History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 109

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343

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Depressed but undaunted, the congregation at once took steps to re- store the church, utilizing the same foundation and partially the same walls. The new church is a replica of the old one with a few changes.

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Instead of the old lofty spire, the new church is adorned with a lower belfry, and the gallery was built only in the rear of the new church. With so much vigor was the work prosecuted that the new and latest church could be dedicated on Dec. 7 of the same year.

Again in 1899 the Synod held its general meeting here for the third time. At this time the general body was so large and cumbersome that none but the largest congregations with spacious churches could accom- modate its meetings. And the meeting of 1899 taxed the hospitality of this congregation.

During all this time the congregations were faithfully served by the Rev. Mr. Reque. In 1876 the work became so taxing that it was found necessary to provide a helper for him and the Rev. Reier Larson, then stationed at Red Wing, Minn., was called as assistant. He was not destined to serve long in this capacity. He suffered from weak lungs and was taken away by tuberculosis on Oct. 27, 1878.

In the spring of that year the Rev. Mr. Reque had been granted a vacation in order to visit the country of his forefathers, Norway. He returned in the fall and took up his duties again.

The work proving too much for the strength of one man, even though that man was a physical giant, Rev. Eskild P. Jenson was called as assistant pastor in 1880 and served as such until 1895, when a division of the charge was effected and he assumed entire responsibility of the Black Hammer and Riceford congregations.

Again some years later the expansion of the work necessitated help and Rev. Hans J. Wein became assistant in 1903, living at Spring Grove, until the call was again divided, when Mr. Wein became pastor of the Wil- mington and Caledonia congregations.

A tract of land comprising sixty-five acres had constituted the par- sonage property, but in 1895 all the land south of the residence building, a parcel which now is the site of many of our most beautiful residences, was sold, and in 1906 the balance, with the exception of three acres around the buildings, was disposed of.

Thirty-nine years was the measure of the service of Mr. Reque in Spring Grove. What he has done for the community and what influence he has wielded can not be measured by human standards. He was in every way a man and he performed a man's work.

Two achievements will probably stand out in bold relief in any survey of his work.

Shortly after his arrival he applied himself to the Herculean task of turning public opinion against the saloon, which he found exerting a cursed influence in the neighborhood. And after five years of fearless work he succeeded in ridding the town of the liquor traffic in 1876, and Spring Grove has since been known as a saloonless town.

The other achievement, which is a splendid testimonial both of his popularity and his diplomacy, was that he was able to preserve his con- gregations intact until his death, particularly at the time of the Predes- tinarian controversy, when congregations, and even families, were being split up in the bitterness of feeling that was engendered.

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As a consequence of these things Spring Grove presents a spectacle unique in this country and possibly in the world, a village of perhaps 800 inhabitants and a contiguous population of about the same number with only one church and no saloons.

In January, 1910, Mr. Reque slipped at his home and fell, fracturing his hip. He was taken to the hospital and given all possible care. By the middle of the summer he had recovered sufficiently to officiate for a few weeks, but was again stricken and died on August 20, 1910, at the age of almost seventy-four, weary after a task well and faithfully performed. His successor, Rev. Alfred O. Johnson, of Chicago, Ill., was installed on Dec. 4, 1910, and still serves the congregation.

It may be of interest to know that the first boy born of Norwegian parentage was a son of Peter Lommen, named John. The first girl was Mary Bergh, a daughter of Tollef Bergh. She was born Oct. 29, 1852, but died a month afterward and was buried on her father's farm.

The first couple married was Helge Bergsrud and Marit Brenden. The first to die was Maren Rud, wife of Anders Rud. She was buried on the farm of Andrew Hallan. The first one buried in the first cemetery, in the corner of Anton Johnson's land, just north of the present town hall, was Marit Vold or Mrs. Riley. The funeral party consisted of four men, Knut Vold, Dyre Linaas, Anders Kroshus and Engebret Melbraaten, whose dap- pled horse equipped with snowshoes and an improvised sleigh had brought the body over the drifts to the cemetery.

The first person buried in the cemetery adjoining the church was Hans Melbraaten and the first in the West End cemetery was Halvor A. Lee, who for many years served as a school teacher, both secular and parochial, in the neighborhood.

From a small beginning this congregation has grown to be one of the largest among the Norwegians in the United States and counts today in the neighborhood of 1,500 souls.

Scattered all over the northwest may be found sometimes whole settlements of people from Spring Grove, where the influence of the work done in this congregation is felt.

Black Hammer Congregation, by Rev. H. H. Frost. About five miles north of Spring Grove lies Black Hammer. Emigrants began to settle here in the early fifties. Other nations were represented, but the large majority of the people were Norwegian immigrants. The first white child born in this community was of Norwegian parents: Anna Marie Otternes, a daugh- ter of Guttorm Otternes and wife, Brita. She was born in the fall of 1854. The first death was the daughter of Lars Skaheim, which occurred the same year.

The first Norwegians who settled in Black Hammer had no other religious service than what they got by going in to Spring Grove, where the Revs. V. Koren and N. Brandt preached a couple of times each year, and occasional lay services conducted by a colporteur by the name of Peter Mehus. The first service conducted by a regularly ordained minister was held by Rev. F. C. Clausen at the home of Knut Eik in 1857. He had ar- rived at Spring Grove from Norway that same year.

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It became more and more apparent to the settlers that it was absolutely necessary to have in their midst a church where they might gather for regular services, and in 1868 the following men headed a movement to build a church at Black Hammer: Guttorm O. Otternes, Jens O. Otternes, Jens O. Winjum, Johannes Berquam, senior and junior, Knut Eik, Torkel Aagesen, Peter Onstad, Ole Bjorgo, Elling Karlsbraaten, senior, Torsten Johnson Lommen, Osten Bortnes, Tolleif Haakensen and Lars Svartaas. Some of these men drove to La Crosse for material and the work was begun that same year. The church cost $4,000 including furniture and a bell weighing over 800 pounds.

This church stood until 1890, when a new church of brick, which is a credit to the congregation, was erected.

After the death of Rev. F. C. Clausen in 1870, Rev. St. S. Reque was called as his successor and began his labors here in 1871-labors that con- tinued through a period of a number of years.

His field was so large that it soon became evident that an assistant was necessary, and as such was called in 1876 Rev. Reier Larson. His labors here were brief. He was taken away by death two years afterward.

In the year 1880, Rev. Eskild P. Jensen was called and together with the Rev. Mr. Reque labored until the charge was divided in 1895. Since this time Black Hammer congregation, together with Riceford and Trinity congregation at Newburg, constituted a separate charge. Mr. Jensen be- came the first regular pastor of this independent call and served as such until his death in 1905.

Mr. Jensen's health was very feeble towards the end of his life and he was obliged to leave the work to a great extent to assistants.

In June of the year of his death, Rev. K. A. Kasberg was called as pastor and remained until 1912, when he accepted a call from Pierre, S. D. Since that time Rev. H. H. Frost has been the pastor of the congregation.

Black Hammer congregation has through these years been spared from internal dissensions and the work has gone steadily onward.

Ever since the early days it has been a member of "The Synod for the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of America" and has shown great loyalty towards this church body, bearing its share of the church's burdens.

In this connection must be mentioned the ladies' aid and the young people's society, who each year have donated considerable sums to the different activities of the church.

Riceford Congregation, by Rev. H. H. Frost. In the western part of the township of Spring Grove lies the village of Riceford, receiving its name from H. M. Rice, from St. Paul, who visited the place in 1856.

For a considerable time its population was mixed as to nationality. In early days the village of Riceford gave promise of becoming a town of some little importance owing to its waterpower for milling. But when the rail- road, which was built through the southern part of the county, did not reach Riceford, it was obliged, like so many other inland towns, to give up its dream of future greatness and in the seventies began a steady decline.

From its earliest history it appears that several church bodies have

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attempted to begin work here, Methodists, Adventists, Quakers and even Catholics. A number of persons were baptised in the creek that flows through the village.

When, however, the Norwegian population little by little became a large majority, the Lutheran church became thereby the main church and grew strong. A Norwegian Lutheran congregation was organized and became associated with Spring Grove and thereafter was served by the pastors living there.

The services were held in the schoolhouse until a church was built in 1877 at a cost of $3,000. In 1880 a parsonage was built one-quarter of a mile from Riceford.

Thus the first pastor to live within the limits of the congregation was Rev. E. Jensen, who had just been called as an assistant to Rev. S. T. Reque.

This congregation has since the earliest days been associated with "The Norwegian Synod" and throughout the years has displayed a great deal of interest for the church body it belonged to, and here also have the ladies aid and the young people's society taken an active part both in the local and general church activities.

The Norwegian Lutheran Church of Houston, better known as the "Stone Church," on account of the material of which its picturesque house of worship is constructed, was founded by that pioneer of Lutheranism in this region, the sainted Right Rev. V. Koren. He visited Houston in 1855 and organized the present church, as well as several in Fillmore county at the same time. In 1859 it was decided to have a local pastor, and a call was extended to Rev. N. E. Jensen, who came from Norway and took charge of the Highland Prairie and Rushford congregations in Fillmore county and Houston in this county. He also had a number of other preaching places. Rev. Jensen delivered his first sermon in Houston in a blacksmith shop in the old Lower Town. Later services were held in private residences, school- houses, and such other places as were available. The parsonage was built at Highland Prairie. In 1863 the Houston congregation decided to build a church, but Civil War was raging and times were hard, and it was not until 1869 that the present sightly stone structure was erected. It stands on the open prairie, and with its tall spire is a landmark seen for miles around. Its large bell can be heard far in the surrounding country, and in its cemetery repose the departed faithful who for so many years gathered there to worship. Rev. Jensen, a most eloquent preacher, served ten years from 1859 to 1869. Then he retired and moved to Houston, where a short time later, he died. He was succeeded by Rev. Kr. Magelssen. The charge then consisted of the congregations at Rushford, Houston, Highland Prairie, Cedar Valley, Elstad, Whalan, Newberg, and several preaching places. In 1873 the charge had become so large that it was divided, and a new charge was formed of the Houston and Rushford congregations. A call was extended to Rev. E. Jaastad, of St. Louis, who preached his first pastoral sermon in the Stone Church Aug. 10, 1873. The parsonage, owned by both congregations, was at Rushford. Rev. Jaastad remained for thirty- five years, and would have served many years more had his health per- mitted. But in the three decades and a half of hard and faithful work 52

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he had given his best of his health and strength and he longed for rest in the afternoon of life. At a meeting held April 3, 1907, a call was extended to Rev. B. B. Ostem as helper for one year. Later Rev. Jaastad resigned, and on Dec. 2, 1907, a call was extended to Rev. B. B. Ostem, the helper, to become pastor. He accepted, and took charge of the congregations July 1, 1908. In the meantime, Feb. 10, 1908, it had been decided to separate from the Rushford congregation, of which Rev. Jaastad remained as pastor. When the separation was made, the Houston people sold their share in the Rushford parsonage to the Rushford people, and proceeded to build one of their own. This beautiful residence was occupied by Rev. Ostrem and his family in November, 1908. The present officials of the con- gregation are as follows: President, Rev. B. B. Ostrem; clerk, O. P. Gaus- tad; treasurer, S. S. Vathing; trustees, Adolph Anderson, Marcus Lee, Ole S. Sanden, O. T. Amundson, K. K. Kragnes, Ole Lee, Nils Dahle, Henry Hauge and T. T. Halvorson.

St. Peter Norwegian Lutheran Church of Houston. (Data furnished partly by Rev. B. B. Ostrem.) In 1856 Rev. A. A. Scheie came to Newburg, in Fillmore county, and there purchased a farm, and became a founder of organized Lutheranism in his community. July 26, 1856, he organized the congregation at Houston. The first members were Peter Erickson, in whose house the meeting was held, Sebjorn S. Haukland, Martin Christianson, John Anderson, K. Salveson, Bernt Jacobson and Isaac Abrahamson. The first officers were: President, Rev. A. A. Sheie; secretary and treasurer, John Anderson; trustees, Knut Salveson, Peter Erickson, and Sebjon S. Haukland; deacons, Knut Salveson, Martin Christianson and Peter Erick- son. In 1860 Lars Dahl and Tennis Hanson joined. In 1861 Peter Olson and Mickael Johnson joined, and gradually the membership was increased.

The early meetings were held in the home of Peter Erickson and in Taylor's Hall. The first steps toward building a church were taken on Dec. 18, 1776, when it was voted to raise funds for the purpose. Mons Anderson, who platted the village and presented the public park, offered a site, as well as A. P. Johnson, whose offer was accepted. In 1883 the work was started, and in 1884 the church was ready to occupy. Additions and alterations were made from time to time, and the church was dedicated in October, 1890.

Fifteen pastors have served this congregation since its organization in 1858. A. A. Sheie from 1858 to 1870; P. Asbjornson, 1870-1875; A. C. Schonhovd, 1875-1876; Paul G. Ostby, 1876-1878; J. A. Berg, 1878-1879; Peder Nelson, 1880-1888; Chr. Ytrehus, 1888-1893; M. O. Hanson, 1893- 1897; E. Jaastad, 1897; John Granskou, 1897-1899; M. N. Knutson, 1901- 1904; A. Wright, 1905; T. T. Haverstad, 1905-1909; L. S. Marwick, 1910-1912, and B. B. Ostrem, from 1912 up to the present time.

The officers of the congregation at present are: President, B. B. Ostrem; vice-president, I. G. Iverson; secretary, Gust. Thornson; cashier, Arnold Omodt; deacons, Peder Iverson and Ole Eliason.

The trustees are: I. G. Iverson, chairman; Ole Gordon and Tannis Tennison.

The congregation comprises 120 souls and is in a healthy condition.

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Looney Valley Congregation. At Looney Valley there is a small con- gregation of Norwegians, comprising in the neighborhood of 100 souls. It has always been served from Houston and is today under the care of Rev. B. B. Ostrem. Unfortunately there are no available data regarding its early history.

Wilmington Norwegian Lutheran Church, by Rev. H. J. Wein. The early history of Wilmington Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation is in some respects the same as that of Norwegian Ridge Norwegian Lutheran Church. It was organized in 1855. From 1855 to 1857 a few services were held in the farm homes by Rev. V. Koren. In 1857 Rev. C. F. Clausen became the permanent pastor and served as such until his death, Oct. 23, 1870. Dur- ing the first ten years of his pastorate in the congregation services were held in the homes and in the schoolhouses. In May, 1868, a church, 30 by 55, was begun and it was dedicated in the same year on November 4 by Rev. V. Koren. The other pastors present were: H. A. Stub, Tobias Lar- sen, Nils Brandt and C. F. Clausen. The church cost about $4,000, a sum that meant much for the pioneers of those days. Among the early settlers in the Fifties and Sixties who became members of the congregation were: Thomas E. Trehus, "Gamle" Ole Hefte and his sons, the older and the younger Ole, and Nils; Halvor Wermager, Ole Buxengard, Knut Hougen, Ivar Kinneberg, Amund Stenehjem, Ole Sannes, Ole Myhre. Asle Siwenson, Christen Ofstedahl, Endre Roble, Knut Dahle, Tov Tweten, Knut Skalet, Osten Olsgaard, Ole Ofstedahl, Ole Engen, Ole Rask, Erik Larson, Ole Renslo, Hans Johnson, Ole Engene, Nils Selland, Guttorm Tyribakken, John Ostern, Andreas Haugstad, Ole Haugstad, Lars Quinnell, Eskil Quin- nell, Engebret Solandsen, Elling Burtness, F. Smestad and four brothers, Aslak Moen, Reier Rudsvigen and Tollef Newhouse and others.

After Rev. C. F. Clausen's death, Rev. St. S. Reque was called. He preached his first sermon in Wilmington Sept. 27, 1871. He and assistant pastors served the congregation until Jan. 1, 1909. The assistant pastors were: Reier Larson, 1876-1878; E. P. Jensen, 1880 -- 1894; and H. J. Wein, 1903-1909. In 1872 the congregation numbered 277 souls. The officers in 1871 were: Secretary, T. Tandberg; treasurer, P. O. Bye; trustees, Inge- bright Solandsen, Peter Bye, Thomas Trehus, Knud Dahle, Ingvald Tvedt; presentor and teacher, T. Tandberg.

The early pioneers did not forget the importance of religious instruc- tion for their children. Some of the teachers in the early days were: Borreson, Engebret Iversen, "Gamle" Simon, Thorbjorn Haavde, Torger Taudberg, Johan Hagen, 1873-1877; Gunnar Solvold, 1878-1879.

J. P. Kopang was called as permanent teacher in 1880 and is the congregation's teacher, organist and precentor at the present time. He has been a true and faithful servant in the Lord's vineyard. From 1894 to 1903 Rev. St. S Reque had no assistant. He served Spring Grove, Wil- mington, Caledonia and Jefferson congregations. The field was entirely too large for one pastor. In October, 1902, Spring Grove and Wilmington called Rev. H. J. Wein of Milwaukee, Wis., as assistant pastor with the understanding that he was to serve Wilmington, Caledonia and Jefferson. He entered upon his duties as pastor in Wilmington, Feb. 15, 1903.

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During the years the congregation increased in membership so that the church built in 1868 was getting too small, and as the congregation had been growing towards the north and east from the church it was decided to build a new church in a more central location. The new church was built in 1908 at a cost of $21,288. It was dedicated on June 6, 1909. More than 1,800 people were present at the dedication services conducted by Rt. Rev. O. P. Vangsnes and assistants. In 1913 a $1,800 pipe organ was installed. The pastor secured a donation of $900 from Carnegie Foundation, the balance was given by the Young People's Society and the Ladies' Aid Societies. The organ was dedicated June 14, 1914, by Rev. J. A. O. Stub.

The question of forming a separate parish was discussed in 1907, and at the annual meeting in 1908 Wilmington was released from Spring Grove congregation; and at a special meeting Dec. 30, 1908, it was decided by Wilmington, Caledonia and Jefferson congregations to form one parish and call Rev. H. J. Wein as their permanent pastor. On Jan. 1, 1909, Rev. St. S. Reque preached his last sermon in Wilmington as their pastor, and on the same day Rev. H. J. Wein did the same in Spring Grove as their assistant pastor.

Wilmington congregation has now a membership of 460 souls. A considerable number of the younger members have gone north and west, where land is cheaper than it is here. This fact explains why the congre- gation has not increased in number of members during the past ten or fifteen years. It owns four-fifths of the parsonage located in Caledonia. The parsonage was bought in 1913. There is no debt on the church property. Wilmington is a liberal contributor to the cause of missions, schools and to charity. The Young People's Society and Ladies' Aid Societies are very active in church work. The congregation organized an auxiliary of the American Red Cross and all the funds raised by the Y. P. S. during the past year were given to that work. Twenty-eight young men and one Red Cross nurse entered the service of their country. Of these one died in the United States and one in France. The officers of the congregation are: Secretary, E. O. Steneroden; treasurer, H. E. Butrness ; teacher , organist and precentor, J. P. Kopang; trustees, Gerhard Morken, A. J. Sylling, A. Fossum, Rudolph Turten and Nicolai Nilson.

Emanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Caledonia, by Rev. H. J. Wein. Emanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congrega- tion in Caledonia was organized Feb. 17, 1893. The following signed the constitution on that date: E. K. Roverud, Knud Johnson, P. B. Qualy, Peter Steenstrup, H. J. Blexrud, J. P. Lommen, C. K. Blexrud and S. J. Solberg. The officers are: Secretary, E. K. Roverud; treasurer, J. P. Lom- men; trustees, Knud Johnson, S. J. Solberg, Peter Steenstrup. These and a few more families built a church 26 by 38 in 1894 at a cost of $1,664. It was dedicated Nov. 15, 1894, by Rev. Kr. Magelssen, assisted by Rev. K. Seehuns, and the pastors who served the congregation, viz: Rev. St. S. Reque and E. P. Jensen.

The congregation was small in numbers but it had the right spirit and was not afraid to sacrifice something for the spiritual upbuilding of young

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and old. Until it secured its own house of worship, services were first held in the homes and later in a rented church. A Sunday school had been organized long before the church was built. The congregation was served by Rev. E. P. Jensen and Rev. St. S. Reque until Rev. H. J. Wein took charge in February, 1903. Owing to the many congregations Rev. St. S. Reque and Rev. E. P. Jensen served, they were not able to hold more than about ten services each year in Caledonia. The congregation was not formally connected with any other congregation until 1909, when it together with Wilmington and Jefferson formed one parish and called its present pastor. Before that time it was served by the pastors of the Spring Grove and Wilmington parish, and as before mentioned, for some time by Rev. E. P. Jensen. Beginning with the year 1903 more services were held each year and the use of the English language increased. During the last ten years practically all catechumens have been confirmed in the English language. The congregation has had a slow but steady growth in membership. In 1893, the membership was about 40, in 1903, 62, and in 1918, 140. In 1907, the congregation joined the Norwegian Lutheran Squad. In 1909 it, to- gether with Wilmington, bought a beautiful parsonage in which it has a one- fifth interest. There are no incumbrances on the church property.

It ought to be mentioned that the Ladies' Aid Society has been a source of power and encouragement to the congregation, and especially so in the early days of its history, when there were few members. While practically all have been and are doing their share in the work of the church, some have rendered unusual services during a period of many years as organists and Sunday school teachers. What has been said of Wilmington, with regard to contributions to church work outside of the local congregation, also applies to this congregation. Eight of its young men are in the U. S. army.

E. K. Roverud has held the office of secretary since the congregation was organized; likewise J. P. Lommen that of treasurer. Trustees are: O. E. Burtness, J. P. Lommen, Andrew Anderson. Organists : Miss Adelia Rovernd and Miss Marie Wein.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 109

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1343

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343