USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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The wonderful growth of the Church in this county is undoubtedly largely attributable to the efforts of Dr. Sihler. Endowed by nature with a strong con- stitution and a large degree of energy, he was well qualified for the great and trying physical lahor inevitably connected with the duties of a pioncer minister. Endowed, moreover, with superior and vigorous intellectual faculties, which had been highly cultivated and carefully disciplined, he was peculiarly fitted for the difficult task of organizing and developing the Lutheran Church in a new country. For upward of a quarter of a century he lahored incessantly. Coming here in the dawn of manhood, he spent the prime of his life in our midst in the service of his Master, and his labors bore unmistakably the imprint of divine approval. In the great success which Dr. Sihler achieved here, he was efficiently assisted, successively, by such pious and learned divines as Foellinger, Rentz, Stephan and the Rev. W. S. Stubuatzy. This latter gentleman came here in the year 1862, and, from that time until 1868, was the co-Pastor of St. Paul's Church. In 1867. he received a call from a large and prosperous church in the city of Balti- more. The acceptance of this call would have opened up to him a wide field of usefulness and he felt it his duty to go there. Upon the communication of this determination to the congregation, a general protest against bis leaving was uttered and a pledge made, that if he would remain, a new congregation would be organ- ized and a church built. As this plan seemed to meet with universal approval, Mr. Stubuatzy consented.to stay.
EMANUEL'S CHURCH.
In pursuance of the pledge noted above, the organization of the new congre- gation was hegun in 1867, and steps were taken for huilding a new church. Nine- teen thousand dollars were at once subscribed, grounds purchased, and a building committee, consisting of Messrs. C. Becker, F. Thimes, C. F. Meyer, F. Briter, A. Sutermeister, W. Sawder, D Droste and E. Breimeyer, was appointed, withi instructions to construet an edifice to cost not exceeding $26,000. Capt. A. Sutermeister was appointed architect. The foundation walls were put up in the spring of 1868, and the corner-stone was laid on the 15th of Juue, the same
ycar, with appropriate ceremonies. The walls of the building were put up during the summer of that year, and put under roof in the fall. The woodwork, paint- ing, ornamentation, ete., had been done since the beginning of the year.
The church is situated on the corner of Jefferson and Union streets. It is a brick structure, purely Gothic in style of architecture, and cruciform in shape ; is 125 feet in length, of which the tower vestibule occupies 18 feet, and the altar niche 20 feet. The width is 50 feet in the nave and 80 feet in the cross. The altar niche is flanked on the one side by the sacristy and on the other by a lect- ure-room, each heing 18x20 feet in dimensions. In the center front and projeet- ing, is a beautiful and graceful tower 180 feet in height, surmounted by an ele- gant gilt cross. The base of the tower, which is 18 feet square, constitutes the main entrance of the church, while to the right and left of it are side entrances lea ling into spacious vestibules that connect with the body of the church, and also, by means of a broad stairway, with the galleries. Besides these three entrances, there are two more in the arms of the cross, which lead directly into the hody of the church, as well as to the galleries. The seating capacity of the church, including the galleries, is about twelve hundred, but it could easily he crowded up to fourteen or fifteen hundred. The cost of the church, exclusive of the organ, which was $4,500, and the altar furniture, was $26,000. This sum, except 86,000, which was allowed by St. Paul's Church, in consideration of the surrender of their interests in that property by the members of Emanuel's Church, was raised by the members of the new Church.
The Schools .- Recognizing the great truth that a proper education of the mind is secondary in importance only to the education of the heart, early attention was given to this important subject. The first schoolhouse was built in 1847, near the church, and placed in charge of George Wolf. But, as with the Church, so with the school. From a small beginning, it grew rapidly with the march of time, until the little sebool of one or two classes and one teacher has developed into several splendid institutions, with a sufficient number of superior instructors, and divided into several departments, each heing filled almost to over- flowing with well-trained scholars.
Concordia College .- This institution, too, had its day of small things. Though it bad a migratory and precarious existence for three or four years pre- viously, we will begin our sketch in 1849. In that year, the congregation of St. Paul's Church purchased Woodlawn, the beautiful country seat of Col. M. S. Wines, then lately deceased, situated about a mile east of the city, on the old Piqua road. Being removed thither, new life was infused into the institution, and, under the general supervision of Dr. Sihler, assisted by the valuable services of such men as Profs. Walther, Bivend, Cramer, Fleichmann and Selle, it grad- ually grew in favor with the German Lutherans of the Northwest. The corner- stone of the edifice was laid in July, 1856. On the 16th of November, 1857, the institution was opened, with the following Faculty : Prof. Sutermeister, Principal; Prof. Cramer, Prof. Kanz, Prof. Fleichmann, Subordinates. The institution was founded as an academy, by the German Lutherans of the city and surrounding country. The Lutheran Church of the city subscribed over $3,000, and large additional amounts were given by the surrounding country. From time to time, additions were made to the old building, and new ones were erected as the demand for increased accommodations became apparent, at an aggregate cost of more than $65,000, at length producing one of the most commodious, as well as most complete, among the similar institutions in the West. Up to 1861, both theology aud the elassies were taught. In that year, however, a re-organiza- tion took place. A Normal department was formed, and placed under the super- vision of Profs. Fleishmann and Selle. This department occupied rooms, temporarily, on Clinton street, between Maid and Columbia, but was removed two miles south of the eicy, on the Piqua road proper, the same year, where it remained until 1863, when it was again removed to Addison, Ill., at which point there is a flourishing Normal Institute. In 1862, the theological department proper was removed to St. Louis. In addition to the regular college course, stu- dents are still, however, instructed in the lower branches of theology, and pre- pared for the Theological Seminary at St. Louis, where they are graduated.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST.
Here, as elsewhere, when civilization had, in a measure, superseded savage society, and the domain of humanity was in the ascendent, the spirit of liberal- ism hegan to exert itself in the development of untrammeled thought, the motive force which first induces the recognition of the universal fatherhood of God and the common brotherhood of man. Hence, at an early day in the history of Fort Wayne, there were many who cherished an abiding faith in the doctrines which distinguish the branch of Christian worshipers known as Universalists. At first, these opinions were entertained quietly, and there was no display in their manifestation, heyond the fireside and the home eirele. Erelong, however, additions to the number of liberal, advanced thinkers were mado by the advent of new settlers, coming from older settlements in the Eist and South. As early as 1835, there were a few open advocates of the doctrines of this Church. At that period, few preachers of this denomination were to be found in Indiana, and, as a consequence, there were few opportunities for development, other than the outgrowth of reflected example. In 1841-42. many advocates were to be found in the community who were willing and anxious to have n representative who should minister to the spiritual wants. Then, the people inhabiting the valley of the Upper Wabash had such a ministering agent in the person of the Rev. Erasmus Manford, now of Chicago, editor of Manford's Magazine, who delivered his messages to anxious heurers whenever and wherever called. Accordingly, at the suggestion of Dr. Lewis G. Thompson, Que of Fort Wayne's oldest and most respected citizens, Mr. Manford came to this city and delivered the first sermon hy a minister of that persuasion, at the Court House, on the evening of September 7, 1843, which was largely attended and elicited much interest. He preached
RES.OF EDWIN EVANS 174 WEST WAYNE ST FI WAYNE.IND. PRES OF THE FT WAYNE & TERRE HAUTE. R.R.
ST. PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH PARSONAGE & SCHOOL BUILDING FT. WAYNE. IND.
ST. PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH. PARSONAGE & SCHOOL BUILDING FT. WAYNE. IND.
RES OF JOHN ORFF. JUNCTION OF THE HUNTINGTON & COLUMBIA CITY ROAD. FT WAYNE, ALLEN CO, IND.
HON. SAMUEL BRENTON DECEASED
HON. SAMUEL BRENTON. (Formerly Member of Congress.) BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Hon. Samuel Brenton was born November 22, 1810, in Gallatin County, Ky., and was the son of Robert and Sarah Brenton. His early educational advantages were limited ; but, while quite young, he developed a desire for knowledge, and availed himself of every opportunity for increasing his stock of learning.
He entered the ministry in the Methodist Church, in 1830, and remained connected with it until his death; but, in 1834, he located on account of ill health, and, while living near Danville, Ind., he took up the study of the law and engaged in an active and successful practice for six years, taking a high rank in that profession. In 1841, his health having hecome restored, he left his practice and returned to the active work of the ministry, being sta- tioned at Crawfordsville, Perryville, La Fayette, and finally at Fort Wayne, where he labored until he lost the use of the right half of his body from par- alysis. .
He was elected to and served two terms in the Indiana Legislature, as Representative from Hendricks County, during the sessions of 1838-39 and of 1840-41. He was appointed Register of the Land Office at Fort Wayne in 1849, and held that position for several years, and until he was elected to Congress in 1850. In that year, political strife ran high, and when he was nominated by the Whigs, the race was considered almost a hopeless one ; but he entered into the canvass with a vigor and energy which surprised his opponents, and the campaign resulted in his triumphant election. He proved a faithful representative and public servant, and so well were his constituents pleased with his course during his first term, that he was re-elected in 1854 and 1856. His public duties and the arduous labors of his campaigns proved too much, however, for his feeble frame, and he died before the expiration of his last term, on the 29th of March, 1857, at his home in Fort Wayne.
He was married, at Crawfordsville, Ind., on tho 3d of July, 1832, to M ss Eliza Holmes, a daughter of Judge Andrew Holmes and Sarah Holmes, of Shelby County, Ky., who yet survives him.
He became a member of the Order of Odd Fellows about the year 1847. He was a man of very strong character, never afraid to express liis opin- ions, and always having opinions upon the subjects of his day. He was one " who knew the right, and, knowing, darcd maintain." Althoughi self-edu- cated, he was a good scholar, a model orator, and a superior thenlogian. Withal, he was a thorough Christian gentleman. In every position in life, as clergyman, lawyer, congressman and citizen, he was just, fearless und ener- getie in the performance of his duties, public and private, and justly earned the respect of all even of those who were his political opponents. He illus- trated the maxim that "an honest man is the noblest work of God," and those who survive him may well take lessons from the life and character nf Samuel Brenton.
GEORGE T. BRUEBACH M.D.
GEORGE THEODORE BRUEBACH, M. D.
BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.
Dr. George T. Bruehach was born at Grossalmerode, Germany, in the year 1830. He received what is there termed a preliminary education, but here would be considered quite an extended course, in the Gymnasium, at Cassel, acity of considerable importance, and then the capital of the Electorate of Hesse, now a part of the Prussian Empirc. He remained there, engaged in preparatory study, from 1840 to 1849. After passing the examination of maturity, i. e., the examination required for admission to study either theology, medicine or jurisprudence, he entered the University of Marburg in 1849, and commenced the study of medicine and natural science, and passed the examination in natur. l science in 1851. He then left Marburg and entered the University of Wurzburg, in Bavaria, where he continued the study of medicine. At that time, the University numbered among ite professors such medical celebrities as Virchow, Scauzoni, Kolliker, Marcus and Texter.
Here he remained until 1853, when he returned to Marburg for further study and final examination, and, on the 23d of December, 1854, graduated there as Doctor Medicina, Chirurgæ and Artis Ob-tetrioiæ. For a number of years following his admission to the ranks of the medical profession, he was one of the assistant physicians at "Laudkrankenhaus zu Cassel" until 1858, when he was induced, by the representations of friends and especially of a sister residing in America, to emigrate. He located at Fort Wayne soon after his arrival, and devoted himself to the active practice of his profession. He soon acquired a place. in the front rank of our physicians, and, for twenty- one yeare, has enjoyed a large and lucrative praotice, not only among those of his own nationality, but among all classes who recognize merit and : odical skill. He is a hard student, faithful in his attendance upon his patients, and deservedly popular in a large oirole of acquaintances and friends.
, Đảm
CHURCH, PARSONAGE & SCHOOL BUILDINGS OF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN EMANUELS CONGREGATION CORNER OF JEFFERSON & JACKSON STS FTWAYNE IND.
CHURCH, PARSONAGE & SCHOOL BUILDINGS OF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN EMANUELS CONGREGATION CORNER OF JEFFERSON & JJACKSON STS FTWAYNE IND.
Lahin Valiwhine (DECEASED) EEL RIVERTY.
Susauch Valentine EEL RIVER T.P.
CHRISTIAN ZOLLINGER . ADAM ST.P.
MRS. ELIZABETH ZOLLINGER . ADAM 8 T. P.
r
D. E.O. HERIN. CEDAR CREEKTA
MRS, ELIZABETH HERIN. CEDAR CREEKTR
99
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
again, at the same place, the next evening (Saturday), also on Sunday, the 10th, morning and evening. All these wieetings were attended by a very large audi- tory, who, from the attention given the speaker, were at least in partial accord with him. A series of meetings were held during the week following, developing the presence of numerous believers in that liberal faith in the eity. As the out- growth of these meetings, or the earlier expression of similar evidenecs of belief by citizens, a discussion of the leading features of Universalism was held between Mr. Manford and Rev. - -, of the Episcopal Church, occupying two days. This'occurred during the week between the 11th and 18th of September, 1843, the result of which, while it was no doubt satisfactory to the friends of both disputants, was the more general dissemination of the peculiar doctrines of each among the people. After that time, Mr. Manford preached here frequently.
Afterward, from January, 1844, Rev. B. F. Foster, then Pastor of the Church at Terre Haute, preached here with some degree of regularity during most of the year following. Ahout the same time, Rev. J. M. Day, a citizen of Fort Wayne, did some missionary work in the interest of the denomination. At a later date, in 1848-49, Rev. W. J. Chaplin lahored here and subsequently ; but, so far we now know, an organization was not effeeted. Since that time, several other ministers have sojourned here temporarily, their lahors being attended with greater or less success. The work of permanent organization was not accomplished until the advent of Rev. M. Crosley, who thus relates its history. " The Universalist Church of Fort Wayne was organized on the 24th of October, 1875, with twenty-two members. Rev. M. Crosley visited Fort Wayne and preached in the hall over the First National Bank, on the 29th of August, before, as the State Superintendent of Churches in Indiana. The prospeet seemed to be good to affeet an organization of the kind. The efforts were con- tinued, the Hebrew brethren tendering the use of their old synagogue for the time heing, free of charge. The offer was accepted, and meetings were held right along, Mr. Crosley's services were secured regularly for September and October, during which time efforts were made to organize a Church and make arrange- ments for one year. The organization was, in due form, effected, and Rev. Mr. Crosley seeured as Pastor of the young society.
The constitution adopted for the govermuent of the Church provided for nine Trustees, which were selected as follows: R. C. Bell, S. B. Sweet, A. Hat- tersly, F. H. Sleeper, R. F. Keith, B. D. Miner, E. A. Horton, Rudolph Wereh and Adam Link. R. C. Bell was made President; F. H. Sleeper, Secretary, and S. B. Sweet, Treasurer.
" Mr. Bell has served as President ever since, and S. B. Sweet is still Treas- urer. W. H. Hacket is the prescut Secretary, and bas served three years. Rev. M. Crosley is still Pastor, and has just entered upon the fifth year of his pastor- ate with encouraging prospects. The membership of the Church at the present time is sixty-five. The congregation averages about one hundred. A prosperous Sunday school is run in connection with the Church."
Since the above was prepared, Mr. Crosley has severed his connection with the society here, an account of which is given in the following item from the Fort Wayne Gazette of December 24, 1879: " Rev. Mr. Crosley, for the past five years Pastor of the Universalist Church in this city, has severed his connec- tion with the Church, and will leave the city, on Friday, for his new home in Utiea, N. Y. No citizen of the city has ever been more universally loved and respected, and, wherever he goes, he will carry the kindest memories of a multitude of our citizens with him. His resignation was accepted by the Board of Trustees on last evening. Rev. W. C. Brooks, State Missionary, will fill the pulpit next Sahbath."
ACHD'UTHI VESHALOM SYNAGOGUE CONGREGATION OF B'NAI ISRAEL- (HEBREW)
was organized, in 1848, by A. Oppenheimer, Sigismund Redelspeimer, J. Lauferty, F. Nirdlinger and others, the congregation, for several years after, meeting at the house of Mr. Nirdlinger. The membership increasing, in 1857, so as to be beyond the capacity of their former place of meeting, a building on Harrison street was purchased and subsequently dedicated to the purposes of a synagogue. The first Rahhi was Rev. Solomon, who officiated until 1859, when, leaving here, he located in La Fayette. His successor was Rev. Rosenthal, who remained here only ahout two years, at the end of which time, Rev. E. Rubin was called to fill the vacancy, continuing at present to occupy the place.
In 1874, the congregation erected a magnificent temple, one of the finest in the West, the old synagogue heing too small, making a larger one necessary.
The present officers are : Marx Frank, President ; Julius Nathan, Vice President ; M. Lamley, Secretary ; Joseph Lindman, Treasurer ; Trustees, A. Oppenheimer, A. Wolf and Dr. J. M. Rosentbal.
Emcek Beratha .- This Lodge was organized April 23, 1865. The Mutual Endowment was established three years later, and has now a membership of eighty persons. It. has paid benefits to the amount of $3,040 ; to widows, $866 ; Orphan Asylum, 8926; indigent brethren, $608, making a total of $5,440, inde- pendent of the Lodge's yearly donations to the Orphan's Asylum of $150. Seven children have been sent from this place to the Orphan Asylum in Cleveland.
The Order of B'nai Brith .- Founded November 1, 1843. The founders were Dr. Merzbathee, Henry Jones, Joseph Oths, William Renan. The first was the New York Lodge.
There are 310 Lodges in the Order, divided into seven districts-First, New York; Second, Cincinnati ; Third, Philadelphia ; Fourth, San Francisco ; Fifth, Baltimore; Sixth, Chicago ; Seventh, Memphis. The fund of the Order is $600,000 ; membership, 30,000; benefits paid, $250,000.
The Emeek Berathia Lodge meets every first and third Sunday in each month. The present officers are : Marx Frank, President; Henry Brooks, Vice President ; Charley Nathan, Monitor ; A. Gluckman, Assistant Monitor; Rev. E. Rubin, Secretary ; M. E. Strass, Treasurer.
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL.
Plymouth Congregational Church was organized September 20, 1870. The following are the names of the original members : George W. Durgin, Jr., Phebe Stephens Durgin, Ophelia B. Lawrence, John Gilbert, Mrs. Harriet Lona Gilbert, Wilson Shannon Buek, Mrs. Elsie Margaret Buck, Benjamin H. Kimball, Mrs. Sarah R. Kimball, Laura A. Kimball, Mary E. Kimball, William P. Kimball, Samuel W. Kimhall, Mrs. Aun Kimhall, Jenny Kimball, Barnum W. Chapman, Mrs. Sarah Chapman, Mrs. Maria Poole, Mrs. Kate Perey Smith, Effingham T. Williams, Orrin D. Hurd, Alleu Hurd, C. C. Churchill, Mrs. Ella D. Churchill, Mrs. Hannah C. Douglass. The names of the Pastors are as follows : Rev. John B. Fairbanks, who served five years; Rev. Anselm B. Brown, who served ahout one year, and Rev. Joel M. Seymour, present Pastor.
The church edifice was ereeted in 1871-72, and dedieated in September, 1872. It is a frame building, situated on the corner of Washington and Fulton streets. Its dimensions are 35×60 fect, with a scating eapacity of 400. The vestry and audience-room are on the saque floor, and can be thrown together when occasion requires, thus making this church a very convenient and pleasant place of worship. The cost of the edifice was $5,500. It was designed as a chapel, to he enlarged when the growth of the Church shall require it.
The present membership of the Church is cighty-one. The membership, though small, is vigorous and active. The Church is practically out of debt, and its prospect for growth and usefulness is promising.
EARLY HISTORY OF LINDENWOOD CEMETERY.
The necessity of a cemetery for the burial of the dead of the city and vicin- ity of Fort Wayne, which had been the subject of some solicitude for several years, reached a point at last that fully awakened the citizens to the fact that the only public burial ground of the city, which hnt a few years previous had heen loeated beyond the limits of the city, was rapidly filling up, and, instead of being a quiet and retired place and a suitable repose for the remains of the dead, was soon destined to he in the midst of the bustle and confusion of business and amusement, and that, too, without an opportunity of extending the grounds to meet the necessities of the future.
The public also beeame awakened to the alarming faet that, in the original purchase and sale of the grounds for burial purposes, no provision had been made hy fixing the price of lots at such rates as would secure a sinking fund, by set- ting apart a portion of the sales to keep up the grounds after the lots were all sold, or, indeed, any other provision that would secure it from further desecra- tion. It was also seen that the seeds of negleet were already sown and the har- vest ripening-decay and destruction had commeneed, wbich began to grieve the hearts of those whose relatives and friends were deposited there. The graves were already being trampled upon hy mian and beast, monuments and other evi- denees of departed manhood erected hy sorrowing friends, it was evident, were in danger of being defaced, and with it their memories perish and be soon for- gotten.
The experience of the past was a sufficient warning to the future that some place should be selected at a suitable distance from the city, that would prevent the danger of its heing disturbed hy encroachments from its too near proximity to the prospective growth of the city in any contingency, and, at the same time, of such casy access as to he within the reach of all. Numerous public meetings were held hy the citizens, and various places suggested. Their location, with reference to the roads, crossing of rivers, eanals and railroads, the ease of access on the one hand and the impediments on the other, the adaptation of the grounds for the purpose of interment, the quality of soil, and all other matters supposed to have a bearing upon the subject, were from time to time discussed. until the most zealous becarue wearied and discouraged with the prospect of selecting a place that would give general satisfaction.
In this condition matters remained for several months; but the necessity of the case was pressing itself upon the minds of reflecting persons with sueli carnestness that the different locations, with all the arguments in favor and all the objections urged against them, were canvassed with much freedom and with a determined will that a location must be made, having as few objections and as many advantages as possible. Fortunately for the public, the minds of several of our citizens soon drifted in the same direction, who sceured, at the earliest possible moment, the grounds now oeeupied for the purpose, which are so univer- sally admired by the inany thousand persons that visit them, amid the wonder and amazement of everybody how it was that grounds adapted in such a wonder- ful degree to agricultural purposes should have remained in a state of nature, on the very borders of the city, so long a time, as if by Divine appointment, to be consecrated as the "city of the dead." Its beautifully diversified surface, with undulating hills, ravines and valleys, fixing as it were the very hounds of every section, in such an admirable manner as to leave the scientifie gardener almost at fault to suggest improvement in the execution of his skill. The soil is mostly dry and peculiarly adapted to hurial purposes, either for vaults, chapels or single interments.
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