a host within himself, talented, tactful, resourceful, sincere, an excellent judge of human nature, a good "mixer," plain and unassuming, the friend of everybody. To the people, he was just Harry Ferguson. Incidentally, he was the pastor of the Baptist church at Cumberland, Iowa, and his church had sent him to Bray-
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ton for a season of missionary work. No task was too arduous for him to undertake ; he never became discouraged, nor was any service too humiliating. He subsequently became district missionary and afterwards removed to Oregon. Together with his two assistants, they assailed the enemy in mass formation until they penetrated the lines. The results of the meetings were many converts and the formal organization of the church. Some of the first members were, J. S. Harter and wife, A. T. Horton and wife, J. G. Chamber- lain and wife, O. F. Ide and wife, Mark Heath and wife, W. R. Koob and wife, J. O. Cotton and wife, L. B. Clark and wife, I. H. Jenkins and wife, Mrs. Fanny Howell, W. Brinkerhoff, Curt Cotton, Grace Clark, Maria Jenkins, Frank Jenkins, Pearl Jenkins, May Jenkins, and there were many others whose names are not available for the reason that the records of that church, like the average church, have been imperfectly kept.
A commodious and comfortable church edifice was at once erected in Brayton. Soon afterward there were enrolled about eighty members, and the congregation was in a flourishing condition. The first minister called as pastor was Reverend Doane, who was ordained subsequent to taking up the pastorate. Among the other pastors who followed him-and there were many-were Reverend Jewell, Reverend Brown, Reverend O'Connor, Rev- erend Sloan and Reverend Wilcox. There were others whose stay was of short duration. The church, like many other churches, has had its "ups and downs" and some of the members think that during the last few years the "downs" have predominated. Many of the members have died and others have moved away, until there appears to be not enough left to carry on the work. They have a fine church building, free from debt, recently lighted with electricity. The field is white, already to harvest, but the reapers are few, and the remaining members are praying that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into his harvest.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, EXIRA.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized at Exira, on May 15, 1897, with twelve members. The following have been first readers in the church : John G. Gates, R. Ella Hensley, William R. Bruner, Flora B. Hens- ley, Isaac Statzell. The church edifice was built in 1906-7, at a cost of seven hundred dollars. The present membership is seven.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic church, at Exira, was organized as St. Boniface church in 1879, the following persons being charter members:
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John Martes, William Bintner, Peter Tharnish, John Rieff, Frank Dorr. The first church building, a wooden structure, was erected in 1879. Having out- grown this building, the present church, a brick edifice, eighty by forty feet in size, was erected in 1902, at a cost of ten thousand dollars.
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