USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 30
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Rev. Hansen filled charges at Schleswig and Manilla, but owing to the diffi- culty of transportation, he was obliged to resign the Manilla charge. He was
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succeeded in May, 1910, by Rev. K. Rest. On July 19, 1910, the present pastor, Rev. A. W. Freuchte, took charge of the work. Rev. Freuchte is a graduate of Elmhurst College and the Eden Theological Seminary of Missouri. He is an enthusiastic and intelligent worker, supplying the charges both at Manilla and Manning.
The present officers are President, Jacob Gessman; W. F. Boeck, Vice Presi- dent; H. W. Boeck, Secretary ; Christ Christensen, Treasurer.
The present membership is 22, Sunday School enrollment is 30, and there is an efficient Ladies' Aid Society with a membership of 14. The congregation owns property valued at $3,000.
ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. Charter Oak.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Charter Oak, was organized on the Ist of March, 1896, with the following charter members: George Nedder- meyer, William Topf, B. L. Jacobsen, Charles Radeck, Charles Buaman and F. Radeck. The meeting was held in the Swedish Lutheran church, at which place services were conducted each third Sunday thereafter. The list of the pastors who have presided over the congregation since the time of its organ- ization are as follows: During the year 1896, Rev. E. Gabriel; 1897 to 1900, Rev. A. Mathias; 1900 to 1903, Rev. H. Schliesser; 1903 to 1906, Rev. H. Wendt; 1907, Rev. A. C. Zeilinger ; 1908 to date, Rev. H. Wendt.
The church at present has a congregation of about one hundred and twenty souls, including adults and children, its membership numbering thirty-two and its communicants seventy. They have no building of their own as yet, but in 1905 four hundred dollars was paid for a two and a half acre cemetery site, which is beautifully located near town, and which was laid out the same year.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. Charter Oak.
This church was organized on the 13th day of March, 1881, by Rev. G. Haar, with the following seven voting members: George Schelm, Henry Kuhl- mann, Christian Neddermeyer, George Neddermeyer, Friedrich Bockelmann, Dietrich Vanier, Henry Schroeder.
In 1887 the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway founded the town of Charter Oak. A few of the members bought a few lots, and one lot was pre- sented by the railway company. In the year 1888 the first church was built, 30x50, at a cost of $1,399. At the dedication of the first church building, Rev. Stroble, of Denison, gave services in the forenoon in German and Rev. M. Hermann in the afternoon in English.
The first resident minister, Rev. A. Amstein, still resides here. He ac- cepted a call in 1890. The first parsonage was built in 1890. The congrega- tion built a new schoolhouse in 1902, 32x36, hall 8x8. Up to this time school was kept in the back part of the church, which had been arranged for such purposes. In 1904 a new two-story parsonage was built, containing nine big rooms and an attic.
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In the first quarterly meeting in 1907 the congregation voted to build a new church, 38x64. On the 14th day of July, 1907, the cornerstone was laid. Serv- ices were held in the city hall of Charter Oak for eleven months, until the 29th day of March, 1908, the new church was dedicated. A nice bell was presented by the younger folks at a cost of $400. Rev. C. Runge, of Hanover, gave services in German, in the morning on the day of the dedication, Rev. H. Wehking, of Alta, Iowa, services in German in the afternoon, and Rev. W. Freese, of Denison, gave services in the evening in English. The church was erected at the cost of $10,000, which is all paid. Officers : Paul F. Fiene, president ; Peter Timm, Fritz Vogt and Juergen Koch, deacons; William Kroll, treasurer; John Timm, secretary; Chris Stoll, janitor; Mrs. H. G. Shumway, organist.
The first school was opened in the year of 1890 with two pupils. School was kept four days out of the week. Now, in December (1910), there are thirty-six pupils in school. The main purpose of the school is to give the chil- dren instructions of the doctrine of our church. Every year a class is con- firmed on Palm Sunday.
The Ladies' Aid Society has done much for the church. Officers first elected were : President, Mrs. F. Riedesel; vice-president, Mrs. A. Amstein; secretary, Mrs. M. M. Black; treasurer, Mrs. P. Fiene.
The object is charity in the congregation and institutions connected with the church.
The new church was furnished by the society and the other lady members of the congregation.
Poor students have been aided with money and some institutions with clothing and bedding.
A room in the Lutheran Hospital at Sioux City was furnished by this society. The society at the present time has fifty-four members.
The present officers of the society are: Mrs. Chr. Iversen, president; Mrs. William Kunze, vice-president; Mrs. M. M. Black, treasurer, and Mrs. Chr. Stoll, secretary.
THE METHODISTS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
By Mr. E. W. Pierce.
The early history of any movement which from small beginning grows to influence and becomes a factor in the life of the community in which it is planted is always interesting. For this reason more space proportionately in this chap- ter is given to the planting and earlier history of the great Methodist Episcopal church in Crawford county.
The fathers could not have planned a more effective instrument for the evangelization of a new and growing country than the itinerant system of the Methodist church. At the annual conference each preacher receives appoint- ment for the year from the presiding bishop to which he is bound to go. Thus it was that Landon Taylor was appointed to be presiding elder of Sioux City district of Upper Iowa conference and William Black to the Crawford Carroll Mission. The Sioux City district, be it known, covered all of northwest Iowa and the Dakotas, and the Crawford Carroll Mission had appointments as folows :
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Smithland, Mapleton, Denison or Mason's Grove, Carrollton, Lake City, Sac City and Ida Grove.
The first sermon, which was also the first gospel message in Crawford county was by Rev. William Black at the home of Mr. Rufus Richardson near Mason's Grove, just east of Deloit, October 16, 1856. At this meeting a class was formed and arrangements made for regular services. The class numbered seven and the class leader was Mr. George C. King, who with his wife, now Mrs. A. F. Bond, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Wight and Morris Mc- Henry composed the first church organization of the Methodist church in this county. Five more members were soon added: Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Huckstep, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Todd, and Mrs. Vincent Cheadle.
In the early days the quarterly meeting and presiding elder's sermon were great events. The first quarterly meeting for Crawford Carroll mission was at the schoolhouse in Mason's Grove, Presiding Elder Landon Taylor and Pastor William Black both present. Landon Taylor was a great and good man of large ability, deep consecration and strong emotions. In the course of his sermons his face would shine and his eyes overflow and this caused him to be called the "weeping prophet." He is entitled to larger space, but information concerning him is all too meager. At this meeting W. T. Huckstep and Misses Julia and Kittie King were baptized and joined the church on probation.
The second quarterly meeting was held January 17, 1858, in a schoolhouse in Denison located on the present site of the .W. A. McHenry residence. The third quarterly meeting was held at the J. B. Huckstep home in Milford town- ship May 30, 1858, and this was called the "Prairie Appointment." The records show that J. B. Huckstep and W. B. Todd were elected trustees. The fourth quarterly meeting was in Denison, July 25, 1858, and with this pass out Landon Taylor and William Black.
The annual conference of that year appointed George Clifford to be presid- ing elder and W. O. Glassner to be preacher in charge. The first quarterly meet- ing for that year was at Mason's Grove November 21, 1858. The task of bring- ing the new pastor from Fort Dodge was assigned to Mr. A. F. Bond. The roads in those days were cross country trails and Mr. Bond could tell some in- teresting experiences about Purgatory Slough and Hell Gate Slough. Rev. Glassner served one year and was succeeded by D. P. Billings, and the first quar- terly meeting of this year was held at Mason's Grove November 29, 1859. J. B. Huckstep and Morris McHenry reported as class leaders; W. D. Todd and Vin- cent Cheadle, stewards; committee on missions, Todd, Huckstep and McHenry. McHenry, Huckstep and Cheadle, committee to estimate pastor's salary ; $350 was estimated for pastor and $40 for presiding elder. The second quarterly con- ference for this year was at Denison. The items of interest at this conference and showing a growing church are that H. C. Laub and H. C. McWilliams are added to the board of stewards, also H. C. McWilliams was approved as Sunday school superintendent. The financial report was $22 from Denison on pastor's salary, $15 from Mason's Grove, and $35 from the Missionary Society, and the public collection was $2.85.
Perhaps it is not known by many that in its early history the Methodist church in Crawford county was supported in part by missionary money.
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At the third quarterly meeting held at Mason's Grove May 26, 1860, beside the usual business conference, a resolution was passed to build a parsonage. Rev. Billings served one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Smith Knickerbocker, who served two years. The first quarterly meeting for this year was at Denison October 20, 1860, at which two Sunday schools were reported, a more detailed account of which will be given in another place.
In the fall of 1862 Daniel Lamont became presiding elder and D. W. Risher pastor, who served one year and was succeeded by E. R. Latta. The first quar- terly meeting for his pastorate was held at Deloit November 6, 1863. The record shows pastoral support as follows: Denison, $200; Deloit, $40; Paradise, now Dow City, $40. The fourth quarterly meeting of 1864, the question of parson- age was raised and the report given was that it was slowly progressing. Rev. Latta served two years.
The close of the annual conference of 1864 found Rev. M. D. Collins ap- pointed to Denison charge, which included Deloit and Paradise, and Cornelius Green, exhorter. During this pastorate the parsonage was built on the present site of the Baptist church. Rev. Collins was an able preacher and is held in pleasant memory by those of his people who still live. He was succeeded by Rev. W. T. Smith, who served one year. He was afterward presiding elder of the Council Bluffs district, also Boone district and assistant secretary of the Missionary Society. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Snodgrass, and in his pastorate in the year 1868 a 'church was built where the present church stands, which continued to be used until the church now used was built and was do- nated to the German Methodist church and used for a number of years as their place of worship.
During the years from 1868 to 1876 the church was served by W. E. Smith, B. Shinn, W. W. Glanville, G. C. Waynick and Jacob Fegtley ; the first three serving one year each, Rev. Waynick two and Rev. Fegtley three years. These years were uneventful except in faithful service by the pastors and devotion to duty by the membership of the church, and special revival services by Rev. Shinn and Rev. Waynick at Dowville and Paradise are mentioned in their records as of far-reaching influence and large neighborhood interest.
At the session of Des Moines conference in September, 1876, Denison was made a station ; Dow City having been made the leading point in a new circuit. The first pastor of Denison station or charge was Rev. E. W. Sage, who served two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Asa Sleeth for one year. These years and the two following were rather uneventful. Rev. J. A. Wilson came in the fall of 1879 and Rev. W. J. Beck in 1880, each for one year. The church, how- ever, grew in membership and influence, and gave evidence of faithfulness on the part of its members and excellent leadership by the pastors.
Rev. Dinsmore Austin was appointed to Denison in 1881 and stayed the then pastoral limit of three years. Rev. Austin was popular with his people, an ex- cellent pastor and forceful preacher. The Denison Methodist church recorded substantial growth during his pastorate. The year 1884 brought Rev. Asahel Thornbrue_as .. pastor .for a period of two years. The church continued to pros- per, but had not become fully inoculated with the great church enterprises, for the records show that in 1886 the total amount raised for all benevolences was
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but $206. During this pastorate Archer Steele, Jr., was led to offer himself as a missionary and was recommended for an exhorter's license to that end. Rev. J. R. Wellborn came in September, 1886, for two eventful years; for during this pastorate were what is known as the "Detwiler meetings," from Rev. G. W. Detwiler, evangelist, a series of meetings of far-reaching influence, not only in quickening the church itself, but in adding to the membership and also in its wholesome effect on the entire community. Another event of importance was the building of the present house of worship, costing nearly seven thousand dollars; also the entertainment for the first time in the history of Denison of the Des Moines annual conference. The new church was dedicated by Chaplain McCabe. This was an occasion of unusual interest. Rev. J. B. Harris became pastor in 1889 and remained five years, the limit having been extended from three years to five during his pastorate. Rev. Harris was small in body but large in spirit and ability. Every department of the church work was carried along with energy as indicated by the official records. During this pastorate the church was enlarged with reopening services by Bishop Bowman.
In 1894 Rev. J. S. Wright became pastor for two years. He was his own evangelist and held during the first winter of this pastoral term a very success- ful revival, lasting several weeks. Rev. Wright was an excellent organizer and probably the church has never been more effectively organized than following this series of revival meetings. He was also a great preacher. In 1896 Rev. E. E. Ilgenfritz came for three years. In these years the church was subjected to internal improvements and the parsonage built as it now stands ; also the annual conference was entertained for the second time. Rev. J. B. Harris was returned for one year at this conference of 1899. Rev. Harris maintained his former popularity in this pastorate. After one year he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. E. M. Holmes, who remained two years. Dr. Holmes' pastorate was successful in every respect. All departments of the church work realized the leadership of an excellent pastor and preacher. Dr. Holmes was succeeded in 1902 by Dr. Emory Miller, who remained three years. Dr. Miller is one of the great preach- ers of Methodism. He will be remembered long and kindly by the Denison church as not only preaching, but also teaching the gospel.
In 1905 came Rev. T. E. Thuresson, also for three years. Rev. Thuresson is a very eloquent preacher.
The present pastor, Dr. J. H. Senseney, came in September, 1908, and is now in his third year as pastor. Dr. Senseney has been his own evangelist, except during a union meeting conducted by Dr. Oestrom in the fall of 1909. Perhaps the notable event so far is the gift of a pipe organ by Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Voss and the consequent necessary enlarging of the church. The pastorate of Dr. Senseney is able and will be known as one of the most successful in the history of the church.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Dow City grew from the Paradise ap- pointment of the Deloit-Denison charge. The Paradise appointment was taken up in the early summer of 1863. The charter members were Mrs. Susan Com- fort, in whose home services were first held and later in a schoolhouse about a mile and one-half northwest of Dow City, and her daughters, Mrs. J. H. Wood- ruff and Martha, now Mrs. Bruner. Rev. D. W. Risher was the first pastor and
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after conference in the fall of 1864, he was succeeded by Rev. Latta, and he by M. D. Collins, who is remembered with much affection by the whole charge. In 1866 Rev. W. T. Smith followed and after him, Father Snodgrass. The early history of the Paradise appointment is merged so nearly with Denison that the story of one is the story of the other so far as pastors were concerned; each one being a unit of the same charge. A very gracious revival was held by the Rev. Brother Shinn. The class was reorganized on January 25, 1870, the fol- lowing persons uniting: Martha Whaley, Mr. and Mrs. George Rae, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rae, Grandma Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. James Bell, Laura Duncan, Mary E. Smith, Elizabeth Forterbury, Cyntha C. Baggat, Mrs. G. W. Hunting- ton, Elizabeth H. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Martin, Aunt Maggie Talcott, and Mr. and Mrs. William Wallace. In the fall of 1871 services were transferred from the schoolhouse northwest of town to the new schoolhouse in Dowville, now Dow City, where they continued to be held until 1878, when the schoolhouse was sold to the Latter Day Saints. This forced the Methodist people to move and through the generosity of Mr. S. E. Dow, the owner of the old cheese fac- tory, the large upper room of the building was secured for a place of worship and the following year the church was built.
At the annual conference in the fall of 1876 Dowville was separated from Denison charge and created into an independent charge and the Rev. William Patterson assigned to it. Brother Patterson came to his work, but found no parsonage, few people but plenty of territory. He and his family were hos- pitably received and the people rallied at once to build a parsonage and in a few weeks the preacher and family were established in their parsonage home. After looking the field over, preaching appointments were established at Dow- ville, Willow, Theobald's schoolhouse near where Astor is now, Pleasant Hill in East Boyer township, and Grand Valley near Manning. The circuit was thirty miles long. Brother Patterson started out Saturday afternoon and preached three times each Sunday. The new charge started out bravely. The first official board was as follows: John Slater, A. L. Bell, M. G. Wiggins, L. E. Hardy, George Rae, A. K. Henney, C. Farrington, Thomas Selby, Emza Graham, C. Schofield, Samuel Gibson, Thomas Rae, Robert Theobald, William Parkins and A. Underhill. Rev. Patterson served two years and was succeeded by Rev. M. A. Wright. The services were held in the upper room of the cheese factory during Rev. Wright's term of one year and a most thoroughgoing revival was held in that upper room which is held in grateful remembrance. During this year the church was built and in the fall Rev. Cyrus Smith was appointed to the charge. Brother Smith added Buck Grove and McBrides and later Paradise, making eight appointments. Finding the work too heavy, he secured as assist- ant first Brother Allan Lynn and later Henry J. Smith. Brother Smith served three years. During his last year the charge was divided, reserving to Dow City, Willow, Paradise and Buck Grove.
The next pastor at Dow City was Rev. J. S. Morrow, who stayed one year. He was succeeded by Rev. H. H. Barton. Mr. Barton was a graduate of Drew Theological Seminary and had been private secretary to Bishop Hurst during a part of his term at Drew; the bishop having been president at that time. Brother Barton stayed the then time limit of three years. He was probably the
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most scholarly pastor who ever served the Dow City charge. His preaching was very acceptable and his work among the children deserves special mention and will no doubt have lasting results. He was succeeded by Rev. S. W. Lauck, who served two years. Rev. Lauck was energetic and resourceful. Probably the most important feature of his term was a revival of marked success in the coun- try northwest of town about four miles.
Rev. Hugh Lynn came in the fall of 1888 and served three years. He was. a man of great earnestness and piety and the church prospered under his pas- torate. During the fall of his first year Dow City had the privilege of enter- taining the district conference of Council Bluffs district. The next pastor was Rev. L. Jean one year, followed by Rev. G. F. Natson for one year, during which a very gracious revival is remembered. Rev. J. L. Boyd succeeded for two years. During a part of his first year he was afflicted with a serious illness, during which time the work was supplied by some local brethren from Council Bluffs, Woodbine and elsewhere. The next pastor was Rev. G. L. Goodell, who was ably assisted by his wife. They remained three years and left all depart- ments of the church in good working order and a prosperous condition.
The Des Moines annual conference in September, 1897, appointed C. D. Fawcett as pastor to succeed Rev. Goodell and in 1898, he was succeeded by A. M. Molesworth who served two years.
D. M. Houghtelin came in the fall of 1900 for two years. These years and the following one of E. E. Goodrich and three of J. J. Varley were uneventful but busy and years of growth. Rev. A. L. Curtis filled the pastorate for three years and was succeeded in 1909 by the present pastor, G. W. Koser, who is now in his second year.
The church at Manilla is the offspring of the original planting at Mason's Grove. Preaching and Sunday schools were held at the Theobald and Swan schoolhouses; the first near the present site of Astor and the second near the place where the Pleasant Hill church was subsequently built. Rev. William Patterson supplied the preaching and these points were a part of the Dow City circuit for about five years. In the fall of 1881 the Astor charge was sep- arated from Dow City and Rev. S. W. Milligan appointed as pastor. He served one year and was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Coe for two years. During these pastorates the church and parsonage at Astor were built. The third pastor was Rev. W. L. Douglass for one year and then Rev. Hugh Linn for three years. Manilla was established as a Junction point by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company and was so near the town of Astor as practically to absorb it, hence along with other enterprises the church was moved to Manilla and the charge is thenceforward known as the Manilla charge. At this time, viz., 1887, it was desired to incorporate, which was done. John Theobald, W. A. Theobald, Joseph Slagg, John H. Huffman and C. C. Gleiser being the incor- porators and becoming the first trustees under the new incorporation. Rev. W. M. Dudley was the next pastor, remaining two years and succeeding him was Rev. R. E. Carter for two years. Preaching had been maintained at Pleas- ant Hill and in 1891 a neat little church was erected and it has remained a part of the Manilla charge. The next pastor was Rev. A. F. Conrey, who served three years and was succeeded by Rev. Lewis Bradford for two years. Then
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follow Rev. P. C. Stire one year, Rev. D. A. Allen two years, and Rev. Joseph Stephen two years. In 1895 Rev. Myron Cable was appointed to Manilla charge and served four years. An interesting event of this pastorate was a home-com- ing day, which was not only a pleasant occasion, but resulted in the preparation of a neat booklet containing the names of all official bodies and a complete roster of the membership of the church. Next came Rev. A. R. Grant, who served one year and following him the present pastor, Rev. G. F. Cannon.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Manilla has kept pace with the growing town. The church building and parsonage are a credit to the church and town and the membership has increased proportionately and it is a strong factor in conserving the moral interests of the town and community.
The appointment at West Side was a part of the Denison charge in its be- ginning and the first sermon was preached there by the Rev. Benjamin Shinn in the Chicago & Northwestern depot in the year 1865. In August, 1876, the lot for the church as it now stands was purchased and the church built in 1879. In the year 1869 the West Side appointment became a charge and Rev. Benjamin Shinn was the first pastor, serving one year. Succeeding him was Rev. Baker for one year, then W. W. Glanville, who seems to have stayed part of a year and he was followed by Rev. S. A. Terrell for three years. In 1874 came Rev. H. Bailey, who with Rev. J. H. Rockwell supplied the charge during 1874 and 1875. In the fall of 1875 came G. M. Curl for two years, Henry Brown three years, C. B. Winter one year, W. W. Cook three years, E. C. Warren one year, E. S. Kinner and T. E. Carter, each one year. H. K. Hastings came in 1887 for three years followed by Bennett Mitchell for three more and W. W. Brown for two years and J. J. Gardner and W. A. Richards also for two years each. Alfred James came in the year 1900 for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Todd who served four years and under his pastorate the appointments at West Side and Vail were consolidated. He was succeeded by Rev. Norman McCay, and he by E. M. Cathcart, each with two years' service followed by J. J. Davis one year and in the fall of 1910 Rev. J. G. Waterman, the present pastor, was appointed.
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