USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 23
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The first society organized in the territory embracing Fort Dodge was called "Webster Mission," of which Rev. Richard Clagg was the preacher in charge. The first record of its meetings was that of a quarterly meeting held in Homer, December 23, 1854. Rev. Wm. Simpson being the presiding elder and P. R. Detrick, recording steward. There were three appointments named in the min- utes : "Tolman's class," "Eckerson's class," and "Homer." At the next quarterly meeting held at Border Plains, March 19, 1855, Fort Dodge class puts in an appearance and pays fifty cents toward the support of the pastor and presiding elder. At that quarterly meeting the following resolution was passed :
"Resolved, That we will assist the preacher in charge to sustain and carry out the doctrine of the Discipline on the subject of Temperance."
This quarterly conference also inaugurated a plan and appointed trustees for the erection of a church building at Homer. P. R. Detrick, D. A. Eckerson, W. T. Woolsey, Theodore Eslick, Levi Allen and John Tolman were elected the trustees.
Webster Circuit was organized out of Webster Mission, and held its first
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quarterly conference at Boone schoolhouse, on Boone river December 8, 1855, Rev. Daniel L. Abbott being pastor; Samuel Hayden presiding elder, and Will- iam Clearage, junior preacher. From that date the list of pastors is as follows : In 1856, Rev. J. Parker ; 1857, Rev. C. H. Lawton, and Rev. David P. Day ; 1858, Rev. C. H. Lawton. Rev. J. M. Rankin was presiding elder during all these years. At this conference the following resolution was recorded :
"Resolved, that vigorous efforts be made at once to enlarge the subscription, and if possible to proceed in the spring to build a Methodist church in Fort Dodge."
S. B. Ayers, John Parsons and the pastor were appointed to estimate the cost of the proposed church.
Prior to this services were held in the brick schoolhouse. Rev. S. B. Guiber- son, the pastor, was sent cast to raise money, but though gone almost the whole year had little success. By persistent effort and liberality on the part of the public, however, the church was built, being the first one in the city. It was a large roomy building, and its erection was a creditable work for the young society. The shingles on this building were oak, and were split by hand by Isaac Garmoe.
At this time the circuit was again divided and the Fort Dodge circuit organ- ized. This circuit extended along the Des Moines valley, embracing Dayton on the south, and Algona on the north. Its list of pastors is as follows : 1859-60. Rev. B. Holcomb; 1861, Rev. Thomas Thompson; 1862-63. Rev. H. S. Church ; 1864, Rev. S. W. Ingham. Rev. Joel B. Taylor was the presiding elder during these years. At this period came another change and Fort Dodge Station was organized, with the following pastors for ten years, 1865, Rev. W. A. Richards ; 1866, Rev. C. W. Batchellor: 1867. Rev. C. C. Mabee; 1868, Rev. William E. Smith; 1869, Rev. J. M. Robinson : 1870-71, Rev. W. F. Morrison : 1873. Rev. T. M. Williams ; 1873-74, Rev. J. H. Lozier. The presiding elders for this period were Rev. D. Lamont, Rev. T. M. Williams, and Rev. J. W. Todd.
Under Rev. Lozier's pastorate. the church membership largely increased and the need of a new church was apparent. At a session of the quarterly confer- ence held May 15, 1873, this matter was up for discussion, and a committee was appointed to formulate church building plans. This committee consisted of E. E. Prusia, Isaac Garmoe, D. M. Crosby, D. A. Weller, John F. Duncombe, N. M. Page, G. R. Pearsons and F. M. Grant. The committee at once began the work of raising money by subscription. Within two months they had raised two thousand dollars. With this amount in sight, the trustees of the church decided to go ahead with the building, and Isaac Garmoe, E. E. Prusia, D. M. Crosby, G. R. Pearsons, N. M. Page and F. M. Grant were appointed a building com- mittee, with Mr. Pearsons as chairman.
At a session of the board of trustees January 8, 1874, plans were submitted for the new building. Those of Mr. A. V. Lambert were finally accepted and he was chosen architect, with instructions to furnish designs and specifications for a church edifice to cost not less than fifteen nor more than twenty-five thou- sand dollars. The work of excavation was commenced at once, and the founda- tions were laid by Patrick O'Conner.
The corner stone was laid September 15. 1874. The ceremony was in charge of the Masonic societies, assisted by the Odd Fellows. The exercises were con- inenced with a prayer by Rev. J. H. Burleigh, who preached the first sermon:
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COL.ENO CA.Cui
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FORT DODGE Cornerstone laid September 15, 1878
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, L' NOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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in Fort Dodge. An address of welcome was made by Mr. J. M. Berry, chairman of the board of trustees, and responded to by Gov. C. C. Carpenter. This was followed by an original poem by Mr. Woolsey Welles.
The work on the church was carried on during the balance of the fall and win- ter. Messrs. Mitchell and Sulzbach had the contract for the brick work, and Mr. Israel Jenkins had the supervision of the structure. The church was first occupied for services in August, 1875. although the building was not yet completed. Lack of funds made it necessary to postpone the completion of the building.
Rev. J. A. Potter, was at this time appointed pastor, and served for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. H. T. Curl, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. I. N. Pardee. Under his pastorate the church building was completed and formally dedicated, June 3, 1878. The building cost about twenty-two thousand dollars.
The parsonage was built in 1893 and cost about three thousand dollars.
Since Rev. Pardee, the pastors have been : Rev. Henry W. Jones, Rev. George C. Haddock, who was later murdered in Sioux City on account of his activity in the temperance movement, Rev. L. H. Woodworth. Rev. J. N. Liscomb, Rev. J. W. Southwell. Rev. J. H. Avery. Rev. George Kennedy, Rev. Robert Smiley. Rev. A. S. Cochran, Rev. G. W. Pratt, Rev. George C. Fort, and Rev. W. II. Spence.
ST MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. Mark's Episcopal church was organized at a meeting of the citizens called together by the Rev. Mr. Peet, rector of St. Paul's church, Des Moines. This meeting was held and organization effected on July 22, 1855.
The first work of the congregation was to get a church building. Just one year after the organization, (July 1856), Bishop Lee offered to raise the remain-
ing funds necessary for a chapel, providing $1,000.00 were raised in Fort Dodge. This offer was not accepted, but on February 17, 1858, the vestry resolved to build a church during the ensuing summer. Mr. J. L. Cheney, Mr. E. Bagg, and Dr. S. B. Olney were appointed the building committee. This building was a frame structure and stood just north of where Tobin College now stands.
On account of the "hard times" of the panic of 1857, and also the Civil war ensuing, the building was not completed until 1873-76. This was made possible through the generosity of J. F. Duncombe, Webb Vincent, Beth Vincent, B. Grayson, H. Beecher and Dr. S. B. Olney. The church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. H. B. Whipple, D. D., bishop of Minnesota, on June 28, 1876.
January 5. 1892. the church was destroyed by fire. Steps were immediately taken for the erection of a new structure. The vestry headed by the Rev. J. W. Paige and Mr. Leon Vincent were appointed as the building committee. Rev. Paige died in the early spring of 1893. On April 23, 1893, the vestry appointed Messrs. J. C. Cheney. Webb Vincent. Leon Vincent and A. J. Arthur as a new building committee. On May 24, 1894, Mr. C. B. Hepler presented a proposal to build the new church for the sum of $7.000.00. This was accepted and the building erected. In 1898 the chancel was enlarged and a new organ installed at å cost of $2,683.00.
TIIE RECTORS
Rev. Mr. Peet who initiated the organization of the church in 1855 and during the war conducted occasional services.
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The Rev. T. B. Fairchild called to the rectorship December 19, 1857. He remained a little more than one year.
Rev. Samuel Goodale called in the spring of 1860; resigned at the end of . a year.
On October 1, 1866, the Rev. John Hochuly became rector ; leaving January 1, 1868.
From January I, to Easter of 1870, there was no rector, then the Rev. E. H. Harlow, was called. He left after a service of something more than a year.
Rev. Harlow was succeeded by Rev. B. R. Phelps who left early in 1873.
On June 24, 1873, Rev. Charles T. Stout became the rector. He appears to have been an energetic worker, wiping out the debt on the church of $2,200.00. During his stay the church was consecrated. He resigned to take effect July 24, 1876.
Rev. W. C. Mills of Ottumwa, immediately followed; he resigned to take effect August 1, 1880.
There was no rector until April, 1882, when the Rev. C. C. Adams was called. Rev. Adams resigned to take effect April 1, 1883.
May 7, 1883, Rev. P. C. Wolcott was called; he resigned to take effect May 1, 1884.
On March 27, 1885, the Rev. Robert J. Walker was called and resigned within a year.
On April 25, 1888, Rev. J. W. Paige of Sharon Springs, N. Y., became rector. This faithful servant died March 31, 1893, and is buried in Oakland cemetery, Fort Dodge.
Rev. Paige was succeeded after nearly two years by the Rev. A. V. Gorrell who resigned at the end of nine months.
On April 19, 1897, the Rev. C. H. Remington was called and became rector. He was a man of large visions and had a personality that is felt to this day. Ill health compelled his resignation in December, 1905.
The Rev. Charles Lewis Biggs became rector on January 8, 1905. He resigned to take charge of a larger parish in Henderson, Ky.
The present rector is Rev. F. E. Drake.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCII OF FORT DODGE
The First Congregational church was founded February 29, 1856. On that date Mr. and Mrs. William Plumb, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Haviland, and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Haviland met at the home of William Plumb, who then lived in one of the houses of the old fort, and perfected an organization. Officers were elected as follows : William Plumb, clerk; A. J. Haviland, treasurer ; D. A. Haviland, deacon.
The following Sunday services were held at the old schoolhouse just back of where the Wahkonsa school building now stands. Rev. T. N. Skinner, a mis- sionary with headquarters at Webster City, met with them and preached their first sermon. At this meeting they celebrated their first communion service. Rev. Skinner supplied the new church until spring, when Rev. William Kent, the first pastor, came from Waterloo. He served but a short time. Up to 1864 there was no regular pastor, but the church missionaries looked after the needs of the
ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FORT DODGE, BUILT IN 1894 From drawing by Miss L. M. Newberry
ITER FENI YORKA
1 PUBLIC LIBRARY
MANO .. . NOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
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church. The well beloved Father Taylor, the "Bishop of Iowa" ministered fre- quently to them.
In 1864, Rev. H. E. Boardman, came as the first permanent pastor. The year book for 1865 gives the following data : members, nineteen ; received during the year, seven by letter and five on profession of faith; one dismissed, and one absent. One baby baptized ; one adult baptized ; eighty in the congregation ; forty- five in Sunday school; benevolent contributions $32.00. In the year 1866, the Congregationalists formed a partnership with the Presbyterians, services being held in the Presbyterian church. During this year also Rev. Boardman resigned, and Rev. C. F. Boynton began his ministry and remained until 1868, when Rev. Phillips came. However, Rev. Phillips was pastor but a short time, ill health forcing him to give up the work. For a year the church was without a pastor, and they continued to meet with the Presbyterians. A meeting was held, May 29, 1869, and the decision was reached that the Congregationalists should form a separate organization if Congregationalism were to be preserved. Accordingly letters of dismission were granted to all who -wished to join other churches. There then remained but nine Congregationalists. These nine were: George Killam, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Killam and Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Webber. At the beginning of the pastorate of Rev. David Wirt, who was called in 1869, the following became members: Mr and Mrs. C. H. Payne, William K. Laughlin, Jr., Thomas A. Laughlin, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. Bronson R. Merritt and daughter, Miss Helen R. Merritt ; Rev. and Mrs. David Wirt and daughter, Miss Julia Wirt, making twenty-one members in all. Services were held for a while in Henry's hall, which stood on the north side of Central avenue between Sixth and Seventh, then in the Child's block, just south of the present courthouse, then for awhile they met in the old Methodist church, and then in the courtroom in the old courthouse. A new constitution was adopted in 1869 and the following officers were elected: C. H. Payne, deacon ; O. P. Fuller, treasurer ; G. S. Killam, clerk. The five trus- tees were: Thomas Laughlin, L. W. Smith, O. P. Fuller, William K. Laughlin, and G. S. Killam. During the same year the congregation decided to build. The building committee were Rev. David Wirt, O. P. Fuller, G. S. Killam, G. S. Webber. The contract for the building was let to B. D. Beach for $1,750.00. The location chosen was the present site of the Carter building, in the middle of the block between Tenth and Eleventh streets on the north side of Central avenue. This building was dedicated January 23, 1870. Rev. C. F. Boynton gave the scripture reading and prayers. The dedicatory address was made by Rev. J. Guernsey. When the Congregationalists moved to their present location in 1887 the old building was subsequently used by the Christian church, and then by the Salvation Army. It was a plain unpretentious brick structure, that would seat, at the most, only about three hundred ; but in the early seventies it was considered something fine. The first baby baptized in."the little brick church" was Perry Page Killam. Hon. George E. Roberts, now director of the United States mint, was at one time janitor of this church building, and the records show, that he received a salary of one dollar for a month's labor. Rev. Wirt resigned in the latter part of 1870, and for a year Rev. William A. Patton and Rev. Julius House supplied the pulpit. In 1872 Rev. Thomas O. Douglas was called as pastor and served the church for two years. He was followed by Rev. D. M. Brecken-
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ridge, who remained four years. During Rev. Breckenridge's pastorate the church membership increased to one hundred and nineteen. In 1878 Rev. L. L. West became pastor. During his leadership, the present church on the corner of First avenue north and Seventh street was built. This structure cost $10,000.00, and was dedicated January 1, 1887. Rev. Thomas O. Douglas and President Will- iam Brooks of Tabor College conducted the dedicatory exercises. Rev. West's pastorate was the longest in the history of the church extending over a period of twelve years. He was succeeded by Rev. E. S. Carr in 1890, who served until 1894, and was followed by Rev. E. R. Latham. Rev. Latham served three years, and in 1897, Rev. H. D. Wiard was called, and remained until 1901. Rev. W. J. Suckow began his pastorate in June, 1902, and continued until 1905. In that year Rev. Reuben L. Breed came to the church and served until the fall of 1909, when the present pastor, Rev. Nelson Wehrhan, began his work.
THE EARLY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WEBSTER COUNTY
Prior to 1856, the spiritual wants of the few pioneer Catholics in this part of the state were cared for by a few mission priests, who traveled the prairie wilderness on horseback and sought out from house to house the scattered mem- bers of that church. Among these men were the Rev. Matthias Hannon who came overland in 1853 from the southeast.
The first priest to come to Fort Dodge as a regular pastor was Father John Vahey who arrived in 1856. He built a little cabin to live in and started the building of the first church, constructed from rough hewn logs. His parishioners were few, and among those who helped cut and hew the logs were Dr. W. L. Nicholson, Peter Reilly, William Reilly and John P. White.
Father Vahey left in 1857, and in the autumn of that year, Father Mccullough came and remained one winter. He was succeeded by Father Ellwood who remained about two years. Then came the well beloved and gentle Father Marsh in 1860, and he remained until his untimely death in 1865. His dust and bones are resting now in the vault in the Catholic cemetery north of the city. He knew all the pioneers, the men, women and children, and a gentler, kindlier man never trod the soil of the great stretch of country that constituted his parish, extending from Fort Dodge to Emmetsburg and Spirit Lake on the north, and to Sioux City on the west. Often in the dead of winter, he would drive with his ox team across the prairies to minister to the needs of those in these distant parts of his parish. Father Marsh took his axe and with some of his parishioners cut the logs and lumber from the hillside near what is called Arnold's dam to build the first Catholic school in Fort Dodge.
After the death of Father Marsh in 1865, Fathers Delany and Butler came and remained until 1870. Then came Father Thomas M. Lenehan whose long and successful pastorate is a part of the general history of the state. He remained until 1897, when he was made Bishop of Cheyenne. Father Lenehan built the present Corpus Christi church which was dedicated January 1, 1883. He also built the old convent and began the construction of the present school.
Bishop Lenehan was succeeded by Father Campbell under a temporary appoint- ment, and in September, 1897, Rev. P. J. Burke was assigned as pastor and remained until September, 1903.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Built in 1870
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Then came Very Rev. B. C. Lenehan, the vicar general of the Sioux City dio- cese, whose long and faithful service as a priest earned him the honor of pro- motion as a Monsignor in 1905. He was succeeded by Rev. James T. Saunders. Sacred Heart Parish was established June 3. 1897, by Arch Bishop Henessy. Father Edmond Heelan, who was at that time rector of the Cathedral at Dubuque, was appointed to take charge of the new congregation and is still here. On July 21, 1897, work was begun on a church which cost about $4.500.00. On Sunday, October 24, 1897, mass was celebrated in it for the first time, and on Sunday, November 7, 1897, the church was dedicated with solemn and appropriate ceremonies by Monsignor Ryan and a large number of priests. Rev. R. Slattery of New Hampton preached the dedicatory sermon at morning mass, and at the evening service Rev. W. Halpin lectured to a large audience.
The two Fort Dodge congregations are now among the most prosperous in the state. In 1910, the Knights of Columbus erected their building on First avenue south, and Ninth street. St. Joseph's Hospital, built in 1908, was dedi- cated March 21, 1909, by Bishop Garrigan.
When Father T. M. Lenehan came here in 1870, there was only the little old church now used as a chapel. Today there are two churches in Fort Dodge, two parochial schools and residences, a fine brick church and school at Clare and churches at Barnum, Moorland, Lehigh, Duncombe, Vincent, Coalville, and the church on the Lizard, almost on the Pocahontas county line. The parish he had in 1870 has now over one hundred sub-divisions and but few of his old co-laborers of that date are living.
The soldiers left the old fort here in 1854, and fast upon the advancing and protecting rifle came the Catholic pioneers. In 1855 came Mrs. Hannah Reilly and family. They settled upon the north half of section thirty-three in Cooper township and received a patent from the United States government. This patent they held for nine years and then they were evicted. George Crilly was another of the vanguard coming in 1855. He settled upon the quarter section of land of which Oleson Park is now a part. He, too, had title from the government, but lost his land, and for many years Mrs. Reilly and George Crilly fought for their homes. Mrs. Reilly's case went to the United States supreme court and George Crilly stormed the chambers of congress pleading for his home. They both lost but bravely turned their faces to the future and began again. Mrs. Reilly died here in Fort Dodge, and George Crilly died a few years ago in South Dakota.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
The First Presbyterian church was organized September 22, 1856, by Rev. S. T. Wells, a missionary. The first members were Maj. W. Williams, Jeanette J. Williams, Samuel Rees, Eleanor Rees, and Andrew Miller. The first minister was Rev. Edward L. Dodder. Andrew Miller and Samuel Rees were ordained elders.
On the twenty-first of July, 1856, William Wilson, Jr., of Philadelphia, of the firm of Wilson, McBane & Co., drew up a subscription paper soliciting aid "to build a Presbyterian meeting house in Fort Dodge." On September 22. 1856, the trustees received a donation from the proprietors of the town of lot three, block twenty-five, valued at $100.00. Money to erect a building was raised by subscrip-
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tion, and the church was completed and dedicated February 25, 1856, at a cost of $2,207.00 As the church grew this edifice proved too small, and two lots were secured in 1880 on the corner of First avenue south and Eighth street for $1,600.00. Subscriptions to the amount of $10,292 were raised. Work was begun the same year and the church was dedicated October 7, 1881, under the pastorate of Dr. Robert F. Coyle.
During the years 1861-69, the Presbyterians and Congregationalists held union services. The church has always been active in missionary work, and has sup- ported a mission west of Moorland, at the Duncombe mills, and the Memorial Chapel on the corner of Fourteenth and Tenth avenue south.
The Memorial Chapel was built by Mr. E. H. Rich in memory of his son, Willis Rich. The following have served the church as pastors: Rev. Edward L. Dodder, Rev. Lyman C. Gray, Rev. R. F. Coyle, Rev. Ezra B. Newcomb, Rev. J. Milton Greene, Rev. Phil C. Baird and the present pastor, Dr. E. E. Hastings, who has been pastor since 1908. The society when organized belonged to the Presbytery of Dubuque, but now forms a part of the' Presbytery of Fort Dodge.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHI
The First Baptist church of Fort Dodge was organized June 16, 1871, by Rev. H. D. Weaver, with ten members. Its first services were held in the old brick schoolhouse on Second avenue south. In 1876 the congregation built a church on the corner of Central avenue and Tenth street, where the Wahkonsa Hotel now stands. Rev. George W. Freeman was pastor at this time. The church was closed for several years and the congregation disbanded. In the winter of 1892, Rev. T. S. Bovell reorganized the church, holding a series of meetings which resulted in a number of additions to the church membership. and also served to increase the interest. Rev. Bovell served as pastor for seven years, and was followed by Rev. Arthur Parks, who was ordained by the church in June. 1899. Rev. Robert Carroll succeeded Rev. Parks in 1901. During his leadership the present church building on First avenue north and Tenth street was erected. The dedication took place in November, 1903. The present pastor is Rev. Alva J. Brasted.
THE CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Central Church of Christ was organized by Rev. A. M. Haggard, state secretary of the Church of Christ, in November, 1895, with a membership of forty-six, which increased to one hundred by the end of the year. The first pas- tor was Rev. G. W. Mapes, who was followed by Rev. C. C. Davis.' For several years services were held in the old Congregational church. Later they secured a lot on the corner of First avenue north and Twelfth street. During the leader- ship of Rev. S. H. Lee, the plans for the present church structure were begun. However, the building was not finished until the pastorate of Rev. Lewis H. Kopp in 1909. Rev. S. R. Reynolds, the present pastor, has served the church since 1912.
THE RIVERSIDE METHODIST CHURCH
On account of the growth of the city, it was found expedient to divide the First Methodist church in 1892. Accordingly, the Riverside Methodist church,
J.H.I.Co
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FORT DODGE Dedicated October 7, 1881
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GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH, FORT DODGE Built in 1879. Now Christian Seierce Church
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS OR, LINOY . TI DN FONTE
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