USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 34
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which resulted in building the Midland railroad from Wabasha to Zumbrota. During a part of the time his brother, H. H. Walton, was associated with him in the paper, and June 1, 1878, W. L. Lewark, who for several months had been foreman in the office, bought a third interest in the establishment. April 1, 1879, Mr. Walton sold to W. H. H. Matteson his two-thirds interest in the Herald. Matteson and Lewark ran the paper until April 1, 1881, when O. F. Collier purchased from Matteson and assumed the business management, with Mr. Lewark controlling the types and presses.
On September 26, 1888, almost the entire office and outfit were destroyed by fire. The 27th was publication day, but without a break the paper appeared. This was accompanied by taking the forms to Lake City and doing the printing on the Graphic-Sentinel press, the use of which the owners of that paper, Messrs. Mckinney & Linnen, kindly accorded. A new outfit was at once pro- cured, and as soon as the old quarters in Lucas Kuehn's building had been sufficiently repaired the proprietors again occupied it and proceeded to fit up the office in metropolitan style. New type was purchased throughout, new stands, furniture and fixings, a five-horse engine and large steam boiler were installed, radiators and steam pipes introduced, and the entire building heated by steam. A large Cottrell press was purchased, also a large Gordon jobber, and the office was placed on a better footing than ever before.
About 1890 or 1892 Mr. Collier withdrew from the firm, the paper being subsequently published by J. F. McGovern & Co., the new firm being composed of J. F. McGovern, James Keating and W. L. Newark, Mr. Newark having pre- viously been a partner with Mr. Collier. The new firm continued for several years until Mr. Newark dropped out about 1895 or 1896, but the paper was still published under the firm name of J. F. McGovern & Co. up to September 1, 1905, when S. M. Quigley bought the McGovern interest, the firm becoming Keating & Quigley. As such it remained until October 16, 1908, when Mr. Quigley bought out Mr. Keating, and has since remained the sole owner. W. J. Dornuf, who has been with the Herald since 1909, is the active manager of the plant. The old steam power system was replaced some eight years ago with electric power. The plant is thoroughly modern, containing all the necessary equip- ment of an up-to-date office. The Herald is a standard seven-column, eight- page weekly. In politics it is independent with Democratic leanings. The oldest newspaper in Wabasha County, it is also the official paper of the city- a privilege it has always enjoyed, and has also been the official paper of the county since early days except for a few years. Under its present ownership and management it is enjoying continued prosperity.
The Federal Constitution, a Democratic journal, was published for a few weeks in the summer of 1864, by Dr. F. H. Milligan and John W. Tyson; it was short-lived, had no office, and was printed on the Herald press.
The Wabasha Bulletin was established in the summer of 1879 under the guidance of Editor Slagel. In the latter part of 1880 it passed into the hands of J. R. Pennington. The next and last owner was C. J. Hines.
The Wabasha County Leader, the latest addition to the ranks of journalism in the city of Wabasha, was established in March, 1919, by an incorporated company consisting of a number of farmers residing in various parts of the county, there being now about 200 stockholders. It is politically independent, its chief object being the promotion of co-operative enterprises. W. W. Cheatham is employed as editor. The Leader has already a circulation of about 1,200 and is still growing. It has a good modern plant with everything needed for a successful journalistic enterprise. The paper is an eight-page, seven- column weekly, neatly printed, and apparently has-a promising future.
The Wabasha Standard was first known as the Wabasha Democrat, under which name it appeared early in February, 1888. The founders and proprietors were A. J. Stone and C. J. Haines, the former a Republican and the latter a Democrat. The political complexion of the paper was at first Democratic, but
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as such it was conducted but a short time. Its name was soon changed to The Standard-about 1899-and a year or so later the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Stone becoming the sole owner and editor. He conducted it as a Republican weekly newspaper until his death in December, 1906, after which event it be- came the property of his widow, Mrs. Emma C. Stone, who employed an editor and other necessary help, and continued its publication until September, 1918, when she sold it to the present editor and proprietor, Hugh R. Smith. Mr. Smith has made no change in the politics of the Standard, which is a six- column quarto of eight pages, neatly printed. The plant includes a good cylinder press, a type-setting machine, job press and other modern equipment, and the paper is flourishing under its present management.
St. Felix Parish of the Roman Catholic Church at Wabasha, with its various religious, educational and philanthropic activities, dates back to 1842, and is therefore one of the oldest church organizations in the Northwest. In 1842 the Rev. Augustin Ravoux, of St. Paul, sent a log building from Mendota to this place to be used as a chapel for worship. It was placed upon a raft and floated down the river, and after reaching Wabasha it was put up on the ground of what was called "The Point," which is now the terminus of Main street, north. This was used as a church edifice some 14 years. As there was no settled pastor of the flock, services were very irregular, and the building was finally used for secular purposes. The first printing press of the town was set up in it, and the first paper printed in the county issued therefrom. A school was also taught in it for a time, but finally the old church fell into decay, all traces of it having long since been obliterated.
In the autumn of 1858 Rev. Felix Tissot came to the place and immediately took measures to erect a new church upon the ground of the Catholic cemetery in the southeast part of the city, on what is called "Rocque's Addition." It was completed in the spring of 1859, but it proved to be too far from the center of the town for convenience, and in 1862 it was taken down and moved to lot 6 in block 22. The size of this church was 30 by 50 feet, there being a tower in front in which was a bell weighing 500 pounds. It was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Grace on July 27, 1862. In the fall of 1872 a school was opened in the basement story of the church, under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee, of 90 pupils, with three teachers, Sister Venantia the superior.
This church, proving too small for the increasing congregation, had to give place to a new and large brick structure on lot 1 and half of lot 2, in block 26, the cornerstone of which was laid with imposing ceremonies by Rt. Rev. Bishop Grace. It was completed in 1874 and dedicated with imposing ceremonies.
The first resident pastor of Wabasha was Rev. Felix Tissot, rector of St. Felix Church from October, 1858, to October, 1866, when the parish was placed in charge of Rev. James Trobec. A convenient rectory was built upon lot 6, block 22, at an expense of $2,200, in the year 1872.
Father Trobec continued as pastor until 1887, when he was succeeded by Rev. Max Wurst, under whose long pastorate of 32 years the parish had a steady and remarkable growth. Father Wurst proved a devoted priest, an indefatigable worker, and a man of great administrative ability, whose labors bore abundant fruit. He not only personally supervised all the various branches of parish work, but applied himself continuously, and to the full extent of his remarkable powers, to enlarge their scope and increase their effectiveness.
The brick church erected in 1874, after an existence of nearly 20 years, was completely destroyed by fire, and in 1893 was rebuilt by him with improve- ments. Just previous to this he had built the Sisters' residence and the St. Felix School building, the latter being completed in 1902. Father Wurst also built the present rectory, enlarged and beautified St. Felix cemetery, and after strenuous
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efforts succeeded in having the State Sanitarium located in Wabasha-an act of public spirit appreciated by all the citizens irrespective of creed. For this work of development and upbuilding he was especially fitted by his thorough and extensive knowledge, both of civil and ecclesiastical law, and in a good cause he spared no efforts. His activities in building up the parish attracted wide attention and drew many settlers to Wabasha and the surrounding country. The church recognized his services by advancing him to the ecclesiastical dig- nity of Monsignor, and they were equally appreciated by the members of his flock and by the citizens of Wabasha generally. His earthly labors were brought to an end by his death in 1919, and he was succeeded in the fall of that year by Rev. John N. Bartholome, another man of energy and proved ability.
Father Bartholome is a native of Wabasha County, born and reared in Chester Township. He pursued his classical course at St. Francis Seminary, at Milwaukee, studied philosophy for two years and theology for four years at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and was there ordained in 1902. His first appointment was at Worthington, Minn., where he remained 18 months. From 1904 to 1919 he was stationed at Fulda, Minn., where he built up and improved the parish, erecting a fine church costing $60,000 and a school which cost $40,000. Since taking over the Wabasha parish he has made some im- portant improvements here, which were begun soon after his arrival and have just been completed (September 1, 1920). The interior of the school has been revarnished and calsomined, the convent has been supplied with a new heating plant, and the rectory has been practically rebuilt inside and a garage erected, the total cost amounting to about $25,000.
St. Felix School is a large and important institution and furnishes full instruction in the graded and high school courses, equal in extent and thor- oughness to that supplied by the public school system. The building is a large brick structure of two stories and basement, with convenient and well lighted class rooms, and an auditorium capable of seating 1,000 people, which at present is also used as a gymnasium.
There are twelve Sisters of Notre Dame connected with the parish, with Sister Euphemia as superior. Eight of the Sisters are teachers in the school, which has an enrollment of from 325 to 350 pupils. The school includes a large music class under the charge of a special music teacher.
In connection with the parish there are also some 14 or 15 active societies, the Knights of Columbus organization alone having more than 500 members. Another prominent organization is the German Benevolent Society, having a membership of between 190 and 200. All these societies are engaged in relig- ious, philanthropic or social work calculated to bring useful results and main- tain and advance the general interest.
Wabasha is the home of two important charitable institutions under the control of the Catholic Church-St. Elizabeth's Hospital and St. Joseph's Orphanage, each of which has had a large and steady growth.
St. Elizabeth's Hospital had its origin in 1898, when a small house belong- ing to Dr. Milligan, and standing on the present site of the institution, was purchased, and, after being remodeled, was fitted up to accommodate from ten to twelve patients. That the demand was urgent may be inferred from the fact that within a very few days the hospital was filled to its capacity. Within the next two or three years cottages were erected to meet the increased demand for room. These, however, were found insufficient, and therefore in 1905 a three-story brick building was erected, with accommodations for 25 to 30 patients, in addition to the nurses and management. It is an imposing struc- ture, beautifully located one and a half miles from the business center of Wabasha, on the bank of the Mississippi River, and commanding a view of the river and the Wisconsin bluffs. The reputation of the hospital spread, and within a few years another addition had become necessary. The need was met
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by the construction of a modern three-story wing, which was begun in the summer of 1919. The hospital has been made a fire-proof building and con- tains a fine operating-room, with all the necessary scientific appliances, to- gether with a magnificent chapel. The present capacity of the hospital is from 60 to 65 patients.
St. Joseph's Orphanage, Wabasha, was established in December, 1900, when Bishop Cotter sent five children of the Connolly family of Winona to Wabasha to be taken care of. The Sisters had no place for them, but could not turn them away, so a small cottage was fitted up and the children housed. By the fall of 1904 the need of a regular orphanage had become so pressing that larger and better quarters had to be provided, and a substantial brick struc- ture, with accommodations for 85 to 90 children, was begun, and was com- pleted in November, 1905. The building adjoins its companion institution, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and, like it, commands a fine view of the Mississippi River. An eight-grade school is conducted in it. The girls who remain for high school training are sent to St. Felix Parochial School in Wabasha, the boys being sent to St. Mary's College at Winona. Desirable homes are found for all the children, the Sisters exercising supervision over them until they become of age. Both Catholic and Protestant children, from two to sixteen years old, are received by the orphanage, which is a charitable institution liberally assisted by citizens of the Winona diocese. There are 22 Sisters con- nected with the orphanage and hospital. Thirty-five acres of land have been purchased, on which vegetables and garden produce are raised for the use and benefit of the institutions.
Grace Episcopal Church .- The first Episcopal service held in Wabasha was given in June, 1857, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Kemper, missionary bishop of the Northwest, which included Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota. After Minnesota became a diocese, the first service held in the diocese by its bishop, the Rt. Rev. Henry Benjamin Whipple, was at Wabasha, in the Baptist chapel, October, 1859, as he was on his way up the Mississippi to St. Paul. Regular services were held during the year 1860, by the Rev. Charles W. Clinton, in a room fitted up for that purpose in a building on Bridge street known as Apollo Hall. A Sunday school had been organized in the winter of 1857 by a lady, holding it in her own house, under the sanction of Bishop Kemper, being assisted from time to time by clergymen who held occasional services in the place before Rev. Clinton's ministry began. That school has been continued until the present date without interruption, and it was the first Sunday school organized in Wabasha. Mr. Clinton remained about eight months, preaching alternately here and at Lake City. After he left, the Rev. C. P. Dorsett held occasional services until the autumn of 1862, when the Rev. H. G. Batterson commenced his labors here, his first services being given on the twenty-third Sunday after Trinity, November 23, 1862. The parish was not organized until December 16, when, at a meeting, it was voted to call the organization by the name of Grace Church, Wabasha, regular service and Sunday school being held in the court-house. In the spring of 1863 three lots were given by Wm. W. Prindle for church purposes, and arrangements were made during that year for building a stone church upon the ground, contract let to R. P. Andrews for the laying of the walls. The basement was com- pleted in the spring of 1864, and corner-stone laid on June 15, with appropri- ate ceremonies. A copper box was placed in the stone, containing a copy of the Holy Scriptures in English, according to the standard of King James' translation, a copy of the Book of Common Prayer, a copy of the Church Almanac, with parish list for 1864, also copies of the "Church Journal," "The Northwestern Church," and the "Wabasha County Herald," one silver dime and half-dime of the issue of 1853, an English shilling piece of the reign of George III, 1788, a five-cent Canada coin of silver, Victoria, 1858, ten and five cent specimens of the postal currency, ten-cent piece of scrip, Bank of Tennessee,
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Nashville, December, 1861, a copper coin of Canada and United States, ein kreuzer, 1816, photograph of the first bishop of Minnesota (Bishop Whipple), and the pastor, Rev. H. G. Batterson; the names of the bishop and clergy of Minnesota for 1864, with names of the members of the standing committee and other officers of the diocese. Unfortunately, on June 23, the builder and con- tractor were drafted for the war, and the work on the structure had to be suspended and the project finally abandoned, for, as the price of labor and material advanced, the parish had not the means to carry forward the work.
During the winter of 1864-65 the Rev. Mr. Batterson was absent from the parish on account of ill health, during which time Ralph E. Arnold gave a lay service every Sunday morning and took charge of the Sunday school, which at this time numbered one hundred and nineteen scholars. Mr. Batter- son returned in the spring, and on the first day of June, 1865, the . Baptist chapel was purchased and removed to the church lots on corner of Bailley and Third streets. It was thoroughly repaired and painted, a bell tower in the rear being added, and the opening service was held therein on Sunday, July 30. By a general subscription, aided by friends of Mr. Batterson, a bell was purchased of Messrs. A. Fulton, Sons & Co., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it was rung the first time on Sunday morning, October 29, 1865. The weight of this bell was 850 pounds.
On April 30, 1866, the church was incorporated and the following named wardens and vestrymen elected: Carlos W. Lyon, Charles R. Read, William W. Prindle, William T. Dugan, Nathan F. Webb, James G. Lawrence and Ralph E. Arnold. Of these officials Mr. Lawrence, now 84 years old, is still one of the leading members of the church. About this time the Rev. Mr. Bat- terson preached his farewell sermon and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Ward- law, who commenced his labors June 24, 1866. His successor was the Rev. Alex Seabrease, B.D., who took charge of the parish May 23, 1869. During this year the parish built a rectory costing $1,600, and steps were taken to fill up the basement of the church. The Rev. A. Seabrease closed his connec- tion with the church June 2, 1872. After him came the Rev. Horace Hills, who closed his rectorship of the parish September 30, 1877. He was succeeded on October 7, the same year, by the Rev. James Cornell. The Rev. James Cornell was succeeded by Rev. Joseph J. Hillmer, who was pastor for twelve years and three months, his successor being Rev. Elmer Lofstrom, who served seven years. After him came Rev. Charles H. Plummer, who was pastor two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Caleb Benham, who also served two years. Then came Rev. John Evans. The Rev. John Evans was pastor for two years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Archibald Sidders, who also remained two years, leaving in August, 1919. After Rev. Archibald Sidders said farewell to the parish no services were held, except occasionally by the Bishop, until recently, but now Rev. Joseph J. Hillmer, of Winona, a former pastor of the church, is holding services twice a month.
The present stone edifice, a most beautiful piece of architecture, was erected in 1900 by Mr. Thomas Irvine, now of St. Paul, as a memorial to his wife, Mrs. Emily Hills Irvine, who was the daughter of the Rev. Horace Hills, formerly rector of the parish. The building is one of the most tasteful pieces of church architecture in the state. The chancel window, representing the two Marys at the tomb Easter morning, was made by Tiffany of New York at a cost of $3,000.
The Congregational Church of Wabasha was organized in February, 1856, the original members being Deacon Oliver Pendleton, Mrs. W. W. Prindle, Mrs. W. Hancock, Mrs. H. Wilson, Malcolm Kennedy and W. S. Jackson, Rev. H. H. Morgan, missionary director. This organization, next to the Catholic, is the oldest in the place. The first settled pastor was the Rev. S. L. Hillier, who commenced his ministry May 1, 1857, services being held in what was called Apollo Hall. Mr. Hillier was succeeded by Rev. David Andrews October 15,
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1858, and he was the first clergyman who held service in the new church. This church was built on lot 2, of block 14, on Second street, its size being 22 by 50 with a bell tower in the rear containing a bell weighing 1,000 pounds. The building was dedicated October 20, 1858. Rev. Mr. Andrews was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Hiram Doane in August, 1860, he commencing his labors on the 27th. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Doane resigned his charge for another in the service of his country, and was succeeded by the Rev. L. N. Woodruff, September 16, 1862, and Mr. Woodruff by Rev. S. A. Van Dyke in 1864. The next pastor, the Rev. Edward Hildreth, assumed charge in April, 1866. The Rev. Henry Loomis was pastor 1867 to 1868. The Rev. C. W. Honeyman succeeded Mr. Loomis in the spring of 1872, in which year the society erected a beautiful parsonage upon lot 1 of the church property, which cost $3,600. Mr. Honeyman's health failing him, the Rev. O. Hobbs officiated from January 14, 1874, to April 2, 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Wicks; and Mr. Wicks ended his labors with this congregation in August, 1875, being succeeded by the Rev. S. D. Todd on November 3 of the same year. Mr. Todd continued his minstry here until succeeded by Rev. J. W. Ray April 4, 1877. Mr. Ray continued his pastoral relations until the autumn of 1882, when he was succeeded by the Rev. C. P. Watson. The Sabbath school was organized in the autumn of 1858, and has been continued with unabated interest and success until the present time. Malcolm Kennedy acted as superintendent some twenty-two years. W. S. Jackson was the very efficient and interested librarian of this school from its commencement to the time of his death in February, 1882. The first deacons of this church were Oliver Pendleton, Sr., and William W. McDougall. Rev. C. P. Watson served until 1883. The suc- ceeding pastors have been as follows: N. T. Blakeslee, 1883 to 1889; W. H. Medlar, 1889 to 1898; R. L. Breed, 1898 to 1902; W. B. Pinkerton, 1902 to 1907; W. H. Short, September, 1907, to November, 1908; Wilbur M. Evans, April, 1909, to February, 1910; Henry Ketcham, October, 1910 to August, 1913; James A. Orrock, September, 1913, to 1914; W. A. Pringle, 1915 to 1917; Elmer D. Gallagher, September, 1917, to the present time. In 1914 the Methodist Episcopal Church, which for some time had been going down hill, federated with the Congressional Church and supplied two of the pastors above men- tioned, the Revs. J. A. Orrock and W. A. Pringle. The federation lasted for some seven or eight years, at the end of which period the Methodist Church, having only about 35 members left, and the church property being badly out of repair, gave up their own church organization, the majority of the mem- bers, about 25, on July 4, 1920 (Sunday), joining the Congregational Church, and further accessions from the same source are expected. The present mem- bership of the church is about 130; the Sunday school enrollment about 100. The Woman's Missionary Society and Ladies' Benefit Society are active factors in church work. The present church edifice, a neat frame building, was erected in 1884, the old edifice being united with it so as to form one building. It is located on W. Second street at the corner of Walnut. Miss Julia Hilker is the present organist.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Wabasha .- The first Protestant services held in Wabasha were by Rev. Dwight Kidder, in the American hotel, in 1855. Mr. Kidder was a Methodist, and had been sent to take charge of the mission embracing Read's Landing, Wabasha, Central Point and Wacouta. A class formed in Wabasha, consisting of H. B. Potter, leader, H. Tracy, T. G. Bolton, J. W. Bolton, Nancy Bolton, Ruth E. Bolton, Mrs. Wilds and Hannah Drew. The first quarterly meeting held in the place was in the log chapel belonging to the Catholics, December 15-16, 1855. Rev. Benjamin Crist was appointed to this charge in 1856, but did not remain, and services were interrupted until August, 1857, when the Rev. S. Salsbury was placed in charge, his work to comprise Wabasha, Read's Landing and Cook's Valley. Mr. Salsbury left in the spring of 1858, and the next pastor in charge was the Rev. James Gurley.
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