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 33

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 33

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This Burr Oak church is maintained at the present time, but has no pastor.

BROKEN BOW PRESBYTERIANS

The Presbyterian church of Broken Bow was organized in 1885, by a Rev. Mr. Dore- mus, who at the time was serving the Ansley church. The charter members were E. . 1. Hemsworth. Mrs. Hemsworth, G. H. Tuttle. Mrs. Addie Tuttle, Mrs. Jennie Biggerstaff, Mrs. R. E. Martin, and Mrs. Kimel Barnes.

For some time services were held in a public hall, the congregation awaiting the time when they felt they would be able to build the church home they required. This was done in 1893. A very commodious, beautiful structure, for the time. was erected on the north side of the rail- road, on Tenth avenue, at a cost of about $3,500. The Rev. George Bailey was pastor during the building and dedication of the church. This was at the time the best church buikling in the county. In 1904 the structure was destroyed by fire, and it was rebuilt in the fall of the same year. It was dedicated in April, 1906. The following account of the dedication is from a denomi- national paper published at the time :

HARLAN- CHURCH BROKEN

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT BROKEN BOW

"More than a year ago this church lost its pleasant house of worship through a visita- tion of fire, and the people were forced to meet in a rented hall - DING PHOTO as in the early days of their or- ganization. At once they began to plan for a new church which would be larger and more conven- ient than the one destroyed. As a re- sult of their energy and liberality, a building costing about $6,000 was dedicated on April 10, during the session of Kearney presbytery, which was being held at Broken Bow. Rev. George A. Ray, D. D., of St. Paul, preached the dedicatory sermon; the pastor, Rev. A. A. Mitchell, conducted the formal ser- vice of dedication, Rev. Dr. Thomas C. Clark, of Grand Island, offering the prayers. During this same session of the presbytery a formal call was presented from the Broken Bow church to Rev. A. A. Mitchell. and he was installed as pastor, on the evening of April 11, 1906. Since that time the church has had renewed life, receiving on one Sab-

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

bath forty new members into its commu- nion."

While Rev. A. A. Mitchell was not settled as pastor until the time of dedication, he had been acting as stated supply and it was due to his labor that the church was built.

The church has a membership of approxi- mately 150 and is a very liberal contributor to every denominational and benevolent cause.

The church erected a manse which is a splendid, two-story, modern structure, equal to all the needs of a minister's family. The present pastor, Rev. A. H. Frazer, has been eight years with the church, loved by his peo- ple and respected by the community.

THE ANSLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Presbyterian building was the first church structure erected in Ansley. It was built in the spring of 1887 and was dedicated in July of the same year, Rev. Mr. Sexton, of Seward, officiating. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Doremus. Being the only church in the town, it was used by all denominations until each was able to erect a church edifice of its own. Several ministers, whose names are not now remembered, served the church before 1893. But in that year Rev. Mr. Mitchelmore became its pastor. He continued in that'capa- city up to 1894, and thereafter, on account of the drouth, the church stood vacant for sev- eral years. The next pastor was Rev. Paul Naylor, since whose pastorate the ministers whose names we have been able to secure, have been Rev. Mr. McCachran, Rev. Mr. Strick- ler, and Rev. Mr. Thomas. The church is now inactive.

EPISCOPALIAN WORK IN THE COUNTY

Although the people of the Protestant Epis- copal church were not among the early pio- neers, they have, nevertheless, been mission- aries of no mean dimensions. They have operated, in a small way, in most of the towns of the county. Their people were among the early settlers in most localities, although, in most instances, not numerous enough to war- rant the establishing of a church.

At the present time they maintain service at

Broken Bow and Callaway, where they have strong churches and good equipment.

CALLAWAY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

While an occasional service was held in Callaway by the missionary resident of Broken Bow, under the direction of the Right Rev- erend George Worthington, bishop of the dio- cese of Nebraska, it was not until the conse- cration of Right Reverend Anson R. Graves, January 1, 1890, and the setting aside of the jurisdiction of the Platte, that any regular services were held in Callaway. Bishop Graves visited Callaway May 16, 1890, and arranged for regular services by Rev. W. S. Sayres, rector at Broken Bow. Under his active encouragement and help, Holy Trinity church was erected and the misison built up. The church building cost $1,500 and was erected in 1890. To the ceaseless energy of Mrs. Georgia Ingram, more than to any other one person, is due the credit for the erection of the largest church building in Callaway. Its corner-stone was laid, with due Masonic ceremonies, November 25, 1890, this being the first instance in which this symbolic service was held in Custer county. The officers present were: M. W. Robert E. French, grand mas- ter ; and R. W. Lee P. Gillett, grand custodian. They were assisted by forty master Masons, local and visitors. Broken Bow sent twenty- six Masons. In the furnishing of the church many beautiful and useful articles were re- ceived from various liberal churchmen, among which were: Silver communion service, by the sons of O. M. Carter, Omaha ; Holy Bible, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York; bell, John Taylor & Company, Laughborough, England ; altar linen, altar hangings, and dos- sal curtain, beautiful white set, Mrs. Georgia Ingram, San Diego. California ; purple set, Mrs. Graves, wife of the bishop; green set, Ladies' Guild ; alms basin, Rev. R. G. Osborn, of Platte Collegiate Institute ; corner stone, cross, Mr. Osborn, of Kearney granite works ; candlesticks, gilt and silver, Arthur Bird; vases, V. G. Gurinian.

The year 1893 brought a financial panic and a failure of crops. A tornado, on June +,

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

1894, threw the church off its foundation and injured everything in the building. In this year of misfortunes, the church was moved to a new location, was repaired, a furnace was put in, and a rectory built, necessitating an expend- iture of $950 in cash. By some strange co- incidence, the greatest material advance to Holy Trinity church has seemed to come in times of greatest financial depressions. The church was consecrated, free of debt. January 1, 1895, and organized as a mission, under the rules of the bishop of the Platte, July 7, 1895. The jurisdiction of the Platte was abolished and the jurisdiction of Laramie took its place in 1898. At first, services were held once a month, sometimes once in two months, but the church has so prospered that since 1900 regu- lar morning and evening services have been held every Sunday. The rector does mis- sionary work along the Kearney & Black Hills Railroad and around Callaway. The following rectors have had charge .of this mission under Rt. Rev. Anson R. Graves, S. T. D., bishop of Laramie : Rev. W. S. Sayres, Rev. S. A. Potter, Rev. H. E. Robbins, Rev. Austin F. Morgan, Rev. E. P'. Chittenden, Ph. D., Rev. John Powers. Rev. A. E. Os- born, Rev. R. A. Russell, Rev. Charles Fer- guson, Rev. R. M. Herdman, Rev. J. M. Bates. The number of communicants on May 1, 1901. was fifty. The, then, official members of the church were : Senior warden, H. H. An- drews; junior warden, George O. Benger ; clerk, Mrs. Clara Benger: organist. Miss Emily Holloway ; lay-reader, H. H. Andrews. To the chief shepherd of the flock, Bishop Graves, is due chief praise for his good work in his mission, giving it the best of his clergy and ever raising funds to improve its prop- erty.

The Ladies' Guild of the Protestant Epis- copal church was organized by the Rt. Rev. Anson R. Graves at the time of his first visit to Callaway, on May, 16, 1890. This organi- zation was completed May 27, 1890, by the adoption of the by-laws and the election of the following officers. President, Mrs. Lydia F. Bird ; vice-president, Mrs. Catherine E. Nixon : secretary, Mrs. Georgia .A. Ingram; treasurer.

George S. Smith. The following mem- bers were first enrolled: Mrs. Lydia F. Bird, Mrs. Anna Tyson, Mrs. Catherine E. Nixon, Mrs. Etta Bergman, Mrs. Georgia A. Ingram, Mrs. Fannie Sherwood, Mrs. Martha Pike, Miss Lucy J. Johnston. From this nucleus sprang not a large but a very active guild, which has been the mainstay of Holy Trinity church. The history of the guild is the history of the church. The guild really was the prime mover in building and furnishing the church. It purchased the historical organ - the organ which for years was the only one in town, one which was used to every occasion. and which finally, through the liberality of the guild. found a resting place within the church, where it now dispenses sacred music as sweetly as it did secular harmonies in its youth. The guild furnished the seats of the church, the communion rail, and the altar. It paid for half of the English bell and paid freight and custom duties on it. The bell was a half-gift from John Taylor & Company, Laughborough, England. So not only is the church in com- munion with the Church of England, but the congregation assembles every Sunday at the ring and call of its English bell. The guild has supported in part the rector's salary, paid incidental expenses, sexton and organist, and made up deficiencies in general. During the drouth of 1890, the guild disbursed needful articles to the indigent and worthy poor, and the same was true of the great drouth of 1894. It is the active, working organization of the church, rich in good deeds and worthy of the highest praise. The officers at that time were : President, Mrs. Hattie Andrews; secretary, Mrs. Clara Benger ; vice-president, Mrs. Jo- sephine Phillips; treasurer, Mr. H. H. An- drews. The membership is about twenty.

Holy Trinity Sunday-school membership has remained about stationary. The superinten- dent, from the time of organization, has been H. H. Andrews. Teachers: Olive Phillips, Mabel Decker, Emma Conly. Emily Holloway. and Emily Brega.

TITE BROKEN BOW EPISCOPAL CHURCHI The ministrations of the Episcopal church

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

were first brought to Broken Bow during the days of the late Bishop Worthington, who, in 1886, sent Rev. M. Fullforth out from Omaha to look over the field. There being but a small handful of Episcopalians in this community at that time, Rev. Mr. Fullforth called them together during his church service in August, 1886, in what was then the Opera House. This new church was organized as St. John's Protestant Episcopal church. Later that year, or in the early part of 1887, Rev. Dr. Zahner came to Broken Bow and obtained something like $800 in subscriptions for building a church, the land being given by the Lincoln Land Company for that purpose. In 1887, following a short stay by Dr. Zah- ner, came the Rev. Oliver J. Booth, who was the first settled rector. The church services were held in va- rious places, among which were the Bur- lington hotel and the homes of some of the members. It was during the Rev. Mr. Booth's pastorate that a church building was erected. Operations were begun in April, 1889, and finished in September of the same year. The first service held in the new edifice was a marriage ceremony. Bishop Worthington paid an episcopal visit to this new field in Septem- ber, 1888.

During the time between Bishop Worthing- ton's visit and the completion of the church building. Bishop A. R. Graves was made bishop over this part of the state of Nebraska. and he made his first visitation to Broken Bow January 9, 1890. At the time of this visit a subscription for supporting a clegyman was begun, and also a fund for wiping out the in- debtedness created by building a church.

The woman's guild, which was organized in February, 1887, offered their services, took

BROKEN BOW EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND RECTORY

over the indebtedness of the church and pledged themselves to pay it off at a rate of $200 each year for five years.

Between the resignation of Rev. Mr. Booth, in October. 1889. and the arrival of the Rev. WV. S. Sayres, May 30, 1890, services were not held with any regularity. Upon Mr. Sayres taking charge of the work the services were held weekly, except for one Sunday each month, when he went to Callaway for service. This arrangement prevailed until January, 1893, when the Callaway church obtained a rector for itself, thus releasing Mr. Sayres for other work, in Ansley, where he managed to hold services every Sunday afternoon. In June, 1893, the church received its first coat of paint. Very shortly after this, July 4th, Mr. Sayres resigned to take up work in another field. During his stay here he held ser- vices at different times in Litch- field, Mason City, Ravenna, Ashley, Custer Center, Merna, Sargent, West Union, Hyannis, Sand Valley, and Cal- laway.

From July 12 to September 28, 1893, this work was taken charge of by Rev. F. M. Bacon. deacon, and Broken Bow was given weekly service. Throughout the following year the Rev. R. L. Knox had charge of the work. Mr. Knox, upon leaving Broken Bow. took charge of the church at Arapahoc. His place was filled in Broken Bow by the Rev. H. E. Robbins, deacon, who remained until July 30, 1895. During a period of nearly two years only occasional services were held by ordained clergymen, the interim being supplied by lay- readers. The Rev. George Green was in charge of St. John's church from June, 1897, until the following August. In October, 1897, the Rev. J. B. VanFleet took charge of the

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

work, and after remaining one year, he re- moved to Norford, Nevada.

From October, 1898, to September. 1899, the Rev. Charles Ferguson had charge, and during his pastorate he held a monthly service at Callaway, where he resided during his last month in the state, whence he went to Tucson, Arizona. While in charge of Broken Bow and Callaway, he prepared for publication his book entitled "The Religion of Democracy."

Then followed a period of more than two years during which the sacraments of the church were administered only occasionally, the most of the services being conducted by a lay-reader.

From January, 1900, to May, 1902, the Rev. Walton H. Daggett held the pastorate in Broken Bow. It was during his charge here that many minor improvements were made in the church building and the rectory, which had been provided by the Woman's Guild. Among the improvements in the church were an altar, brass candle-sticks, brass cross, a hymn board, etc., besides vestments for the choir.

The Rev. William H. Xanders then took up the work, and he remained from May, 1902. to January, 1910. During his pastorate other improvements were added to the church and rectory, the rectory being enlarged.

Mr. W. C. J. Dumville, a lay-reader, had charge of the work from May, 1910, to No- vember, 1912. While in charge of this work he pursued his theological studies, and in March, 1911, he was made a deacon, by our present bishop, Rt. Rev. George Allen Beecher. D. D.

From November, 1912, until 1914, the Rev. L. A. Arthur, of Grand Island, ministered occasionally to the people of Broken Bow, and carly in 1915 the Rev. F. A. Henry took up the work. Ile remained until March, 1918.

Sunday, June 9, 1918, Rev. T. W. Morgan. deacon, was advanced to the priesthood, in St. John's church, and he immediately took charge of the work of this parish, of which he has since continued the rector.

THE CHURCH OF GOD

The early work done by the pioneer preach- ers of the Church of God should be recorded along with the account of work done by de- voted men of other denominations. This body of devoted people have never lacked in en- thusiasm, and when it is considered that they have not been backed by a large denomination which could render outside support, and have been led by an unpaid ministry. they have made a creditable showing. Their pioneer work was done mostly at Weissert and Berwyn. The most prominent, and perhaps the ablest, of their preachers is the Rev. Richard Bellis, who during the years has conducted farming operations in connection with his ministry. The fertile fields of Custer county soil. if not the spiritual fields of Custer county churches. have rewarded Rev. Bellis and his good wife with a competency for their old age. so that they now live in comfortable retirement on their farm near Berwyn.

This denomination maintains at the present time, two organizations, in Custer county, one at Weissert, where they have a frame church building, and the other at Berwyn. where they have a very neat, three-gabled buikling, nicely furnished, and adequate for the needs of the small town. These two churches are served by the Rev. John Armour. who, like his pre- dlecessor, depends upon the good soil of the realm for the staff of life, and "eats his bread in the sweat of his brow." Rev. John Armour. preacher and farmer, is young and vigorous, and his Sabbath ministrations are carried on with a zeal and fervor unrestrained by the farm labor of the week.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Rev. W. A. Baldwin, of Broken Bow, has furnished the following summary :

To Elder E. D. Eubank, now a resident of Broken Bow, must be given the honor of open- ing Custer county to the plea of the Disciples of Christ, commonly known as the Christian church. He moved here in 1874, and settled on the Middle Loup river near Wescott. In

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

common with all preachers of this communion, he was full of the desire to preach the gospel wheresoever he found himself, and it was not long until he began to gather the people togeth- er for worship. Mrs. Eubank led in forming a Sunday school, as well as gathering the few children of the neighborhood into her own home for a day school. As a result of this beginning, there was effected, in 1875, a small organization, with Mr. Guthrie as elder, and this continued to hold services for a time. The members thuis drawn together in this early day mostly united with the church at Sargent. at the time of its organization.

Elder Eubank had the experience that often met the pioneer preacher, and frequently had to walk to places of meeting. At one time he was called across the Loup for a funeral, and went over in the morning on the ice. On his return, in the afternoon, he was taken to the river in a conveyance by one of the neighbors, who drove away at once and the preacher wended his way to the ice. A change had taken place during the day, and, before he was very far along, the ice was showing signs of breaking up. Finally he had to wade the water, 'midst floating ice, because of a rift that separated him from the shore. He preached the first funeral sermon in the county and married the first couple-Edgar Denial and Miss Josephine Eubank. He served as the first county superintendent of schools. Two other men preached in those early days at Wescott - Elders Reuben Manning and S. A. Kopp. Both of these have passed to their re- ward, Mr. Manning being buried at Sargent July 26, 1918.

ARNOLD

The next organization effected was at Ar- nold, or more correctly at Henry Brothers' cattle ranch, then occupied by Morgan S. Parks and William W. Frazier and family. Elder Landis J. Correll, a veteran pioneer preacher, held services April 1, 1883, with about twenty-five persons present. Regular preaching was had thereafter, and on July 11, 1884, the church was formally organized,

with the following charter members : L. J. Correll. Martha Correll, Marcellus Sargent. Lena Sargent, William W. Frazier, Laura J. Frazier, Charles Tremmel, Mrs. Charles Tremmel, A. Moffett, Mrs. A. Moffett, Anna M. Saunders, Allen Holeman, and Amos S. Gamble. The record of the first officers is not available, but Elder Correll continued to minister to the congregation for a number of years and doubtless served as elder.

Twelve members were added during the year of 1884 and as a result of a meeting held in the fall of 1885, by Elder Henderson and L. J. Correll, nine others united with the church. During this year a frame building was erected, at a cost of $1200, and was dedi- cated by R. C. Barrow, state evangelist, De- cember 19, 1885. February 14, 1886, John T. Smith, of Nebraska City, conducted a series of revival meetings, lasting four weeks, and seven members were added. Again. in 1893, Evangelist Smith was called, and twenty-one additions resulted from the meetings held. "Father" Correll, as he was familiarly called, still served as pastor.

All of this time a regular Bible school was conducted by the church, but the names of officers cannot be given. D. A. Youtzy fol- lowed L. J. Correll as pastor. Owen J. Owens served six months in 1897: E. D. Eubank a like period in 1890; Ford A. Ellis, from April to September 1. 1906, during his vacation while attending Cotner University ; and E. J. Ratcliffe in 1907; N. S. Carpenter in 1908; Ford A. Ellis again in 1911-12; J. G. Slick one year. 1913; G. W. Gentry, part of 1914; and F. H. Gerrett a part of 1916-17. School is held regularly every Lord's day, with an enrollment of fifty. John M. Saunders is the superintendent. The church now numbers eighty-three members, with the following of- ficers: Elders, Charles Sanderson, John Samuelson, Warren Copeland; deacons, George Ransier, John Backes, Charles Backes, Oral Gunter, Harry Shaw, Arthur Scott: trustees. John Backes, Charles Sanderson, John Samuelson ; deaconesses, Lydia Backes,

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HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY. NEBRASKA

Verda Smith, Sis. Bassett : clerk, Etta Backes; treasurer, Martha A. Morrow; organist, Oma Brown.

LIBERTY

The church at Liberty was organized on Clear creek, about ten miles east of Ansley, following a meeting held by M. A. Sweeney in October, 1883. There were about twenty- five charter members, of whom John Sargent and A. W. Hyatt served as elders. About the year 1886 H. L. Burns held a meeting at the Kimball schoolhouse, seven miles northwest of where the first church was organized, and a new organization was effected. of which Bradford Rose, Cain Moody, Ernest House, and Joseph Hyatt were deacons. The two churches came together in 1887. midway be- tween the two locations, on the farm of J. W. Bryan. There they built a large sod meeting- house, in which they continued to worship. under the name Liberty Christian church, un- til the year 1903, when a neat and comfortable frame structure was built. the same having been dedicated the same autumn, by the state secretary, W. A. Baldwin. The following min- isters have served as pastors, beginning with the first organization, in 1886: A. M. Sweeney, C. A. Miller, H. L. Burns, E. D. Eubank, S. .1. Kopp, Jesse R. Teagarden. J. P. Waldron, Carl Knapp. Fred Galliger, P. G. Dennis, and Charles A. Shook. At this writing the or- ganization is defunct, through death and re- moval of the members. A number of the remaining members are now identified with the Banner church, organized by Charles A. Shook, in December, 1917.

BROKEN BOW

The beginnings of the Christian church in Broken Bow date back to May, 1886, when the state evangelist. N. B. Alley, formed an or- ganization which met for a time in the Baptist church building and then, again for a brief period, in a hall. Among the charter members were John Van Horn, J. B. Farrell. J. J. Brown and wife, David Brinson and wife, W. S. Boyce and wife, Mrs. Nellie Humphrey, W. R. Wiley, B. W. Blair, Nettie Atkinson. and E. E. Ilastings. The evangelist appointed

the following officers: Elders, J. J. Brown. W. R. Wiley, and B. W. Blair : deacons, John Van Horn and E. E. Hastings ; deaconesses, M1. Louisa Brown, Nettie Atkinson, and Mrs. Nellie Humphrey. The work did not flourish for a time, because of lack of pastoral care. and in December, 1886, Elder E. D. Eubank held a meeting of a month, in the Baptist church, thereafter serving the congregation as its pastor. During this meeting three trustees were elected, as follows: John Van Horn, David Brinson, and J. J. Brown. This church has enjoyed the usual vicissitudes meeting those who would establish the Lord's work on the very frontiers of advancing settlements and civilization. Periods of growth and ex- altation were intermingled with times of «le- pression and discouragement. The common lot of a new organization in the midst of a moving and shifting population was theirs. But throughout the years the church has been able to maintain its organization and for the most part has had pastoral oversight. The loss of the original records makes it uncertain whether the following list of preachers is ex- actly correct, but it is substantially so. Follow - ing E. D. Eubank, they are as follows: D. A. Youtzy, Porter, Pace, Surgeson, Shields, Sherman Hill, J. R. Teagarden. T. 1 .. Mc- Donald. George Boomer, L. R. Harman, C. V. Allison, A. J. Hargett, J. S. Early, N. T. llarmon, Z. O. Doward, W. C. Lessley. J. E. Ferguson, and the present pastor. W. 1. Baldwin. Several of these were supply men only and some were students, serving only through vacations. J. R. Teagarden served at several different periods, being called to the work in connection with other business.

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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 33

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