USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 69
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In 1878 this congregation was incorpor- ated under the laws of the state of Minne- sota.
The members of this congregation as well as the rest of the pioneers in this
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part of the state suffered greatly from the grasshopper plague from 1872 to 1876. And there also came other trials for this congregation, which shall not be men- tioned here.
In 1874 this congregation joined the Nor- wegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod of North America. On June 2, 1874, this congregation was divided into two congre- gations, viz. Fort Ridgely and Dale-an action which ever since has been more or less lamented. In 1871 a committee of
five was appointed to find a suitable place for a church and cemetery, without any result. In the spring of 1878 the Fort Ridgely and Dale congregations bought the improvements from Rev. Johannes Halvorsen, made on the north one-half of the northeast quarter of section 16, in town of Camp. This parsonage, land and build- ings, are now owned in connection by Fort Ridgely, two-sixths, Dale, two-sixths, Con- cordia, two-sixths, Palmyra, one-fourth, Clear Lake congregation. Sibley county, one-fourth.
On June 19, 1878, a committee meeting of members from Fort Ridgely, Dale and Palmyra congregations was held to dis- cuss the erection of a parsonage on the northeast one-half of this land. A build- ing committee was appointed, viz., Mathiaz O. Lee, Jacob P. Kopperud and Gabriel A. Nilsen Bjurselmo. It was decided that a frame building, 26x26, 14 feet high, should be erected. The work on this building was commenced October. 1878. and the building was partly finished the same fall, and on Christmas Eve, 1878, Rev. Nils P. Xavier with his family, moved into the new building.
From the earliest time it had been the greatest wish of these congregations to get a house of worship of their own. The first money set aside for this purpose was the confirmation offering May 22, 1879- $7.07, and on the Fourth of July the same year a collection of $6.08. On the fifteenth of May, 1884, a joint meeting of Fort Ridgely and Dale congregations was held to discuss the possibility of building a church in conjunction. It was decided with a great majority to go to work as soon as possible. In the meantime the controversies concerning the predestina- tion had sprung up in the Synod and spread to most of its congregations. Also these congregations suffered greatly on account of those controversies. On Tues- day, December 15, 1885, a new meeting was held in the parsonage to discuss the question about building of the church on the parsonage land. the north one-half of the northeast quarter of section 16. Town of Camp. A subscription of $855 was raised that day. The next meeting was held in 1886. A building committee was appointed, and the site of the church was decided on to be 40x28, and 16 feet high, with tower and chancel. In the summer of 1886 the church was built by Mr. Har-
rison. On October 29, 1886. the corner- stone was laid in the name of the Triune God, and the church was dedicated on May 28, 1893, by Rt. Rev. Knut Bjorgo. On the following day an old settlers' re- union was held at the parsonage. The con- gregations have a graveyard adjoining the church in common.
The first funeral was held July 8. 1884, over a dead born child of Mr. and Mrs. Ole P. Höimge, and the next was that of Randi Enger, the wife of John Enger, Sr. The first child that was baptized in this church was Selma Genora H. Johnson. born July 10, 1886, baptized August 15, 1886. The first confirmation was held July 18, 1886. The first marriage that was performed in this church occurred June 20, 1887. The bridegroom was Peter T. Lund, and the bride was Kari Marie Lykken.
Among the pioneers of Fort Ridgely congregation may be mentioned, besides the six founders. above named. the fol- lowing: Mathias O. Lee, John Enger, Sr., and Jr., Lars Enger, Sylfest Olson, Leif Torgrimson. Ole E. Berge, Odd B. Jacob- sen, Einar Nilsen Hunsaker, Olaf Dale, Hans Grasmoen.
Dale congregation was organized 1874. What already has been related about Fort Ridgely congregation does also for a great deal concern the Dale congregation, as they always have been served by the same pas- tors and have owned all church property in community.
Among the pioneers of Dale congrega- tion may be mentioned Peder and Ole Höimyr, Rasmus O. Ness, Gabriel A. Nil- sen Bjurselmo, Ole Johnson, Gustav An- derson, Jacob Volen, Halvor Johnson, Hans Carlson, Ole Pedersen Rönne, Ole Veikle, Mathias O. Hagestad, Tarald Semmingsen, Peder Nestande.
Concordia Congregation of Franklin. (By Rev. P. H. Rognlie.) Our brethren in Franklin first belonged to the Dale con- gregation, but on account of the long dis- tance to the church and the difficulty of making the trip, they asked for the privi- lege to be considered as an annex to the Dale congregation.
In the spring of 1898 they commenced the building of their own church. The first service in the new church was held May 22, 1898. The cornerstone was laid by Prof. Johannes Ylvisaker, July 22, 1898. The size of the church is 40x24, and 14 feet high, and supplied with a tower and chancel.
The first child that was baptized in the Concordia church was Clara Esther P. Wicken, born May 10, 1898, baptized June 6, 1898. The first marriage that was solemnized was that of Johan Bernhard Tweet and Marie Josephine Nilsen, March 14, 1900.
On November 9, 1900, it was decided to organize a separate congregation, and that the name of that congregation should be
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Concordia Evangelical Lutheran congre- gation.
The congregation owns one-sixth of the Fort Ridgely and Dale parsonage and cemetery.
Among the founders of this congregation may be mentioned Johannes A. Bergley, Ilalvor Jolinson, Iver Mahlum, Ole Peder- sen Ronne, Hans Jensen, John Foss, George O. Steen, Oscar Johnson, Gustav Johnson, Gottfried and Hans Cormontan, Martin C. Skau, Martin Larson, Johan Bernhard Tweet, Gabriel A. Nilsen Bjur- selmo. Carl Nilsen, Sven and Gilbert Gil- bertsen. Even Anderson.
Morton Congregation. (By Rev. P. H.
Rognlie. ) On Sunday, April 8, 1888, Rev. Nils P. Xavier preached the first Norwegian Lutheran sermon in the schoolhouse in Morton, and baptized one child, Axel Her- man E. Lundquist, born January 10, 1888. From that time Rev. Xavier made regular calls to Morton, and likewise his succes- sor, Rev. Parelius H. Rognlie.
On February 16, 1899, the Morton Scan- dinavian Evangelical Lutheran congrega- tion was organized, Among those that first signed the constitution may be men- tioned Nils P. Flink, John Anderson, Steffen Olson, Andrew Larsen, Hans Daas- vand, Tom Thompson. Ole Syversen.
This congregation has no church of its own, but occasionally uses the German Lutheran church and private residences for their edification.
The membership of Fort Ridgely, Dale, Concordia and Morton churches is at present 380.
These congregations have been served by the following pastors: 1. Rev. Thomas Johnson, from the organization of Fort Ridgely congregation to the tenth of Octo- ber, 1871. He was born in Valders, Nor- way, April 27. 1837, graduated from Con- cordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1863. The same year he came to Saint Peter, Minnesota, where he served in the ministry of the gospel to his death. April 19, 1906. In the pioneer days his mission field extended over the counties of Minnesota, Jowa and Dakota. 11. Rev. Johannes E. Bergh, from Sacred Heart, Min- nesota, served these congregations from October 10, 1871, to January 1, 1874. Rev. Bergh was born in Vos, Norway, May 5, 1842. graduated from Concordia Theo- logical Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, 1869. died August 21, 1905. III. Rev. Michael Borge, from January 1, 1874, to July 31, 1876. Rev. Borge was born near Bergen, Norway, September 9. 1846, graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mis- souri, 1873. At present pastor and man- ager of the Old People's Home and Or- phans' Home at Stoughton, Wisconsin. IV. Rev. Nils P. Xavier from July 31. 1876, till May 12, 1891. Rev. Xavier was born in Kautokeino, Norway. September 26. 1839, graduated from Springfield, Illi-
mois. At present home missionary in the state of Washington. V. Rev. Parelius H. Rognlie, from July 22, 1891, to the present time. (Note by the publishers .- As Rev. Rognlie, the author of these splendid church histories, has modestly refrained from including his own biography in this list, it has been prepared by the publish- ers, and appears on a following page.)
Palmyra Congregation. (By Rev. P. H. Rognlie.) The first Scandinavian Evan- gelical Lutheran settlers in Palmyra came there in 1871. Among the early settlers may be mentioned Even Olsen Kjonaas, Ole Halvorsen Svensö, John O. Vefald, Lorents and Johannes Eriksen, Leif Tin- nes. Paul Ranberg and Bernt Andersen. In 1872 a number of others came, as Johan Bauman and Carl A. Mork, Ole and Elias Eriksen, Anton H. Christiansen, Alexander Johnson and sons, Ole Nordskog.
Monday, October 7, 1872, Gabriel A. Nil- sen Bjurselmo took Rev. Johannes Bergh to Palmyra, and Rev. Bergh preached that day the first Evangelical Lutheran sermon at the residence of Bernt Anderson. Seven children were baptized that day: August Meier O. Eriksen, Nils Peter J. Johnson. Carl August C. Haagensen. Albert J. An- derson, Dorthea O. Halvorsen, Svensö, Carl Johan J. Vefald and Gilbert Theodor E. Olsen Kjönaas, Among those present at that service we find the names of Sven and Iver Gerald, Brynild and Anfin Tollef- sen, Lars Tinnes, Styrk Eriksen. Ole and Elias Eriksen, Mrs. Alea Eriksen, Johan and Lina B. Anderson, Carl Gustav and Ellen Haagensen. John and Anna Ander- son, John Bauman Mork and wife, Carl and Maren Anna Mork, Evrine Mork, Ole and Aaste Halvorsen Svensö, John and Kari O. Vefald, Even and Martha Olsen Kjönaas, Anton and Tonette Christiansen, Oline O. Eriksen, Andrew Larson, Anna Anderson, Sven Ahl and wife, Lina Blad. Carl Gustav Anderson, Anna Lina Berg- man. Alexander and Susanna Johnson, Johannes Eriksen and wife, Martin John- son. Guri and Ella S. Gerald, Paul Ran- berg and wife, and Christine Bergman.
On November 7, 1872, the second service was held by Rev. Bergh at the house of Paul Ranberg. After the service the Pal- myra Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized and its constitution adopted. The congregation was served by Rev. Johannes Bergh from Sacred Heart, Min- nesota, to the end of 1873, and from Janu- ary, 1874, to July 31, 1876, by Rev. Michael Borge from Mankato, Minnesota. On July 31 Rev. Nils P. Xavier preached his first sermon in the town hall of Palmyra, and he served the congregation till May, 1891.
The present pastor, Parelius H. Rognlie, preached his introductory sermon July 26, 1891.
The first class of confirmants from Pal- myra congregation was confirmed in the schoolhouse by Three Mile Creek on the fourth of October, 1874. Their names are:
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Conrad M. Christiansen, Justin A. Johnson, Svennung J. Vefald, Ella S. Gerald.
The first bridal couple was Tobias Risdal and Anne J. Vetald, married by Rev. Bergh.
The cemetery, where the church now stands, is located in the southeastern corner of section 16, Palmyra township. It was dedicated the 1st of June, 1874, by Rev. Michael Borge. The first burial on record is that of Samuel Svendsen, died September 29, 1876, and buried October 1, 1876, age 72 years.
The congregation was incorporated under the laws of the state the 9th of October, 1878. The first meeting called for the purpose of considering the building of a church was held May 19, 1884. On Tuesday, May 5, 1885, the cornerstone was laid by Rev. Johannes Bergh in the name of the Triune God. The size of the church is 40x28, 16 feet high, supplied also with a tower, chancel and sacristy. The church building committee was composed of Carl A. Mork. Elias M. Eriksen, Lars L. Tinnes, Tyke Ytterboe, Ole Johnson, John Peder- sen and Peder P. Hornseth. The church was dedicated Wednesday, September 16, 1885, by Rev. Thomas Johnson, of St. Peter.
On June 23 and 24, 1912, the Palmyra Evangelical Lutheran congregation cele- brated its fortieth anniversary. Professor O. E. Brandt preached the festival sermon on the first day, and the Swedish Lutheran pastor, Rev. A. Bengtson, preached in the afternoon. Prof. G. C. Ristad, from Fer- gus Falls, preached the second day, and the local minister gave a historical sketch of the congregation from its foundation up to the present time.
In spite of much weakness we still hope that these words from the holy Writ may be applied on these congregations: know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." Rev. 2. 2-3.
Rev. Parelius H. Rognlie was born near Trondhjem, Norway, December 21, 1858. He attended the public schools in his na- tive land for about four years. In the spring of 1870 he immigrated with his parents to the United States and lived in Houston county, Minnesota, one year. In the spring of 1871 he moved to Lyon conn- ty, Minnesota, at that time a wilderness, and with his parents went through all the hardships of the pioneer days. The next year most of the homestead land in the town of Lucas was taken up and a year or two later a school was organized which he attended. August 8, 1875, he, with thir- teen others, was confirmed by Rev. Thorstensen in the Grove of Hellek Glaim on the Yellow Medicine river, there being
no church in that part of the country. His pastor and others urged him to go to col- lege and take up the study of the min- istry, but on account of lack of means and also on account of his father's poor health, he decided to stay at home for a time and help his parents. In 1881 he entered the preparatory school at St. Olaf's college, Northfield, Minnesota, and later attended Luther college, Decorah, Iowa, earning his way by teaching school and doing farm work. In the fall of 1885 he went to Enrope in order to receive treatment for his eyes and was operated on at the State Hospital in Norway. When he returned to the United States, he resnmed teaching and continued his studies by himself. In 1888 he was admitted to the Lnther Theo- logical Seminary, Minneapolis, and grad- uated June 26, 1891. In February, 1891, he was called as pastor for the Fort Ridge- ly, Dale, Palmyra and Clear Lake congre- gations, Renville and Sibley counties, Min- nesota. On July 22, 1891, he was ordained at Fort Ridgely and Dale church by Rt. Rev. K. Bjorge, assisted by Rev. S. J. Bergh, Rev. N. P. Xavier, Rev. Thomas Johnsen and Rev. B. Askevold. He has remained at this place ever since and now serves Fort Ridgely, Dale, Concordia, Clear Lake and Morton Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran congregations and every other month he serves Camp and Fairfax Nor- wegian Lutheran congregations, alternat- ing with Rev. Thomas Hanson. He preached the first Norwegian Lutheran sermon in Bird Island, September 16, 1891, and organized the church there. He preached the first Norwegian Lutheran sermon in Fairfax December 10, 1893.
June 13, 1895, he was married to Ron- naug Marie M. Gullerud and they have had the following children: Ingolf Herman Marentius, born March 26, 1896; Katharina Josephine, born December 26, 1897; Pare- lius Monrad, born January 28, 1900, died July 2, 1901; Palma Margrethe, born April 8, 1902; Clarence Parelius Monrad, born May 6, 1904; Julia Christine, born October 4, 1908. Among those who have made their home at the parsonage may be men- tioned Christian Blichfeldt and James George Thompson.
Camp Congregation. In the early days of the settlement of those western prairies a considerable number of Norwegian emi- grants moved west to find new homes, and during the last part of the sixties, especial- ly in the years 1868, 1869, 1871 and 1872, Camp township was very well settled. Most of the Scandinavians belonged to the Lu- theran belief and confession, and as soon as these new settlers were well located they made arrangements to be visited by ministers of their own faith. Rev. Johnson of St. Peter, the nearest Norwegian Lu- theran minister, took charge here the first number of years. Later he was followed by several others.
There was no formal organization of any
REV. AND MRS. PARELIUS H. ROGNLIE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LINOR IND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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congregation until after some years later, as during the so-called grasshopper plague this country was very badly set back. Finally in the year 1885 the Camp Nor- wegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized, of which the first officers were elected as follows. G. O. Myrhang. president ; Ole H. Grasmoen, Sever Nelson. and Ole Jacobson, trustees; N. O. Berge. secretary: J. O. Semmerud, treasurer. During the year 1885 it was determined to start a fund to build a church. A subscrip- tion was secured to the amount of $1,000, a constitution was adopted, and the Camp congregation was formally incorporated under the state laws in March, 1886, and a building committee was appointed to see the church was built during the summer of that year.
Ole C. Engg got the contract to build the structure, on the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 25, in town of Camp, three miles northwest from old Fort Ridgely. The church was fully finished and equipped and was dedicated in the summer of 1888. During these years the congregation has been served by min- isters as follows: Rev. Falk. M. Gjertsen, of Minneapolis; Prof. Blegan, of Minne- apolis; Prof. Theo. S. Reimstad; Rev. Ytterhus; Rev. Wold. Rev. S. E. Sorenson served the congregation for about three years. Rev. C. O. Rosing was the first minister to reside here, and served the congregation something over three years. Rev. J. S. Suave served little over one year. Rev. O. R. Farseth, of Clarkfield. served about one and one-half years. Rev. E. H. Midtbo served some over three years. Rev. Thomas Hanson served from 1901 until November, 1906. Rev. R. K. Fjel- stad served from 1907 until 1912. Ever since, Revs. Thomas Hanson and P. H. Rognlie have served the congregation alternately up to the present time.
The last report given as the total mem- bership was 55.
Following is a list of the old pioneer members of this denomination, and who were the first to contribute the largest part of the cost of the church, namely: E. G. Melwold, G. O. Myrhaug, Ole Jacob- son, M. J. Asak, J. O. Semmrud, Jacob Peterson, Sever Nelson, A. A. Bergley, N. O. Berge, Eimar Nelson, Andrias Nelson, Christian Nelson, A. L. Nesseth, Martin O. Nelson, Louis Peterson, A. II. Bergely, Gunder Borstad, Amon A. Berger, Engbrith Larson, Ole Melwold, Kasper H. Grasmoen, Ole Grasmoen, Ole O. Kinder, and several members joined later. The first service in the new church was solemnized on Sunday, the 21st of July, 1886. The first child bap- tized at the service was Gina Bergely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Bergely, by Rev. S. E. Sorenson. The first mar- riage solemnized in the new church was the marriage of John O. Hogstad of Camp, and Nellie Jacobson, also of Camp. Rev.
S. E. Sorenson performing the ceremony on July 21, 1888.
This congregation has its cemetery on their church lot which contains about two and one-half acres, in which many of the old pioneer members are laid to rest. The first burials were: Mrs. A. J. Asak, Mrs. Lewis Hanson, Mrs. Halvor Hanson, away back in the eighties, of whose deaths there are no church records. The first death on record is that of Hans Eidsvold, December 16, ISSS. The Camp Norwegian Evan- gelical Lutheran congregation concluded some years ago to join and be a member of the United Lutheran church of America.
The present officers of this congregation are: A. A. Bergely, vice president: N. O. Nelson, J. O. Semmerud, and Johnny O. Jacobson. trustees; N. O. Berge, secre- tary; A. E. Melwold, treasurer.
Zions Congregation of Bandon. In the early days of the "homesteaders" several Scandinavian settlers took homesteads and settled in Bandon township and vicinity, where they built homes and tilled the soil in order to provide for themselves and their families, but they were not satisfied with home alone. They felt the need of forming a congregation with the view of building a church in order that the Luth- eran religion might be preached to them and their children.
And so on March 25, 1886, they held a meeting in schoolhouse No. 66, known as the Nestande schoolhouse, and organized Zions Evangelical Lutheran congregation. Among the first members of the congre- gation were: llans Gumpolen, Tollef Pederson, Peder Sather, John Nestande, Rasolf Olson, I. M. Lunde, Ole Lee and others.
During the early days of the congrega- tion services, which were dutifully at- tended, were held at the homes of mem- bers and largely at schoolhouse No. 66. Soon, however, the members felt that they must have a church wherein to worship, so a subscription was taken up to raise money for the purpose and as this suc- ceeded well the church was built in the summer of 1891, during the pastorate of O. A. Ostby, by Contractor Engen, on lots donated by John Nestande and situated on the west side of the road opposite the Nestande farmstead. The church and ad- joining graveyard were dedicated in 1901 at the time of Rev. E. H. Midthos' pas- torate.
In 1886 the congregation decided to call as pastor Rev. M. G. Hanson, of the Hauges Synod, now president of same. He ac- cepted the call tendered him and served as pastor until 1887, when he resigned. Then O. A. Ostby was called as pastor and at his resignation in 1892, C. O. Rosing, who remained until 1896, became pastor. In 1896 and 1897 J. S. Sneve served as pastor and from 1897 to 1898 O. C. Farseth, E. H. Midtho, during whose pastorate the
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congregation joined the "United Church." served as minister from 1898 until 1902, when Rev. Thomas Hanson, the present pastor, was called as minister.
According to records Emilie Gumpolen was the first child baptized in Zions con- gregation, and Oline Pederson the first child to be baptized in the church after its completion. Knut Gunderson and Asborg Vasjo are on record as the first couple married in the church. Mrs. Gnrine C. P. Sather was one of the first to be buried from the church and laid to rest in Zions cemetery.
Many have been baptized, confirmed, and married in Zions church. The work of Zions congregation has not been in vain, and the younger generation owe much to the pioneer members who founded the coll- gregation largely perhaps for their benefit. The congregation now has a Ladies' Aid which has given hundreds and thousands of dollars to missions and poor people and the church. It is still working faithfully for the same purpose as formerly, that of raising money and exercising influence to do good.
The membership is about 105 and has thus increased considerably since 1886, when the congregation was formed. Many of the pioneer members of the congrega- tion are dead and buried in Zions ceme- tery, but many of them are still zealously working for the good of Zions congrega- tion, for the glory of God and for the salva- tion of souls.
Fairfax Congregation. (By Rev. Thomas Hanson.) The village of Fairfax was started about 1882, when the M. & St. L. R. R. was built. The little new village was largely populated by Germans. A few Norwegians moved in from time to time. Rev. Midtbo, a Norwegian Lutheran min- ister, resided in this village from 1899 till 1902. No active church work in the vil- lage was, however. taken up by him. In 1902 Rev. Thomas Hanson, then pastor of Hauges. Franklin, Zions and Camp churches, was asked to come over and preach the Gospel. First a church was loaned by the Methodists and at other times other accommodations were used. This being rather inconvenient a house of worship was longed for. A Ladies' Aid was organized within the village for the pur- pose of raising money for a house of wor- ship. Later the men also joined in solicit- ing subscriptions towards a church. Of those who took very active part in this and greatly helped on the work might be mentioned Segvart Gumpolen, N. P. Nel- son, Even Grasmoen and others. In 1905 a church was bought. The same year it was fully paid for and fully equipped with church bell, organ and the like.
In 1906 Rev. Thomas Hanson resigned, the work being a little too much, there then being five churches in his charge. Rev. R. Fjelstad was called. He accepted and began serving in 1907. In 1912 Rev. Fjel-
stad died. The church was then without a pastor. It was then decided to call hoth Rev. P. H. Rognlie and Rev. Thomas Han- son, each serving every other month. They have served this church since 1912 and are at present the pastors of the church.
The church has a very active Ladies' Aid and a Sunday school with an attend- ance of about 20 pupils. Segvart Gumplo- len is the superintendent of the Sunday school and also the song leader of the church.
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