History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religous, and civic developement from the early days to the present time, Part 32

Author: Gaston, William Levi, 1865- [from old catalog]; Humphrey, Augustin R., 1859- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western publishing and engraving company
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Nebraska > Custer County > History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religous, and civic developement from the early days to the present time > Part 32

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BAPTIST PIONEER WORK

The following facts and data concerning the inception and progress of Baptist work in Custer county have been furnished by Mrs. J. HI. Kerr, of Ansley, who for a number of years, has been the clerk of the Baptist Asso- ciation.

The first work inaugurated by the Baptists in the early days, when pioneers were struggling with the conditions incident to all new countries, was the holding of intermittent services in Lee's Park, by Rev. J. P. Cook, an aged Baptist minister, familiarly called Father Cook. Father Cook was a scholarly man, with a theological training, and during his early ministry held some very important pulpits. Ile homesteaded on the Middle Loup in the spring of 1878, and, following his natural inclination for missionary work, gathered the settlers to- gether in some available home, and held preaching services and maintained Sunday school work. His work in Lee's Park re- sulted later in the organization of a small Baptist church, which held together for a few years, but in the process of western moving and shifting, the constituent members moved to other localities and the church was short- lived.

The second Baptist minister to adopt Cus-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

ter county as a missionary field was the Rev. Amos Weaver, who preached his first Custer county sermon in the fall of 1880, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Amsberry, on the Muddy creek. Rev. Weaver, too, was a sem- inary man and was then engaged in western missionary work with his field of labor mostly in Valley county. During the last session of the Baptist Association, held June 28-30, 1918, at Mason City, the announcement of his death, which occurred only a few weeks before. was made. The association interrupted its busi- ness and caused a tribute to be paid to his life and character, besides ordering a fitting reso- lution of respect to be incorporated in the asso- ciational minutes.

The Baptists were the third denomination to begin work in the county, and since the in- ception of church organization, in 1881, nine- teen Baptist churches have been organized within the limits of the county. These have had a more or less checkered career. Out of the nineteen, only eleven survive until this present time. In the eight dead churches, like in the seven churches of Asia, there was much to commend. Their work is done, and the workers, for the most part, have transferred their Christian activities to other fields. Among the churches that were. and now are not. is the Baptist church of Clear Creek, which was organized some time late in 1881. by Rev. I. D. Fleming. This was the third church or- ganized in the county. It survived but a few years. W. T. Powers, then of Westerville, was the church clerk. The second in this list of deceased churches was the Oconto Baptist church, organized in 1884, by Rev. J. E. Ingham, assisted by B. W. Southwell, of Gib- bon, and Mark King. of Broken Bow. I. H. Edmisten was the first clerk of the Oconto church. Rev. J. W. Osborn, a general mis- sionary, preached the first Baptist sermon in Oconto. The Oconto church lasted five years. No building was ever erected, and since 1889 no Baptist work has been maintained.

Lee's Park church was organized probably in 1888, but we have no records or informa- tion concerning its organization. It was ad- mitted into the association in 1889, and prob-

ably passed out of existence without ever hav- ing a settled pastor.

Ash Grove Baptist church. Dale Valley Baptist church, and Ortello Baptist church, have likewise a paucity of recorded history. We know but little concerning them. The Ortello church seems to have died the same year the Dale church was born, but removals soon disbanded the Dale church. Of the Ash Grove church there are absolutely no avail- able records concerning its work, other than it died in 1894.

Some time in 1887 Rev. William Elliot organized a church known as the Union Val- ley Baptist church, eight or nine miles south and west of the present site of Broken Bow. This church flourished for a little season. Within the year 1888 they built a sod meeting- house and they maintained for some time com- munity services. There is no record that they ever had a settled pastor. J. Q. Daggett, who was then a regularly ordained Baptist min- ister, preached for them and did considerable pastoral work. The following year. 1889. the little church encountered the difficulties of a changing, shifting population, and after a few of the stalwart leaders moved away, the few remaining members disbanded.

In 1894 a church was organized at Spring Creek, with Rev. D. S. Hulbert, pastor. That is all the record that is obtainable of the Spring Creek organization.

THIE BAPTIST CHURCHES THAT LIVE

The Baptists of Custer county now main- tain eleven live and more or less prosperous churches. All of them, with one exception, have buildings adequate to their needs. They have seven parsonages, located as follows : Lo- max, Arnold, Merna, Broken Bow (two), Ans- ley, and Mason City. This parsonage property is worth approximately $12.000.

Ever since 1884 an associational organiza- tion, made up of delegates from the various churches named, has been maintained. The first session was held in Broken Bow October 24, 1884. Five churches were represented in that meeting, namely: Broken Bow, Oak Springs ( now Mason City). Clear Creek,

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

Oconto, and Merna. The late Edmund King, of Broken Bow, was elected moderator and J. H. Edmisten of Oconto, was elected clerk. Since that time, without any iterruptions, the association meetings have been held at some place where the delegates have been the guests of the entertaining church. For the last eighteen or twenty years, D. M. Amsberry, of Broken Bow, has served as moderator and Mrs. J. H. Kerr, of Ansley, has served as clerk.

THE BROKEN BOW CHURCH

The county seat being the metropolis, it naturally would be expected to have the strongest church, and in this expectations are realized. This was the first Baptist church organized in the county. The date of its or- ganization was July 5. 1881. Lucky or un- lucky, there were thirteen charter members - Edmund King. Emily King, Mark King, Mar- tha King, Cyrus King, Moses Lewis, Martha Lewis, Henry C. Reyner, Emma Reyner, Jacob Mauk, Catherine Mauk, Samuel A. Miller, and Laura Miller.

The church was organized by Rev. I. D. Fleming, who served as first pastor. In 1885 they erected a small but commodious building that met the needs of the little congregation in those days. In 1897 this building was re- modeled, enlarged, and made more attractive. In 1887 this church built the first Baptist par- sonage of the county, a building which still stands. on lower Broadway, and is owned by W. A. Tooley. A few years later, another parsonage was built, on the corner of Broad- way and Tenth avenue, beside the remodeled church. This building is a five-room cottage, modernized, and located, as it is, in close prox- imity to the church, it makes an ideal home for the janitor. Last year, 1917, the church bought a valuable property in the same block, fronting on Broadway, and converted it into a pastori- um, located in a beautiful grove of maple and mountain ash. It adds much to the appearance and value of the church property and equip- ment. Since the organization of the church the following pastors have served, in the order named : Rev. I. D. Fleming. Rev. J. E. Ingham. Rev. D. W. Hall. Rev. Charles Davis. Rev.

James Sheppard, Rev. A. J. Fleming, Rev. E. G. Boyer, Rev. T. F. Schlosser. Rev. J. S. Hadden. Rev. J. W. Megan, Rev. W. S. Rich- ards. Rev. S. P. Morris, Rev. A. W. Yale, Rev. A. M. Lavack. Rev. J. D. Brady, Rev. A. T. Norwood, Rev. A. E. Rapp, Rev. W. L. Gaston, Rev. J. B. Taylor, and Rev. W. L. Gaston.

In 1912, during the pastorate of Rev. A. E. Rapp, a new building enterprise was under- taken. The old church, on the corner of Broadway and Tenth avenues, directly south of the court-house, was sold and moved away, and preparations were made for the erection of a modern brick edifice in its place.

At this time Rev. Rapp tendered his resig- nation, and the succeeding pastor, Rev. W. L. Gaston, who was a resident of the county, was called to the pastorate and assigned the task of building the church. Mr. Gaston is now ( 1919) serving Nebraska as assistant secretary of state.

The membership of the church, however, were united, harmonious, and in working spirit. and the task was not a hard one. Gen- erous assistance was given by the members of other churches and the town people generally.

NEW BAPTIST CHURCH AT BROKEN BOW

In striking contrast to the primitive sod sanctuary, or the private dugout, in which were set up the first altars before which Custer county pioneers worshiped, is the modern brick edifice standing on the corner of Broad- way and Tenth avenue in Broken Bow. Be- cause of the striking contrast, a description of the church, written five years ago, just before the church building was dedicated, is appended.

The final dedicatory services of the hand- some new Baptist church, which is now fully completed, will be held the coming Sunday, both morning, afternoon, and evening. This splendid house of worship as it stands, cost approximately $15,000 and is thoroughly modern in every particular. The finely equipped basement, with its spacious Sunday- school room, is worth going some distance to see.

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

This place can be turned into the finest banquet room in the city and is perfectly equipped in the way of culinary paraphernalia. Up-to-date lavatories and toilets also are to be found here. This banquet room, by the way, served to splendid advantage during the land registration. The ladies of the church conducted a dining-room here at all hours of the day and night, and during the two weeks succeeded in taking in a magnificent sum of $1,200 or over. This will make a good show- ing in the church-debt fund.

But it is up in the auditorium, where the beautiful colored windows of opalescent glass

as the Good Shepherd, which was donated by the Junior and Busy Bees classes.

The Talbot memorial is on the south side, and was given by the children of Dr. and Mrs. R. C. Talbot, while the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. Mauk have donated a like memorial. Then there are the windows given by the boys' and primary classes, the prevail- ing colors in them being delicate shades of green and yellow.

On the west, immediately back of the choir gallery. is a very unusual window, there being no other like it in the United States. It is an original design by Rev. W. L. Gaston, pastor

BAPTIST CHURCH AT BROKEN BOW

are, that the visitor is really impressed. These windows, of which there are sixteen, were man- ufactured in St. Joseph, Missouri, and are really works of art. In the large hall of the church is the American flag window, which was donated by the Ladies' Missionary So- ciety.

On the east side of the auditorium are two column windows in green and amber, one presented by the Sunday school to Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Amsberry: while the other is a King memorial, presented by the relatives of Edmund and Mark King, who were promi- nently connected with the church in an early day. Between the column windows is a rich and beautiful piece of coloring, showing Christ

of the church. Across the top of the window is a double bar of music with the words : "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." This window was donated by the choir, in honor of Mrs. Willis Cadwell, who has been the church organist for many years. The color scheme of this window is about the same as the rest.

Directly in the west is a square window. in the center of which, portrayed in rich color is Hoffman's "Ecce Homo." which shows the agony of Christ, on whose head is the crown of thorns. This is the gift of Mrs. W. L. Gaston and children, Gladys and Orvin. Next to this is a memorial window, donated by Frank Kelsey in honor of his mother.

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In the pastor's study, the Ladies' Aid So- ciety has placed its window. Another window in the west is modest in design and is histori- cal, not to say unique. At the top is a picture of the old church and pastorium. Below the picture are names of all charter members and complete list of pastors up to the present time. There are also the names of the present offi- cers and the building committee. This is a gift of the young ladies of the church. There is only one other window like this in the world, and that is in the Baptist church at Creston, Iowa.

On the north side of the lecture room is a Calvary window, showing the scene of Cal- vary in the distance, with three crosses. It is an elegant painting and is the gift of the young men. The Bible-class window is also shown on the north side.

MASON CITY CHURCH

Ten days after the organization of the Bro- ken Bow church, another Baptist church was organized, at Oak Springs, in the vicinity of old Algernon. This was called the Oak Springs Baptist church. John A. Hall was elected as first church clerk. This church seems to have been a strong, vigorous organization, com- posed of representative people who were alive to their opportunity and very willing to make sacrifices for the cause. Rev. I. D. Fleming was the organizer and first pastor of this church.

With the building of the Chicago, Burling- ton, & Quincy Railroad up to the Muddy, old Algernon disbanded and the Oak Springs church removed to Mason City, where it is to- day a strong, prosperous organization. The church has passed through many trying times and has encountered many difficulties, but its members have hung together, weathered every storm, and are now out on the open sea of smoother sailing. The evolution of their church buildings would be hard to describe. other than to say that to-day they have a beau- tiful, commodious. not over-pretentious edi- fice, which will meet their .requirements for a few more years.

In 1917 the church tore down the old pas-

torium and erected a new one in its place. The new building is the finest pastorium owned by any denomination in the state, west of Grand Island.

The membership represents a good deal of wealth, so that the church is able to secure the services of able preachers and maintain all branches of denominational work. The membership approximates two hundred. Dur- ing later years they have been served by strong men, among whom the present pastor, Rev. Paul Scheuk, rates high.

THE MERNA BAPTIST CHURCH

The Merna Baptist church was organized in 1884, by J. E. Ingham, assisted by Mark King. Rev. William Elliott was called as first pastor and F. M. Frazier was church clerk. Here was a handful of devoted spirits, who were never able to make much progress but who have maintained worship, erected an edi- fice and a pastorium. and who at the present time maintain a local pastor.

This organization seems to have nearly col- lapsed, and later, in 1887, there was a reor- ganization. by Rev. Sterns, of Grand Island. He conducted revival meetings, which resulted in a number of conversions and increased the membership to thirty-five.

About this time the Lincoln Townsite Com- pany promised a lot to the denomination that built the first church. The Merna Baptist church took advantage of this offer, and at once solicited a building fund. as a result of which the present building was dedicated in the fall of 1887.

The charter members, with the exception of two, have either died or moved away. The exceptions are J. B. Smith and Mrs. Nona Filkins. Among the pastors who have served the church are Rev. W. M. Jewel. W. A. Far- rell. F. A. Reisner, J. D. Brady, W. L. Gaston, and the present incumbent, the Rev. C. C. Van Gorkon.

TIIE ANSLEY BAPTIST CHURCHI ORGANIZED

The Baptist church of Ansley was organ- ized September 19, 1886, at the close of a sermon by the Rev. J. E. Ingham. There

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

were thirteen charter members, as follows: A. B. Fleming and wife. C. F. Davis and wife, Mrs. Jane Amsberry, M. S. Coffman, Walter W. Theobald and wife, Mrs. E. H. Burrows, Mrs. Charlotte A. Stevenson, James Wester- velt and wife, and J. G. Amsberry. It was first represented at the Custer Association, held at Broken Bow, September 24, 1886, by the following delegates : Mrs. Charlotte Stevenson, W. W. Theobald, James Wester- velt, and the pastor, J. E. Ingham. Meetings were first held in the town hall and afterward in the Presbyterian church. The church en- tertained the Custer Association in September, 1887. Rev. Theobald came next as minister and preached until Rev. L. W. Gowen was called for part time. Rev. Mr. Gowen was pastor also at Mason City and continued to serve the two churches until November. 1889. Having no church building and losing by re- moval its efficient church clerk. W. W. Theo- bald, and by death one of its most faithful members, Mrs. E. H. Burrows, it had no reg- ular services from 1889 to 1899. On August 8, 1899, Rev. S. C. Green, secretary of the Nebraska State Baptist Association. reorgan- ized the Baptist church, the meeting being held in the parlor of Mrs. C. R. Stevenson. Those going into the new organization were : Mrs. Charlotte Stevenson. J. Il. Kerr and wife. N. Amsberry and wife. Arthur, Myrtle, and Minnie Meyers, A. H. Lewis and wife. E. J. Owens and wife, and Verla and Esty Lewis. The officers chosen were: Rev. J. R. Woods, pastor for part time: deacon, N. Amsberry : clerk. A. H. Lewis ; trustees, J. H. Kerr, Henry Zimmerman, and E. J. Owens ; treasurer, Mrs. J. II. Kerr. On August 20. 1899, the church was given recognition and again received into the Custer Association as a Baptist church, regularly organized. E 1901 J. H. Kerr was appointed to purchase three lots for the church building. These lots were located on Main street, and on October 25, 1903, the church was dedicated. In Febru- ary. 1906, two more lots were purchased and a parsonage built. In 1917 a basement was built, at a cost of $2.000. Pastors who have served the church : J. F. Ingham, L. W.

Gowen, J. R. Woods, D. J. Briggs, W. K. Markland, J. M. F. Heuman, Frank C. Bar- rett. F. A. Conners. R. Richards, C. T. McKee, J. T. Brown, C. A. Spaulding, and the present pastor, R. Richards. The church has always been a missionary church and has contributed largely to all the denominational interests. In 1911 a branch of the church was organized at Happy Hill schoolhouse, J. E. Staab, Lyman Amsberry, and Ray Zimmerman being the officers. The present membership is 165. The church property is valued at $8,000. The present officers are: Pastor, R. Richards ; deacons, N. Amsberry, William Ihlow, and Chester Loyd : trustees. J. H. Kerr, William Price, and W. J. Mccullough : treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Kerr : Sunday-school superintendent, J. B. Jones : Sunday-school secretary. Elsie But- ler : Sunday-school treasurer, Mrs. Mabel Lewis : organist, Miss Crissie Southard ; cho- rister, Mrs. J. H. Holeman ; B. Y. P. U. presi- dent, Mrs. Fannie Austrand. At the reorgani- zation of the church in 1899. a Mission Circle was formed, of which Mrs. J. H. Kerr has always been the president. Mrs. E. W. Pester is at present the secretary-treasurer.

In 1906 a new parsonage was built, which has since been improved and modernized. and it is to-day occupied by the incumbent pastor. Rev. R. Richards.

T11E EUDELLS

Rev. J. M. Maxwell, an able and educated minister, from Indiana, located at Cumro and in 1886 organized the first Eudell Baptist church, with Ne George as church clerk. Shortly after its organization, a sod church was built, and this served the purposes of the congregation and community for a number of years - until it was replaced by the frame building which is now in use. The work in this community has been steady, never large. but always the faithful resident members have sustained Sunday-school and, most of the time, preaching services.

The church to-day is under the pastoral care of Rev. W. C. Walcott, who serves this church in connection with the field at Sumner. In 1891 a branch of this church was organized.

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

by the Rev. J. M. Maxwell, at a point six or seven miles east of the first church, and this newer branch organization is now called the Second Eudell Baptist church.

The career of the second church has been much the same as that of the first. A few substantial Baptist families, such as those of William Eleo and B. F. Nicholas, have con- tributed both the life and support of the church for the last twenty years or more. At present the church employs a pastor for half time. Rev. W. E. Stilson serves this church and also that of Bethel Union, eight miles north of Broken Bow.

LOMAX AND LODI

Owing to the missionary work of O. A. Buzzell, two small churches were organized in the Wood river and South Loup country, at Lomax and Lodi. These organizations were effected some time in the early '90s. Both have secured frame buildings and a comfort- able parsonage has been built at Lomax. These are both rural churches and preaching ser- vices have been more or less intermittent. In each neighborhood. however, reside one or two staunch Baptist families, who have managed to keep church expenses paid and the church door open. At the present time both churches are without pastors.

BETHEL UNION

On January 20, 1901, the Bethel Union church, eight miles north of Broken Bow, was organized in the home of Mrs. Amanda Hol- comb. Seven persons were present, and only a few charter members were obtained, but meetings were held in a schoolhouse and the people of the community, generally, gave the church their support. Several additions were made to the church as the result of evangelistic meetings.

In 1906 the church built the present build- ing and dedicated it. free of debt. The regu- lar services have been maintained most of the time since. The Rev. J. R. Woods served as pastor for a number of years next after the organization.

Rev. W. L. Gaston, then of Merna, com-

menced afternoon services in August, 1909, and continued them every two weeks until the close of 1915. Since that time the church has been without services most of the time. Rev. W. E. Stilson is present pastor and is spend- ing much time upon the field. Only a few of the original members remain, removals and death having changed entirely the first church roll.

HIGHLAND

The Highland church is the baby church of the association, as the result of a meeting held on the extreme west and southern rim of the West Table, by the Rev. F. A. Reisner, in the fall of 1916. A few families were banded to- gether into a church organization, known as the Highland Baptist church.

The work they have been doing, which con- sists mainly of maintaining a Sunday-school and an occasional preaching service, has been largely of a union character. Rev. C. C. Van Gorkon, pastor of the Merna church, is now serving the Highland church with afternoon appointments. The organization has no build- ing, but maintains services in a schoolhouse.

THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH

The Free Methodist church of Ansley has a membership of twenty-five, but they are hold- ing ño services at present. They own a par- sonage, the value of which is $1.800. The trustees of the church are M. V. Hawk, J. H. Brand. and John Daniels. This denomination has a small following throughout the county. but their work has been intermittent and con- fined to localities in the country precincts. They have no church buildings at the present time and no county organization.

THE PRESBYTERIANS

The first Presbyterian services of which there is any record were held in the home of S. C. Stuckey, on Burr Oak creek, in 1879. by Rev. Mr. Cornett, who was then located at Lexington.

The first Presbyterian organization, as stated elsewhere, was in the New IFelena district, in 1880, at which time a minister named Stevenson, from West Virginia, lo-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

cated on a New Helena homestead. Steven- son stayed but a short time, perhaps less than one year, but during that time effected a local organization of some nature, which later was carried on by Rev. Lysander T. Burbank, who in the same year located in the vicinity of Burr Oak. Afterward, however, this New Helena and Lillian work was taken over by the Methodists, who supplied the preaching sta- tions from Westerville.

Some time in the spring of 1880 a Presby- terian church was organized at Burr Oak, by a Rev. Mr. Little, who was the first synodical missionary to do Presbyterian work in Custer county. Rev.

Dr. Burbank, who arrived in Custer county October 1, 1880, came to assume the pastorate of this church, which he served for a number of years without

salary. Aside from being a preacher, Dr. Burbank was a physician, and he practiced medicine up and down the South Loup in the early days. The records show that he was a student under Mark Hopkins, the illustrious president of Williams College. President Gar- field and ex-Senator John J. Ingalls were both upper-class men in this institution while Dr. Burbank was an undergraduate.

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History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religous, and civic developement from the early days to the present time, Part 32

Author: Gaston, William Levi, 1865- [from old catalog]; Humphrey, Augustin R., 1859- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western publishing and engraving company Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Gaston, William Levi, 1865- [from old catalog]; Humphrey, Augustin R., 1859- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western publishing and engraving company
Number of Pages: 1180