The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 29

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246

USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 29

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In. 1871, under A. B. Bishop, a new place of worship was se- cured. An excursion to' Minneapolis netted the church a goodly amount after paying all outstanding debts, and the old brick school house on the corner where the Carnegie library now stands was rented from December, 1871, to June, 1873. On the latter date the society bought the building for $1,500, making the last pay- ment June 6, 1883. In 1887 the building was sold back to the city.

After the affairs of the church were practically straightened Rev. Bishop resigned his position here and for a long while the work of the church went on practically the same. Those who sue- ceeded the Rev. Bishop were as follows: Rev. Levi Hall, 1873 to 1875; Rev. H. J. Crist, 1875 until 1877; Rev. A. Williams, 1877 to

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1879; Rev. Alfred Cressey, 1879 to 1881; Rev. E. R. Lathrop, 1881 until June of 1883, when Rev. E. P. Robinson came to fill the un- expired year. Rev. A. W. Edwards came 1884 and remained until 1887. In October of that year the Rev. S. HI. Dewart came to Austin and under his pastorate, or the year 1888, the congregation dedicated a wooden church on the present site of the MeCabe church at a cost of about $7,000. After his resignation in the year 1890 the next succession of pastors were: Rev. S. L. Shumate for one-half year and Rev. George Cook for the balance of that year ; Rev. G. S. Briggs, 1891 to 1893; Rev. S. C. MeAds, 1893 to 1896; Rev. F. H. Cone, 1896 to 1900; Rev. J. M. Brown, 1900 to 1904. Rev. G. W. Lutz commeneed his labors with the church in October of 1904. He set to work building np the congregation of his church and during the great revival campaign, conducted by "Billy" Sunday, the noted evangelist, in the spring of 1906, many members were added to the church. In July of 1906 the old wooden church, which had done service for twenty years, was torn down to make room for the present building. The foundation was started in September of that year and the work was in progress for two years. The beautiful new edifice was dedicated June 28. 1908, the cost of the structure being about $40,000. The building is of the Roman style of architecture, with a Greek gable to the south and an approach of fourteen steps. It is 78x98 feet, sur- mounted by a beautiful art glass dome. The auditorium occupies the entire main floor, with the exception of vestibule, choir loft, choir room and pastor's study. It will seat 800 people and has a gallery seating 400, making an entire seating capacity of 1,200. The building is practically fireproof, with nothing which could burn except the furniture, woodwork and overlying floor. The basement, which is finished in white brick, contains an assembly room seating 300, around which are eleven class rooms. There are also lavatories, cloak rooms, dining room, kitchen and boiler room. The fuel house is outside the church.

Rev. Lutz remained with the church here until 1909, at which time he moved to Minneapolis, and the Rev. J. F. Stout, of the St. Paul district, was called to serve the Austin congregation. He is a broad-minded man, of executive influence, firm in his purpose to administer to the wants of his pulpit. Dr. Stout was born in the hamlet of Potter, Yates county, New York, from where at the age of five he moved into the state of Iowa and attended the country schools. At the age of eighteen he entered Northwestern Uni- versity, at which place he took both the preparatory and regular university courses, and graduated 1875. Upon leaving college he joined the Illinois conference and preached at a number of places, including Pittsfield, Springfield, Quincy, Danville and Blooming- ton. After the last named place he removed to Minnesota, 1887,

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and served the Clinton Avenue Church, St. Paul, afterward the First Church of Minneapolis ; also at Mankato and Red Wing, and thence again to St. Paul, from which place he was called to Austin.

The church continues to flourish and many societies are in prominence, the Woman's Home Missionary Society, the Foreign Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid, the Priseillas, the Young Men's Club, and Sunday school, of which last named Roy Furtney is superintendent.

Presbyterian Church. In 1867 Rev. H. A. Mayhew visited Aus- tin for the special purpose of looking up Presbyterians who had not connected themselves with any church organization. He col- lected a number together and preached to them at such times as he could procure a room. August 20, 1867, he, assisted by Rev. Shel- don Jackson, by authority of the Presbytery of Southern Minne- sota, organized the first Presbyterian church of Austin. On the 20th of October, 1867, Rev. Mayhew organized the society into a business meeting, which elected the following board of trustees : Ira Jones, Lyman A. Sherwood, James C. Day, T. W. Woodard and Joseph G. Warner. The board organized by electing Ira Jones chairman, L. A. Sherwood clerk and James C. Day treas- urer. The congregation authorized the trustees to purchase a lot and erect a suitable house of worship. This they did, and pur- ehased property on the corner of North St. Paul street and West Mill street, and in the spring of 1868 erected the house of worship where June 11, 1868, the congregation met and elected George Johnston and Robert F. Rankin ruling elders. On the twenty- fourth of the same month the church edifice was dedicated to the services of God, the dedicatorial sermon being preached by Rev. Sheldon Jackson. At the close of the service $500 was raised by subscription to pay off the church debt. At that time the mem- bership numbered seventeen, with Rev. H. A. Mayhew as pastor. This building is now used by the Grand Army of the Republic. However, the Presbyterian cause grew dimmer and not until the fall of 1877 did it show much progress. In that year the Pres- bytery of Winona revived the organization, changing the site to the Third ward, placing in charge Rev. D. P. Grosseup, who re- mained four years. During 1890 a building was erected there, and after a long effort was paid for. Following Rev. Grosseup was Rev. Llewellyn for two years, 1891 to 1893. In March, 1894, Rev. William Henry Hormel came to Austin and during his pas- torate the organization of the Central Presbyterian Church was projected, and January 24, 1895, the new organization was launched. Meanwhile the Third ward church was closed and the members invited to join the Central Presbyterian Church. After the starting of the new Baptist church by that denomination the old one framed in native oak was purchased and removed to the

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corner of West Water and North St. Paul streets. It was remod- eled and became the church home of the new organization. Mr. Hormel ministered to this church continually until December, 1900. During his term of service the church grew rapidly and promised speedily to develop into a strong church. The next minister was Rev. Rhinehart, who began his labors February 1, 1900, resigning November 1 of the same year. Mr. Rhinehart was succeeded by Rev. B. H. Kroeze, who served as stated supply from March 1, 1901, to January 1, 1903. After a vacancy of three months, Rev. Arthur B. Miller became pastor April, 1903, and re- signed January 1, 1904. A vacancy of six months followed. July 1, 1904, Rev. T. M. Cornelison began as pastor, resigning November 1, 1905.

The church, weakened by vacancies and short pastorates, racked with dissensions, which naturally arise under such condi- tions, was illy prepared to endure another six months without a minister. It was a dreary outlook, when March 1, 1906, Rev. William E. Sloan, Ph. D., took charge. In seven months the or- ganization grew to a solid membership of 205. In addition to the splendid growth a new house of worship was erected at a cost of $15,000. Rev. Sloan resigned and was followed by Rev. J. C. Davis, who remained a time, and since his leaving the church has been without a pastor. The societies represented in the church are the Woman's Missionary, Ladies' Aid, Help-a-Man Brotherhood, and the Sunday school.

Christian Science. The birth of Christian Science in Austin was in the year 1889, when Mrs. Mary A. Engle, who was then an invalid, hearing of its wonderful cures, procured a copy of its text-book, Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science. She was soon healed of all her ailments and began to hold regular services in her own home with only a few members of the family for audience. This was continued for three years, with two or three others becoming interested. In the spring of 1893 interest had grown sufficiently to enable this little band to form a class for Christian Science teaching by one of Mrs. Eddy's loyal students. These students organized a Christian Science society and held regular services in the Engle home until the year 1896, when the growth of the society demanded larger quarters and a more public meeting place. The Woodman hall on Main street was rented for this purpose. In 1897 the society organized into First Church of Christ, Scientist, according to the statutes of the state of Minnesota and in conformity with the rules and by-laws of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass. There were five charter members. Francis A. Engle, Mrs. Mary A. Engle, Mrs. Lueinda Buck, Miss Isabell Phillips and

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Robert Waddell. At the first communion, which was held in April of the same year, twelve new members were admitted. Early in 1898 a move was made to the Hayes Bros. hall, which was better fitted for religious services. Another move was made in 1900 to the Elks' new hall, Main street, which was finely located and beautifully finished and furnished. Public reading rooms were opened in the same building. In the year 1905 the church edifice on Maple street was purchased from the Univer- salists for a church home. At that date the membership num- bered between fifty and sixty. The consideration for this prop- erty was $2,500 and they proceeded at once to refurnish it entirely, within and without, until it reached its present valna- tion of $5,000. From the date of its organization, 1898, to 1911 this church has given thirteen free public lectures by members of the board of lectureship of the mother church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass. According to the rules and by-laws of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass., "The Bible and the Christian Science text-book are our only preachers." The "scriptural texts, and their correlative pas- sages from our denominational text-book" are read by first and second readers, elected by ballot at the annual church meeting. At the time of the organization of the Christian Science Society, Mrs. Mary A. Engle was first reader and John C. Engle second reader. At the present time (1911) the first reader is Mrs. Etta M. Ousley and Mrs. Anna Franklin is second reader.

It is not the custom of Christian Science churches to dedicate their churches until free from all indebtedness. First Church of Christ, Austin, Minn., is now free from all financial incumbrances and announcement has been made for its dedication on May 21, 1911.

Christian Brotherhood. The Christian Brotherhood is an inter- denominational organization composed of some 600 men. Its pur- pose is to upbuild the kingdom of God in the most practical and effective manner possible and tends to promote a feeling of brotherly love and co-operation. It is purely a laymen's organi- zation. Meetings are held every Sunday afternoon in Music Hall. The officers are: A. M. Lewis, president; F. H. McCulloch, vice- president ; L. H. Stefffre, secretary ; E. A. Dalager, treasurer, and it is governed by an executive committee composed of two lay members of each church.

CARNEGIE LIBRARY.

The Austin Carnegie Library is one of the important features of Austin life. The library building is of the Grecian style of. architecture, one story, with basement throughout. It is built of

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Bedford (Indiana) buffstone, with stone cornice and roofing. All the roof valleys and gutters are of copper.

The building measures 56 by 56 feet. The main entrance is from the corner, facing northeast, the vestibule, the lobby and the stack room running continuously across the building, diagonally to the southwest corner. On entering one comes first into the spacious vestibule 16 by 16, with floor of terrazzo tile and Mosaic border. The lobby, 20x20 feet, is in the center of the building, with desk at the further end. The book stack room, 20 by 20 feet, is in the southwest corner. East of the lobby is the main reading room, 15 by 30, fronting along St. Paul street. A reference room, 14x14 feet, is on the south side between the reading room and the stack room, and on the north side is the children's room, 15 by 24. The librarian also has a private room. The whole interior is in quar- tered oak, and the floors throughout are covered with heavy lino- leum. The basement contains a large audience room, as well as smaller rooms. In addition to the main entrance there is a side entrance on the northwest corner.

Frank I. Crane, the first president of the library board, served until his death in 1909. A. S. Campbell, then vice-president, was elected president in 1910. The present librarian, Mrs. Flora Crane Conner, has served since the building was opened. She received her training in the University of Minnesota summer school. The library contains some 7,000 volumes, appropriately divided into reference books, fiction, biography, literature, travel and history.

Historical summary : On March 16, 1869, twelve ladies, as has been noted in the history of the social activities of the city, met and organized the society known as the Austin Floral Club. They adopted a constitution and by-laws and elected officers. Meetings were held semi-monthly and the annual membership fee was 25 cents. Austin was then a village of some 2,040 inhabitants. The first money received was expended for plants and seeds with which to beautify the village homes and develop a taste for flori- culture. Their marked success in this encouraged them to give a floral show together with a literary entertainment and concert, from which they realized $100, which was expended for books. . One hundred and twenty-three volumes were received by donation. Thus with about 225 volumes the ladies laid the foundation for. the Austin Circulating Library. November 9, 1869, the library was formally opened. The constitution and by-laws of the Floral club were amended so as to constitute it a library association; a charter was secured and the membership fee increased to $1. The by- laws were subsequently amended making $2 the annual fee for the use of the library by persons not members of the association. The club then had a membership of fifty. The ladies for many years,

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through literary entertainments, concerts, lectures and the like, made constant additions to the library by the purchase of books and through the donations from the government and individuals. March 28, 1894, was observed the silver anniversary of the club. The records showed that there had been 227 members up to that date. Upon completion of the new court house in 1886 a room in the basement was fitted up and set apart by the county com- missioners for the use of the library, where the library has re- mained until removed to the new library building. For some time the members had been actively engaged endeavoring to found a new public library. At the solicitation of its members, acting through W. G. Cameron, they received a proposition from the Hon. Andrew Carnegie to donate to the city of Austin $12,000 to be used in the construction of a library building on condition that the city donate a proper site for the building and agree to raise a tax of $1,200 a year to maintain and keep up a library. While the proposition was being considered, Lyman D. Baird made a trip to Washington and secured an interview with Mr. Carnegie's rep- resentatives. Later the donation of Mr. Carnegie was increased to $15,000 for the erection of the library building.

On November 1, 1901, the common council of the city of Austin accepted the generous gift of Mr. Carnegie and agreed to annually levy a tax of $1,200 and also set apart the lots on the corner of St. Paul and Bridge streets for a site.

On July 19, 1902, a library board was elected at an election held for that purpose. The board elected was organized July 23, 1902. The board took the necessary steps to procure plans and specifications and immediately thereafter commenced the construc- tion and erection of our present beautiful library building. The building was completed in April, 1904. Upon completion of the building the Floral club turned over, without cost to the library, about 3,500 volumes.

AUSTIN CLUBS.

(By Jennie G. Keith.)

Austin is pre-eminently a social town. Not only is there a club, society or coterie for every class, age and condition of residents, . but it would be hard to find, in places twice the size of Austin, so many hospitable homes and accomplished hostesses where enter- tainment is so royal. Good cheer and hospitality are among the first articles of the creed of Austinites. Strangers soon find their social status where they are most at home with congenial con- panions and find the entertainment which they most enjoy. Every one of our many churches have their own particular societies, where members may enjoy the social life which the church fur-

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nishes. For those who desire study there are reading circles and clubs in which the membership is not limited and where one can follow his own particular line of study with intelligent, able lead- ers. Those who turn to works of charity and find their chief pleasure in lending a helping hand can find societies of this nature already organized, where they will be welcomed as workers. Those who look to society for recreation and enjoyment can surely find a place in the score or more of purely social clubs of our city.

Austin is distinctively a home-keeping city. The ladies since the earliest days have taken their share in all public movements, and in fact many improvements have been inaugurated by the ladies, unassisted by the sterner sex. But Austin is not a club city. The women are domestic, and care for clubs not from a liking for elub life but simply for the work which the elubs may accomplish. Consequently we do not find in Austin that multi- plicity of elubs which is criticised in some places.

There are but two federated clubs in the city. Some organiza- tions have sprung into being as the women have seen the neces- sity for effort along partieular lines, and have been allowed to die out when the work which called them into existence has been accomplished. Others, however, are still in a flourishing condi- tion.

The first women's movement in Austin was an effort in 1856 to keep the general merchants from illegally selling whisky, and the women pledged themselves not to patronize the merchants who refused to sign a resolution promising not to sell intoxicants. A regular temperance organization was perfected by the women in 1857. The next women's movement of consequence was the organization of the Mite Society on February 1. 1862. This society was formed for the purpose of procuring and improving a ecme- tery plot. Many ladies' aid societies were also organized at an early day.

An event of historic importanee to Austin took place in Mareh, 1869, when the Floral Club was organized. This club is still in existenee and has affiliated with the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs. The other federated club in Austin is the Art and Travel Club. Another women's organization is the Era Club, which affiliates with the National federation.

The Stoddard and St. Augustine Reading clubs hold interest- ing meetings. The Sunshine Society, which is independent of the state society, has done much in a charitable way; the Y. W. C. A. is working for the young ladies, and the W. C. T. U. is aggressively engaged in temperance activities. The Esperanto Club has at- tracted considerable attention. and the High School Alumni Asso- ciation and the Birthday Club have been pleasant and important social factors. Two organizations among the high school boys, the

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Duodecim and the Knights of the Round Table, have done much to advance literary interest among the younger portion of the population.

Young Women's Christian Association. In 1906 a Y. W. C. A. was perfected in Austin, Mrs. Charles L. West being one of the prime movers in the organization. Neat and attractive rooms were fitted up, and these have served as rest rooms for people in the city and from the country as well as a place for social and re- ligious gatherings by the young ladies. In 1906 there were 275 members, with forty in the Bible class. A year later the member- ship was 250, and still a year later it was 200. In 1909 it had dropped to 150, and that year a general secretary, Miss Ruby St. Amour, was engaged. The membership is now 540, and the work is in a most flourishing condition. The Philathea Bible class has a large membership, and the gymnasium classes under a special physical director are well attended. Monthly Sunday vesper serv- ices are held, and, aside from work along the regular lines, life talks are given and information is imparted in domestic science, household art, home nursing, and other subjects. Mrs. C. L. West was president until 1910, when the present president, Mrs. F. I. Crane, was elected. The other officers are: Vice-president, Mrs. W. R. Terry ; treasurer, Helen S. Banfield; secretary, Mrs. M. J. Sorflaten; county secretary, Gertrude B. Sly. Work has been done toward perfecting a county organization, with a view to special work in the villages and rural districts.

The Ladies' Floral Club. This club has been an important factor in the literary, social and moral development of Austin, and is worthy of more extended mention than can be given it in this volume. Its concerts and entertainments have been a part of the history of Austin, and many public movements have re- sulted directly from its efforts. March 16, 1869, twelve ladies met at the home of Mrs. Orlenzer Allen and organized the Austin Floral Club. The following were the original members: Mrs. HI. I. Parker, Mrs. M. J. Mayhew, Mrs. E. M. Morse, Mrs. Q. A. Truesdell, Mrs. H. A. Davidson, Mrs. F. A. Brownson, Mrs. M. S. Lamoreaux, Mrs. A. E. Allen, Mrs. C. C. Crane, Mrs. L. A. Sherwood, Mrs. J. G. Warner, Mrs. P. I. Sargent, and Miss A. J. Lowry. Mrs. E. M. Morse will ever be venerated as the real in- stigator of the club. She was a great lover of nature, and the elub was the result of her proposition that the ladies assist in developing a taste for horticulture and floriculture. Mrs. Morse was the first president and Mrs. F. A. Brownson the first secre- tary. The season was favorable for flowers and it was decided to give a floral show, and with the proceeds therefrom to lay the foundation for a Ladies' Circulating Library. The show ex- tended several days, and truly beautiful displays of flowers

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were made. Books were purchased with the proceeds, and many were donated, so that November 9, 1869, the library of 225 vol- umes was formally opened in the old court house, southwest of the present court house. During the next few years entertain- ments of various sorts were held to provide funds. Mrs. J. N. Wheat, Mrs. J. L. Davidson and Mrs. J. M. King each in turn opened her house to receive the books and to serve as librarian. In 1884 the library was moved to quarters in the basement of the present court house. The first regular librarian was Miss Sarah Beatty, who afterward became Mrs. J. R. Webb. She was followed by Mrs. H. H. Kent, who served for many years. Mrs. Morse served as president thirty-two years. Her work lives in the hearts of her associates. Mrs. F. A. Brownson and Mrs. Sarah L. Davidson served many years as secretary. Mrs. Gibson was for ten years treasurer and eight years chairman of the book committee. Mrs. L. A. Sherwood gave much time and effort in the early years in arranging for coneerts and musieals. Others who assisted in many ways were the Mesdames N. P. Austin, O. Ayers, E. B. Crane, J. F. Cook, C. H. Coates, H. H. Kent, D. B. Johnson and many others. The elub was federated in 1908 and Mrs. O. H. Hegge is the president. The elub celebrated its silver anniversary in 1894. As the work of the library increased the burden beeame too heavy for the Floral club to carry alone and in 1892, at the request of the ladies, a library board of the city of Austin was elected. When the Carnegie Library opened in 1904 the ladies turned over 3,500 volumes.

Art and Travel Club. This club was organized in 1903 for the purpose of mutual improvement, a prime mover in the or- ganization being Mrs. L. D. Baird. The club is limited to thirty members and meetings are held twice a month at the home of one of the members. At each meeting papers are read prepared by various members and roll eall is responded to by some eurrent event item. The club has taken up for study the important cities of the United States, the West Indies and South America, Eng- lish cathedral towns, English history, London and vieinity, the British empire. The present year the club is engaged in study of the Mediterranean countries. Mrs. J. H. Skinner is president.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 29

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 1246

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246