Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 22

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Kansas > Cloud County > Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc > Part 22

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The annual conference convened at Harlem. Smith county, Kansas. October 14 to 18. 1886. During this meeting the Concordia and Sibley classes were constituted Concordia circuit, and Reverend Jospeh Bays, then a young and single man from Indiana, was appointed minister in charge and served two years, during which time he was married to Miss Nora Smith. Services were first held in the Swedish Baptist church, but a few months later and at the beginning of Reverend Bays' pastorate. the Grand Army of the Republic hall was secured for worship, and the work prospered. Preparations were made for the erection of a church, a location was secured in block ninety-four, lot six, and a small frame house was erected during the fall and winter of 1887-8, which furnished a comfortable meeting place for the small society which now numbered about sixty members.

The location of the church proved to be an inconvenient one, remote from the center of population and after much consultation and planning it was decided to secure a new location nearer the business part of town and rebuild. A location was secured on the southwest corner of Eighth street and Lincoln avenue, consisting of lot number one and the east one-half of lot two of block one hundred and fourteen, of the First National Bank of Concordia for a consideration of three hundred dollars, and a larger and much better building was erected on the new site, and so nearly completed as to admit of conference being held there in October. 1892. The house was dedicated to the worship of God by Bishop W. Castle, D. D., in Feb- ruary, 1893. The buildings, lots and furniture are valued at about twenty- six hundred dollars.

Reverend Joseph Bays served two years, was reappointed to this work

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

for the third year, but was cut down by the "grim reaper" in 1901, and after his death the work was put in charge of Dr. Williams, who received a tem- porary appointment. Reverend Bays was a man greatly beloved by his con- gregation and did much for the upbuilding of his church.

The United Brethren have a Sunday school in flourishing condition. under the superintendency of J. T. Rogers, who has filled this position for a term of ten consecutive years, with the exception of one year. The attend- ance is large, numbering about two hundred. The church is a comfortable, well finished building with a seating capacity of three hundred, and is prac- tically free of debt. In 1899 they built a parsonage on the lots adjacent to the church ground-a six-room cottage.

The present steward is C. T. Wilson, who has served several years. C. U. McKee is presiding elder. and Harry Key, class leader. Bishops, N. Castle, Q. S. Mills. E. B. Kephardt and 1. W. Holt; ministers, Reverends O. Beistle, Joseph Bays, W. W. Carper. W. I. Murphy, T. J. Richie, M. Jennings and C. U. McKee. Reverend Joseph Bays was again appointed. making this his first and last work.'

The Woman's Missionary Society and Children's Band of Willing Workers are in a healthy and vigorous condition and are doing excellent work.

ORIGIN OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CONCORDIA.

February 26, 1877. J. F. Rairden, a pioneer Baptist missionary of the Republican Valley association, called a meeting, which was held in Carna- han's hall, and perfected an organization of twenty-four members. The following year an effort was made to form a partnership with the Swedish Baptist church, but failed; the latter, however, succeeded in building a church and the congregation of the First Baptist church worshipped there until 1887.

In the early part of 1880 ground was broken on the location of the present house of worship, a kiln of brick was bought for three hundred dol- lars, stone for the basement was donated, and so great was the amount of labor and material given that a church worth five thousand dollars was built for three thousand seventy-nine dollars and twenty cents. Of this sum five hundred dollars was donated by the American Baptist Home Mission society, the remainder was subscribed at dedication in October, 1881. How- ever, of those who had subscribed on the day of dedication, some, through failure of crops and general stringency in financial matters, were unable to pay; others removed without paying, until August 1, 1882, the church stood face to face with a debt of twelve hundred dollars.

Under the leadership of Elder Nash four hundred dollars of this was paid The friends of the enterprise now felt that they had reached the extent of their ability and hope gave place to doubt and dispair. Elder Nash's resignation followed and matters were left in this unsettled condi-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

tion until September, 1883, when Elder Wood took charge of the work. December 3, 1883, the remaining indebtedness was paid and the mortgage released.

The Baptist denomination have a handsome edifice, one of the best in the city. It is built of brick, with a basement. The auditorium is hand- somely furnished and finished. The windows are of beautiful stained glass. Above the entrance are cut out of magnesia limestone the following inscrip- tion : First Baptist church, 1880.

Elder Wood was followed by Reverend B. P. Russell. The pastorates of Elders Wood and Russell were characterized by no great ingathering. but in seed sowing; they prepared for the period of harvest by which the pastorate of Elder Simmons was distinguished. The following pastors have been in charge: Reverends J. F. Rairden, C. H. Nash, M. Wood, B. P. Russell; W. A. Simmons, W. J. McCollom, C. B. P. Fox, J. R. Rairden, B. B. Brink, C. S. Taylor, Charles McMann. A. Frank Houser of Carthage, Illinois, was assigned and took charge October 1. 1901.

This circuit comprises the Republican Valley Baptist Association and embraces the following towns : Belleville, Clay Center. Clifton, Clyde, Concordia, Highland, Junction City, Kackley, Morganville, Republic City, Riverdale, Uniondale and Vinton.

While there has been no great demonstration in the church work of this denomination, there has been a steady and healthy growth. During the boom in the early 'nineties they had a membership of over two hundred, but many removed, some deceased, and a church was organized in the coun- try by J. R. Rairden, which took many members from the Concordia church, leaving the present membership one hundred and three.

A Sabbath school has been in existence for twenty-four years, with an average attendance of about eighty-two. Judge C. P. Smith is the pres- ent superintendent. Prior to him, the late E. L. Ackley served four years. Mr. McMann served this charge three years, during which time there was no great demonstration, but good seed had been sown. As a successful inin- ister and Bible instructor, he had few superiors in this part of the country. His sermons were instructive and edifying. He was a good counselor and safe leader.

The church was also fortunate in securing a man of so much experi- ence, rare ability, so deep a thinker and powerful speaker as Reverend Frank Houser.

The following auxiliaries are in good condition : The Ladies' Aid Society, the Woman's Home Mission and Foreign Society and a Junior Baptist Young People's Union. 1

FIRST CHRISTIAN CIIURCH OF CONCORDIA.

A society was organized through the efforts of Reverend R. A. Schull, and a small number of co-workers in 1900, with a membership of sixteen. 13

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.A.S.

In the autumn of the same year Reverend J. II. Fuller was assigned the charge as pastor, the congregation worshiping in a vacant hall until in November of that year, when they purchased the Swedish, Baptist church on the corner of Washington and State streets, a neat frame building with a seating capacity of about two hundred. They remodeled and refitted this house, making it a comfortable and desirable place of worship.

At the expiration of eight months Rever- end Fuller resigned the pastorate and Rever- end J. !.. Thompson was called to fill the vacancy and is the present residing pastor. dividing his time between the Concordia and Courtland churches. Reverend Thompson is a young man in years and in ministerial labors, but an earnest worker and logical spealter.

At the beginning of the Christian church organization a Sabbath school was estab- lished with E. V. King as superintendent, and although small in numbers much interest FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. is manifested. This little church has had a struggle. They began an existence with six- teen members and within a few months one dozen of their most active labor- ers transferred their residences to other quarters.

Much credit is due Professor Barings, of the Commercial College, and Miss Bertha Marlatt, county superintendent. for their zealous labors in helping to keep alive, as it were, the organization.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CON CORDI.A.

The anthor is able to trace the records of the Methodist Episcopal church of Con- cordia back to 1874. At that date the Rever- end James Lawrence was presiding elder and F. B. Gray, pastor. The charge was a cir- cuit composed of Concordia, Pleasant Hill, Enterprise and Wolf Creek. The pastor re- ceived for his first quarter sixteen dollars.

The congregation now pay their minis- ter three hundred dollars per quarter, includ- ing a comfortable parsonage. The trustees of the church are J. H. Cline. M. D. Scott. C. E Sweet, Charles D. Avery and Willis Fish. Fully one-half of the membership was acquired during Reverend Amherst's pastor- ate, a net increase of one hundred members.

The church is an imposing frame struc- ture, one of the first edifices for worship crected in Conocordia. It is situated on the

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

corner of Seventh and Broadway. The seating capacity is about five hun- dred. Concordia is the head of the Methodist Episcopal district and resi- (lence of the presiding elder.

Following Reverend Gray as pastor are Reverends L. A. Tallman, J. C. Dana. G. W. Wood. A. N. See, A. B. Tuttle, J. A. Bull, F. D. Baker, B. F. Stauber, H. M. Mayo, M. M. Stoltz, E. W. Allen. E. M. Evans, H. C. Amherst and Reverend Cannon .. Presiding elders: James Lawrence. W. J. Mitchell, J. HI. Lockwood, C. L. Shackelford, E. P. Michener. F. D. Baker, F. J. Taggart.

THE FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH OF CONCORDIA.

The congregation of the First Free Methodist church of Concordia was established in 1895 by Reverend J. Adams, with a membership of six. A modest temple of worship was erected in 1899 and dedicated in February of 1900. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Reverend W. G. Ilamner. The church is a frame building, one story in height, located on the corner of Fifth and Kansas avenue.

The growth of the organization has not been great, the present mem- bership being but fifteen. Though small in numbers they are a faithful and devoted little band. Since 1895 the following ministers have been in charge : Reverends F. Chapman, J. E. Crawford. C. W. Long, J. H. Bacheldier and A. Helsel. The latter was compelled to retire on account of ill health and Mrs. Hill, of Cawker City, conducts services every alternate Sunday. They have a Sunday school with an average attendance of twenty pupils. Mrs. Swartz is superintendent and Miss Gertie Thomas, assistant.

CHURCH OF CHRIST.

The congregation of the Church of Christ at Concordia was first organ- ized in 1875 with E. R. Jones as elder and F. M. Empson as deacon. The members at this time were meeting eight miles southeast of the city, where they continued to assemble for about fourteen years. when they moved to Concordia, assembling in various places, sometimes in private residences, until the early part of 1900, when their faith, zeal and energy prompted them to erect a neat, comfortable and pleasant place of worship on East Eighth street, where they might, as it were, "sit under their own vine and fig tree."

The congregation at the present time is composed of thirty members with F. R. Jones and A. R. Moore serving in the capacity of elders, John Townsdin and William Jones deacons. The congregation meets each Lord's day to study the scriptures and observe the communion. The gospel is frequently preached that the world may have an opportunity to hear and obey it.

A series of meetings are held once or twice each year by an evangelist.

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wherein numerous gospel sermons are preached, both for the benefit of the church, to strengthen it, and the world. to bring it to Christ.

The Church of Christ is of divine origin. Christ gave himself for it (Acts 20-28), hence it began from his death A. D. 33. Ile is the head of the corner (Math. 21-42, Acts 4: 11-12). as well as the first borne from the dead (Col. 1-18). The church is one body, composed of various members (1 Cor. 12-27), with the New Testament for its creed without prefix or suffix. Each congregation divinely sent in order is inde- pendent of any other congregation of like faith, and practice, but all such assembles compose the one hody ( Eph. 4-4), subject to one head ( Col. 1-18) and no other. Each congregation is entitled to bishops and deacons, whose qualifications are fixed by and is a part of the divine will ( 1Tim. 3). Every congregation able and willing, sends the evangelist to spread the Word. estab- lish other congregations or confirm the disciples as the case may be. The members assemble the first day of each week ( Acts 20-7, Heb. 10-25) to commemorate the Lord's suffering and contribute to his cause (1 Cor. 16-2).

The elders or bishops direct the spiritual part of the meeting, while the deacons attend the temporal requirements.

IHISTORY OF CONCORDIA PARISH OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Reverend Louis Mollier, whose personal history with a portrait of this venerable pioncer priest appears on these pages, and one of the first missionaries in northwest Kansas, visited the few Catholic families that had settled in the vicinity of Concordia and celebrated mass in LaRocque's hall as early as 1876. The ensuing year the foundation for a church was laid, but not completed until two years later -- 1879. Reverend Joseph Perrier, who was then located at Emporia, was extended and accepted an invitation to bless the unfinished church that the pioneer Catholics might have a place to worship. The building was erected by the little band of followers and the business men of the new town who contributed liberally towards its. erection and completion. In the month of July, 1880, the first resident pastor was appointed.

Rev Joseph Perrier was assigned the place, and not having a priest's residence. he boarded in private families and assumed part of the north- western mission work along with Father Mollier, except in the German settlements, who were provided with German speaking pastors. In 1882 the foundation for the parochial school was begun and finished ere the year closed at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The debt of something like one thousand dollars that overhung the church was paid off in 1883, and in the same year Father Perrier purchased from his personal fund a tract of ground located just east of the church, upon which to build a school. At a church meeting held in 1884, it was resolved to build a convent and academy, providing the Sisters of St. Joseph would pay half the expenses. The convent was begun directly afterward on the ground secured by their

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pastor and afterward deeded to the Sisters of St. Joseph by Father Perrier. The first cost of this building was six thousand dollars. Sister Stanislaus was the first Mother Superior. The academy was subsequently improved at a cost of several thousand dollars, a wing having been built on the east and a large addition to the north.

In 1884 the church was plastered, a gallery was built and furnished with new pews. In 1886 the diocese of Leavenworth was considered too large for one bishop and it was decided by the ecclesiastical authorities to divide the state into three dioceses with the Episcopal See at Leavenworth, Wichita and Concordia. To help further these interests and at the sug- gestion of Bishop Fink, Father Perrier called for a meeting of the citizens to convene in LaRocque's hall for the purpose of ascertaining how much could be accomplished in the way of raising funds to be applied on city prop- erty for future emergencies. The citizens of Concordia, irrespective of faith or creed, responded generously and five thousand dollars was sub- scribed.

Early in September, 1887, the Right Reverend R. Scannell, a divine and profound scholar, was elected the first bishop of Concordia. June 6, 1888, on the occasion of his silver jubilee, Father Perrier was created vicar general over the diocese of Concordia. During that year he visited Europe and received from there financial aid to be applied to the diocese, and upon his return the bishop's home was added to, remodeled, refurnished and con- verted into a palatial residence, fitted with modern conveniences, electric lights, bath rooms, telephones, etc., superior in its appointments to many richer dioceses.

Bishop Scannell was appointed to the more important see at Omaha, and in 1891 Bishop Hennessy, of Wichita, was appointed administrator, and during his reign the diocese was on the verge of collapse and many petitions were sent to Rome by the citizens of Concordia, praying that a new bishop be appointed. Notwithstanding the advice of the pastor to take on courage and hope for better times, one hundred and seventy-four Cath- olie families removed from the Concordia parish during the hard years occasioned by repeated crop failures and more than eight thousand Catholic people left this diocese, which comprises thirty-one counties. Father Per- rier advised them to forbear, and as a precedent alluded to the seven years of famine in Egypt, followed by the same number of years of plenty. Of those who left many have expressed regret ; those who remained are a con- tented and satisfied people.

In 1898 the priests, consulters of the diocese and the bishops of the province of St. Louis convened by the request of Holy Father Leo XIII, for the selection of a new bishop for Concordia, and accordingly, on the 2Ist of September, Father J. V. Cunningham, the vicar general of the Leavenworth diocese, was consecrated bishop of Concordia. Bishop Cun- ningham is a true Kansan, taking into his personality the true enterprising spirit that distinguishes the people of the state. He is a man of unassuming

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manner, but a promoter of many important enterprises since his residence in Concordia. Several fine churches and new school buildings are under course of construction. As early as 1860 he was a student in St. Benedict's College. Atchison, Kansas. From there he entered upon a theological course in Mil- waukee, was ordained a priest in 1865 and sent to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he experienced many privations and arduous labor. Railroad facilities were meager and necessitated the mode of travel largely of horse-back riding.

In 1868 Bishop Cunningham was sent to Lawrence, where Father Per- rier had preceded him two years. It was in this city that Father Cunning- ham demonstrated his great administrative powers, executive ability and building capacity, erecting edifices that are monuments to his zeal and energy. From Lawrence he was stationed at Topeka, where he built a com- modious and handsome church that is in use at the present day. He also labored hard for the education of the youth and is an earnest advocate of superior learning. From Topeka he was called to the city of Leavenworth, was made vicar general soon afterward. and subsequently bishop of Con- cordia, accepting the latter after positively refusing other important clioceses in larger cities.

In the year of 1901 plans and specifications were perfected for building a cathedral. Work begun in the spring of 1901 and from a modest house of worship a magnificent cathedral has developed. It would seem nearly all of the citizens of Concordia were desirous of being identified with the effort on the part of the church to erect a cathedral that would be a monument of pride and credit to the see, also to the city of Concordia, and an honor to the members of the parish. Catholics and Protestants alike manifested their good will and generosity in this well merited enterprisc.

THE CATHEDRAL.

The new cathedral is a massive stone structure of Gothic architecture. The length around the wall is five hundred and seventy-four feet, the front- age is fifty-five feet, the rear, including transept, is eighty-one feet, the vesti- bule is ten by fifty feet, the double gallery at the back of the building has. a forty-foot projection and the transept gallery is sixteen by thirty fect ; the front tower is one hundred and twenty-five feet in height, with aperture for clock and chimes that will doubtless be placed ere many months elapse. Through this tower spiral steps ascend after the fashion of a snail's house. From this part of the building the Sisters' gallery, situated to the left of the sanctuary is reached. There are three smaller towers on the front and two at the rear. The roofing is of slate. The cathedral shingles were fur- nished by a Philadelphia firm. There is a total of thirty-seven windows in the building, most of which are memorial and of exquisite design.

The rosette window in the front of the cathedral and at the back of the choral gallery is a magnificent execution of art, a memorial by St. Joseph's Nazareth Academy. In the center is a life-size figure of the beauti-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

ful St. Cecelia, playing the pipe organ. The delicate features of this sainted character are exquisitely outlined and the coloring is superb. Above this central figure to the right and to the left are the initials C. F., representing

FRONT VIEW OF THE CATHEDRAL.

the donors, the Catholic Foresters of Concordia. This window was secured at a cost of about five hundred dollars. Between the initials and above the center is a cross, the emblem of the altar with the words, Faith. Hope and Charity inscribed on each branch, and upon the face of the cross is

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

wrought the figure of an elk, which is part of the emblem of the society. On the right of the center is a harp of David, and on the left, a cross. Below and on the right side is the bishop's crozier and on the corresponding left side a mitre. The principal memorial on the west transept is a portrayal of the holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The figures are full size exquisitely produced. As one changes position the figures, lines in the til- ing and the whole scene shifts accordingly, appearing the same from any given point.

.₹

SIDE VIEW OF THE CATHEDRAL.

The widow on the opposite side from the one just described is a beauti- fully wrought design of John the Baptist, baptizing in the limpid waters of the river Jordon. This imposing memorial was presented by the congre-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

gation in honor of Bishop Cunningham. Another and one of the inost suggestive is the window presented by Michael Priest, the little four-year- old son of Doctor and Mrs. Priest. of Concordia, illustrating the arch- angel casting out the dragon. The second represents St. Patrick explaining the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland, who were congregated before Thara's Hall. The patron saint holds a shamrock in his hand plucked from among the profusion that were growing all around his pathway, and is demonstrating thereby the unity represented by its three leaves as symbolical of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This artistic memorial was given by the Irish members of the congregation. Upon the opposite side is an attrac- tive window, not only for its artistic beauty, but for the beautiful sentiment that is attached, having been given by the pastor, Father Perrier, in memory of his mother, Patronilla. The design represents St. Peter with the key to the kingdom of heaven, a smybol of the scripture which says, "Whatso- ever thou shall bind upon earth shall be bound also in heaven; whatsoever thou shall lose upon earth shall be lost also in heaven."

Next to this interesting window is depicted in beautiful soft coloring St. Francis DeSales, given by A. Odette, a memorial to his deceased wife. There are many other windows presented by the Children of Mary, altar societies and members of the congregation, each of which are deserving of mention if space permitted. Speaking of them collectively, no one can realize the magnificence and superb beauty of these triumphs of art without making an individual study of each and if they had been imported from Europe instead of being created by Warner, of Kansas City and painted by a German-American artist, they would have cost a fabulous sum and been pronounced marvelous. The day is dawning when it must be conceded America can furnish talent and genius not excelled by the European countries.

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Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 22

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F Publication date: 1903] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938