USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The old Christian Church of 1865-71 was remodeled in 1884, and improvements since made have made it well adapted to the purposes of a leading city society of religious workers. At present its membership is about five hundred.
ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Bernard's Catholic Church, in charge of Rev. Father William D. Sullivan, has more than four hundred souls within its jurisdiction, its property being that of the former Methodist Church, northeast corner of Sinclair and Cass streets. The Catholies acquired this in 1900, soon after the Methodists erected their new church on the opposite corner.
The first Catholic priest who is known to have visited Wabash was Rev. John Ryan, of La Gro, who made occasional visits to the county seat from 1862 to September, 1865, saying mass at the houses of Patrick Ivory and others. During that period he collected about thirty-five
0
350
HISTORY OF WABASII COUNTY
Irish and German Catholics in the community and laid the foundation of a new church. Through the efforts of Father Ryan and Rev. B. Kroeger, a church edifice was commenced on West Maple Street, the lot for its site having been donated by Patrick Dwyer. It was a briek build- ing, 30 by 60 feet, and was completed under the pastorate of Rev. M. E. Campion, of La Gro, at a cost of $2,000.
In 1877 a frame schoolhouse was built by Rev. F. C. Wiechmann, but discontinued the first year. The first priest's house was built on the corner of Maple and Comstock, a block west of the church, but in 1888 a new residenee was erected on Minor and Fisher streets. This was while St. Bernard's was in charge of Rev. John HI. Bathe. In 1898 the church building was greatly enlarged and improved, while under the pastorate of Rev. P. J. Crosson. Soon afterward these properties were exchanged for the Methodist Church, corner of Sinclair and Cass, the consideration being $22,000 and a cash difference of $5,500. A brick house back of the church was also bought for school purposes. The church was remodeled to conform to the purposes of the Catholic ceremonials at a cost of $3,500 and dedicated, September 23, 1900, by Rev. D. H. Clark.
RESIDENT AND VISITING PASTORS
Resident pastors of St. Bernard's: Rev. F. C. Wiechmann, 1871-79; Rev. M. M. Hallinan, D. D., 1879-81 ; Rev. John H. Bathe, 1881-98; Rev. P. J. Crosson, 1898-1900; Rev. Robert J. Pratt, 1900-10; Rev. William D. Sullivan, 1910.
Visiting pastors : Rev. John Ryan, La Gro, 1862-65; Rev. B. Kroe- ger, Peru, 1865-66; Rev. George Steiner, La Gro, 1866-68; Rev. M. E. Campion, La Gro, 1868-71.
ST. MATTHEW'S EVANGELICAL CHURCHI
In 1859 a German settlement was made near Belden postoffice on the eastern border-line of Wabash County, and the Lutherans soon erected a little church near Urbana, also in this county. From Urbana the min- isters soon became accustomed to extend their missionary labors to the Town of Wabash, and within a year such an interest was created at the county seat that a society was organized composed of the following members : Fred Rauch, Jacob Hildebrandt, Henry Geible, Phillip Keller, Peter Mattern, Michael Schlemmer, Peter Hipskind and Adam Ilips- kind. Thus, in 1861, was organized the St. Matthew's Evangelical Church.
-
r
OT
351
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
Soon after the organization of the society a substantial frame church was erected on the corner of Huntington and Walnut streets. In 1879 this was enlarged, remodeled and adapted to the developed society, and this also was replaced by the modern edifice now occupied, which was completed in 1903. The present pastor, Rev. Paul O. David, has a congregation of 200 earnest Christian workers in full membership.
The successive pastors of St. Matthew's Evangelical Church have been as follows: Rev. J. Gubler, 1862-64; Rev. A. Ebling, 1864-66; Rev. J. J. Mernitz, 1866-70; Rev. F. Frankenfeld, 1872-76; Rev. J. Schumm, 1876-80; Rev. A. Debus, 1880-86; Rev. J. Grunert, 1886-87; Rev. Ch. Fischer, 1887-91; Rev. G. Hess, 1891-1905; Rev. Theo. Jud, 1905-09; Rev. William Howe, 1909-11; Rev. L. Kehle, 1911-13; Rev. Paul O. David, 1914.
FRIENDS' CHURCH (SOUTH WABASHI)
The Friends' Church in South Wabash is one of the strongest and most progressive religious bodies in the city, having an active member- ship of 300. The first building of the society was erected in 1883 at the corner of Sivey and Church streets. The present location, corner of Pike and Adams streets, was secured in 1906 and the building erected the same year. It is both original in architecture and shows good taste in its decorations, both exterior and interior. The body of the edifice is of light brick, with stone foundation. The present pastor of the Friends' Church is Rev. II. A. Furstenberger.
EARLY BAPTIST SOCIETY DISBANDS
The Baptists organized at an early day in Wabash, but did not sur- vive as a church. In January, 1841, Elder T. C. Townsend organized the First Baptist Church of Wabash. He says in his "Reminiseences": "In the winter of 1840-41, I itinerated over a large country entirely destitute of Baptist preaching, and very little preaching of any kind. I visited Wabash Town, the county seat of Wabash County on the Wabash River, and constituted the First Baptist Church of Wabash Town all alone, because helps could not be had. I then held a meeting of several days, and did the first baptising ever done in the Wabash River between Fort Wayne and Logansport. I left that church in a very prosperous condition, and after moving from Andersonville to my farm near In- dianapolis, it was out of my reach. Elder George Sleeper moved to Wabash Town and took charge of that church. He afterward moved to Huntington."
1
0
352
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
The church appears to have been in a fairly prosperous condition until the outbreak of the Civil war, when it was in charge of Rev. Henry C. Skinner, who went to the front as chaplain of the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During the war and for five or six years after- ward meetings were discontinued and were never revived with vigor. The last Baptist services were held in 1872.
WABASH STREET M. E. CHURCH
Because of a disagreement as to the location of the 1898 building, a part of the congregation of the First Church withdrew and organized the Wabash Street M. E. Church in April, 1899. Its pastor was Rev. James A. Patterson. ITis successors have been as follows: Rev. Gran- ville B. Work, 1901-08; Rev. John J. Fred, 1908-10; Rev. Herbert S. Nickerson, 1910-12; Rev. O. B. Morris, 1912. The Wabash Street M. E. Church has a membership of 320 and a Sunday School which musters 270 strong. Services are held in a handsome and modern church of white stone, erected in 1903.
MIDDLE STREET M. E. CHURCH
The Middle Street M. E. Church, at South Wabash, originated in a society organized about 1863. Ten years later it secured the building at the northeast corner of Sivey and Snyder streets. The present loca- tion on South Middle Street was purchased in 1895 and a building erected in the following year. It was remodeled in 1912. The church is under the pastorate of Rev. E. S. Riley.
OTHER METHODIST CHURCHES
. There is also a Wesleyan Methodist Church, with Rev. Solomon Burns as pastor, on Manchester Avenue and Michigan Street, and an African M. E. Church, on East Sinclair Street, in charge of Rev. William B. Baber.
THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH
The Methodists among the colored people of Wabash eommeneed to organize at an early day, and have been earnest, faithful and persistent in maintaining religious services. The first African Methodist Epis- copal Church was formed in 1872 by the following: Joseph H. Roberts, Mary Roberts, Martha Ferguson, Mary Alexander, William Alexander,
1
353
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
Henry James and Malinda James. The first regular pastor was Madi- son Patterson. A reorganization of the society took place in 1880, with Rev. Robert MeDaniel as pastor. The church is still in active evangelical work and is, as stated, under the pastorate of Rev. William B. Baber. The house of worship is on East St. Clair Street.
THE FIRST EVANGELICAL CHURCHI
The First Evangelical (German Methodist) Church was organized in the summer of 1872 by Rev. HI. B. Price, of the Huntington Circuit. In the fall the Indiana Conference established the Wabash Mission, of which Rev. J. Miller received charge. A church building was erected on North Wabash Street, and in 1896 was enlarged and remodeled to its present form. Rev. P. L. Browns is the present pastor.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
At the corner of Maple and Carroll streets is the First Church of Christ Scientist, a dainty and characteristic house of worship. The church was organized in 1900, a residence purchased at the locality named and in 1908 remodeled for the purposes of the society. As is customary, reading rooms are connected with the church, open during certain afternoons of the week to the public.
UNITED BRETIIREN CHURCHES
There are two United Brethren churches in Wabash, which have continuous services and are fairly well attended-the First United, under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Lindsay, being in the southern part of the city, on Adams Street, and the Second United Brethren, with Rev. F. E. Penny as pastor, is located at North Wabash and Gladstone streets.
OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES IN THE CITY
The Hebrews of Wabash organized the Congregation of Rodet Sholem in February, 1869, but efforts to maintain regular services and resident rabbis have been only moderately successful. In 1883 the supporters of Rodet Sholem bought the property of the Christians, or New Lights, which had been established at the corner of Sinclair Street and Falls Avenue since 1869. At present there is no settled rabbi in charge.
The Holiness Christian Church conduct services at the corner of Vol. 1- 23
354
HISTORY OF WABASII COUNTY
Ray and Berry streets and the English Lutherans have a mission class every Sunday at the Maccabees Hall.
CHURCHES OUTSIDE OF WABASHI
Outside of the Town of Wabash, most of the early churches of Noble Township were founded by the Society of Friends, the Methodists, Chris- tions and Lutherans. In the early '50s the Quakers formed a small settlement in the southeastern part of the township and erected two meeting houses not far from the site of White's Manual Labor Institute -- one of them on the northwest quarter of section 21, township 27, range 6 east, and the other on the northwest quarter of section 23, same township and range.
About the same time, the Methodists erected what was known as Wesley Chapel on the southwest corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 31, township 27, range 6, and the Union Chapel on the west line near the middle of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 29, township 27, range 7 east. A third Methodist Church was built at a later date on the northeast corner of section 29, township 28, range 6.
A Christian Church also was erected near the middle of the south- east quarter of section 20, same township and range, and still later a Lutheran house of worship was built at the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 33, township 27, range 6 east.
Since that time other churches have been erected, especially to the north and west of the City of Wabash, in sections which are too far away from that loeality to be accommodated by the religious institutions of the county seat.
FIRST MASONIC LODGE (HANNA NO. 61) -
Both the Masons and Odd Fellows of Wabash, as organized bodies, are nearing their three score years and ten, the pioneer lodge of each having been created in 1847. The birth of Hanna Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., was heralded on the 3d of November, 1847, at a meeting of Tipton Lodge No. 33, Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of the State of Indiana, held at Logansport. Then and there, Robert Edwards, worthy master, and Isaac Bartlett, secretary, made note of the following: "A petition was received from Joseph Hopkins, J. P. Flyn, Jonathan R. Cox, Jesse P. Myers, Amos Chapman, Joseph Peterson, Jacob Vande- grift, Daniel Bahan, Hugh Hanna, James Ford, John C. Sivey, Jona- than Keller, C. Watkins and James Stoops, brethren of Wabash and
355
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
vicinity, directed to M. W. Gr. M. Deming, for a dispensation authorizing them to meet and work as a lodge to be called Hanna Lodge No. - , at that place, and asking the recommendation of this lodge to that end. The recommendation was granted, and the proceedings ordered to be properly certified."
The petition and accompanying proceedings were then forwarded to Grand Master Elizur Deming, who granted a dispensation to the prayer of the petitioners bearing date November 6, 1847, which was attested by Austin W. Morris, grand secretary, with the seal of the Grand Lodge attached. By that dispensation Hugh Hanna was designated as the first worshipful master, Jacob Vandegrift, the first senior warden, and
MASONIC TEMPLE, WABASH
James Stoops, the first junior warden of the new lodge. Then on Friday evening, November 12, 1847, the following persons, petitioners, met pursuant to the authority of the grand master's dispensation in an im- provised room, and these proceedings were had :
"Friday, November 12, A. L. 5847-IIanna Lodge, U. D. Present : Ilugh Hanna, w. m .; Jacob Vandegrift, s. w .; James Stoops, j. w .; Jesse P. Myers, Amos Chapman, Daniel Bahan, Joseph Peterson, Joseph Hopkins, James Ford, Jonathan R. Cox and J. P. Flyn.
"The dispensation issued by Elizur Deming, grand master, dated November 6, 1847, and attested by Austin W. Morris, grand secretary, naming Hugh Hanna as first worshipful master, Jacob Vandegrift first senior warden, and James Stoops first junior warden, was then read.
356
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
With that authority a lodge of Master Masons was opened on the date aforesaid, when the following officers were appointed pro tem .: Joseph Hopkins, secretary; Amos Chapman, treasurer; Jesse P. Myers, s. d .; Joseph Peterson, j. d .; Jonathan R. Cox and Jesse P. Myers, stewards, and J. P. Flyn, tiler."
Afterward the secretary was ordered to procure the necessary books and records and a committee on by-laws, consisting of Joseph Hopkins, Amos Chapman and James Ford, was appointed with instructions to report the same to the lodge as soon as convenient. This closed the first meeting of Ilanna Lodge, U. D.
Another meeting was held on Monday, the 29th, at which all the officers were present; also, Brothers Bahan and Keller and Visiting Brethren Joseph Hellinger and Bartholomew Hart. By-laws were adopted, subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge, by which the regu- lar meetings of the lodge were fixed on Tuesday evening preceding the full moon in each month. The first stated meeting so held was on December 21, 1847.
On the 27th of December, 1847, the first petitions for degrees were received from James Wilson and Enos F. Thomas. At a later meet- ing they were reported upon favorably and received.
FIRST INSTRUCTOR IN CRAFT MYSTERIES
On the 24th of February, 1848, the lodge appointed a committee to engage the services of some competent person to lecture upon the several Masonie degrees and the ceremonies pertaining to them. Alfred Luce, past master of Oxford, Ohio, who was engaged for that purpose, appeared at a special meeting on the 4th of April following, and in- structed the craft in the ceremonials of the second degree, by passing Allen W. Smith and C. Pawling to the degree of Fellow Craft. The first work in the third degree was on the evening of April 5th, when Brother Lnee raised Allen W. Smith to the degree of Master Mason. From that date until the 21st, at various meetings of the lodge, de- grees were conferred upon Calvin S. Rice, James Wilson, Michael O'Flanagan, Enos F. Thomas, James T. Liston and John Comstock ; which closed the labors of Brother Luce, in illustration of the workings of the craft, and for which he received 450 with a warm vote of thanks.
With this showing, the lodge presented its request that a charter be granted according to the usages of the order. This application was placed in the hands of the committee on charters and dispensation, consisting of Isaac Bartlett, Henry C. Lawrence, James M. Poe, Battie
0
357
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
MeClelland and Ebenezer Brown, which made the following report : "The committee have examined the workings and by-laws of Hanna Lodge and find their proceedings correct and books neatly kept, but they have failed to record their dispensations in the proceedings laid before your committee. There appears an omission in their by-laws in regard to the disposition made of petitions for initiation.
CHARTER GRANTED TO HANNA LODGE NO. 61
"The committee recommended that they amend the first section of Article VI, and that they add an additional section showing that all petitions are referred to a committee of character, with a pledge from the delegate that the above alteration be made. Your committee recom- mended the adoption of the following resolutions: 'Resolved that a charter be granted to Hanna Lodge No. 61, and that Hugh Hanna be the master, Jacob Vandegrift senior warden, and James Stoops, junior warden of said lodge.'
"Which report and resolution, after receiving the pledge referred to, were unanimously adopted May 23, 1848, and a charter issued ac- cordingly. Hugh Hanna was the regular representative and John Com- stock visited at that session."
GROWTH AND PRESENT STATUS
On the 13th of June, 1848, the first election of officers under the charter was held with the following result : Hugh Hanna, w. m .; James Stoops, s. w .; Jacob Vandergrift, j. w .; Joseph Hopkins, secretary ; Amos Chapman, treasurer; James Ford, s. d .; J. P. Flyn, j. d .; A. W. Smith and Enos F. Thomas, stewards, and Calvin S. Riee, tiler.
Thus Hanna Lodge No. 61 was a full-fledged Masonic body, and it has grown and prospered to this day. By the early '80s it had passed the 100-mark, and its membership is now more than three hundred, with the following officers: Willard J. Creighton, worthy master; Ar- thur B. Carpenter, senior warden; Burton E. Walrod, junior warden; Val Freising, secretary; Lee A. Carr, treasurer.
EXCELSIOR CHAPTER, R. A. M.
Wabash Chapter No. 26, R. A. M., was originally known as Excelsior Chapter. A petition for a dispensation was forwarded to the grand high priest of the state in December, 1853. It came from the com- panions of the order resident and in the vicinity of Wabash, and was
358
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
also signed by Hugh Hanna, of Logan Chapter No. 2, of Logansport, Indiana; Nicholas D. Myers, of Indianapolis Chapter No. 5; Daniel MI. Cox, of the same chapter; Hugh MeNown, of England; Isaac R. Gar- wood, of Ohio; Benjamin Sayre, of King Solomon Chapter No. 4, and II. K. Lusk, of New York. The petition having been recommended by Logan Chapter No. 2, was forwarded to the most excellent grand high priest of the State of Indiana, who on the 2d day of January, 1854, issued a dispensation to confer the degrees in Chapter Masonry as Ex- celsior Chapter and designating Ilugh Hanna as first high priest, Ben- jamin Sayre, king, and Nicholas D. Myers, seribe.
WABASH CHAPTER NO. 26 CHARTERED
At the session of the Grand Chapter held at Shelbyville, in May, 1855, Excelsior Chapter, under dispensation, reported a membership of twenty-five. An application for a charter was therefore made. It was granted by the Grand Chapter, under the name Wabash Chapter No. 26, on the 24th of May, 1855, and on the 4th of the following June was organized with Hugh Hanna as m. e. h. p., Benjamin Sayre, e. king, Nicholas D. Myers, e. seribe, John C. Sivey, e. h., W. A. Van Buskirk, p. s., Daniel M. Cox, r. a. c., J. P. Flyn, treas., Thomas Jay, sec., Henry C. Skinner, chaplain and George Alber, guard.
THE PASSING OF HUGH IIANNA
Hugh Hanna, the most prominent of the early Masons, died on the 18th of January, 1869, and Grand High Priest II. G. Hazelrigg, in an- nouncing the fact to the Grand Chapter at the session of May, of that year, says: "While we have been blessed with peace within and pros- perity without-while the eraft were enjoying the smiles of the Grand High Priest of the Upper Sanctuary-the Captain of the Guards of the King of Terrors entered our Grand Council and selected as his own one whom we all delighted to love and honor-whose wise and safe counsel we ever delighted to follow-whose ears were ever attentive to the wail of the needy, and whose hands were ever open to relieve their wants and necessities, and whose life was a pattern worthy of our imita- tion. He was brought to the grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in season-he was found at his post with his armor on, in the faithful discharge of every duty, his lamp trimmed and burning, ready at the coming of the bridegroom. May our last end be like his -ready for the summons to come up higher and enjoy those blessings
359
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
which were prepared for all the faithful followers of the Lamb, ere the earth was formed.
"Companions, I feel that you anticipate me, and know that I allude to our late beloved companion and grand king, Right Excellent Hugh Hanna, who departed this life at his residence in Wabash, January 18, 1869. He first appeared in the Grand Chapter at the convocation of 1857, as the representative of Wabash Chapter No. 26. At the ses- sions of 1862 and 1864 he was elected grand seribe; in 1858, 1863, 1865, 1866, 1867 and 1868 he was elected grand king; in 1858 he was anointed and set apart to the order of Grand Priesthood; in 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866 and 1867 was elected treasurer of the Council of High Priests. Ile served acceptably in every position in which his companions thought proper to place him, setting an example worthy of imitation-one of encouragement to all who would deserve well of their associates."
LEADING CHAPTER MASONS
In the carlier years of the Chapter N. D. Myers, Edward S. Ross, and John B. Ross were also of especial prominence. Both Brother Myers and Brother Ross were high priests for a number of terms, while Brother Ross was repeatedly elected king or scribe. The last-named died in May, 1875, in his eighty-fourth year, his last period as seribe covering 1863-71. Of a somewhat later date are several who are still identified with the Chapter, such as Alex Hess, E. G. Sackett, James P. Ross, A. L. De Puy, Frank De Puy, Aaron Simon, Aaron Singer, Silas D. Harris, Geo. S. Courtier, Jesse Parks, Neil Lumaree, E. A. Edwards, L. M. Chapler, Thomas W. MeNamee, Frank Alber, Willard J. Creigh- ton, Jacob Hyman. The Chapter of the present has a membership of more than one hundred and seventy, with Frank V. Conner as high priest, Otto G. Christman, king, and Louis Boekman, seribe.
PETITION FOR A COUNCIL
On the 25th of January, 1860, John B. Ross, Hugh Hanna, H. C. Skinner, C. V. N. Lent, Samuel N. Campbell, Thomas Jay, Edward S. Ross, Benjamin Sayre and William Hedgar presented a petition to William Hacker, grand puissant of the Grand Council of the State of Indiana, and, upon the recommendation of Logansport Council No. 11, to form a like body at Wabash. He met the petitioners named on the 7th of February and, with the assistance of several companions from Logansport, organized Wabash Council (under dispensation ).
0
360
.
HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
JOHN B. ROSE AND H. C. SKINNER
Companion Hacker, in his address to the Grand Council at the open- ing of its session, May 22, 1860, makes the following allusions to some of the petitioners: "Among the petitioners for this Couneil will be found enrolled the names of several old and well-tried members of our fraternity-some who, for nearly half a century have been faithfully laboring in our Mystie Temple, always at their post, ever faithful and ready to perform any work that might be assigned them. Amongst others whose names might be mentioned I will only present those of John B. Rose and II. C. Skinner.
"In the year 1818, when your presiding officer was an inexperienced youth of but eight years old, Companion Rose was ardently engaged in the labors of the craft, and assisting as a delegate from his lodge in the organization of the present Grand Lodge of Indiana, that noble mom- ment of exalted worth to which the fraternity can point with so much pleasure and satisfaction; and now, although a period far beyond the average of human life has gone by, we find our venerable companion with the vigor and energy of his more youthful days still engaged in the labors of extending our organization in order to perpetuate and hand down to posterity the blessings and benefit of our fraternal associa- tions. Such instanees as these are of but rare occurrence, and it is nothing but right that they should be placed upon record, in order that all may be induced to emulate his noble example.
"Onr Rev. Companion Skinner, it will doubtless be remembered, is one of those old adhering Masons upon whom the notorious Bernard and his coadjutors of anti-Masonic notoriety took such special delight in persecuting some thirty years since, because he would not renounce the order, forsake the truth and embrace a lie, as many of them had done, in order, no doubt as they supposed, to gain a little notoriety and 'beget unto themselves a great name;' and verily, they succeeded in this at least. But who now envies them in either their name or reputation ? But few, I think, can be found who would be willing to ineur either. Time, in its unerring developments, has revealed the matter now in such glaring characters of living light that no one ean be mistaken about it. And how is it now with our, Rev. Companion ? Of him, I presume, I need not speak-he is still among us, honored, respeeted and beloved everywhere and by all who know him."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.