History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 60

Author: Bradsby, Henry C
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co.
Number of Pages: 1032

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plank road east of Terre Haute; commencing at the canal bridge on the east side of the canal and extend eastwardly along the Na- tional road a distance of ten miles. All the leading men of the town subscribed to the stock, and the road was speedily built. There was then a toll road on the east and a toll bridge on the west. Both were great improvements in their day, but, like many other things, destined to a short life after the railroads began to come.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

HOME FOR AGED WOMEN, AND LADIES' AID SOCIETY.

A VISIT to this "home," for that is its correct name, may con- vince the most skeptical that there are sunshiny spots in this world. The writer will never forget an afternoon call in July, 1890. He had gone on business with the matron, who happened to be away, and he put up his note book and turned it into a real jolly visit with the seven serene and happy "mothers in Israel " who are here peacefully spending the evening of their days. It is a remark- able household. In answer to the bell a very pleasant white-haired lady swung back the heavy door and blandly invited the visitor in. She informed him of the absence of the matron, and her willingness to attend, so far as she could, to give him the desired information about the home. This lady was Dutch, and had come with her husband from Holland forty-eight years ago. She was evidently respectably bred, and the dear old lady could not repress the tears when she recounted the sore trial it was to her pride when she first came there, where now she was living so quiet and happy. She was the youngest who was "at home " to the visitor. She led the way to the room of the venerable "Aunty " Baldy, who had just stepped out, but she was found fixing some flowers on the back porch. When told that there was a visitor she came in chattering and laughing as merry as a schoolgirl. This little old body, with her kindly eyes and motherly face, is one hundred years old, and would, were it not for defective hearing, be as pleasant and social a companion as you ever met. And looking at her and listening to her telling of herself, one could easily forget the century of her life, and see before him the innocent prattling child again of a hundred years ago.

The house is in the center of a double block, and stands at the

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head of North Fifth street. Great old trees furnish inviting shade all about, and a water fountain sends forth its sparkling jets of spray. The house is a most commodious mansion from basement to garret. It was originally built by Mr. John Danaldson, and afterward for a long time was the home of Col. Dowling. It is three stories high, the last story having been added by Mr. McKeen just before presenting it, and all is rich and elegant in finish, with broad porches on three sides. The rooms are spacious, and the tall ceilings and modern style windows give it a most inviting appear- ance. The whole is furnished with that plain elegance that wins the eye in a moment. The old ladies agreed that " Aunty " Baldy was never seriously sick; that her only trouble in this world was to prevent her companions from officiously waiting upon her, also in getting them up at 5 o'clock in the morning. They told the writer that " aunty " would trudge about through the day much as she had done one hundred years ago, and when tired out would lie down and sleep as sweetly as a baby; and now, like all babies that sleep in the day, she was up and stirring at the peep of day.

The home is in charge of the Ladies' Aid Society. The grounds and building were the gift of W. R. McKeen. There are eighteen rooms, and some of these were furnished by congregations of the different churches, and some by parties who desired to contribute to this noble charity. The Ladies' Aid Society was the recipient of a large charity fund from Chauncey Rose, nearly $100,000, and the home is an auxiliary of the Rose fund in the charge of the Ladies' Aid Society. It has been supported, however, entirely out- side of the Rose endowment by voluntary contributions from the people. All classes take a personal interest in the home, and for its generous support fairs are held, the churches and Sunday-schools contribute freely, and Mr. Naylor every year tenders the ladies the use of the opera house free for a benefit or fair as they may choose. This is one of the most beautiful and inviting of the many eleemos- ynary institutions that can lay claim to human sympathy. It is in the hands of our pure and noble women, who have here gathered together those dear old grandmothers; and most unfortunate indeed is the wretch who can not feel that the grounds of the home, its walks, its fountain, garden, flowers and inviting great shade trees are indeed sacred, places. So quiet, clean and restful, where the withered, the broken-hearted, the crushed, and above all the deserted by their own offspring, may go and read their Bible and rest and forget the cold and cruel blasts that have swept over them, and look to heaven and commune with their God.

The home is managed by boards that are designated by the Ladies' Aid Society, as follows: Board of managers-first directress,

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Mrs. E. W. Elder; second directress, Mrs. Anna M. Warren; secre- tary, Mrs. Matilda Durham. Admission committee-Mrs. Matilda Durham, Mrs. Elizabeth Mattox and Miss Margaret Hussey. Finance and supply committee-Mrs. Luella Watson, Mrs. Amelia Beach and Mrs. Anna M. Warren.

The conditions of admission are few and simple. Over sixty years of age; of good character, and alone and in need of a home. The chief and nearly the whole condition is included in the one item of " worthy." The low and the base are properly excluded, though their claims for charity are not denied, but they are sent elsewhere, where they are properly succored. This keeps the Home for Aged Women what it should be-as pleasant and happy a one, in truth, as any of the private homes in the city, with no more rigid rules, or sternly enforced laws and regulations than exist in any other respectable private house, where all meet in sacred love and equality. Therefore, as already said, this is a most beautiful, benign institution-the favorite of the people of the city. Nearly all the leading and business men have their names on the books for five years' subscriptions, many paying annually $100. Money, pro- visions, clothing-everything is represented in their lists of dona- tions.

Ladies' Aid Society .- May 1, 1887, this society held its twenty- fifth anniversary meeting, at which the president, Mrs. Mary Morris, delivered an address of welcome, among other things saying: "This is a time of reminiscences, taking us back a quarter of a century. We remember the trials and struggles of the first dark days of the war, and we remember that all the heroes did not enlist as regular soldiers. There were heroic women who rendered good volunteer service in giving their time and strength to the work of caring for soldiers' families. This was the beginning of the good work of which the society is a representative. *

* Three only of the original working members are included in the membership at this time."

The original organization of the society for the relief of soldiers' families was formed February 22, 1862. The ladies assembled to provide for the relief of distress, and conceived the design of a fes- tival. The first meeting was at the residence of Mrs. Washington Paddock, corner of Fifth and Poplar streets. Committees were ap- pointed, and all were to report at a meeting appointed at the resi- dence of Mrs. Sarah C. Deming. The festival was held in the din- ing-room of the National hotel. It was an unexpected success, but had cost the ladies untiring labor, attention and solicitude. The next day after the festival the society was formed, with the follow- ing named officers: Mrs. Sarah C. Deming, president; Mrs. Mary J.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

Thompson, vice-president; Mrs. Ann F. McKeen, treasurer; Mrs. Sarah J. Minshall, secretary. Visiting committees were appointed, and the good work was fairly afoot.

The long struggle with the public distress, by the ladies, their untiring and hard labors, the years of consuming anxiety and the years of horrid war went hand in hand. The first women of the country -- women of rare culture and delicate refinement -- forgot to be weary in well doing. Their energies and resources were being ever more and more taxed as the ranks of the army were being filled and refilled and new calls for volunteers were finally followed by the draft that mercilessly took the poor man from his helpless young family to fill up the great red gaps of war. In this noble work met all our good women-here circles and ranks were forgotten, youth and age worked side by side-the strongest and weakest found something they could do. And after all it was left to our splendid women, like white-winged angels, with healing wings to cast the ray of sunshine from their pure and gentle souls, where the bad passions of cruel war were blasting and blackening the fair face of the earth. Blessed be their names, as holy and sacred was their work of succoring and aiding want, and ameliorating the cruelest inflictions that has ever come to a people. These were the peace ministers in the homes, in the camp hospitals, and in the highways, the alleys and the cottages of the unfortunate.

The good women worked in season and out of season in their holy mission. They were ever creating new resources and calling in new aids as the demand upon them increased. They threw open the doors of the churches and of their houses, where they would meet, sew, scrape lint and devise ways and means, and then carry them out successfully; and there was no bloody battle-field, where the wounded groaned out their lives to the glinting stars, no camp hospital where the sick and wounded did not in their extreme suf- fering utter prayers to heaven for the women who had aided and succored them; and in the hovels of the poor, along the noisome alleys, they went like a sweet benediction.

The children they are weeping, oh! my brothers, Weeping in the play-time of the others.

They held festivals and bazaars where were bartered and sold the work of their deft and nimble fingers. Concerts and amateur entertainments were given, and they called to their aid such effi- cient helpers as the "German Amateurs," a society managed by German ladies, who worked hard and donated freely to the Aid Society. Then there were the "Tinker Concerts," "Histrionic Associations," " Prize Concerts," " Assemblies," " Free Masons," " Miss Wittenburg Concerts," "Independent Club," " Chimes of

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Normandy " by Aunt Polly Bassett's singing school, "Church Col- lections," etc., all called in as aids in the good work. But above all the outside aids was Chauncey Rose. He did really more than all else to make the ladies' work a complete success. He would allow neither acknowledgment nor publicity of his different con- tributions. His liberality was unbounded, and at all times, when the dear women were at their wits' ends what to do, save looking to heaven, would invariably come his donation of $500, $750 and $1,250, etc. When blessed white-winged peace came over the land, the work of the society was not ended. In the summer of 1866

1 their funds were very low. A meeting was held at Mrs. Mary J. Thompson's for the consideration of the subject of disbanding. The question of dissolution was a serious one, after the ties that had come of their years of work and harmony together- days of sun- shine and saddening storm. While the meeting was in session, a note arrived from Mr. Rose inclosing $500, and containing a special request that they should not disband, but work on, because there

was much yet to do. He then expressed the wish that "the time would soon come when the legislature of Indiana would pass a law by which the society could incorporate as a benevolent society." This incident was the turning-point in the life of this noble charity. The act was passed by the State assembly, June 24, 1869, and the permanent "Ladies' Aid Society " was immediately incorporated with perpetual life. Mr. Rose then requested a meeting, at which he appeared with his lawyer, Col. W. K. Edwards, when he for- mally made the donation of $90,000 " to help those who try to help themselves, to seek the aged and relieve their wants, and to care for the children." Thus these good women have builded-built for all time and seasons and have builded, we may well believe, better than they knew.

Mrs. Sarah C. Deming, after such faithful work in the society as president many years, resigned. Mrs. Mary J. Thompson was elected to the vacancy, and served well until her removal to Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Thompson was succeeded by Mrs. Mary M. Morris, and the latter by Mrs. Mary C. Davis. The office of vice-president has been filled by Mrs. Mary J. Thompson, Mis. Mary M. Morris, Mrs. Matilda Durham and Mrs. E. W. Parker.

Mrs. Sarah J. Minshall held well and faithfully the position of secretary until the present year, and was succeeded by Mrs. Sarah L. Condit. Mrs. Ann F. McKeen, the treasurer, resigned her posi- tion in 1874, and was succeeded by Mrs. Anna M. Warren. The only corporate member the society had lost by death at the time of their twenty-fifth annual meeting was Mrs. Ann F. McKeen, at whose house so many gatherings had been held; and one mem- ber of the visiting committee, Miss Sallie Summers.

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The income of the society is about $6,000 a year. In 1887 the annual report shows on the list that were visited fifty-two "old aunties," in ages from seventy to ninety-eight, and the poor chil- dren numbered 600.

The present officers are Mrs. Mary C. Davis, president; Mrs. E. W. Parker, vice-president; Mrs. Anna M. Warren, treasurer, and Mrs. Sarah L. Condit, secretary.

CHAPTER XXXV.

CHURCHES, ETC.

T HIS was not one of the first growths of the new town-that is

in the form of church organization or church building. This is not saying that religion was lax among the pioneers, for as a rule they were a serious and God-fearing people, and before the shep- herds of the church came they met in their cabins and beneath the trees, God's first temples, and raised their voices in adoration of the true God.

Central Presbyterian Church .- A history of this church on the Wabash informs us that there was no organized church in Terre Haute until the spring of 1828, when Rev. David Monfort, May 17, completed the organization which was composed of ten members. These were Samuel and Margaret Young (his wife), who lived on Honey creek; Samuel Ewing and Mary (his wife) ; James Beard and Jane (his wife) ; John McCullough and Margaret (his wife) from New Hope church; Mrs. Phoebe Monfort and Mr. O. Dibble; Samuel Young and James Beard were chosen elders; William C. Linton, John Britton and Capt. James Wasson, trustees. Rev. Na- than B. Darrow came as a missionary to Terre Haute in 1816, the time the town was founded. Rev. Orin Fowler came in 1819 and says he preached in Fort Harrison. Rev. Charles C. Beatty came in 1822; he preached in the old Eagle and Lion tavern of Capt. Wasson and in the court-house. He stopped with Maj. Whitlock, the receiver in the land office, and in his diary speaks highly of Dr. Modesitt. In 1824 it was estimated that Terre Haute and Rose- ville would join and support a minister, paying him $250. Mr. Beatty states that in 1825 he preached in Terre Haute and his audience "was distressingly small-only two professors of religion were present who came eight miles and returned the same night."

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He was here again in 1826. "preaching in the court-house," to a much larger audience this time, but says: "That it is still (1826) without any religious society." He further says: "The roads are but bridle-paths through the woods and prairies." And the next year, 1827, says: "Rode to Terre Haute and preached in the even- ing. The next day rode to Big Raccoon. The next day, on account of the heavy rain, spent the whole day searching in vain for a ford across the creek."

In 1829 the church reported having seventeen members-a gain of seven the first year. Rev. Monfort became local minister and remained here two years. Then the church was without a pastor for four years. A meeting of the presbytery was held in Terre Haute in 1832.

The Baldwin Presbyterian church, the second organized in Terre Haute, dates from the year 1848.

Rev. David Monfort left Terre Haute in 1829, and in 1833 Rev. Michael Hummer followed him in charge. Samuel Young and James Beard were elders. The members: Amory Kinney, Ephraim Ross, Zenas Smith, Thomas Desart, Alexander Ross, William Young, Mrs. Elizabeth Desart, Mrs. Charlotte T. Condit, Mrs. Julia Mc- Call, Mrs. Hannah Smith, Miss Mary King, Miss Catharine Boudi- not, Mrs. Mary Ross and Mrs. Mary Young.

Rev. Hummer became involved in some trouble with his congre- gation and resigned. Services had been held in the first brick school-house, corner of Fifth and Walnut.

In 1848 sixteen Presbyterians withdrew from the Congrega- tional church and organized the Baldwin church. This is the rise of the First Presbyterian and the Baldwin or Second Presbyterian church in Terre Haute.

November 8, 1848, the following persons received a joint letter of dismission from the First Congregational church, Terre Haute: John F. Cruft, Elizabeth Cruft, Joseph Miller, Margaret Miller, E. V. Ball, Sarah E. Ball, A. C. Potwin, Helen Potwin, F. R. Whipple, Mary P. Whipple, Zenas Smith, Hannah Smith, James Cook, J. B. Soule, Jordan Smith and Mary E. Cruft.

These were organized into the Baldwin Presbyterian church: Rev. William M. Cheever, pastor, and continued until 1856; fol- lowed by Rev. Joseph G. Wilson till 1862; followed by Rev. W. H. Ballantine, who remained one year. March, 1864, Rev. Daniel E. Bierce, two years; in 1866 Rev. Henry S. Little; in 1868 Rev. Blackford Condit.

In 1868 the name was changed from the Baldwin church to the Second Presbyterian, when for a time Rev. E. W. Abbey acted with Rev. Condit as assistant pastor. He became pastor on Mr. Condit's resignation.

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The First and Second Presbyterian churches were united November 18, 1879. The First had no pastor, and Rev. Abbey became pastor of the united churches, which was then called the Central church. Abbey was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Parry, who remained until 1884. During his pastorate the Second church property was sold and the First church building enlarged and improved, practically rebuilt. In 1884 Rev. George R. Pierce became pastor, and is still with his people. There were 249 wor- shipers in attendance at the morning services April 28, 1890, in this church.

Moffatt Street Church was organized February 5, 1884, by the Rev. Madison C. Peters, who had served for some months in the Church of the Mission. Rev. J. W. Skinner was installed pastor on the evening of the organization. He served until September, 1886. Early in the year Rev. W. R. Higgins, present pastor, suc- ceeded.

St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church .- May, 1840, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Kemper, while en-route to St. Louis, passed through the then village of Terre Haute. Mrs. David S. Danaldson and Mrs. William F. Krumbhaar, being members of the church, and hearing of the bishop's arrival, called upon him. Upon invi- tation of those ladies he readily consented to remain over Sunday and hold a service. Here then occurred the first celebration of divine service of the church. The good bishop delivered an excel- lent sermon, and promised to send them a minister.

Soon there came the Rev. Mr. Prindle. He returned to the east, and soon thereafter died. Under the administration of Mr. Prindle was or- ganized the Sunday-school, the first teachers being Mrs. Danald- son, Mrs. Krumbhaar and Miss Prindle, a sister of the rector. Church services at that period were held in the jury-room of the old court-house. Mr. Prindle was succeeded by the Rev. Robert B. Croes. He arrived during the autumn of 1840. After the manner of the disciples of Christ he preached the gospel in the highways and byways, anywhere and at any time when called on. Finally a room in the brick building which now stands on the southeast corner of Ohio and Third streets was obtained, and regular services had. Under the administration of Mr. Croes the first church was erected June 9, 1845. It occupied the side of Hulman's warehouse, Fifth street between Main and Cherry. It was considered a very hand- some structure at the time. The congregation had by this time in- creased somewhat in number, and included Mrs. Danaldson, Mrs. Krumbhaar, Mrs. William J. Ball and Mrs. Dr. Blake. The ladies above named organized a church aid society, which still exists. The rec- tors who have officiated here are remembered as follows: Mr. Prin-

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dle, Dr. Croes, Dr. Clark, Dr Van Antwerp, William G. Spencer, Thomas Mills Martin, Dr. Fitch, Dr. Austin, Mr. Burford, Mr. Dunham, Dr. Delafield and Mr. Stanley, the present very worthy rector. The Rev. Mr. Wells, Mr. Jennings and Dr. Totten also served the church for a short time, but they filled the pulpit for absent rectors only. The Rev. Thomas Mills Martin, brother to the present junior warden of the church, was, perhaps, the most elo- quent and learned pastor that ever occupied a pulpit in this city. During the rectorship of Dr. Fitch the corner-stone of the present church was laid.May 4, 1862.

The present church is located on the corner of Seventh and Eagle streets; cost of lot, $2,000, and of building, $15,000. The rectory was built at a cost of $7,000. The new church was finished and occupied in 1863, and was paid for and consecrated in 1866. The tower being added afterward. Present pastor, Rev. J. D. Stanley. April 13, 1890, the attendance at the morning services was: Men, 54; women, 175; children, 20; total, 249.

Evangelical-Lutheran Emanuel Kirche .- The first organization was in 1858, and the first building was a small brick on the corner of Swan and Fourth streets. In the year 1846 A. H. Luken, a German Lutheran teacher, arrived in Terre Haute, and with him were twenty-two persons, most of them young people, from East Frisia, the extreme northwest of the German Empire. Mr. Luken conducted church services, and in time a congregation was organ- ized, called the United Lutheran and Reformed congregation, when he became pastor. In the year above named the Lutherans sepa- rated and formed a congregation as above named. Their first pastor was H. W. Rinker; the trustees: R. Frerichs, A. H. Luken and E. Meisel; twenty members. A parochial school was kept in the church basement. The present fine brick church, school and par- sonage on Poplar, between Sixth and Seventh streets, was completed in 1885, under the auspices of Rev. H. Katt, who has been pastor in charge since 1879. This is a large and strong congregation.

Independent Evangelical Lutherans .- In the spring of 1890 a congregation of this order was formed. They have no church building; pastor, Rev. H. Koin.

Congregational Church .- The First Congregational church in Terre Haute was organized December 30, 1834, by Rev. M. A. Jewett, with a roll of eleven members. Only two other church organizations preceded it, the Presbyterians and the Methodists. In 1842 Rev. Henry Ward Beecher held meetings here and incited a marked revival in the church, 100 members being added that year. Meetings were held in the court-house. A lot was purchased on the corner of Sixth and Cherry streets, on which a brick building

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was erected and dedicated July 2, 1837. This was destroyed by a tornado in the spring of 1853. In 1857 a new building was erected, costing $20,000.

Mr. Jewett was a remarkable man, certainly one of the great men in the history of his church. He was with the congregation in the faithful discharge of his duties forty-five years-1860, when he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Lyman Abbott, to-day perhaps the greatest living divine, who remained until 1865. Rev. E. Frank Howe succeeded and remained ten years. In 1876 Rev. S. S. Martin came, who at once commenced a noted revival, when over 100 members were added to the rolls. He remained but eighteen months, and was succeeded in the fall of 1878 by Rev. Thomas Rutherford Bacon, a son of Dr. Leonard Bacon. He resigned in May, 1880, succeeded by Rev. H. H. Bacon, who remained but three months and returned to Toledo, Ohio. In 1881 Rev. Charles Pitman Croft came, and in a few weeks a better feeling prevailed in the church, when the church was repaired and beautified. Then came Rev. C. P. Croft, who in 1884 resigned on account of ill health. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Crum. Present membership is over 300. The large and elegant church is on the corner of Sixth and Cherry streets. Attendance at the morning service April 13, 1890: Men, 67; women, 107; children, 33.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 60

Author: Bradsby, Henry C Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co. Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Bradsby, Henry C
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co.
Number of Pages: 1032