An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 47

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924

USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 47
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 47

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).

The establishment of an Indian train- ing school on the red man's sacred land was conceived many years before its founding became a reality. A serious ob- stacle to the early settlement of Pipe- stone county came from a mistaken idea that the region was infested with savages attracted by the wealth of pipestone. As a means to overcome this impression, D. (. Whitehead, one of the promoters of the Pipestone colony, so early as 1875. suggested thai congress be asked for a $50,000 appropriation for the establish- ment of a school on the lines of the fa- mous Carlisle institution, where young Indians from the northwest could be brought in contact with civilization. It was believed that such an enterprise would prove attractive to prospective set- tlers.

The measure was impracticable at the time, but the idea was from that time never allowed to remain dormant, and finally the pioneer's suggestion bore fruit. This was not accomplished without many

1910-Oscar E. Ashton. Mary J. Bailey, Martha I. Friedrich, Mark D Fish, Clifton Frank. Eula V. Gaither, Fannie E. Harper. Daisy L. Law- rence, Katherine E. Liebenstein. Nina G. Marsh. Lotta G. Nims, Persis M. Nichols. Burt H. Ray- mond. Arthur R. Stillwell. Mary Walkup, Rhea M. Zahokrtsky.

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

discouragements. Many approved the plan and a few kept agitating the matter, but some laughed and a great many took no interest whatever in it. The plans to bring about the establishment of the school were seriously hampered during the eighties by the attempts to secure home- steads on the reservation and the attempts of the government io eject the claimants. After that matter was disposed of a bill passed congress for the appraisemeni and sale of all except a quarter section of the reservation, but the appraisement being unsatisfactory to the Indians, the plan fell through.

Not until the winter of 1889-90 were conditions propitious for beginning an ac- tive campaign. Then, there being no im- pediment so far as title to the reservation vesting in the United States was concern- ed, and there having developed a strong sentiment throughont the United States in favor of educating the Indians, active measures were taken in Pipestone to bring about the establishment of the industrial school. In February, 1890, C. H. Ben- nett and L. H. Moore prepared and had printed hundreds of copies of a petition to congress, asking for the establishment of the school and the creation of a na- tional park on the reservation. The peti- tion was signed by practically every resi- dent of Pipestone county. Copies were sent to all parts of the United States, and friends of the measure had no difficulty in securing large numbers of signers. The measure was indorsed by the boards of trade and chambers of commerce of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Winona and some of the smaller cities ; many hun- dreds of Indians on the Yankton and Brule reservations gave their aid to the enterprise and signed the petition.

The entire Minnesota delegation in con- gress approved the plan, and abont March 1, 1890, Congressman Jolm Lind intro-

duced the bill, with the national park fea- ture eliminated. He secured its passage in the house, but action in the senate was deferred. Mr. Lind took the matter up again the next year. and on February 5, 1891, upon the motion of Senator Stock- bridge, the bill passed the senate, under suspension of the rules, by a unanimons vote. President Harrison signed the bill a few days later. The act provided for the erection of a building at a cost of not more than $30,000 and the maintenance of the school and appropriated for innne- diate use $25,000.

The contract for the erection of the first building was let in October, 1891, to J. M. Poorbaugh. It was built of native stone and was accepted by the goverment October 1, 1892. C. J. Crandall was ap- pointed superintendent of the Indian in- dustrial school, and he opened the school February 2, 1893. The first class con- sisted of only six pupils, who were trans- ferred from the Keshena, Wisconsin, boarding school, but within a short time there was an enrollment of fifty-the ca- pacity of the institution at that time. For some years difficulty was encountered in securing appropriations from congress for additions, but later they were forthcom- ing, and nearly a quarter of a million dollars have been expended for improve- ments. Superintendent Crandall was sur- ceeded in November, 1894, by De Witt S. Harris, and he in August, 1901, by W. S. Campbell.

The institution developed into one of the most popular schools of the kind in the United States, and hundreds of In- dian children have received their training in it. A government farm is maintained in connection.

Of lale there has been agilation in fa- vor of discontinuing the Indian school and founding in its stead a state agricul- tural school, or a branch of the United

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

States soldiers' home, either of which will doubtless be brought about in course of time.

THE CHURCHES.

Ten church societies maintain organiza- tions in Pipestone, as follows: Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, German Evangelical, Catholic, Episcopal, German Intheran, Norwegian Lutheran, First Church of Christ, Scientist ; and Seventh Day Adventist. With the exception of the Scientists, all these organizations have church edifices.

The religious history of Pipestone be- gan almost simultaneons with the settle- ment of Pipestone county, for it is record- ed that on June 25, 1876, when there was only a handful of men claiming Pipe- stone county as their home, Rev. E. H. Bronson conducted religious services in C. H. Bennett's little office building on the Pipestone townsite. During the follow- ing year Rev. Bronson and J. M. Bull. who was converted to the Christian relig- ion at the meeting of 1876, held occa- sional services at Pipestone, but there were not regularly assigned pastors or church organizations until 1878. The first denominations to enter the field were the Presbyterians and Methodists. who began their labors at about the same time. The former were the first to have regular preaching services, but the Methi- odist society was organized a few weeks before that of the Presbyterian.

The pioneer of Methodism in Pipestone was Rev. J. T. Suffron, who arrived with his household goods from Enverne on September 18, 1848. On the first Sab- bath after getting settled in his new home he conducted services in the school house. At the Minnesota conference, which con- vened in Minneapolis October 5 of the same year, Rev. Suffron was regularly ap-

pointed to the charge, his territory em- bracing Pipestone county and Flaudreau, Dakota territory. At the first quarterly conference, held in Reuben Clark's store building Saturday evening, October 29, a church organization was brought about.6 Of the first Methodist service and his ex- periences during the first two years of his service in Pipestone county, Rev. Suffron, in an article prepared for the press in February, 1904, said :

Of the pleasurable reminiscenses that come to mind is our first public church ser- vice, on the first Sunday morning after get- ting on our homestead. Then, as the first appointed pastor of the county, i gave my first discourse-possibly by some called a sermon. The talk was based on "Pure Relig- ion and Undefiled," etc. House of worship, a little frame, boarded-up school house, some 12x14 feet, standing not far from the pres- ent stand pipe. Having no floor, the pul- pit was the virgin prairie soil. Congrega- tion, 14. Instead of oil finished oak pews, we had nail kegs with pine boards, one side of which was planed. We had "all things common"-very common. As win- ter came on I had as an associate pastor the venerable "Father Thayer," of the Presbyterian church, he preaching in the store room of Stuart Bros. and I in the store of Reuben Clark. There, among cottons and calicos, shoes and soap, were delivered sermons, thought, no doubt, by some more or less masterly (more likely, less). Look- ing back at the material honoring us by their attendance during those early years, pleasant thoughts come up.

We hear very much these later years of the little interest in attending church ser- vice by our business and professional men. Not so in our beginnings. Why, the very brain of our city and vicinity were usually in attendance. To begin with, our two sprightly young bachelors, now the Hon. J. H. Nichols and J. H. Parker, were com- monly in attendance. Then with them as business men were Robert Scarf, D. E. Sweet, Stuart brothers, Reuben Clark and others. Of the professions, Dr. E. M. Carr, Dr. W. J. Taylor, E. C. Dean, Esq., and others. Of representative farmers, Duncan Stuart, W. B. Brown, Henry San- ford and others. Our congregations were of the very culture of the city and surround- ing country.

The writer's duties for those two years, 1878 and 1879, were countrywise as well as city. There being no defined township lines, our church services were defined as to locality by the names of leading farmers

"Article by Rev. J. T. Suffron, May, 1894.

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

in the given neighborhoods. What is now Cazenovia was the Gilson and Whigam neighborhood; village of Trosky was desig- nated Fred Kurz; Jasper, as Carnegie; township of Grange, as Matt Easland; vil- lage of Edgerton, as E. W. Day. .

. Many of those homes were yet in part or whole sod shanties, but in every case an open door was offered me.

Rev. Suffron was pastor of the Pipe- sione Methodist church until 1881. He was succeeded by Rev. 1. Whitcombe, who was in charge until the fall of 1884. Un- der his pastorate the first elmurch building in Pipestone and the third in Pipestone county was erected. At a trustees' meet- ing June 20, 1883, a building committee was appointed as follows: Rev. 1. Whit- combe. Dr. W. J. Taylor, Robert Scarf and Dr. E. M. Carr. Work of laying the foundation was started October 15, and the building was ready for occupancy Feb- ruary 12, 1884. It was a neat little build- ing. 30x50 feet, with sixteen foot posts. and had a seating capacity of 350 persons. The cost was $2400. At the the the building was first used for worship. $828 had been collected on subscriptions and $500 had been received from the church extension society. In a collection at the first services $271.64 were raised. The services on the day of opening were con- ducted by Rev. J. M. Bull, assisted by Rev. 1. Whiteombe and Rev. Charles Thay- er, of the Presbyterian church. The in- debiedness having been fully wiped out. the formal dedication look place August ?, 1885. the service being conducted by Bish- op Foss, assisted by Rev. E. R. Lath- rop and others.7

The pioneer church building was oe- cupied seven years, and was destroyed by . tire January 25, 1891. Hardly had the smoke of the conflagration cleared away before Rev. G. S. Perry. the pastor, was raising funds to replace it. He was sue-

7"It was mentioned in our last issue that the Methodist Episcopal church at this place would be dedicated last Sunday, providing money could be raised to pay the indebtedness, which was about $900. The pastor of the church and sev-

cessful, and the new building was com- pleted during the summer at a cost of $3300, including furnishings. It was ded- icated November 15, 1891, by Rev. George R. Hair. Among the pastors of the Methodist church in Pipestone. sue- ceeding Rev. Whitcombe. were F. M. Rule. 1885-88; G. W. Jenkins, J. W. Powell, G. S. Perry. L. D. King, D. C. MeCom and J. F. VanCamp. During the pastor- ate of Rev. King a parsonage was erected at a cost of $2000.

The first religious service conducted in Pipestone by a Presbyterian minister was held June 2, 1828, by Rev. Charles Thay- er. That pioneer clergyman in recent years wrote as follows of his coming to Pipestone and the holding of the first services :

In May, 1878, 1 came to Luverne as the pioneer home missionary of the Presbyteri- an church, and later gathered and organ- ized the churches of Luverne and Beaver Creek. Among the first to welcome me at Luverne was Dr. G. W. Morrill, who was about to move to his claim near Pipestone. He urged me to include Pipestone in my field. I visited the place June 1 and found a "city" of eight families, and very few settlers on the prairie. Next day-the Sabbath-1 held two services at Stuart's store, with congregations of about twenty- five. I arranged for regular services once in four weeks. This arrangement continued through the year.

The Mankato Presbytery. in session at Jackson September 11. 1828, appointed a committee consisting of Revs. Joseph B. Libble. Edward Savage, D. G. Lyon, the synodical missionary : and Charles Thayer. to organize one or more churches in the field to which Rev. Thayer had been ministering. After personal visitation and correspondence, the committee decided on Pipestone as one of the places in which a church should be organized, and Rev. Thayer was authorized to proceed with the work. On October 21, in company

eral of the trustees went to work with a will last week and by Sunday night, with subscrip- tions and cash paid in, they had raised $925. which covered all the indebtedness."-Pipestone County Star, August 4, 1855.

SOME PIPESTONE CHURCHES

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

with Rev. D. G. Lyon, he visited Pipestone and held the first communion services. These were held in the store room of Stuart Bros., and sixteen persons, includ- ing the clergymen, communed. Eleven of those present made application for the organization of a Presbyterian church and the preliminary steps were taken at that time.

During the next visit of Rev. Thayer, on November 24, 1828, in Pipestone's lit- the frame school house, the organization was perfected with the following twelve members : Rev. Charles Thayer, the pas- tor : Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Morrill and their daughter, Mary F. Morrill, who had for merly been members of the Congrega- tional church at Afton, Minnesota; C. tI. Bennett and Adelaide (. Bennett, his wife, who had been members of the Con- gregational church at LeMars, Iowa; Duncan Stuart and Jennie Stuart, his wife, and their four children, John, Jessie and Nancy Stuart and Maggie Hutton, all from the Presbyterian church of Rich- land, Minnesota. Upon the organization a committee composed of Dr. G. W. Mor- rill. John Stuart and C. IT. Bennett was chosen to look after the affairs of the church in lieu of church officers. On Sep- tember 20, 1879, Dr. Morrill was chosen church elder.

Until the spring of 1879 services were held every four weeks; then Rev. Thayer began preaching every alternate Sunday morning, holding services the same after- noon at Flandreau, which had been united with Pipestone to form one pastoral charge. In June, 1879, Rev. H. V. Rice. a licentiate, took charge of the new field and was the pastor until August, 1880, during which time there were eight ad-

ditions to the membership. A long va- cancy followed, there being no regular pastor until Rev. Thayer was again as- signed to the charge November 1, 1883.8 During his incumbency, which continued until November 1, 1885, the house of wor- ship was erected.

A legal organization was perfected when the society was incorporated January 8, 1884, with the following named trustees : C. It. Bennett, John Stuart, C. C. Good- now. T. A. Black and A. Hitcheox. A little later in the same year plans were laid for raising funds with which to erect the building. In the latter part of July Rev. John Irwin, acting as synodical mission- ary. and Rev. H. H. Wilson, Jr., acting for the board of church extension, visited Pipestone, and through their assurances of support it was decided to undertake the work at once. The board of church exten- sion donated $500, Rev. Wilson $200, and the Ladies' Aid society raised $300, with which they bought the site. The building committee consisted of Rev. Charles Thay- er, chairman : A. Hitcheox and John Stuart. The structure, which cost, com- plete, $2700, was built during the fall and early winter, but it was not furnished un- til the spring of 1885. It was dedicated by Rev. George F. Mcafee April 5.9 At the time of dedication, a Sabbath school was organized with a membership of over fifty.

The present home of the Presbyterians is a handsome red stone building erected in 1900 at a cost of nearly $10,000. It is one of the finest church edifices in southwestern Minnesota, is greatly en- joyed by the society, and is the pride of every resident of the city. The new build- ing was dedicated Sunday morning, No-

ºC. H. Bennett has furnished a list of the buildings in which the Presbyterians worshipped before the erection of their house of worship. as follows: Stuart's store building, Reuben Clark's store building, the public school house, Opera hall, the Methodist church and Mr. Ben- nett's residence.

8During this time services were occasionally held, conducted by the following ministers: Rev. J. K. Alexander, of Jackson; Rev. John H. Mon- roe, of Luverne; Rev. Edwin L. Lord, a student who spent his 1882 vacation in Pipestone; Rev. D. G. Lyon, Rev. A. K. Baird and Rev. Charles Thayer.

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vember 4, 1900, the dedicatory sermon be- ing preached by Rev. J. T. Henderson, a former pastor.1º

The third religious society organized in Pipestone was the First Baptist church, which dates its existence From May 16, 1882. During the year of organization the society had only fourteen members, as follows: John Pearson, C. W. Fenla- son and E. (. Dean, who were the trus- tres; Rev. 11. B. Marshall, Mrs. G. D. Green, Mrs. Emma Fenlason, Mrs. John Pearson, Mahala Willey, Sylvia Fenlason. Horace G. Willey, Mary J. Rigby, Adelia Sechler, Lizzie Sechler and Adelbert Rob- erts. The church had no regularly in- stalled pastor until August, 1883, when Rev. Il. B. Marshall was called to the pulpit.11

For several years the Baptists held their services in the building occupied as a court house. Rev. A. S. Orcutt, who was later to meet his death in the Calumet ho- tel fire, was assigned to the charge in July, 1885, and a short Time later he and the church members set to work to ereel a honse of worship. The building, which at the time was The largest church edifice in Pipestone, was erected during the sum- mer and fall of 1886. It was dedicated. Tree of debt, November 21, 1886. The cost. inchiding the site, was $3300. A Sabbath school was organized in March, 1886, with G. L. Morgan as superintendent.

"Following is a list of the names of the pas- tors who have filled the pulpit of the Pipestone Presbyterian church: Charles Thayer (home mis- sionarya, June 2, IMS, to June, 1879; 11. V. Rice dicentinte), Jime 8, 1879, to August, 1850; Edwin Lord (student), May 1, 1882, lo August 27, 1882: Charles Thaver. November 1. 1883, 1o No- vember 1. 1885; W. F. Mathews, April 1, 1886. to November 1, 1886; Alexander S. Foster, Jan.

1. 1887. to December 1 1888; R. J. Creswell (temporary supply ), March 1, 1889, to April 1. 1889: J. Il. Clark, April 1. 1889, to May 1, 1891; J. T. Henderson (temporary supply ), May 10. 1891, 10 September 1, 1891; William Frazer (temporary supply). October 15, 1891, to April 15, IN02: J. T. Henderson, May 1. 1892, 10 September 1, 189%; W. G. Connell, February 12, 1899, In March 1, 1903: 0. T. Langfitt. June 15. 1903, to fall of 1908; W. F. Jones, fall of 190X to present time.

The pastors of the Baptist church bave been as follows: Il. B. Marshall. August, 1883.

Zion's church of the German Evangel- ical society was organized in 1889 with the following members: William Passer, Emma Passer, J. J. Natzke, Il. Thies, Caroline Thies, William Lange, Louise Lange, Anna Ganfield. Mary Klensing, Maria Lange, C. C. Schroeder and wife, M. G. Schauer and wife, George Ricker- man, Jane Rickerman, Caroline Bates, Noah Bartimas and wife, Eli Bartimas. Margaretha Bartimas. The first pastor was S. B. Goetz, who ministered to the congregation only a short time.12

For nine years the members of the Gorman Evangelical society were with- out a house of worship. A building cost- ing $2500 was erected in 1898, It was dedicated November 13 of that year by Bishop Bowman, of Chicago. A parson- age was erected just south of the church in 1901 at a cost of $1600.

$1. Leo's Catholic church of Pipestone is one of the older religious organizations of the city. So early as 1828 those of The faith in Pipestone county were recognized as a mission by the Catholic authorities. and from that date until 1881 Father C. Koebel ministered to their spiritual wants. Under his charge there were twenty-seven baptisms in Pipestone county. He was succeeded by Father William Keuel, who remained until 1883 and under whose ad- ministration there were thirteen baptisms. Father JJ. Conway ministered to the wants to June, 1884; A. S. Orcutt. July, 1885, to December, ISS6: S. G. Adams, December, 1886. to July. 1888; John Whiting. Octuber, 1888, 10 April, 1889, 'T. T. Morce, April, 1889. to October, 1890; R. W. Lowe, November, 1890, to Sep- tember, 1892: Rey. Trumble, to December. 1892; C. T. Hallowell, March, 1893, to October, 1895; J. T. Word and Rev. Carlson, short time in 1896: Willard Fuller, October, 1896, to November, 1898; G. 1. Conley, May, 1899, to Jannary, 1901; S. MeMinnis, June, 1902, lo September, 1905; D. (. Smith, September, 1907, to October, 1907; D. D. Day. April, 1908, to September, 1909; J. W. Hagerty, October, 1910, to the present.

"Following are the names of the pastors who have filled the pulpit of Zion's church: S. B. Gortz and G. A. Lippert (1889-90). F. Wolter ( 1890-9]), A. Zabel (1891-93), Luverne and Mar- shall pastors (1893-95). A. Ehlert (1895-96). D. Cro mig (1896-98), F. H. Draeger (1899-01), C. F. Sydow (1901-05). G. J. Krienke ( 1905-07), Wil- liam Walter (1907-0X), Karl Meckel (1908-11).

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

of his people in Pipestone county until 1885, and he was succeeded by Father F. P. Kerviek, of Avoca, who had charge of the Pipestone church fifteen years. The present pastor. Father Joseph Mangan, took charge in March, 1900.

The building of a church edifice was projected in 188 ;. The trustees at that time were Rt. Rev. John Ireland, D. D., president ; Very Rev. Monseigneur A. Ravoux. vice president : Rev. F. P. Ker- vick, pastor; James Maguire, secretary ; Anthony Minneghan, treasurer. The build- ing committee consisted of T. Kennedy, L. V. Ackerman, Anton Webber, John Dannuth, John Murphy, R. O'Connell, James Maguire, Anthony Minneghan and Rev. F. P. Kerviek. The contract was let September 28, 1887, and the corner stone was laid October 30. There was delay after this event, and the building was not completed until the summer of 1889. The dedication occurred September 22, witnessed by nearly 400 people. Catholics were present from Woodstock, Airlie, Jas- per, Trosky, Lake Benton, Elkton. Edger- ton and Flandrean. The dedicatory ser- vices were conducted by Archbishop John Ireland, whose subjeet was "The Duty of the Creature to His Creator." The cost of the building, 34x68 feet in size, was about $4500. A parochial residence, just north of the church, was purchased in 1900 at a cost of $1400.

The first Episcopal service in Pipe- stone was held in January, 1887. con- ducted by . Bishop Gilbert and Rey. D. G. Gunn in the Methodist church building. Thereafter at intervals there was preach- ing by Rev. Gunn and Rev. C. T. Ware. and in 1890 a church was organized. Hlav- ing gained considerable strength. the members of the church undertook and carried out the enterprise of building a little stone church building. The corner stone was laid by Archdeacon Appleby

in 1892, but it was not until May 9, 1894, that the building was consecrated. This service was conducted by Bishop Gilbert. assisted by Archdeacon Appleby. The structure cost $3000.

The history of the German Lutheran church of Pipestone extends back to the year 1892, when the organization was per- fected. The first pastor was Rev. Betcher. The church building was erected in 1900 and cost $1500. li was dedicated Oc- teler 14, 1900.

The Norwegian Lutherans first held re- ligious services in Pipestone in 1893, when Rev. G. O. Skaret, of Flandreau, held meetings. Later a local church was or- ganized. but its members were few, and for many years there was no resident pa -- tor. although there was preaching with considerable regularity by pastors from nearby points. In the summer of 1904 a house of worship was erected at a cost of about $1800, the first service being held therein November 13, 1904, conducted by Rev. L. V. Fossum. The church officers at that time were Ole Skailand, secretary : J. J. Simenson, treasurer : Peter Westli. Peter Wiger, Christ Hansen and J. J. Simenson, trustees. Exercises incident to laying the corner stone and dedication of the church home were held November 9, 1905. The address in connection with laying the corner stone was given by Rev. (1. O. Skaret. and the dedication cere- monies were performed by Dr. Broeek- man, of St. Paul. The structure was dedi- cated free from debt.

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An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 47

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970 Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company Number of Pages: 924

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924