History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 66

Author: Reed, Benjamin F
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 879

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1891 to take charge of the church. It was during his pastorate that the pres- ent church edifice was built, the original church having been incorporated into the structure. He worked hard and long to collect sufficient funds to make the much needed improvements. The church voted to build the new house of worship to cost not over $5,000.00, February 21, 1892. The building commit- tee consisted of Architect T. H. Conner, Geo. Simpkins, M. C. Bailey and G. M. Howard. The parsonage at that time stood on the southeast corner of the lot but in order to have the corner for the church edifice it was moved to the southwest corner. The old church had been erected on the northeast corner. The work on the building began in September, 1892, and during the process of its construction the Baptists held their services for a while in the Congregational and then in the Swedish Methodist church. The house was dedicated April 30, 1893 and although the day was very rainy over $3,000.00 were pledged to help defray the expenses, the total cost of the building being about $7,000.00. Much credit is due to Rev. Dorward for his untiring energy in causing the present commodious church edifice to be erected. In the fall of that year the Northern Association met in the new church building where enjoyable sessions were held.

Rev. O. A. Stevens was the next pastor who came to carry on the work, having taken up his residence at Algona, June 10, 1894. This was the first pastorate he had ever held. He was a young man of promise and did good work during the short time that he was here. He resigned December 16, 1895. At the New Year's dinner January 1, 1896 it was decided to secure another pastor if one could be found at that season of the year. This action resulted in the coming of Rev. D. R. Landis along about the last of the month. He was an able preacher and was so recognized by the other ministers in town, as well as by the members of all the congregations. He had a reserved force that was very apparent and spoke easily and with much power. In his younger days he had been a boy with the boys, and some of his old time traits still clung to him ; but they were overlooked by the community on account of the good work he had been doing.

Rev. D. M. Stiles came as the local Baptist pastor at a time when the church was having a struggle for its existence. Unfortunately some of the members at that time were not working in harmony with the others, and the situation was further rendered embarrassing on account of a large mortgage debt that was still unpaid. He was a man of dignified appearance and had good scholarly attain- ments. The pastorate of Rev. J. A. Sutton began in 1901, and during the two years of his administration he did much to place the church on a good substan- tial footing. He was a man of much activity and was a live preacher in the pulpit. As a public speaker on secular topics he was entertaining in a rare de- gree. It is well remembered how he entertained a great audience on Bean Supper night at the armory by his numerous jokes and other witticisms.

The next that came was Rev. W. L. Anderson whose pastorate began Janu- ary I, 1903. Finding conditions very discouraging he decided after being here one year to locate elsewhere and give way for his successor.

In July, 1904, Rev. Chas. Tenney began his services as pastor, and during the term of his pastorate the church was put in a flourishing condition, so that when he began the second year of his work the church had been freed from debt and harmony prevailed. His successor, Rev. J. F. Porterfield, took charge

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of the work September 15, 1906 and remained in active service until December 1, 1908. He was a fine speaker and was always listened to with interest when speaking from the pulpit or lecture platform. He always had something to say, and he said it in his own way in such a manner that it furnished food for thought and showed that he was a scholar of much ability. He was very much alive whether doing church work or in the political field, and is well remem- bered for his activity and force.

Rev. Frank Day, the present pastor, began his work at the head of the church April 17, 1910, and has been doing a good work not only for the church, but for the community generally since that time. He is a sound theologian and a systematic preacher. His sermons show the result of a wide range of reading and a careful preparation. But few ministers have been known to spend so much time in the preparation of sermons as Rev. Day makes a constant practice of doing. Anyone in his audience cannot help but be impressed with his earnest- ness and his love for the cause.

The various deacons of the church have been: S. S. Rist, W. F. Hofius, N. A. Pine, M. C. Bailey, Andrew Peterson, T. W. Robison, John Urch, L. A, Miner and A. C. Beedle; and the clerks have been: A. B. Mason, J. R. Arm- strong, L. M. Mack, C. M. Dickinson, Z. C. Andruss, Fred Dormoy, S S. Rist, Dr. Gleason, Mrs. M. C. Bailey, Sidney Rist, Mrs. T. H. Conner, Mrs. Cora Horan, Mrs. Gertrude VanEpps Hofius, Andrew Peterson, Mrs. Chas. Taylor and Mrs. H. W. Rist, the present faithful recorder of the official transactions of the church. Mrs. W. H. Lacy is the superintendent of the Sunday school; Mrs. Gertrude Hofius, president of the Ladies' Aid; Mrs. Frank Day, president of the Woman's Mission ; and Miss Ruth Robison, president of the B. Y. P. S.

The St. Thomas Episcopal church had its origin in the movements that began for the organization October 24, 1888. It was on that date that the first services were held in the parlors of the Thorington hotel, then conducted by Landlord Boynton, Rev. L. F. McDonald being the minister. It was decided on that occasion to hold services regularly on alternate Wednesday evenings. These were held for a short time in the G. A. R. hall and then changed to the Ad- ventist Church. The Mission of St. Thomas was organized by Rev. McDonald and the Rev. G. H. Cornell of Sioux City, June 13, 1889. At that time C. B. Matson was appointed warden. Then an arrangement was made for services to be held on alternate Sundays, the Rev. T. C. Berry of Estherville coming one Sunday in the month and the Rev. McDonald the other, the latter also having charge of the Mission. T. F. Bowen was appointed in April, 1890 lay-reader and was the first resident minister. After he had been working with the Mission for a short time he saw the necessity of a better place of worship. He called a meeting of the gentlemen connected with the Mission, and Rev. McDonald was also present. Plans were made and a subscription paper circulated to raise funds to build the church on Call street, on a lot which had been purchased from John Heckart. The corner stone of the church building was laid by Bishop Perry, September 23, 1890, and the structure was completed and opened for serv- ice on the eighth of the following February. Among those prominent in the early history of the Mission were the Boynton family, C. B. Matson, the Geo. E. Clarke family, the H. J. Gilbert family, Mrs. B. A. Myers, the Alex. Fraser family, Mrs. F. M. Bronson and Mrs. W. F. Carter. The Mission is largely

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indebted to the liberality of Geo. E. Clarke and Mrs. O. E. Palmer for its exist- ence, and especially for its ownership of the Church edifice. The debt on the church having been paid in full, the building was consecrated September 19, 1902 by Bishop Morrison, assisted by Rev. W. T. Jackson, of the Emmetsburg Parish, in charge.

The Congregation of St. Thomas was incorporated under the laws of the state October 29, 1894. Among the names signed to the articles are those of Rector A. V. Gorrell, Ella A. Clarke, Nellie O. Taylor, Nettie Matson and Anna C. Davis. The instrument named the following as the first trustees : George E. Clarke, C. B. Matson, W. J. Studley and W. H. Nycum.

The church has suffered greatly on account of the removal of so many of its active members by death, and also by the removal from the county of many who had taken a warm interest in the welfare of the Mission. On that account preaching services for some time have been held only occasionally, but the Sun- day school work has been kept up for the greater part of the time. Among the several rectors who have presided over the church Rev. W. T. Jackson is perhaps the best remembered for effective work that was done through the pulpit. He was a ripe scholar, a true Christian and a fine gentleman of recognized ability, and was always greeted on his arrival by all classes of people alike, on account of their appreciation of his worth.

The Free Methodist Church that once was in quite a flourishing condition has had no organization or service for several years. The "little brown church" remains unoccupied, a relic of times when meetings of a deep, spiritual nature were regularly held. The membership dwindled away so that the few remain- ing could not afford to keep up the necessary expenses to longer hold services. In February, 1875, the society was incorporated by Gaius Smith and S. H. Greenup, the following named trustees being authorized: B. F. Peaslee, Geo. Baker and J. N. Aldrich. In July, 1884, the society was again incorporated. This time by A. Mantor, Frances L. Caulkins, Peter Olson, M. F., Clara, and A. W. Childs and Nancy Yeamans. Revs. W. F. King, J. C. Jones, H. I. Smith and Tenney were among those who were pastors of the church.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church was organized April 10, 1881. by J. H. Dullard with the assistance of a man by the name of Washburn. It began with seven members: Olaf Johnson, his wife, Mrs. Jas. Archibold, Hattie and May Stebbins, Belle Michelson and W. E. Sammer. The first trustees were Wm. Cleary, Johnson and Sammer. During the year 1883, the members organized a business society and had it incorporated. The first officers were E. G. Olsen, elder ; William Cleary, deacon; W. E. Sammer, clerk; Olaf Johnson, treasurer. At that time there were about thirty members. A building committee, of which Mr. Cleary was chairman, solicited subscriptions for a church edifice to cost about $1,800,00. It was dedicated late in the fall of that year when there were about sixty members. Some have moved away, many more have been laid to rest and others are engaged in missionary work. The church has sent out three graduate doctors, who are doing service at sanitariums, eight graduate nurses, who are working in other fields, and others as canvassers and colporters. The members are sincere, God-fearing people and are instructed weekly in Bible interpretation by Wm. Cleary, who has been the pastor in fact for several years.

The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized in the fall of 1882 by Nels

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Larson, Nels Swanson, Carl Larson, John Larson, Carl Hanson, Andrew Nelson, Andrew Ostrum and Lars Anderson. The last named three were the first trus- tees and Lars Anderson was also the treasurer. For a few months there was no regular minister, the pulpit being filled occasionally by non-resident preachers. During the year 1884 Rev. S. G. Liljigren came to take charge of the church, the services being held in Starr's hall, now Peterson's photograph gallery. He remained for three years until in 1887 Rev. A. V. P. Elfstrom became the regu- lar pastor. His administration lasted for about fifteen years. The next that came was Rev. R. N. Glim who began his labors in 1904. Two years later, in 1906, the present pastor, C. G. Lundell, came to take charge of the work. During the year 1889 the present church edifice was built, which has recently been crowned with a sweet-toned bell costing several hundred dollars. Luther Hall was built in 1909 at a cost of over $800.00. The affairs of the church are well attended to by the trustees : Nels Larson, T. J. Strandberg and Chas. Hoerberg. The recording secretary is Andrew Seastrom and the Deacons are Andrew Nelson and Eric Strom.

The German Lutheran Church was organized May 1, 1904, by Fred Miller, Henry Rabe, Henry Jentz, Fred Pompe and Aug. Huenhold who controlled the affairs of the church. The members bought the church building of the Swedish Methodist people who had built it for their own use a few years before that time, but who had allowed their organization to dwindle away. The first minister the German Lutherans had was Rev. M. Behrends who came in 1906. After him came Rev. G. C. Treskow in April, 1910. He also had services at Burt and Bancroft. The present pastor, Rev. G. Steinkamp, began his work at the head of the church in the fall of 1912. He is especially adapted to the needs of the church, for he preaches each Sunday in both German and English. He speaks in German at the service in the forenoon of three Sundays and in English in the evening. The fourth Sunday morning of each month he speaks in English, and then in German that evening. As his congregation is of mixed nationalities, this arrangement is proving very satisfactory. Aug. Huenhold and F. Remus are the Deacons and E. Fiene, H. Heinsohn and G. Hohenberger, the trustees, Mr. Fiene being also the secretary.

The organization of the Catholic Church at Algona occurred at least as far back as in the early seventies. Records are not available which disclose the dates when the first services were held, or just when the first little church build- ing was erected which now stands near the Milwaukee depot. The old-time members of the church are unable to name the required date. The first priest who had any immediate supervision over the members was Father J. J. Smith of Emmetsburg. It was he who instituted the movement to erect the first church building, and the first to hold regular services in it. He remained until about 1877 when Father Theodore Wegman succeeded him in the work and remained a little over a year. Following him came Father James B. Zigrang, the well known brother of Mrs. John Goeders. He had been ordained a German Catholic priest in 1877, and had for his first charge a territory embracing St. Joseph, the Dor- weiler Settlement and Algona in this county; Humboldt and Livermore in Hum- boldt and Mallard in Palo Alto. At all these points he held regular services. It is in the neighborhood of twenty-eight years ago since Father McCaffrey, became the first resident Catholic priest. His term of service lasted about five years,

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then he gave way for the coming of his successor. Father Nichols, who followed, was here about nine years. During his pastorate the present commodious edifice was built and dedicated. Plans for a $12,000 building were formulated early in 1802 and work on the construction soon began. It was finished in a few months but the dedicatory services were not held until June, 1894. There were present on the occasion about twenty-five priests. Dean Carolan of Mason City conducted a portion of the services out in front of the edifice, then in the interior Father Calmer conducted the remaining services. In the evening the latter delivered his well-remembered lecture: "America's Gift of Gratitude to the Churches." A large audience endorsed his sentiments and displayed its appre- ciation.

Father W. J. Halpin has been the resident priest for about fourteen years, and has held the respect of all citizens in the meantime, whether members of his church or otherwise. That he has held his position with signal success, is evidenced from the fact that no one ever heard a word of complaint urged against him for any cause. He is an able scholar, and is an entertaining and instructive platform speaker on public occasions. When speaking on patriotic subjects he enters the realm of oratory and clothes his declarations in flowing sentences that have a rhetorical rhythm.

The Universalist's church was organized by Rev. H. B. Butler in 1873, and the services were held at first in the Baptist church edifice for want of a building of their own. Among the most active members were Mrs. Dona L. Sheetz, Mrs. S. C. Spear, Mrs. Hortense Kenyon, J. M. Comstock and wife, Frank Taylor and wife, Mrs. J. R. Jones, Mrs. H. F. Watson, Mrs. L. M. B. Smith, Mrs. E. C. Buffum and mother, and Mrs. A. S. Gardner. Rev. Butler was a minister of fine ability and yielded a helpful influence to the community. All classes had a reverential respect for him to a degree seldom accorded to a pastor. He remained at the head of the church for about four years and then went else- where to preach. He was followed by Rev. VanCise, who held services at the Watson Hall. Gradually the church became transformed into one endorsing the Unitarian principles and was organized as such a church. During the early eighties Miss Mary A. Safford was the local pastor and she made the church one of the most popular in town, always having an audience that was attentive and pleased with her sermons. These were carefully prepared, and were both entertaining, instructive and uplifting. She was followed by Miss Ida M. Hulton, a lady of fine mental endowments and possessing a charming personality. The church as an organization ceased to exist many years ago, and is remem- bered as one that once flourished but now is no more. Miss Safford after leaving here preached for a long time at Sioux City and then at Des Moines to the large congregations in the churches she had been the principal factor in or- ganizing. She is now living in Florida. Miss Hulton has become prominent in church circles in the East and is now preaching at Sudbury, Mass.

The Christian Scientist Church was organized and incorporated January 22, 1897 by Emily E. Blackford, Augusta B. Warren, Robt. B. Warren and Nola B. Warren. The first members, besides the above named, were Mrs. Olivia P. Nicoulin, Mrs. Mattie E. Whitehill, Mary Alice Blackford, Katie M. Blackford, Mrs. Isabella Hohn, Bertha Carey, Mrs. Frances E. and Kittie Ball, Geo. B. and Hattie Hanna, John and Eldora Hoyle and H. Gould. They had their services

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for several years in the cozy little building on South Dodge street, but for the past few years only occasional services have been held.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS.

The Kossuth County State Bank is managed by the following board of directors : Wm. H. Ingham, president ; Theo. Chrischilles, vice president ; Lewis H. Smith, cashier; J. W. Wadsworth, assistant cashier ; John G. Smith, Harvey Ingham and Barnet Devine. H. E. Rist, bookkeeper, has grown up with the bank since his boyhood, and is a valuable factor in the working force. The bank is the continuation of the business established by Ingham & Smith, January 1, 1870, a memorable year in the history of the county when the first railroad track was approaching. This firm began banking in a little frame building on the corner now occupied by the Goeders store. It was there early in January, 1870, that the writer received the first cash on an order from the district for teaching school. The next year the firm began the erection of the building the bank is now occupying. It was welcomed by the citizens who desired to see the town grow and a better class of buildings come into existence. The two story building is made of Milwaukee brick and was one of the best in town for some time after it was erected.

A reorganization occurred May 12, 1873 when the bank was incorporated into a state bank with its present name-The Kossuth County State Bank. The old firm, of course, dissolved when the stock company was formed. E. C. Buffum was elected the first president; D. H. Hutchins, vice president; Lewis H. Smith, cashier, and J. W. Wadsworth, teller, the other directors being W. H. Ingham, Theo. Chrischilles, Fred Hawes and J. B. Jones. W. H. Ingham suc- ceeded E. C. Buffum to the presidency, February 2nd, 1874 and has held that position since then to the present time. Cashier Smith and Assistant Wadsworth have likewise held their positions since the re-organization in May, 1873. It will be seen that but few changes have been made during all these years. Death claimed J. B. Jones for a victim and Harvey Ingham has his place on the board; so too, E. C. Buffum and Fred Hawes have passed away and their positions are held by others.

The bank has always had a reputation for being sound and reliable; for its directors have kept on the safe side. Its success is due, not to any one man, but to all who from time to time have helped to direct its course. W. H. Ingham and Lewis H. Smith are pioneers who came in 1855 and they have worked side by side since the fall of 1862 when the latter became Quartermaster Smith of the Border Brigade, and the former Capt. Ingham of Company A of the same military organization. Furthermore, they have not been separated in the bank- ing business since they started together January 1, 1870. The bank received a valuable addition when J. W. Wadsworth in May, 1873 became a member of the board and took his place behind the counter as a part of the working force. He came well fitted for the position, having graduated from the Spencerian Business College at Milwaukee.

The First National Bank, recently quartered in its elegant and commodious new home which was erected in 1912, is officially managed by the following board of directors : Wm. K. Ferguson, president ; E. F. Conner, cashier ; E. V. Swetting, Col. R. H. Spencer, Roscoe Call and L. J. Dickinson. Earl L. Vincent, teller

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and bookkeeper, and Miss Gertrude Mesing, stenographer, are valuable additions to the official working force. The bank was organized May 24, 1884, with a board composed of Ambrose A. Call, president ; D. H. Hutchins, vice president ; F. R. Lewis, cashier; V. H. Stough, Philip Dorweiler, C. P. Dorland, J. M. Comstock and A. F. Call. Four directors in turn have been elected to the posi- tion of cashier : F. R. Lewis at the organization ; J. C. Blackford, April 1, 1886; W. K. Ferguson, January 13, 1902; C. A. Palmer in the fall of 1909 and in June, 1911, E. E. Conner, who had been the vice president since January 1, 1910. Upon the occurrence of the death of President Ambrose A. Call in Octo- ber, 1908, W. K. Ferguson was chosen his successor.

The First National Bank began its career upon the foundation laid by the Bank of Algona which came into existence November 8, 1880 with a board of directors composed as follows : Ambrose A. Call, persident ; D. H. Hutchins, vice pesident ; V. H. Stough, cashier ; Joseph Thompson, G. N. Hancock, Philip Dor- weiler and W. B. Carey. About three years and a half later the organization dissolved and the present one came into being.

The First National's board of directors in providing a new home for the bank, and in making the investment one that would continually yield a fair profit, built on a magnificent scale regardless of the cost to be incurred. As a result the bank is now the owner of the most valuable property in town, it having cost about $35,000.00. The structure has a frontage on State street of 92 ft. and extends northward 70 ft. The entire upper story is devoted to elegant suites of office rooms while the lower story is divided into three departments, the east room being used by Geo. W. Paine for his drug store, the center by Postmaster Weaver and his official force, and the corner on State and Thorington streets, by the bank. The walls of the rooms covering the store and postoffice are of brick, but the bank building proper, rising two full stories, has walls made of cream white terra cotta with base trimmings of Bedford stone. Judging from the amount of marble and brass used in the interior construction it is evident that money was lavishly spent for their purchase. In order to have this triple struc- ture erected, the old brick bank building, the old Durant Bros.' brick building, the old Sheetz drug store and the old A. P. Hall boarding house had to be demolished and the debris carried away.

The original president, Ambrose A. Call, who was one of the first two settlers to tread the soil of Kossuth in 1854, did not live to see the First National have such a magnificent home or be in quite such a flourishing condition. To his suc- cessor, Mr. Ferguson,-who after graduating from Dartmouth and becoming connected with the bank has risen from bookkeeper to the head,-credit must be accorded for much of the bank's success. Having a valuable assistant in Mr. Conner, the two make a strong team in the management.

The Algona State Bank has for its officers and working force: C. T. Chubb, president ; H. C. Adams, vice president ; F. W. Dingley, cashier; C. H. Beardsley, assistant cashier and Fernley Nicoulin, bookkeeper, John Carlson who has been the janitor of the building for years, ought to be included in the list of office help. President Chubb is the son of Chas. C. Chubb, an 1865 settler, and is a graduate of the Algona High School, The Northern Iowa Normal School and the Spen- cerian Business College. Cashier Dingley, his right hand man, and Vice-presi- dent Adams, have both been successful in business ventures since boyhood. The

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History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 66

Author: Reed, Benjamin F Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 879

Author: Reed, Benjamin F
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 879