USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota > Part 38
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PASTORS IN SUCCESSION.
From date of organization in 1855 to July 1, 1861, Rev. J. W. Han- cock.
From July 1, 1861, to November 1, 1862, Rev. P. H. Snow.
From November 1, 1862, to April 20, 1866, Rev. Sanford Smith.
From April 20, 1866, to November 24, 1867, Rev. J. A. Annin.
From November 24, 1867, to September 22, 1873, Rev. E. H. Wells. The present pastor, Rev. R. F. Maclaren, succeeded Mr. Wells.
The following list contains the names of those who have served as elders in the order of their election :
Messrs. J. C. F. Smith, Moses Bryant, William Libby, S. S. Grannis, Philander VanDenbergh, E. W. Brooks, Peter Daniels, P. Sprague.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
In the spring of 1854, says Mr. Hancock, we organized a Union Sab- bath School at the old mission house, and I think W. H. Wellington was selected as superintendent. We took up a collection for a library, amounting to about $6.00. I was delegated to take the money to St. Paul to buy a library. I found Rev. E. D. Neill, who had a few ten dollar libraries which had been sent out from the American Sabbath School Union for the purpose of supplying new schools. He received the six dollars and gave me one of the libraries, carrying it on his shoulders, case and all, from his own house to the steamboat landing. That was our Sabbath School beginning.
As the village grew in population, and the church society increased in numbers, the Sabbath School increased in corresponding proportion, until in 1878 it numbers 300 enrolled scholars, with an average attend- ance of 250, and twenty-eight teachers. Ed. B. Philleo was selected superintendent of the school in 1874. At the date of the compilation of this history the Presbyterian Sabbath School library contained 500 volumes.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church society was organized in October, 1855, with Rev. Gustav Zellman as pastor, and Gottleib Sulrasse as local preacher, and the following named persons as members of the congregation: A. Koch, Frederick and Mary Koch, William and Katherina Koch, Margaretta Koch, Lena Hoffman, Otto Kaschube and Katherine his wife, Henry Banze, Frederick William Siebrasse, Margaretta Siebrasse, Anna M. Siebrasse, Anna W. Siebrasse, Herman Kalterjohn, Gotthilf Post, Anna Post, Conrad Singuistria, Charles Ahlers, Sen., Louisa Ahlers, and Charles Ahlers, Jr.
After the organization of the society, and until the erection of a house of worship, their meetings were held at the residence of A. Koch. In the summer of 1856, the Red Wing town proprietors donated the society a lot for a church building at the corner of West avenue and Seventh street. The erection of a small frame church building, which is still standing, was commenced and completed at a cost of $400 in that year. The church was dedicated in November, 1856, and was the first church to be built and dedicated in the city of Red Wing. The dedicatory services were conducted by the presiding elder of the district, Rev. H. Roth. The building is small (24x36 feet) and old, and must soon give way to a larger and better one-one more in keeping with
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
the progress of the times and increase of the congregation, and arrange- ments are now on foot looking to that end. The following named pastors have served this congregation :
1855 to 1856, Rev. Gustav Zollmann ; 1856 to 1858, Rev. Phillip Funk; 1858 to 1859, Rev. Henry Kolbe; 1859 to 1861, Rev. Charles Hollman; 1861 to 1863, Rev. John G. Speckmann; 1863 to 1865, Rev. August Lamprecht; 1865 to 1867, Rev. Henry Bottcher ; 1867 to 1870, Rev. Henry Schnittker; 1870 to 1873, Rev. Charles Hollman; 1873 to 1875, Rev. G. Hæger; 1875 to 1876, Rev. Adam Muller; 1876 to 1878, Rev. George Hartunt, who is still serving.
Church Officers .- Local preacher and class leader, W. H. Meyer; trustees, William Tubersing, William Siebrasse, George Cook, Peter Tubersing, Henry Gross; stewards, William Tubersing, William Siebrasse.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
This school was organized March 18th, 1856, by Rev. Phillip Funk, with John Pfoffenberger as superintendent. There is now an enrolled membership of forty scholars, with nearly an equal average attend- ance; eight teachers, and a library of 150 volumes. W. H. Meyer, superintendent; Henry Gross, vice-superintendent.
SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church society organized as a class in 1870, under the direction of Rev. C. F. Lindquist, presiding elder of the Swedish district of the Minnesota M. E. Conference. The class consisted of eight members, as follows: Ole Larson and wife, Sorin Everson, Aton Olin and wife, Andrew Lus, and N. Peterson and wife. Ole Larson and Soren Everson, were elected trustees. The class was embraced in the Vasa charge.
Soon after the class was formed, preparations were commenced for building a church. A lot was secured, and the collection of money to build a house of worship was undertaken by Rev. Mr. Lindquist. His undertaking was blessed with success, and the erection of a house was undertaken, and so far completed that it was occupied the same year. The society was not able to finish it entirely, and for seats some old boards were brought into use, which were placed on blocks. When night meetings were held, some one or more of the members carried lamps from their residences. The members always kept their lamps trimmed and ready to burn if not burning.
Rev. Mr. Lindquist supplied the services until 1872, when Rev. P. M.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Johnson was appointed by Conference to take charge of the work. On the 11th day of April, 1874, the first quarterly conference was held in this church building, Rev. O. Gunderson, presiding. In 1874, at the beginning of the conference year, Rev. Mr. Johnson was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Wickland, who remained until 1876, when Conference appointed Rev. L. Dahlgren to the charge. Mr. Dahlgren remained until the close of that conference year, when Rev. C. G. Nelson suc- ceeded to the pastorate.
The society prospered, and having bought a lot at the corner of Seventh street and East avenue, the erection of a new church building was undertaken and completed in 1877. The lot for the new church edifice cost them $1,250. A part of the lot was sold, and the proceeds applied to the erection of their new building. The most of the money necessary for the payment of the lot and cost of building, was raised within.the society. It was dedicated July 1, 1877, by Rev. O. Gunder- son, of Chicago.
Mr. Nelson, who was appointed to the charge in 1877, remained during that conference year, and was succeeded by Rev. O. J. Stead, in September, 1878.
Officers of the Church .- Trustees, C. Youngquist, Germand Johnson, G. P. Peterson, Nels Dahlburg, Ole Johnson ; class leader, Germand Johnson; steward, Nels Dahlberg; recording steward, C. Youngquist ; district steward, Fuman.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath School was organized in 1874, by Rev. A. J. Wickland. Mr. Wickland was chosen as superintendent. The school has an enrolled membership of forty scholars, an average attendance of thirty-six, six teachers, and a library of one hundred volumes. Nels Dahlburg superintendent in 1878.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MISSIONARY CHURCH.
This society held its first meeting in September, 1868, at the house of Nels Nelson, who then lived near the present location of the depot. The services were conducted by Mr. Nels Selvander, who had arrived in this country from Sweden only two weeks previous. After this they continued to convene for worship every Wednesday night, at the house of some of the brethren in different parts of the town. The services were generally conducted by the brother above named ; but in case of his absence, they were conducted by P. Johnson and others, as the case
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
might require. This mode of worship was continued, with an occasional sermon by Rev. P. Undeen, of Illinois, who, at the invitation of Mr. Selvander, would come and preach for them when his duties would permit, being two or three times a year. They were also frequently favored, in those times, with an occasional sermon by Rev. J. M. San- gren, their present pastor, who was then stationed at Chicago. The society was incorporated some time in the early part of 1874, and they immediately began the erection of a suitable building for missionary services. It is a frame building, 30 x 40 feet, situated on Sixth street, near West Avenue, and cost $1,200. As soon as the building was inclosed, the society commenced holding meetings in it. It was finished and dedicated in the spring of 1875.
Previous to June, 1877, services were supplied once a month by the missionary synod.
In that month the Rev. G. M. Sangren became the regular pastor, since when there have been regular services every Sabbath. The seats are all free, and the services are conducted with a true spirit of Christianity.
The society is governed by a board of eleven persons, consisting of one superintendent, one secretary, one cashier, four trustees and four deacons, who are chosen annually at an election held for that purpose. These officers are chosen for their known Christian zeal and earnestness, liberality and devotion to the society's professions of faith.
This is one of the very few church buildings in Minnesota that is free from debt, a fact that speaks volumes for the economy of the society.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath School was organized immediately after the completion of their church building, with F. G. Kelstrom as superintendent. The school now has an enrolled membership of fifty scolars, with an average attendance of thirty, and eight teachers. In addition to the regular Sabbath School they maintain a Bible class that meets at three o'clock every Sabbath afternoon.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church society was organized in the spring of 1861, with F. Heyer, of St. Paul, pastor. At the time of organization the society, consisted of sixteen members. The first services were held in the old Swedish Lutheran Church. Their present church edifice was built in the same year after their organization, and cost $1,500. It was dedi- cated by Rev. Mr. Heyer, December 6th, 1861. Mr. Heyer remained as
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
pastor of the society until July, 1865, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Becker, who filled the pulpit until the spring of 1867, when he in turn was succeeded by Rev. August Smith, until December of the same year, when the present pastor, Rev. Christian Bender, assumed pastoral charge of the congregation. The society now numbers fifty-five members.
Trustees .- Fred. Seebach, John Hesler and Ernst Rider.
The society are now (October, 1878,) completing a very graceful brick church edifice, 36x56 feet, at the corner of East avenue and Fifth street, the cost of which will be $9,000.
A Lutheran school has been maintained in connection with the church for ten years, of which Mr. Christian Bender has been the con- stant and regular teacher.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath School was organized in 1866, with Rev. Charles Bender as superintendent. The school now has an enrolled membership of 106 scholars and twelve teachers-seven males and five females, and a library of 150 volumes. F. Hæmpfling is the present superintendent.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In 1853 the Catholic people were represented at Red Wing by fifteen families. They were visited occasionally and spiritual consolation administered to them by the Rev. F. Tissot, then local missionary at Wabasha, Wabasha county, and now the pastor of St. Anthony's Church, at St. Anthony, Minn.
For some seven years services were held at Mr. Thomas Taylor's private residence by Rev. Father Tissot, but in 1859-'60, at a meeting called to order by Father Tissot, the few families unanimously agreed to build a frame church edifice at the corner of Park and Fifth streets. The building was completed as soon thereafter as practicable, in which services were continued until June, 1878.
The first resident pastor was C. J. Knauf, who was appointed by Right Rev. Thomas L. Grace, Bishop of St. Paul. Rev. Mr. Knauf remained in charge of the parish for several years, during which time he also conducted services at the several missions of the county-at Belle Creek, Belvidere, Cherry Grove and Mazeppa-and wherever there were Catholic people in Pierce county, Wisconsin.
In 1872 a change was made by Right Rev. Bishop Thomas L. Grace,
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
and Rev. J. N. Stariha, the present pastor, succeeded to the charge. During his pastorate the number of families increased to 150, and thus the congregation was enabled to make many improvements. The first work of the present pastor was the building of a Catholic school in 1873, which is conducted by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee.
The mission places required more attention than the resident pastor here could render, and Revs. C. Walter, A. Holzer and J. Meyer were assigned as assistants to Rev. Father Stariha.
In the meantime three new church edifices were erected in different parts of the county as follows: At Belvidere, a stone building, 50x90 feet, in 1878; at Mazeppa, a frame building, 30x60 feet; at Cherry Grove, a stone structure, 28x46 feet. The Bell Creek Catholic church edifice was erected in 1860.
In 1877, an elegant stone church, with all modern improvements, was built at Red Wing, at the corner of Sixth and Park streets, the site on which the edifice was built being purchased from the M. E. Church society.
In the early fall of 1878, the missions of Bell Creek and Belvidere were assigned regular pastors. Rev. W. T. Roy is in charge at Bell Creek, and Rev. J. Meyer at Belvidere. Rev. Mr. Roy was directed to officiate at Cherry Grove and Cannon Falls also, and Rev. Mr. Meyer's charge included Mazeppa.
The Red Wing parish is in charge of Rev. N. J. Stariha, who says : "Judging the young church by the past, we may expect a glorious future."
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first meeting to organize a Baptist society in Red Wing, was held at the residence of Mr. Cressey, on Fourth street, between East avenue and Bush street, on the 21st day of January, A. D. 1855. Rev . T. R. Cressey presided, and W. S. Grow acted as secretary, At that meet- ing the organization was fully completed, under the name of the First Baptist Church of Red Wing. The following named persons having church letters were the constituent members :
W. S. Grow, Martha M. Grow, Mary A. Whelan, and Cecelia A. Brown. Jeremiah Fuller and Hannah Fuller were received on their Christian experience.
W. S. Grow, was elected clerk at the close of the meeting. Rev. Mr.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Cressey extended the right hand of fellowship, after which the meeting adjourned.
Mr. Cressey became the first pastor of the church, and continued to officiate in that capacity until the 30th of April, 1857, when the Rev. Enos Munger was called to the pastorate, and continued with the society until March 9, 1858.
Up to the date last quoted, the society held its services in the district school house, at the corner of East avenue and Fourth streets-the build- ing now used as a laundry by Mrs. Fogg. From this time until 1867, the society was without a pastor. On the 10th of June, 1866, however, a meeting was held at the court house, to consider the necessity of re-establishing the church, and a resolution was passed looking to that end, but it was not carried into immediate effect. On the 3rd of Feb- ruary, 1867, a series of meetings were commenced and continued until the first of April. These meetings re-kindled the Baptist zeal, and on the 19th of August of that year, Rev. W. W. Whitcomb, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was called and accepted the charge, and remained as pastor to the society until April, 1869. Under his pastorate, the present church edifice, 40x60 feet, at the corner of East avenue and Fourth street, was commenced and completed at a cost of $5,000. The building was dedi- cated on the 3rd of February, 1869, the dedicatory services being conducted by Rev. Dr. Abbott, of Rochester, who preached the dedica- tory sermon.
November 26th, 1870, Rev. Gideon Cole was called and accepted the pastorate, which he continued to fill until the spring of 1876, preaching his farewell sermon on Sunday, the 23d of April. Mr. Cole was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. William E. Stanley, who preached his first sermon to the society on the 4th of May, 1876. Mr. Stanley came to Minnesota on the 4th day of July, 1873, at the call of the Bap- tist society of St. Cloud, who had just completed a very handsome church edifice. He is yet a young man, but a very able speaker, close student, full of Christian zeal and energy, and untiring in good works.
The society numbers fifty-three members.
Deacons .- George Post and John Thomas. Mr. Post served as deacon from the time the society was organized until his death.
Clerks .- W. S. Grow, from date of organization in 1855 to 1867; E. F. Grow, from 1867 to 1868; W. A. Orser, from 1868 to 1872; E. F. Grow, from 1872 to 1874; G. S. Elwell, from 1874 to 1875; L. D. Camp- bell, from 1875 to 1878. The present clerk, G. E. Gates, was elected in January, 1878.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath School was organized in the spring of 1867. The first
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
superintendent was W. P. Hood ; the present superintendent is D. J. M. Higgins. Number of scholars, 100; average attendance, 80 ; teachers, 7; No. of volumes in library, 150.
FIRST NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
FAITHFUL WORKERS AND PATRONS OF MARTIN LUTHER.
For several years this society consisted of only eight members, with- out regular church organization. They consistently maintained their faith, however, and met for worship every Sunday. Sometimes their meetings were held in Indian Hall, sometimes in the court house, sometimes in the Swedish Lutheran Church, but most frequently at the house of some of the brethren. At these meetings and until they formally organized as a church society, their principal speaker and religious instructor until the arrival of Rev. B. Muns, was Prof. L. Larson. A permanent church organization was effected at the German Lutheran Church, on Sunday, the 18th day of February, 1864, with Rev. Mr. Muns as pastor. Mr. Muns had been pastor of a church at Holden, and rendered missionary services in several of the adjoining counties. The organization represented nine families. Ole K. Simmons, C. Bergh and (). A. Indsith were chosen as trustees.
In 1866 the society undertook and completed the erection of their present house of worship, at the corner of Sixth and Bush streets. The building is 30x42 feet on the ground, with chancel 14x16 feet, and surmounted with a tower, 12 feet square at the base, and rising to a heighth of 96 feet. The building cost $4000.
Having no place of worship, they took possession of the basement of their church building some two years before the building was entirely completed, holding their first meeting in the basement on Sunday, the 16th day of October, 1866. The building was fully completed in the fall of 1868, and was dedicated on the 18th day of October in that year. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. J. A. Ottesen, of Dane county, Wisconsin. On the evening of their dedication day, Rev. H. A Preus, president of the Norwegian Synod, ordained Nels Th. Ylvisaker as a minister of the gospel, and commissioned him to preach the glad tidings of great joy according to the faith of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The sermon delivered on the following Sunday by Rev. Mr. Ylvisaker was the first sermon delivered by him after his ordination, and the first he ever preached in America, he having just arrived from Norway to take charge of this congregation in place of
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Rev. Mr. Muns, whose duties called him elsewhere. Mr. Y. continued as preacher to this congregation until 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. R. Larson, and November 12, 1876, Mr. Larson was succeeded by Rev. K. Berven, the present pastor. The membership now numbers about 140. The trustees are C. C. Claussen (who is also treasurer,) Peter Nelson, Christian Peterson and John Nelson. U. C. S. Hjermstad is secretary.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath School was organized in the fall of 1869, with O. A. Indsith as superintendent. The school now has an enrolled member- ship of 65 scholars, with an average attendance of 35, and twelve teachers. The S. S. library contains about 250 volumes. U. C. S. Hjermstad is the present superintendent.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF RED WING.
This church was organized by Rev. Erick Norelius on the 4th day of September, 1855. Number of members at the time of its organization was fifty-four.
The first services were held in a small frame building, used as a store, situate at the corner of 4th and Plumb streets, where now John Lyon's boarding house stands, and services were held there until the first church was built in 1856.
In the winter of 1856-1857 its first church edifice (a frame building 26x30} feet) was built at the corner of 5th and Franklin streets, at a cost of $1,000, which building was afterwards, when the brick church was built, changed into a parsonage at an additional cost of about $700.
The new church edifice (brick, 36x60) on the corner of 5th and West avenue was begun in 1866, and completed in 1875, at a cost as it stands with the lots of $12,000.
The parish school building was built in 1874, near the new church, at a cost of $600.
The pastors of said church were as follows: 1855-1860, Rev. Erick Norelius ; 1860-1861, Rev. J. P. C. Borsen ; 1861-1869, Erick Norelius ; 1869 to the present time, Rev. P. Sjoblom.
Present number of communicants, 554; the whole population belong- ing to the church, 1018.
The Sabbath School was organized in 1857; first superintendent, Hawkin Olson; number in attendance at that time, 30; present super- intendent, Nels Peterson ; teachers now number 20; children in attend- ance, 200.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
ST. PETER'S NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, HAUGES SYNOD.
This church society first began to hold meetings in 1863, their meet- ings being conducted by O. O. Hagna. The society was formally organized on the 15th of March, 1864, with O. O. Hagna, N. Jakobson and L. Sivertson as trustees. The society was incorporated April 16, 1866. A house of worship, 24x40 feet, was erected on Bluff street, near Sixth, in the spring and summer of 1866, at a cost of $1,200. It was dedicated by Rev. A. Hanson, who was the pastor of the congregation up to 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. O. Brohaugh, the present pastor.
Church Officers, 1878 .- Trustees, G. Isackson, H. Larson, O. Bugge ; deacons, O. Jystad, H. Rohne, C. O. Peterson.
Total membership, 120; communicants, 165.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Norwegian branch or division of the Sabbath School was organ- ized by O. O. Hagna, at his residence, in 1865, and was held there until the church building was completed and ready for occupancy.
An English branch or division of the school was commenced in 1867, and continued until 1877, when it was suspended, the society preferring that the exercises should be conducted in the Norwegian language. Very often during the time the English school was conducted there was an attendance of one hundred scholars, with an average attendance of forty. Since the suspension of the English school the number has decreased to about seventy-five scholars and eight teachers. The library contains 150 volumes. A. Ellenger, superintendent.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was organized on the fourth day of September, 1855, by Rev. Eric Norelius, with fifty-four members.
The first services were held in a small frame building, used as a store room, at the corner of Fourth and Plumb streets, on the ground now occupied by John Lyons' boarding house. Services were continued there until the first church was built. The building was afterwards used as a saloon. Their first house of worship, a frame building 26x30 feet, was erected at the corner of Fifth and Franklin streets, in the winter of 1856 or 1857, at a cost of $1,000. When the new brick church
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
was built in 1866, the old frame structure was " reconstructed " for a parsonage at an expense of $700. The new church, 36x40 feet, is situated at the corner of Fifth street and West avenue, and cost $12,000.
The parish school house near the new church was built in 1874, at a cost of $600.
The pastors of the church have been as follows: 1855 to 1860, Rev. Eric Norelius ; 1860 to 1861, Rev. J. P. C. Borsen ; 1861 to 1869, Rev. Eric Norelius , from 1869 to the present time, Rev. P. Sjoblom.
Number of communicants, (Oct., 1878,) 554 ; total population repre- sented by the church, 1,018.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath school was organized in 1857 with thirty scholars, and Hawkin Olson as superintendent. There is now (Oct., 1878) an enrolled membership of two hundred scholars and twenty teachers ; Nels Peterson, superintendent.
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