History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 47

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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In Cannon Falls the Catholic faith, and hope of the pastor and people, blossomed into the beautiful, commodious brick church that added so much to the prospects of the progressive city.

The growing communities of Belle Creek, Cannon Falls, Cherry Grove and Zumbrota, being so widely separated, made the required services too difficult for the pastor. On the arrival of Father Gaughan in Red Wing, 1890, Zumbrota was detached, and made a mission of Red Wing; later on Cherry Grove was annexed to Pine Island. After thirteen years of devoted serviee in Belle Creek and its missions, one of the most important country par- ishes in the diocese, Father Fitzgerald, at the request of Areh- bishop Ireland, took up the work of higher education for boys in connection with St. Thomas College, Merriam Park.

Immediately upon the transfer of Father Fitzgerald, Rev. J. H. Prendergast-that pious, active, young, assistant priest of the largest parish in Minneapolis, the Immaculate Conception-was placed in charge. The zealous care of the pastor and thorough Christian spirit of the people fostered development, so that Good- hue, the thriving and ambitious burg on the Chicago & Great Western railroad, secured the beautiful home and spacious grounds of John L. Davis for a new church home. A chapel was fitted up in 1902, in which service is regularly held since the pastor was relieved of Cannon Falls. As the good mother rejoices to see her grown daughter establish a new home and fam- ily, so did the congregation and pastor of Belle Creek rejoice at the advanee of Cannon Falls from a mission to an independent parish in 1905.

Though greatly redueed in territory, the pastor finds much scope for the exercise of his ministry in the two places, Belle Creek and Goodhue. The thrift and religious spirit of the parish is clearly shown in its zeal for the house of God. A fine hall has been erected, and the grounds and cemetery beautified and care- fully kept, while a cement walk, lately constructed, makes Belle Creek a veritable village gem ornamenting the prairie.

Belvidere. From Red Wing, Father Knauf attended other parishes in Goodhue county. Among these was Belvidere, where some thirty Catholic families bought farms. Under his direction. forty acres of land were bought and a small, frame church erected thereon, which later on, in 1877, was replaced under the pastorage of Rev. J. N. Stariha by the present stone edifiee. Rev. J. M. Mcier succeeded Father Stariha in 1878, and was the first resident pastor of Belvidere, and established the second Catholic

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school in Goodhue county. This school, as the school in Red Wing, was also given in charge of the School Sisters of Notre · Dame with Sister Norbert as its first superior. In 1884 Father Meier was appointed pastor of Red Wing, and then followed in quick succession Father J. Tori and Father Pius Schmidt. During the charge of the latter an addition to the church was built, and a commodious two-story brick residence erected. After nearly twelve years of labor in Goodhne county, Father Linberg was transferred to Winsted, where he died, in 1908, and Reverend Roemer was appointed pastor in 1901. Finding that the old school building was inadequate to serve its purpose, he replaced it by the present two-story brick edifice, which was erected in 1902, at a cost of $13,000. The new schoolhouse was a gracious recognition by the parish of the noble sacrifice made by the sisters when accepting the Savior's invitation-they left all to follow Ilim. in the Christian education of the young.

Cannon Falls. Feeling the need of more than mission service, Cannon Falls, in 1905, sprung into a parish, receiving as its first resident pastor the energetic young priest, Rev. Francis X. MeDermott. At once new life and hopes took possession of the Catholics of that lively little city. Realizing that the temporal and spiritual go hand in hand, the pastor and people saw the need and the advantage of a parochial residence. With the natural reluctance and sorrow at parting from old friends, the first stone church building was torn down, and there arose on the site the present beautiful residence. The pastor, the people of the parish, as well as of the city at large, have reason to rejoice at the change wrought, for it adds materially to the beauty of the thriving and progressive city. God. who blesses the least sacrifice in His honor, quickens the faith of the cheerful, generous giver, so that it is not surprising to find that the pastor and his people of the Church of St. Pius, though small in number, are large in that strong faith and living charity that is a help and encouragement to their fellow-men.

Zumbrota. The few Catholic families of Zumbrota were attended from Belle Creek and Red Wing until Rev. O. F. Rice, of Pine Island, took charge. Under his zealous and self-sacrificing administration, the generosity of the members and their friends was so aroused that an elegant and fully equipped church was erected. It was dedicated October, 1902, with due solemnity, by Archbishop Ireland, assisted by the pastor, Father Rice, and the former attendants, Revs. R. J. Fitzgerald, J. H. Gaughan and J. H. Prendergast. The grand outpouring from the neighboring parishes and cities was a tribute of praise to the builders of the seventh Catholic church in Goodhue county.

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Note .- For the above article on the Catholic church in Goodhue county this work is indebted to the Rev. James H. Gaughan.

Pine Island. The history of this church is found elsewhere.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

The Methodist Episcopal church has ever taken a prominent position in pioneer life, and it is therefore natural that this denomination should have been well represented in this county since the earliest settlement. There are now Methodist churches. or chapels. in Red Wing, at Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon, Pine Island, Zumbrota, Featherstone, Dennison and Stanton.

· The Methodist Episcopal Church of Goodhue was organized in 1857. with Rev. J. G. Johnson, pastor, and Rev. T. M. Kirkpatrick, presiding elder. Services were first held in schoolhouses, after- wards in the Presbyterian church, about two miles east of Good- hue, on the Red Wing and Zumbrota road. In August, 1893, serv- ices were held in Anderson's Hall, Goodhue, and during the sum- mer of 1895 the present church building was erected. The church was dedicated October 20, 1895. Dr. W. K. Marshall was presid- · ing elder at this time, and Rev. II. J. Harrington pastor in charge. The pastors who have served from the time of organization are : J. G. Johnson, 1857-58 : Samuel Spates. 1859; - - Meyer, 1860; Thomas Day. 1863: Ezra Tucker, 1864; Peter Akers, 1865; (. Hobart, 1866; G. W. Richardson, 1868; J. (. Rich, 1869; John Kerns. 1872; B. F. Kephart, 1873; Levi Gleason. 1874: C. Hobart, 1876; S. Bolles, 1879; C. H. Hobart, 1881; Ezra Tucker, 1883; L. P. Smith, 1885; J. W. Stebbins. 1889: Joseph Hall, 1892: H. J. Harrington. 1895: Joseph Hogg, 1896; A. L. Umpleby; G. A. Cahoon, 1898; O. W. Trast, 1904; Ralph Carlton. 1904; S. W. Kemerer, 1906; C. N. Hamrin, 1907. The parsonage was first built in the summer of 1905. The present pastor is C. N. Hamrin. Trustees : L. Johnson. C. B. Johnson. W. H. II. Bruce. II. M. Scovell, F. L. Kempf, George Tether, R. C. Arpke, A. R. Kempf; stewards, William Hope, G. R. Erieson, A. C. Kempf. L. Johnson, C. R. Johnson, A. E. Osgood. Dr. C. E. Gates; Sunday school superintendent, F. L. Kempf; assistant superintendent, A. E. Osgood ; treasurer. Zoa Parker; secretary. May Kempf: organist. Marion Scovell. Epworth League-President, Mrs. C. E. Gates : first vice-president, Mrs. William Hope; second vice-president, Marion Scovell: third vice-president. Effa Bruce: fourth vice- president, May Kempf. Ladies' Aid-President Mrs. William Hope; secretary, Mrs. Frank Kempf; treasurer, Mrs. G. B. Errieson.

Rev. Ezra Tucker, one of the early Methodist clergymen, was born June 29, 1819. at Tunbridge. Vt .. in which state his

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

parents, Ezra and Mary Ann Tucker, spent the entire span of their years. He lived as a boy in his native town, and later located successively in Sheboygan and Beaver Dam, both in the state of Wisconsin. In 1861 he was sent to Red Wing as pastor of the Methodist church and served in the pulpit two years. Filled with patriotism at the opening of the Civil War, he in 1862 offered his services as chaplain, and was assigned to the 108th United States Colored Infantry, with whom he spent a year. I'pon his return to Red Wing he was appointed presiding elder of the district. After several years in this capacity, he occupied the pulpit at Faribault. this state, and in 1878 went to Cannon Falls. this county, where he built a church. He next rode a cirenit for a time, and then went to Chattfield, Minn., where, under his pastorate. as at Cannon Falls, a church was built. After this work he retired and was placed on the superamnuated list, occa- sionally acting as a supply pastor until his death in Red Wing, February 16, 1892. His widow still resides at Red Wing and is now in her eighty-eighth year.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Red Wing, had its real beginning in 1852. when services were held by pioneers be -. lieving in the faith of that denomination. The first pastor to whom was assigned charge of the Methodist work of Red Wing was Rev. S. L. Leonard. Ile was followed by Rev. Matthew Sorin, who in the fall of 1853 is said to have officially organized a class of twenty-four members, composed of W. D. Chilson, Annie S. Chilson, Maria Swency, Matilda Freeborn. Julia A. Bevans. Thomas J. Smith. Betsey P. Smith, Rezin Spates, Margaret Spates. Charles Spates, Mary E. Spates, Maria Sorin, Elizabeth Sorin, Emily R. Sorin, Mary Sorin, John E. Sorin. Susan Sorin, Solomon Rouse. Caroline Rouse. Edward Rouse. Charles Rouse and E. Hoyt. During the early days Rev. C. Hobart preached a num- ber of sermons. The first pastor sent to Red Wing as a separate and independent appointment was Rev. Jabez Brooks in 1854. He was also principal of the preparatory department of Ham- line University. At that time the congregation only numbered twenty-two persons. During that conference year the member- ship increased to ninety-five. The pastor this year organized the Sunday school and the board of trustees. Regular services were first held for a little more than a year in the schoolroom of the university, in C. J. F. Smith's store building. near the river. When the university building was completed, services com- meneed and were held in the college chapel, until a fine edifice costing $11,000 was completed and dedicated in the summer of 1858. June 2. 1859, the tower, nearly one hundred feet in height. blew down, falling lengthwise, and carrying to the ground nearly the whole building with it. It was immediately rebuilt, at a cost

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

of $1,400, making the'entire cost of the building $12,400. In 1855 Rev. Channey Hobart was appointed pastor and continued in that relation for two years.

In July, 1857, Rev. Peter Akers became preacher in charge, and at the close of his term, April. 1858, reported to the confer- ence 135 full members and 108 probationers. Rev. J. W. Stod- gill succeeded to the work and remained on the field until May, 1859. In May, 1859, Rev. Jabez Brooks was for the second time made preacher in charge and continued in that relation until succeeded by Rev. Silas Bolles in 1860. Brother Bolles reported to the conference 157 full members and 28 probationers. The next pastor of the charge was Rev. Ezra Tucker, who remained two years and was succeeded by Rev. George W. Richardson. One year later Rev. T. M. Gossard was appointed to the charge. In 1865 Rev. Cyrus Brooks began a three-year pastorate and at its close reported 211 full members and 23 probationers. The conference of 1868 made Rev. John Kerns pastor. Rev. T. Me- Cleary came to the charge in 1869 and remained two years. Rev. Ezra Lathrop was sent to the charge by the conference in 1871; Rev. Charles Griswold by the conference of 1872; Rev. S. A. Winsor by the conference of 1874. The conference of 1876 ap- pointed Rev. J. II. Macomber to the field. During this pastorate the two-story brick parsonage was erected at a cost of $2.200. It is partially furnished by the congregation, which obviates the necessity of the preachers sent to the work from time to time moving heavy articles of furniture with them. In 1878 Rev. W. C. Rice was appointed to the charge and continued three years. Rev. A. G. Wilson became preacher in charge in 1881 and Rev. W. S. Matthew in 1882. Rev. William MeKinley succeeded in 1883 and remained three years. Rev. Aaron Tucker came next in order and filled a three-year term. The conference of 1889 appointed Rev. H. C. Jennings to the work. His pastorate con- tinued for five years. Rev. F. D. Newhouse followed and one year later, 1895, Rev. L. L. Hanscom became preacher in charge. In May. 1896, he was made presiding elder of the Marshall dis- triet of the Minnesota conference. Rev. W. S. Cochrane was transferred from Tracy to fill the vacancy. Rev. J. F. Stout be- came pastor in 1897 and remained in that relation until made presiding elder of the Winona district of the Minnesota confer- ence. The conference of 1899 appointed Rev. John Stafford. At the conference of 1901 Rev. J. M. Driver began a one-year term as preacher in charge. In 1902. Rev. M. G. Shuman was appoint- ed pastor in charge and remained five years, and in 1907 Rev. E. H. Goodell was appointed and is still serving. December 22. 1907, the church was destroyed by fire and a fine new stone

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

church is now under construction on the' old site, which will be dedicated in the winter of 1909-10.

Rev. Sias Bolles was born in Williamstown, Vt., September 5, 1810. In 1836 he was called to preach, and became a member of the Genessee, N. Y., conference. From there he was transferred to the Rock River, Ill., conference. to which he became attached in 1840. In 1860 he came to Minnesota. He was stationed one year at Red Wing and then a year at Winona. After that he entered the war as chaplain of a Missouri regiment and continued in the service till peace was declared. He was agent of Hamline University for a time and afterwards engaged in Bible work for three years. He then had charge of the Red Wing and Cannon Falls cirenits. After that he was at Money Creek. For about twenty years. on account of advancing age. he has been engaged in active work, leading a quiet and retired life, making his home in Red Whig. where he had a residence on South Park street. Rev. Bolles was twice married. He first married in 1840, his wife dying in 1856. He married again the same year. His second wife survived him seven years. Ile had three daughters, Mrs. E. H. Wood, of West St. Paul; Mrs. H. A. Campbell. of Macales- ter. and Mrs. C. A. Robson, of this city.

Charlotte Huckins Bolles was born in Ohio, September 4, 1830. Her parents went from New England to Ohio, which at that time was considered the Far West. She was married at the early age of sixteen years to a Mr. Darby, and lost her husband and an in- fant son before attaining her majority. In 1856 she was married in Chicago to Rev. Sias Bolles. From the organization of the W. C. T. U .. Mrs. Bolles was a constant member. She attended the first meeting of the State Woman's Suffrage Association and for several years was a member of the executive committee. She taught the Freedmen in the South when her husband was a chap- lain in the army, and for several years was a member of the W. R. C. She died in October. 1908, at the home of her danghter, Mrs. C. A. Robson.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Cannon Falls was organ- ized in 1856, and erected a church in 1878. It is now in a flour- ishing condition with a large congregation. The present pastor is Rev. R. J. L. MeKelvey.

The Methodist Episcopal Church in Pine Island is closely connected with the early history of this section of the state. Early in 1857 Rev. J. M. Rogers formed a Methodist class in Pine Island, with William Rock as class-leader. In the same year at the annual conference, which convened at Winona, July 30. Pine Island eirenit is first named. Its territory is said to contain "indefinitely. more or less, the south two-thirds of the counties

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

of Goodhue and Wabasha, and the north half of the counties of Dodge and Olmsted, extending east to Winona county and west to near the village of Kenyon." Rev. G. W. T. Wright was the first preacher appointed to Pine Island circuit. He found within the bounds of his circuit seven local preachers, viz. : Revs. A. E. Standish, of Mazeppa; C. MeMannus and M. Woodly, of Pine Island: JJ. M. Gates and H. Webb, of Roscoe; N. Moon, of New Haven; S. A. Wing, south of Oronoco, and R. L. Fraser, of Bear Valley. Instead of trying to spread himself over the entire territory, Mr. Wright preached regularly at Pine Island, Roscoe, Oronoco and Center Grove, and he prepared a plan by which the other preaching places were supplied by the local preachers. "He · arrived on this new field of labor on Friday, September 18, 1857, and preached at Pine Island and near Roscoe the following Sun- day. "The first service was held in a log cabin on the south bank of the Zumbro, opposite the hotel." Afterwards the dining room of the hotel and private houses were used until the school house was built, in 1858. When. after several weeks, Mr. Wright finally secured rooms in Pine Island to live in, the moving of his family is thus described by himself years afterwards: "The trip from Red Wing to Pine Island. November 19 and 20, 1857, over trackless prairie, with a wife not well, and a babe sick, was the most perilous I ever made. The snow was deep, the wind terrible, the cold intense." During the second year of his pastorate a wonderful religious revival swept over the community, resulting in about 130 accessions to the Methodist society. But even at that early date with the opening of spring a large portion of these moved in different directions in search of new homes for themselves. At the annual conference of 1859 Pine Island cir- euit was divided into three circuits: Greenwood, Oronoco and Pine Island. Rev. G. W. Richardson was appointed to Pine Is- land. He was succeeded in 1860 by Rev. Thos. M. Kirkpatrick, during whose pastorate of two years a parsonage property was bought. In 1862 Rev. Thos. P. Morse was appointed to the charge, and it was during his pastorate, in 1864. that the first church, a brick building, was erected on the lot just east of the present parsonage. In the fall of 1864, Rev. J. W. Powell be- came pastor. In 1865-66 Mr. Powell had as his associate pastor Rev. J. L. Farber. They were succeeded by the following pas- ·tors, respectively, appointed in the years indicated: Rev. Boyd Phelps. appointed in 1869; Rev. A. V. Hiscock, in 1870; Rev. W. W. Rork. in 1872; Rev. Chas. T. Barkuloo, in 1875; Rev. John Bernard, in 1877; Rev. B. F. Kephart, in 1879; Rev. Noah Lath- rop, in 1880; Rev. J. W. Mower, in 1882; Rev. J. Milton Akers. in 1884; Rev. J. W. Raveill, in 1887; Rev. A. J. Roberts, in 1880;

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Rev. R. R. Jennison, in 1889; Rev. Israel Putnam, in 1890; Rev. J. J. Elftman, in 1891; Rev. C. J. St. Hill, in 1892. During Mr. St. Hill's pastorate of two years the old parsonage property, which had served as a home for the preachers for over thirty years, was sold, and a new building erected on the lot directly west of the church, which constitutes the main part of the pres- ent parsonage. Rev. H. I. Pharo was placed in charge in 1894. and in 1896 he was succeeded by Rev. W. M. Gillis, whose pas- torate continued for six years. The parsonage was enlarged and improved during his pastorate into the commodious and com- fortable house it is at present. And it was during this pastorate that the old brick church, which had accommodated the society for thirty-four years, displaced by the splendid frame church now standing on the cast corner of the block on which the par- sonage stands. This church stands as a monument to the tireless energy and faithful work of Mr. Gillis, and also of the liberality and loyalty of the people of the church and community. It was dedicated by Bishop Isaac Joyce on August 26, 1900. The value of this church and parsonage property is upwards of $10,000. In 1902 Rev. Herbert Jones was appointed to this charge, and he was succeeded in 1903 by Rev. R. O. Lawrason, who remained until the fall of 1906. when the present pastor, Rev. W. J. Robin- son, was placed in charge. At the time of this writing a complete list of the church officials from the beginning is not available. The present board of trustees is as follows: T. H. Bunn. H. A. Castle, C. E. Hutchinson, George M. Rogers. T. S. Mellinger, C. W. Coleman, W. W. Jewell, L. L. Cornwell and Dr. C. B. McKaig. At the time of the organization of the church a Sunday school was also organized, which has continued for over half a century as a center of religious instruction and influence in the commu- nity. M. R. Hopper is at present the popular and efficient superintendent. The ladies of the church and congregation are organized into a Ladies' Aid Society. which affords opportunity for social intercourse, and has proven a strong factor in improv- ing and keeping the church property in repair as well as con- tributing generously towards the current expenses. The officers for the year just closing are as follows: Mrs. F. A. Howard, president : Mrs. T. H. Bunn, vice president ; Mrs. A. Burpee, sec- retary; Mrs. H. H. MeCray. treasurer. At this writing the church in all departments is in a prosperous condition.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Zumbrota was organized in the fall of 1869 with Zumbrota. Roscoe and Goodhue as ap- pointments, being at that time in the Red Wing district. Rev. Boyd Phelps was pastor and Rev. J. O. Rich presiding elder. Both remained in the same capacity for the following three years.

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

In the fall of 1872, Zumbrota was placed in the Rochester dis- triet and with the Rev. Henry Goodsell as pastor and Rev. W. C. Rice as presiding elder. In 1873 plans were proposed for build- ing a church and the present edifice was erected in the spring of 1874 and dedicated August 2, 1874. A wing has since been added. Since the Rev. Goodsell the pastors have been as fol- lows: 1875, H. P. Satchwell; 1877, E. R. Lathrop; 1880, Noah Lathrop; 1880, R. Washburn; 1883, William B. Bowdish; 1885, S. G. Briggs ; 1886, W. L. Langrow ; 1887, Joseph Hall; 1889, John Watson: 1892. W. L. Rice; 1897, W. S. Cochran; 1898, George H. Wareham; 1900, J. A. Hovis : 1902, C. E. Hawkins; 1905, E. A. Palmer; 1908, John Lowe. The church has the usual societies and is in a prosperous condition. The congregation owns a neat parsonage in the same block with the church.

CONGREGATIONAL.

There are two Congregational churches in this county, one at Cannon Falls and the other at Zumbrota.

First Congregational Church, Zumbrota. In April, 1857, the spring following the first settlement of the village of Zumbrota, the Rev. Charles Shedd gathered around him a few Christians and commenced preaching services in the village. This resulted in the formation of the First Congregational church, June 28, 1857, the Revs. Richard Hall, of the American Home Missionary Society, and Charles Shedd, officiating. They took into the fel- lowship of the church Josiah and Nancy W. Thompson, of the John Street church, Lowell, Mass .; Charles C. and Elizabeth D. Webster, of the Congregational church, of Canaan, N. H .; George and Abby R. Sanderson. of the Presbyterian church. Red Wing, Minn. Ter .; Charles and Harriet E. Ward, of the High Street church, Lowell, Mass .; Albert and Lucy Ann Barrett, of the Con- gregational church, of Staffordville, Conn .; D. Berkley and Sarah H. Goddard, of the Old South church, Worcester, Mass .; Nathaniel Mullihen, of the Congregational church, of Brookline, Mass .; and Thomas P. Kellett, of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Lowell, Mass.

The organization was completed September 4, 1857, by the election of Alphens Hall, clerk ; Charles Ward, treasurer; Josiah Thompson, Charles Ward and Joseph Bailey, prudential com- mittee. Later Albert Barrett was elected deacon for the term of one year, and Charles Ward for two years.

Rev. David Andrews was ealled to the pastorate of the church July 12, 1857, commencing his work in October and serving for one year. History made fast for the small organization, hardly a Sunday passing without seeing new names added to the roster

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of members. The first recorded baptism was that of Anna Myra, the infant daughter of Charles and Myra W. Jewett. Sunday, November 15. 1857.

At the annual meeting of January 28. 1860, the question of a permanent home was discussed and a committee consisting of Henry Blanchard, T. D. Rowell, Charles Ward and Charles C. Webster was appointed to locate a suitable site for the building. The present edifice was the result, it being erected in 1862. The building was lengthened and the vestry added during the sum- mer of 1880. In April. 1869, four lots as a parsonage site were donated by I. C. Stearns. The building was erected the next year.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 47

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264