USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources > Part 49
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ARMY.
SIXTH REGIMENT.
The 6th regt. Minn. Inf. was organized in August, 1862, and was ordered immediately upon the Indian expedition on the fron- tier. A detachment of two hundred men were engaged in the battle of Wood Lake, September 22, 1862.
The regiment garrisoned frontier posts from November, 1862, until May, 1863, when ordered on the Indian expedition and en- gaged with Indians, July 24, 26 and 28, 1863. Again stationed at frontier forts from September 18, 1863, to June 5, 1864, when it was ordered to Helena, Arkansas. Ordered to St. Louis, Mis- souri, in 1864, and then to New Orleans in January, 1865. Assigned to the 16th Army Corps, and participated in engagements of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in April, 1865. This regiment was dis- charged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, August 19, 1865.
The volunteers from this county for this regiment are as follows :
Rupel A. Johnson, Edwin C. Eaton, Gustaf Sandberg, Charles Wilson, Arnold Hollman, Nathan W. Tupper, Joshua A. Tupper, Sylvester Franklin, James H. Adams, Joseph N. Woods, John T. Averill, James Ardins, John S. Huntley, Nathan W. Tupper, Sylvester Franklin, James H. Adams, Joseph N. Woods.
EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The 8th regt. Minn. Inf. was organized August 1, 1862, and was stationed at frontier posts until May, 1864, when it was ordered upon the Indian expedition, and participated in the following skirmishes, battles and marches : At Tah-cha-oku-tu, on July 28, 1864, battle of the Cedars, Overall's Creek ; ordered thence to Clifton, Tennessee, and thence to Washington ; from Washington to Wihnington, North Carolina, and thence to Newbern ; was in the battles of Kingston, March 8, 9 and 10, 1865. This regiment was mustered out at Char- lotte, North Carolina, July 11, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling.
Names of enlisted men from Wabasha county in this regiment are as follows :
George Atkinson, Wesley Kinney, Nathaniel F. Randolph, Henry Selover, Lyman E. Thorp, James Armstrong, Samuel D. Welch, Samuel V. Carr, Benj. Rawalt, Stanley M. Veeder, Moses B. Whitney, Enos Way, Sandford Wood- worth, Joseph E. Farrow, Albert H. Taisey, George C. Everett, James A. Oliver, Allen Allison, Thomas Baldwin, Daniel L. Burdict, Clark B. Bartlett, Lewellyn Bartlett, John Body, Gilbert Beardsley, Joseph S. Collins, Patrick Carroll, Joseph Crawshaw, Alonzo Congdon, David Cronin, James E. Cady, James A. Densmore, Stephen W. Downing, Pratt Drinkwalter, George H. Davis, John
678
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
Desso, Henry C. Eaton, W. B. Emmons, Onecannes N. Frink, Alhert J. Field, James B. Glover, Rufus R. Goodell, John R. Goodenongh, Wilson Hutchins, James Hendren, William H. Hayes, Lewis C. Judd, Albert Jones, Oliver Jones, Thomas Kinney, William C. Knapp, Manly B. Lowe, Nicholas Lippert, Wm. McDonough, Daniel Monroe, Fred Mack, Eugene Manning, Wm. H. Norton, Thomas Nesdell, Lewis C. Paxon, Barna B. Powers, John J. Ross, William Reeves, James Reeves, George Selover, Miles H. Sweeny, James O. Smith, Isaiah Smith, Samuel B. Smith, James Sanders, Benj. L. Starr, Calon Sinclaire, Henry K. Sherman, Daniel W. Schaeffer, Frank Shepard, John Soules, Charles F. Taylor, Riley C. Tabor, H. G. Thompson, John T. Webster, Thomas J. Webster, John R. S. Warring, Reuben Warren, James L. White, Horace M. Workman, Alexander Young, Philander O. Bartlett, David C. Crow, Augustin Carpenter, John J. Dilley, Richard Hammond, John C. Harradon, Henry C. Keeler, William H. Parsons, Henry C. Righy, John J. Stearns, Leander W. Stearns, Edwin Walters, James H. White, Edwin Woodworth, Chauney Woodworth, John S. Huntley, John K. Davis, Henry Denne, Jacob Idc, Martin Kratz, William H. Milton, Thomas Milton, Julius Niehardt, Frederick Nie- hardt, Joseph Netzer, Nicholas Webber, Peter Dickman.
The 9th Minn. regt. was organized in August, 1862, and was stationed at frontier posts until September, 1863, when it was ordered to St. Louis, Missouri. From there it was ordered to Jefferson City, Missouri, and thence distributed among several posts in the interior of that state; ordered to St. Louis again in May, 1864, and from there to Memphis, Tennessee. This fine regiment engaged in the Guntown expedition in June, 1864, and was assigned to the 16th Army Corps, same month. Was at Tupelo in July, 1863, at Tallahatehie in August, and in the Oxford expedition the same month. This regiment participated in the celebrated march in pursuit of Price, from Brownsville, Arkansas, to Cape Girar- deau, and thence by boat to Jefferson City ; from there marched to the Kansas line, and from that again to St. Louis. This regiment participated also in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee, December 15 and 16, 1864, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, in April, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling, August, 1865.
The following is a list of volunteers to this regiment from Wabasha county :
Jules Capon, Frank Lohr, Etna Benjamin, Francis Trudel, George Abbott, Alois Burzell, Octabo Barker, Joseph Baker, Jacob Baden, Pierre Demars, James Fitzgerald, Paul Felix, Paul Gnhrt, Jacob Germ, John Gilbert, Frederick Heilman, Karl Kirchner, Gerhart Lehnert, Herman Lessing, Frederick la Chapelle, Alexander Morto, Bartholomew Olinger, Charles Pratchett, Pierre Rodier, Alois Spitzmesser, Jacob Theilen.
Record of 10th regt. Minn. Vols. is as follows : Was organized in August, 1862, and stationed at the frontier posts until June, 1863,
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when it was ordered upon Indian expedition. Participated in the engagement with the Indians upon the plains, on July 24, 26 and 28, 1863. Was ordered to rendezvous at St. Louis, Missouri, in October, 1863, and went from there to Columbus, Kentucky, in April, 1864; from there to Memphis, Tennessee, in June, 1864 ; and was assigned to the 16th Army Corps. Participated in the fol- lowing battles, sieges, skirmishes and marches: in the battle of Tupelo, July 13, 1864; Oxford expedition, August, 1864; and marched in pursuit of Price from Brownsville, Arkansas, to Cape Girardeau ; thence they went by boat to Jefferson City ; from there to Kansas line and back to St. Louis, Missouri. This regiment par- ticipated in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee, December 15 and 16, 1864 ; was at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in April, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling, August 19, 1865.
The following is a correct list of names of volunteers from this county in that regiment :
Walter M'Nallan, Bartholomew Costello, George W. Tenny, Christian Shil- son, William O. Sleeper, William M. Parvis, George C. Putnam, Josiah A. Peck, Henry Southwick, James K. Taft, John Thompson, Francis H. Wilde, John D. Winter, William W. Wright, Ogden D. Warner, Horace B. Whiting, Daniel Winter, Solomon Young, Daniel Young, Nathaniel Yeoman, Royal W. Olm- sted, Lemuel S. Orton, John Nelson, Christ Nelson, Edward H. Matterson, Eusebins Mullens, Robert Moody, George Mathewson, James W. Lockey, Merritt G. Lawrence, Albert Linstram, Hans Jaelson, Lewis Johnson, James W. Hayes, James G. Foster, David Foley, Charles D. Foster, Peter Erickson, Almon H. Doeg, Daniel M. Davis, George W. Drew, Thomas J. Cross, David E. Cross, Alanson H. Case, Thomas C. Cepperton, William Canfield, Hiram Bemis, Franklin M. Buck, John Burnes, Clarence L. Burtch, Silas R. Burpee, John Burton, John M. Benthall, David Ackley, Octavius A. Leland, Collins Pratt, Austin D. Carroll, Henry Hipple, Charles G. Dawley, James M. Collier, Francis W. Knapp, John M. Burnham, John W. Murphy, Martin W. Bechter, Oliver P. Crawford, John B. Robinson, Oliver H. Holcombe, Wallace W. Case, John Lathrop, Charles W. Hackett, Albert S. Hopson.
The 1st regt. Minn. Heavy Art. Inf. was organized in April, 1865, and was ordered to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it remained until mustered out of service in September, 1865, and was dis- charged at Fort Snelling.
Harlan P. Allen, George W. Colby, John L. Conway, Charles F. Church, John D. Dunham, William F. Fulton, Franklin H. Gillott, Orlando Gaylord, David Jagers, James Lewis, Charles A. McKean, William Sullivan, Alexander Selover, Charles H. Sibley, Marshall Wier, Perry D. Willard, William H. Thorp, Robert P. Andrews, Charles G. Austin, Ulric Beebe, Rudolph Burk- hardt, Gottlieb Burkhardt, Edwin Brown, James C. Burns, Charles C. Bidwell, Albert W. Bean, Joshua Clarkson, William C. Carpenter, James McGrath,
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
William H. Mathews, Georg Porter, William M. Porter, Robert H. Piner, Turner Preble, Jr., William M. Perkins, Albert R. Ross, John N. Ross, Martin Ryan, Ira Stone, Frank St. Clare, John Satory, Antoin Schultzer, Charles W. Sargeant, Augustus W. Stowman, Sidney H. Smith, Jerome J. Stone, Charles Needham, Clinton N. Sterry, Andrew Clark, Orville D. Ford, Lamont Gilbert, Dewitt C. Collier, Hiram Dieterle, Alonzo Darow, Peter H. Fenton, Orton D. Ford, Ira A. Fiefield, George B. Franklin, Lorenzo J. Fiefield, Ebenezer F. Farnsworth, Frederick Gramonds, Joseph Guthner, Herman Graner, Isaac N. Green, William Hayes, Henry Horton, Edward Johnson, James Kenedy, Oscar Kestner, August Kirchner, Herman Lawson, John H. Lewis, Dwight Leach, George S. Leach, Charles Lindt, Charles Myers, H. H. B. McMasters, William P. Nelson, Charles Piers, John Montgomery, Miles Sherin, William P. Tenny, Jr., William P. Tenny, Sr., Thomas Thorp, Charles White, James H. Whaley, Henry Wherenberg, Elon Warren, Isaac York, William Yonke, George W. Tyson.
The 1st bat. Minn. Vol. Light Art. was organized in October, 1861, and rendezvoused at Fort Snelling until ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, in December, 1861. From St. Louis it went to Pittsburgh Landing in February, 1862, and engaged in the following marches, battles, sieges and skirmishes : At Shiloh, April 5 and 6, 1862 ; siege of Corinth, April, 1862 ; at Corinth on October 3 and 4, 1862, and marched from Corinth to Oxford, Mississippi, and from Oxford to Memphis, Tennessee ; was assigned in November, 1862, to the 17th Army Corps, and veteranized in January, 1864.
This battery was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, and from there to Huntsville, Alabama; from there to Altoona, Georgia, and from there to Ackworth, Georgia. Participated in the battle of Kenesaw Mount ; was at Atlanta July 22 and 28; and was in Sherman's cam- paign through Georgia and the Carolinas.
Discharged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, June 30, 1865, having been in active service three years and eight months. The following is a list of the volunteers for this battery from Wabasha county :
James M. Cheatham, Joseph Latherman, Henry Hart, William H. Grif- fing, Albert W. Allen, Alfred B. Bruce, Ozias W. Burdick, James Boaz, John Cassaden, John Davison, Charles W. Donaldson, William Furlong, Brigham Foster, Renben Farnum, Warner Freer, David Greeve, Joseph D. Gritling, Dennison J. Griffing, Levi S. Goddard, Robert H. Smyth, William H. Griffing, John W. Stndaberkin, Charles E. Murphy, Joseph W. Mareyes, Andrew D. Howison, Reuben Farnham, Brigham Foster, Henry Hart, David H. Duryee, Miles Dunning, Ira Humphrey, David Hart, Andrew D. Howison, Henry Hil- gidick, Abiel E. Kibbe, Alfred W. Lathrop, Elijah D. Lathrop, Creniss Lakne, Albert Pomeroy, Alvin ,Pomeroy, John W. Pogson, John W. Ploof, John D. Ross, Absalom Elliott, Eugene T. Wilson, Nelson Cheatham, John Conkite, R. D. Case, A. G. Crawford.
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ARMY.
The 2d regt. Minn. Vol. Cav. was organized in January, 1864, and ordered upon Indian expedition in May, 1864 ; partici- pated in the battle with Indians July 28 and August, 1864. This regiment was stationed at frontier posts until mustered out by com- panies between November, 1865, and June, 1866.
Enlisted men from Wabasha county as follows :
William B. Haynes, Wilson R. Russell, George C. Butterfield, Charles L. Fertile, Evan E. Johnson, Peter Peterson, Thomas B. Root, Edgar F. Tibbetts, Philo J. C. Walker, Levi Tibbetts, Mathew S. Tyler, Franklin Alle, William Lansing, George P. Harris, John R. Brown, James K. P. Fetzer, John A. Harris, Ezra M. Mathews, Philip P. Weaver, John Leewald, George S. Johnson, John C. Fowler, Luther MeNeal, Jonathan Tisdale, David Delling, Jr., William B. Haines, John Kelley, Truman D. Merrill, Nathan F. Dane, Thomas Evanson, Almond L. Austin, George W. Adrian, Erastus T. Green, Henry S. Hoyt, Henry B. Lockwood, Charles E. Mills.
The 1st Mounted Rangers Minn. Vol. Cav. was organized in March, 1863. This cavalry was stationed among frontier outposts until May, 1863, when it was ordered upon Indian expedition, and participated in the engagement with the Indians on July 24, 26 and 28, 1863, and upon the return of the expedition was again stationed at frontier forts until mustered out. This regiment was mustered out by companies between October 1, 1863, and December 30, 1863.
List of men enrolled from this county as follows :
Newton Williams, Albert R. Field, Timothy R. Bullis, James R. Burker, George W. Emeigh, Stephen R. Field, J. S. Harrison, William Kirkpatrick, William C. Pious, Thomas Smith, R. M. Weaky, William Wooden, Benjamin S. Youngs, William Young, Milton Hatchenway, Frederick E. Vance, Albert W. Bean, James O. Hattlested, James H. Kinney.
Bracket's bat. Minn. Vol. Cav. consisted originally of com- panies 1, 2 and 3, and was organized in November, 1861. It was ordered to Benton Barracks, Missouri, in December, 1862. In April, 1862, the name of this regiment was changed to the 5th Iowa Cav. ; was veteranized in 1864 and ordered to the department of . the Northwest ; was mustered out by companies between May and June, 1866. The men who engaged in this battalion from Waba- sha county were :
George Phelps, Edward W. Hunt, Henry Slaymaker, Reuben Slaymaker.
The Independent bat. Minn. Vols. was organized July 20, 1863, and stationed at Fort Abercrombie until mustered out of service by companies from April, 1866, to June, 1866. From Wabasha county there were only five enlistments, namely :
Edward L. Sharpe, Abbot H. Handy, Jacob Meetmesser, William B. Brumard, Albert Kimball.
682
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
The 3d bat. Art. was organized in 1863 and ordered upon the Indian expedition, and upon the return of this expedition stationed at the frontier forts until mustered out of service February 27, 1866.
Men enlisted from Wabasha were :
Henry M. Montgomery, Gad M. Dwelle, Thomas Rodney, Richard Rew, Lyman D. Rosier, William Rouleau, Isaac Rogers, David Richardson, Reuben W. Russ.
CHURCHES.
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 service 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 Win. 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. Basement was completed in the spring of 1864, and corner-stone laid on June 15, with appropriate 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
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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 Charles 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, 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. Mr. 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. The day was beautiful, and in the evening the friends of Mr. Batterson called to offer their congratulations. Unfortunately, on June 23, the builder and contractor 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 1864-5 the Rev. Mr. Batterson was absent from the parish on account of ill health, during which time Mr. 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. Batterson 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 eight hundred and fifty pounds. On April 29. 1866, Rev. Mr. Batterson preached his farewell to the parish, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Wardlaw, who commenced his labors on June 24, 1866. Mr. Wardlaw was succeeded by the Rev. Alex. Seabrease, B.D., who took charge of the parish May 23, 1869, first Sunday after Trinity. During this year the parish built a rectory, costing sixteen hundred dollars, and steps were taken to fill up the basement made for the stone church by taking ont the wall and filling it up. Rev. Mr. Seabrease closed his connection with Grace church on June 2,
684
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
1872, and was succeeded by the Rev. Horace Hills, who closed his rectorship of the parish on September 30, 1877. Rev. James Cornell, the present rector, entered upon his duties on October 7, 1877. During the summer of 1881 the church building was again repaired and improved by the insertion of stained-glass windows, new chandeliers and other fixtures, at an expense of two hundred and fifty dollars, the excavation was also filled up fully, which cost some twenty dollars more. Size of the building is 24×50, with a vestibule 10×6. It contains a chancel 12×10, and vestry-room on the left, library on the right, of 10×6 each. The congregation num- bers about two hundred, including the Sunday school.
During the summer and autumn of 1858 two churches were erected in Wabasha, the first being a Baptist church, the society hav- ing been organized during the summer of 1857. This building was 24 × 50 feet, with a belfry of sixty feet, and cost one thousand dollars. The first and only pastor of this society was the Rev. James Wharton, from Ohio, who organized and kept the congregation together for two years after the church was dedicated. A bell was purchased by the citizens, and hung in the belfry of this church, which was the first bell to ring out the glad tidings of salvation to willing ears in the place or county. The second finished was the Congregational, which society was organized in February, 1856, the original members being Deaeon Oliver Pendleton, Mrs. W. W. Prindle, Mrs. W. Hancock, Mrs. H. Wilson, Malcolm Kennedy and W. S. Jackson, Rev. S. 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 ealled Apollo Hall. Mr. Hillier was succeeded by Rev. David Andrews October 15, 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 22×50, and was dedicated October 20, 1858. Rev. Mr. Andrews was succeeded by the Rev. J. 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 beloved country, and was succeeded by the Rev. L. N. Woodruff, September 16, 1862, and Mr. Woodruff by Rev. Edward Hildreth, April 19, 1866. Mr. Hildreth remained some two years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Loomis in October, 1868. Rev. C. W. Honeyman succeeded
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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 thirty-six hundred dollars. 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. W. Weeks ; and Mr. Weeks ended his labors with this congregation in August, 1875, being succeeded by the Rev. J. F. Todd on November 3 of the same year. Mr. Todd continued his ministry 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 present incumbent.
This church has a membership of sixty persons, and congrega- tion, with sabbath school included, of some two hundred. The sabbath school was organized in the autumn of 1858, and has been continued with unabated interest and success until the present time, Mr. Malcolm Kennedy acting 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. The present officials are Dr. William L. Lincoln and J. Stuart. Deacons Pendleton and McDougall both lie in their narrow beds at Riverview cemetery. The size of this church edifice is 22× 50 feet, with a bell-tower in the rear and a bell weighing one thousand pounds. The building was erected at an expense of one thousand dollars.
In 1842 Rev. Father Ravoux, now 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 the first building for religious purposes erected in Wabasha county, and was used as a church edifice some fourteen years. In consequence of there being 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 taught in it also for a time, but it finally succumbed to civiliza- tion, and "the old church " fell to decay, all traces of it being now wholly obliterated.
In the autumn of 1858 Rev. Felix Tissot came to the place, and
A
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
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 30X50, with a tower in front in which a bell was hung weighing five hundred 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 ninety pupils with three teachers, Sister Venantia the superior. It now has an average attendance of one hundred and seventy-five pupils, with a corps of five teachers, and sends out yearly its graduates in music, drawing and needlework, together with a high average in all the English branches of education. This church, proving too small for the increasing congregation, had to give place to the new and beautiful brick structure on lot 1 and half of lot 2, in block 26, which was erected in 1872, the cornerstone being laid with imposing cere- monies by Rt. Rev. Bishop Grace, of St. Paul, July 14, and it was consecrated the following year on July 18. An immense con- course of people gathered together from all the adjacent towns to witness tlie ceremonies. The size of this church is 50×100 feet, with a sanctuary 26×28 feet, and a vestry-room 17×20 feet, with a tower eighteen feet square at the base and a height of one hundred and fifty-five feet. The plans were made by Mr. Charles Ross, of La Crosse, builder of the La Crosse cathedral. The contractors were A. W. Gage & Co., of Winona, and with the plans, ground, altar vestments, stained-glass windows, etc., cost the congregation thirty thousand dollars. Many citizens of Wabasha who were not mem- bers of the Catholic church contributed liberally toward its erection. The first resident pastor of Wabasha was Rev. Felix Tissott, rector of St. Felix church from October, 1858, to October, 1866, when it was placed in charge of Rev. James Trobec, who is still the resident pastor. The St. Felix congregation contains some fifteen hundred souls. A convenient rectory was built upon lot 6, block 22, at an expense of twenty-two hundred dollars, in the year 1872.
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