History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 17

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222

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Fairbanks, Morse & Co. were engaged to do the work, and a system was established consisting of a 10 kwt. dynamo and equipment, with 36 street lights, the power to be furnished by water power, transmitted from the mill to the power house. The street lamps were lighted in the latter part of August. Oct. 16, 1909, it was decided to accept applications for service to business houses and residences, subject to the hours established for the street lighting system. The following year a larger dynamo was purchased. In 1913, the mill power was found insufficient and a gas engine was purchased and installed in the village hall.

November 2, 1915, a special election was held for the purpose of bonding the village to the amount of $10,000 to purchase the property, lease and rights of the Mazeppa Roller Mill Co. The proposition was passed by a vote of 88 to 48, the majority being just three more votes than were required. The pur- chase was accordingly made for $8,000. In 1916 a new power house was erected west of the mill. The pump and dynamo are west of the mill.

The nucleus of a sewer system has been started, the principal line extend- ing from the High school, across the business center, to the river.

The village has a pretty well wooded park, neatly laid out and beautified with shrubbery and flowers. It has a bandstand and benches. The park was platted with the village and lies across the street from the school grounds. The village hall is the old village school, purchased, moved and remodeled in 1896.

As early as 1856, school was taught in the store of John E. Hyde by Mrs. Sidney Munson. Eliza Goodell, who later married Wallace Day, taught in a log cabin erected by Orville D. Ford on the present site of the residence of Charles Colling, and in a house erected by N. B. Smith. In 1858 a school was taught by Huldah McManus, who later became Mrs. G. W. Fowler. The build- ing in which this school was kept was erected by the settlers in the Zumbro Valley, on the western side of the river, about a mile above the site of the Somers & Drinkwalter mill. The flood of 1859 swept this building away and it was never rebuilt. In the meantime J. A. Martin, in the fall of 1857, started getting out the lumber for a large two-story school building which was erected in the village in 1858, the expense of the structure being met by popular sub- scription. This building was enlarged and did good duty until 1896, when it was removed and converted into a village hall. In that year a large brick school building was erected, and a High School department inaugurated. In 1912 an addition to the school building was erected and new equipment added. The first graduate of the High School was L. A. Phillips in 1898. Since then there have been graduations every year except 1900, 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1911. The

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

school superintendents have been: 1896, W. G. Kingsford; 1898, R. A. Lyman; 1899, W. J. Mosher; 1902, H. H. Kent; 1904, W. C. Herrmann ; 1908, J. S. Burrell; 1910, Augustus Hallstone; 1911, E. B. Anderson; 1916, H. B. Goff; 1918, F. S. Ladd; 1920, G. M. Rockwood.

Telephone service was inaugurated in Mazeppa by John W. Kingsley, who connected with the Pine Island-Oronoco-Potsdam-Plainview line at Oronoco, and maintained an exchange in his store. The Mazeppa Telephone Co. was organized in 1909 by John Grimm and F. C. Marvin and took over the Kingsley interests. The exchange was moved to a building on the west side of Main street. That same year Parkin & Meyer of the Goodhue Telephone Co. built a line to the village and established an exchange across the street from the local exchange. This line and exchange were purchased by the local company. In 1914 the present sightly structure was erected. The company now consists of H. L. Lathrop and John Grimm.

The Mazeppa Farmers' Elevator and Mercantile Co. was established in 1908. In 1912 it was reorganized as the Mazeppa Farmers' Elevator Co., and in 1916 sold to the Huntting Elevator Co. The Huntting people now lease the elevator to Carl Engelhart, while they themselves operate the old Maas elevator.

Creameries and cheese factories in this vicinity date back for several decades. In 1816, E. G. Hammer, of Zumbrota, bought out the creamery then owned by the Farmers' Elevator Co., and had been purchased by them from A. L. McCray. In 1920 Mr. Hammer sold to the present company the Mazeppa Farmers' Co-operative Dairy Association, which was organized early this year with Thomas Baker as president; Fred Busse, Jr., as secretary; and Paul Krinke, treasurer.

The Mazeppa Brass Band was for many years an important institution, and won many prizes at musical meets. It underwent several reorganizations, but throughout its existence the principal musicians were practically the same persons. The first organization was in November, 1880. George Westphal being the first leader and John W. Kingsbury the first business manager.

In the early days Mazeppa and vicinity were represented in correspondence . appearing in various state and county papers. For some time in the middle seventies the Wabasha County Sentinel had a Mazeppa department with Mazeppa news and advertisements, and on February 28, 1877, issued a full two- page Mazeppa supplement. The editor of the department was E. F. Hopkins.

The Mazeppa Tribune was first issued November 3, 1877. There has been considerable confusion in the numbering of the issues in times past, but the date of the first issue is fairly well agreed upon. The paper was established by Schram and Clark. In a little over four months Matthias Schram became sole editor and proprietor. He was succeeded in 1886 by A. J. Myers. In 1891 Benn Houghtaling became editor and proprietor. He was followed in 1893 by the Tribune Printing Co., so called, composed of the brothers Herman H., David and Joseph Phillips. Joseph Phillips, the manager, withdrew in about two years, and the paper was continued by the other two. In 1898, W. G. Kingsford took the paper. He was succeeded in 1908 by L. A. Phillips, the present editor of the Mazeppa Journal, in which the Tribune is merged.

The Mazeppa Independent was started by F. J. Rucker and George Goetting. It was sold and taken to Zumbro Falls. November 3, 1904, it was brought back to Mazeppa by Michael Marx and established as the Mazeppa Journal. November 5, 1905, the paper was purchased by L. A. Phillips. In 1908 he purchased the Tribune and consolidated the two papers under the name of the Mazeppa Journal, retaining the volume and number of both papers. The first consolidated issue was published June 20, 1908.

Attention to religious duties has been an important factor in the lives of the people of Mazeppa. The first religious services were held in the store of John E. Hyde, in July, 1856, by Rev. Christopher McManus, a Methodist local preacher residing south of Pine Island, in Goodhue County. During the same.

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

season, Rev. A. E. Standish preached in the mill. The first church edifice was that of the Congregationalists, built in 1870-71.

A Sunday School was organized in 1856 with Francis M. Skillman as superintendent. This was held in the store of John E. Hyde, where school was also held, and where early church services were conducted.

SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Mazeppa, Minn .- The early history of this church from its very infancy brings us back to the time when this section on the outskirts of Wabasha County was scarcely settled and the first Catholic settlers in this vicinity, who were poorly situated with earthly means and only few in number, had to be satisfied with the services rendered to them occa- sionally by those good, noble, spirited pioneer priests, Fathers Thissot, Trobec and Knauff, who under many hardships and admirable self-sacrifice visited the Catholic people that lived around here and attended to their spiritual wants and at different intervals saying Mass and administering the sacraments in the private house of the first champion Catholic settler, Mr. Peter Clemens. Although the flock was small, a little frame structure was erected in 1867 by Mr. Peter Clemens, who was body and soul of this organization from its in- ception. This humble building with all its simplicity was to be the edifice of worships of their holy faith. And although the beginning was very hard, yet the hearts of those Catholic pioneers, trusting for better days to come, were courageously filled with the ardent desire to see in time the joyous day, when they would be able, increased in number, to meet the difficult task of raising a fund to build a large edifice, upon which the glorious Cross, the significant symbol of our Faith, would in its full brightness, in the golden rays of the sun, be seen in the church tower. And indeed, their confidence and hope were not in vain, their courage, firm ambition and their sacrifices were plentifully rewarded. In the fall of 1871 a small knot of men were clustered together in this place, earnest, humble and God fearing men. They found that there was yet a certain want-a demand to be made on their slender purses, to build a. church, thus adding to the honor of their undying faith. They were about to erect a memorial, to which the coming generation of the Mission could raise their eyes to admire the test of courage and confidence in the work of their forefathers. And the seed to be planted by a few should grow to a strong tree, whose fruitful branches would extend its blossoms around a far district.

Consulting the old records, sustained yet today by the congregation, the few families contributed the necessary money and gave generously to the best of their ability. In the fall of 1875, Father C. Walters, who made his abode at Belvidere till the next summer, visited Mazeppa occasionally and collected the first money for the building of the new church. And after the completion of the foundation in the year 1876, the work proceeded rapidly until the long de- sired day approached, when the new House of God was dedicated with the most significant ceremonies for divine services, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Ireland of St. Paul. Rev. Father Stariha, of Red Wing, had the pastoral charge of this Mission, who visited the place at intervals till the summer of 1878. At this time the Mission was attached to St. Mary's Church of Belvidere, Goodhue County. On October 10, 1878, SS. Peter and Paul's congregation was incorporated, the legal document bearing the signature of the late Archbishop Thomas L. Grace, D.D., of St. Paul. From 1878 to September, 1881, Father John Meier, resident. pastor at Belvidere, attended to this place and was succeeded by Rev. John Tori. In the year 1880, under the administration of their pastor, Rev. John Meier, a fine church bell was purchased and the 14 stations of the Cross placed in church. After the removal of Fr. Tori, Rev. Pius Schmitt followed, succeeded by Rev. Ignatz Limberg; who ministered to the people here for about 12 years. Under the pastoral charge of Rev. Fr. Limberg a Sanctuary and Sacristy was built and a basement under the church made.

The Right Rev. Bishop Cotter, D.D., of Winona, yielding to the frequent. appeals of the people for a resident pastor, most joyfully granted his approval

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and entrusted the organization of the parish to the present incumbent, Rev. Father Mueller, who as the first resident pastor, commenced his parochial duties November 1, 1901, on the feast of All Saints, on which day he held his first service. Looking over the field of his future labors, a great and difficult task was to be done, that demanded earnest activity and a sacrificing spirit on the part of the parishioners. A house was rented for the temporary residence of the pastor, and after having made proper arrangements, a lot on the north side of the church was purchased from Mrs. Anna Gregoire. In the spring of 1901 the excavating of the foundation was commenced and the erection of the fine and comfortable rectory, with all the modern improvements according to the plans of Architect Keith of Minneapolis, was completed on August 1, 1901. Mr. Jos. Reiland was the contractor of the parsonage. The next step was in the direction of renovating the exterior of the church, in shingling the roof and painting. Also the interior demanded attention, for most was to be done in the beautifying of God's holy temple. New altars were erected, statues and vest- ments purchased. In August, 1901, two new church bells, the gifts of some of the parishioners, were solemnly blessed by Rev. John Meier of Winona, assisted by several other priests. And as the increase of the parish members, especially of the rising generation, demanded more room capacity, the con- gregation decided in 1902 to enlarge the church, by building two side wings in the form of a cross to the main church structure, each having the dimensions of 18x27 ft. In the year 1903 the entire church was adorned with stained leaded glass windows. In 1904 a new commodious chapel completely equipped for daily winter services was built in size 18x35 ft., costing $1,200. And in order to increase the surroundings of the church and rectory, six fine lots adjoining the church property were purchased in 1906 from Mr. Beck. Besides the many additions to the movable articles, such as a large new church organ, etc., a fine crucifixion group with stone platform was erected in the cemetery in 1909, as well as a new cement walk made from the rectory to the church and cement steps in front of the church. In the fall of 1910 a new coal furnace of the latest style, of 90,000 cubic feet capacity, was installed in the church and the walls of the church were most artistically frescoed. In the spring of 1911 a set of gothic relief stations were erected and a parish library established, a large barn built 20x36 ft. The cemetery consisting of more than five acres of land, has met with many improvements since 1901, the last being the erection of an iron fence and galvanized arch, 14 feet in height and 12 feet in width. Among the main improvements made in 1916 were the installation of electric lights in the church and chapel. In the spring of 1919 a commodious society hall was built, fully equipped with furnishings. Worthy of mention is the one week's holy mission that was held in the parish church in September, 1903, conducted by Rev. Father Gottfried Schlachter of the Precious Blood order.

The present church societies, which are in a flourishing condition, are : St. Mary's Ladies' Society, organized October 24, 1880, and reorganized in 1901-membership 95. St. Peter's Benevolent Society, organized November 27, 1892. The Catholic Order of Foresters, Court No. 630, organized November 22, 1896. St. Aloysius Sodality, organized January 1, 1906. St. Agnes Young Ladies' Society, organized June 21, 1912. Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord, canonically erected December 31, 1901.

The following are the priests who in succession attended as pastors to the spiritual wants of the faithful belonging to the mission up to its erection as a parish with a resident pastor: Reverends Knauff, Stariha, Meier, Tori, Schmitt, Limberg, and the present incumbent as the first pastor, Rev. Francis X. Mueller. Since the incorporation of this church the gentlemen who acted in the official capacity as legal directors respectively as secretaries and treasurers are the following: Nicholas Marx, Peter Birkenforth, Peter Christnach, Chas. W. Colling, N. P. Seivert, Peter Nei, George Nei, and Peter J. Marx.

REV. FRANCIS X. MUELLER.

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Methodist Episcopal Church .- The earliest church organization in the village was a class of this denomination, under the auspices of Presiding Elder N. Hobart, of Winona. Rev. J. W. Rogers had a circuit including this charge. A. E. Standish was the local elder, and F. S. Skillman class leader. There were eight members in the first class, as follows: Francis S. and Julia Skillman, James and Mary Ann Jackson, James Standish, Mary McLeach, Alvin Stoddard and Thurza Fraser. The church flourished for some years, but deaths and re- movals finally diminished its numbers, and services were discontinued. In 1911, when the Congregationalists were having difficulty in securing regular preach- ing in its pulpit, an appeal was made to the Methodist Conference. A local Methodist organization was perfected, and the Methodists have since occupied the Congregational church. The Methodist pastors since May 23, 1911, have been the Rev. Messrs. John W. Atkins, W. E. Hawley, Herbert E. Davis, A. B. Gould and then J. W. Atkins again.

The Congregational Church of Mazeppa was organized under the ministra- tion of Rev. Henry Willard, May 17, 1860. The first members were: Ezra and Asenath Robinson, Anna Stowell, Charles H. and Rosina L. Goodell, Eliza J. Day, Nellie G. Ormsby, Eliza A. Hyde and Freeman Pearson. The first or- dinance of baptism was administered to Freeman Pearson and Rosina L. Goodell; all the others being admitted on the recommendations furnished them by their respective churches from whence they came. Charles H. Goodell was elected deacon and treasurer, and Freeman Pearson clerk. The pastors have been: The Rev. Messrs. Warren Bigelow, J. M. Hayes, J. E. Burbank, E. P. Dada, J. B. Ladd, S. H. Barteau, Wm. M. Weld, H. K. Painter, N. H. Pierce, Daniel French, John Bradshaw, H. H. Ross, W. W. McArthur, J. C. Huntington, A. L. Struthers, W. H. Pierce, Q. C. Todd, J. E. Ingham, W. H. Moore, Irving B. Hollman, J. L. Nott, Frank Ferguson, S. T. Beattie, C. H. Moxie, Allen Clark and Paul Albert. O. B. Gould also occupied the pulpit at intervals. The church building was erected in 1870-71. It stands on the southeast corner of Walnut street and Broadway, fronting the latter, and overlooking the business part of the village. A parsonage was also erected. The Congregational organization is still retained, but its members worship with the Methodists who now occupy the church edifice.

Free-Will Baptist Church .- In March, 1880, Rev. J. N. Haskell organized a society of Free-Will Baptists here, this faith having been cherished by a few for many years. The following persons formed the original class: Charles and Jane Troxell, Wilson, Mrs. Mary and Miss Jane Hutchins, Elmer and Phoebe Stotts, James and Angeline Oliver, W. W. and Eliza Dean, and Misses Emma, Minnie and Lydia Dean, Rosa and Flora Oliver and Martha Harrison. Services were held in the schoolhouse, where the first quarterly meeting was held in 1881. During this year a church edifice was begun on the corner of Broadway and Chestnut streets, fronting the former, and was completed next season. Mr. Willard was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Keville, who remained a year. Not long afterward services were discontinued. The first superintendent of the Sunday school was Emma Dean.

Tyrian Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M. held its first communication under dis- pensation February 8, 1870. The first officers were: Worshipful Master, E. W. Robie; senior warden, James Oliver; junior warden, George Maxwell; treasurer, H. Wilson; secretary, W. M. Evans; senior deacon, O. D. Ford; junior deacon, George B. Franklin; senior steward, W. W. Day; tyler, G. W. Judd. The first application for membership was that of Evander Skillman. The charter was granted January 11, 1871. The first officers elected under the charter were: Worshipful Master, E. W. Robie; senior warden, James Oliver; junior warden, W. W. Black; treasurer, A. J. Taft; secretary, W. M. Evans; senior deacon, Evander Skillman; junior deacon, G. B. Franklin; tyler, G. W. Judd.

The Masters of the lodge have been: E. W. Robie, James Oliver, W. W. Black, J. S. Huntley, E. S. Hyde, George Maxwell, E. L. Ford, Geo. W. Hall,

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John B. Gregoire, E. L. Ford, L. L. Mathews, John McCabe, N. L. Munger, A. L. McCray, A. P. Hawkinson, M. J. Rucker, L. A. Phillips and A. W. Crawford.

The first meetings were held in the hall in the store at the southeast corner of Main and Walnut streets. Afterward the lodge put an extra story on the building owned by Dr. O. S. Lont and occupied as a drug store by William Angell. In time John W. Kingsley purchased the property and it is now owned by the lodge, the lodge room being in the upper story and the banquet hall in the lower story.

Mazeppa Chapter Order of Eastern Star, No. 188, began work under a dispensation granted March 17, 1906, the officers being: Worthy matron, Mrs. Lottie McCabe (Mrs. J. B. McCabe) ; worthy patron, E. L. Ford; associate matron, Ellen Munger (Mrs. N. L. Munger) ; secretary, Mrs. Agnes Kingsley (Mrs. J. W. Kingsley). The chapter was granted its charter May 10, 1906, and the officers elected were: Worthy matron, Harriet Nichols (Mrs. O. G. Nichols) ; worthy patron, E. L. Ford; associate matron, Ellen Munger (Mrs. N. L. Munger) ; secretary, Agnes Kingsley (Mrs. J. W. Kingsley). The office of matron has been held successively up to the present time by Mrs. Harriet Nichols, Mrs. Agnes Kingsley, Mrs. Nellie McClelland, Mrs. Maude Yotter (Mrs. F. C. Yotter), Mrs. Mary Kingsley (Mrs. F. W. Kingsley), and Mrs. Phoebe Mack (Mrs. L. L. Mack).

Mazeppa Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was instituted January 8, 1878, but the charter was soon surrendered.

Mazeppa Lodge, No. 225, Degree of Honor, was organized January 8, 1906. The first officers were: Past Chief of Honor, Clara (Mrs. John E.) Philley; chief of honor, Hattie (Mrs. Fred D.) Mack; lady of honor, Melissa (Mrs. Lans- ford) Ingalls; chief of ceremonies, Mary (Mrs. W. A.) Munger; recorder, Anna L. (Mrs. E. L.) Ford; financier, Hattie (Mrs. O. G.) Nichols; receiver, Caroline (Mrs. M. J.) Rucker; usher, Emma Beardsley; inside watch, Kate (Mrs. Thomas) Hodson; outside watch, Margaret (Mrs. N. J.) Almeter.

Mazeppa Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F., was instituted Aug. 6, 1879, with the following charter officers: S. Phillips, N. G .; F. L. Boney, V. G .; M. Schram, secretary ; G. W. Judd, treasurer; E. W. Black and James Hickox. At the second meeting other officers were installed as follows: C. C. Emery, Warden; R. A. Johnson, C .; E. W. Black, I.G .; W. King, R.S.N.G .; Alvin Kinney, L.S.N.G .; R. Black, R.S.V.G .; J. B. Gregoire, L.S.V.G .; William Ritschlag, R.S.S .; Daniel Macky, L.S.S.

Deville C. Ford, W.R.C., No. 96, Mazeppa, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, was organized January 25, 1896, with the following charter members: Orille A. (Mrs. Orvill .D.) Ford, Adelia A. (Mrs. Orton) Ford, Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles C.) Robinson, Maria D. (Mrs. Robert H.) Davis, Mary J. (Mrs. Henry) Pengilly, Arne E. (Mrs. Lewis) Judd, Eliza (Mrs. Thomas) Carlon, Helena A. (Mrs. Peter A.) Clemens, Emily (Mrs. Z. B.) Page, Julia R. (Mrs. Charles) Turner, Mary (Mrs. Levi E.) Scruby, Mary Pengilly, Susanna (Mrs. George W.) Sullivan, Grace Pengilly, Georgia (Mrs. William L.) Duncan. The officers for that year were: Mary Scruby, president; Elizabeth Robinson, senior vice-president, Mary J. Pengilly, junior vice-president; Adelia A. Ford, secretary; Emily Page, treasurer; Julia R. Turner, chaplain; Mary Pengilly, conductor; Eliza Carlon, guard; Susanna Sullivan, assistant conductor; Helena Clemens, assistant guard. The work of the Woman's Relief Corps consists mainly in assisting the Grand Army of the Republic in their noble work of caring for their afflicted comrades and their dependent ones; in cherishing and emulating the deeds of our army nurses and of all loyal women who rendered loving service to our country in its hour of peril; and in teaching patriotism in the communities in which we live, and perpetuating the memory of our heroic dead by the sacred observance of Memorial Day. With the last mentioned service in view, a part of the Corps' work consists in making a wreath of

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flowers for each of the graves of departed comrades, the Corps marching to the cemetery with the G. A. R. on May 30 each year to deposit the decorations. The Corps is growing in strength every year, and has now a patriotic instructor whose duty is to promote patriotic education in the schools by presenting flags, patriotic primers, oleographs of the origin and history of the Stars and Stripes, and to observe national anniversaries and flag days. The report of the patriotic instructor for 1919 (Josephine Elston) shows that she visited six schools, pre- sented one flag to a Sunday school and one flag to a public institution, gave 36 flag salute leaflets and eight primers to schools, the amount expended being $16.16. Through the kindness of Comrade Gilbert Beardsley of D. C. Ford Post No. 50, of Mazeppa, a list of the soldiers who have answered the last roll call has been obtained and is here presented, namely: James Harrison, Ira Belden, Thomas Perry, R. A. Johnson, Lester Frederickson (World War), Nile Graham, M. Owen, A. Marshal, W. W. Black, Elmer Black, A. J. Taft, John Smithson, N. B. Smith, C. N. Elston, Andrew Arnold, T. Holloway, Joe Sibly, John O'Con- nell (U. S. Navy), Ben Crandall, John Hyde, Orton Ford, Ansil Carrier, Henry Washburn, Turner Preble, Charles Robinson, Charles Sibley, George Hall, G. Goodman, George Carlon (Spanish War), Thomas Carlon, Henry Putman, Henry Pengilly, Peter Clemens, Orin Boughton, Chauncey Allen, M. Schram, Henry Squire, H. Helenbolt, Mr. Hartman, George Franklin, Sylvester Summers, H. Paxley, George Suits, Wallace Hutchins, F. Crandall and L. McManus. The Post also decorates eight graves at Bell Chester, seven at Lincoln and three at Bear Valley.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 17

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222