History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, Part 29

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849-
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company
Number of Pages: 1120

USA > Nebraska > Gage County > History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time > Part 29

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In 1874 a movement was started to build a church and $250 was paid for a lot at the northeast corner of Sixth and Ella streets. A church building was built, twenty-eight by forty-two feet, with an addition in the rear for vestry rooms, ten by twelve feet and a baptistry under the pulpit, at a cost of about $2,000. But the grasshoppers came and de- stroyed the crops before the building was completed, leaving the organization with a debt of seven or eight hundred dollars, be- cause the people could not make good their pledges. In 1889 an addition was built on the north, thirty-two by forty-four feet, giving the building a T shape, with a seating capacity of five hundred. The same year they pur- chased the two lots at the east end of the block, where the present church building stands, and considered the construction of a new church on this site. In 1891 the United States government purchased, for a postoffice site, the lot on which the church stood, and this necessitated the removal of the church building to the lots at Seventh and Ella streets. A basement story was built level with the street under the entire building and the parsonage was moved to the north of the church. This was the home of the congrega- tion until 1907, when the present beautiful edifice was erected, at a cost of $40,000.

At the present time the membership of the

church is over twelve hundred. The number enrolled in the Sunday School is twelve hun- dred, with an average attendance of five hun- dred and twenty-five.

The first minister was the Rev. J. Madison Williams, now of Des Moines, Iowa. Those following him were Samuel Lowe, Joseph Lowe, William G. Springer, Eli Fisher, R. H. Ingram, J. D. Dabney, A. D. Mckeever, F. A. Bright, Edgar Price, J. E. Davis, and C. F. Stevens, the present pastor, who has been here about six years.

The present official board is composed of J. L. Rhodes, honorary elder; D. W. Carre, H. E. Sackett, W. H. Davis, H. S. Souders, Hen- ry Essam, J. L. Riecker, F. K. Klein, O. J. Lyndes, O. A. Burket, elders; and A. H. Voortman, Henry Fishbach, William Thomas, H. M. Smethers, P. J. Smethers, Henry Wil- liamson, F. E. McCracken, E. L. Hevelone, W. W. Duncan, N. Thompson, Fordyce Graf, John Connor, D. G. McGaffey, H. S. Vaught, and J. W. Baumgartner, deacons. W. H. Davis is superintendent of the Sunday school. There are three Christian Endeavor Societies, senior, intermediate, and junior. There are also the Young Ladies' Circle, the Triangle Club, and the Ladies' Aid Society.

A society of the United Brethren church was organized December 14, 1874, with the Rev. W. H. Shepherd as minister in charge. Meetings were first held, on alternate Sun- days, in the Baptist church, which stood where the Knox livery barn is now, on Mar- ket street between Fifth and Sixth streets. On the 20th day of October, 1876, a church was organized with the following named mem- bers: Elias Rhodes, Margaret Rhodes, Mrs. Eli Miller, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Elizabeth Salts, Michael Beam, Mrs. Michael Beam, Elizabeth Meyers, Mary Reed, Mr. and Mrs. A. Q. Miller. The first board of trustees was com- posed of Elias Rhodes, Leander Swain, Michael Beam, and A. Q. Miller. Of the charter members Mrs. Eli Miller is the only one now residing in Beatrice. In 1875, by devise of Mrs. Elizabeth N. Joseph, of Aetna, Ohio, the church came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Be-

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atrice, which they traded with William Lamb for building them a church at the southeast corner of Eighth and Ella streets. This building was enlarged in 1891 and again in 1905. The church has a membership of eighty, the Sunday school of ninety-one. The ministers who have served this congregation are W. H. Shepherd, J. H. Embree, Byron Beal, Rev. Aumiller, Robert Floyd, Rev. Lan- dis A. Oliver, C. O. Robb, S. E. Floyd, Wil- liam Burwell, Philip Surface, J. M. Haskins, E. F. Bowers, F. M. Bell, E. T. Root, J. Powers, F. M. Miller, W. F. Brink, E. A. Sharp, T. P. Cannon, W. S. Lynde, T. S. Swan, H. F. Hoffman, and S. S. Turley, the latter since February, 1918.

The Trinity Lutheran Church was organized December 9, 1883. The corner stone of the brick church belonging to this organization, at the corner of Ninth and Elk streets, was laid November 9, 1884, and the church com- pleted and dedicated in December, 1885. It had a membership of forty-five. The min- isters who have served this organization are George H. Albright, W. L. Remsburg, J. L. Motchman, W. W. Hess, J. A. Lowe, Roy M. Badger, and A. M. Reitzel. Mr. Reitzel came to the church in 1915; recently he resigned and the pastorate at this writing is vacant. The church has a membership of two hun- dred and fifty, and a Sunday-school enroll- ment of one hundred and forty, with J. H. Pletcher, superintendent.

The board of trustees of this church con- sists of the elders and deacons. The elders now are E. Feldkirschner, J. P. Naumann, Andrew Anderson, and T. J. Trauernicht ; the deacons are F. H. Kimmerling, August Schmidt, L. K. Stevens, and C. S. Overbeck.

The first Catholic to settle in Gage county was Joseph Graff, who, in 1860, located on a claim four miles west of Beatrice. At that time the nearest priest was in Nebraska City, sixty-five miles away. Father Hoffmayer visited Gage county in 1859 and mass was of- fered in the log cabin of Joseph Graff, in a room sixteen by sixteen feet, and three of Mr. Graff's children were baptized. The next priest to visit Gage county was Father Ferdi-

nand Lechleitner, who was located in Crete. He first visited Beatrice September 15, 1874, and again December 6, 1874; May 4, and June 15, 1875; May 16, 1876; May 29 and October 30, 1877. On all the above dates he held service at the residence of Joseph Graff. In July or August of 1877 Father Lechleitner presided at a meeting held at Mr. Graff's, at which it was arranged to build a church. A lot was then purchased in the block north of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific depot, on South Sixth street, and a church forty by forty-six feet was erected thereon at a cost of $1,000. It was dedicated in 1878, and this is the first Catholic church in Gage county. The members of the organization at that time were Joseph Graff, Francis Leonard, Franz Grussel, John Russell, Thomas Grace, Anna and Marie Samletzki, Joseph Meyer, Charles Hentges and wife, Frank Hiebeler, and Charles A. Graff. The church was called St. Joseph's and was attached to the Tecumseh church until 1884. Down to this time it had been served by the following named priests: Father McNally, Father Madden, Father John Crowley, and Father A. Havestadt, who held mass occasionally. In the spring of 1884 lots were purchased at the northeast corner of Sixth and High streets and the old church was moved to this location. Father A. Have- stadt was the first resident priest, 1884-1886, and was followed by Father Thomas Quick, 1886-1889. The first parsonage was built in 1885. At the close of 1886 the number of families within the pale of the church was one hundred and eleven, or five hundred and ten souls. At the close of 1887 there were one hundred and sixty-six families; at the close of 1888, one hundred eighty-six families, or three hundred and eighty-seven persons over eighteen years of age and four hundred and eighty under that age. In 1888 a school room, thirty-eight by twenty-two feet, was added to the old church. In September, 1889, a home was opened for Ursuline Sisters, who had come from York, Nebraska, to take charge of the school. It was called St. Joseph's Con- vent. In December, 1889, Father A. J. Co- pellen assumed charge of the parish. In 1890

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a tract of ten acres of land was purchased three miles north of the city, and this was consecrated as a Catholic burying ground. September 1, 1893, Father Copellen was snc- ceeded by Rev. Michael Merkl. During the hard years of 1894-1895-1896-1897, member- ship in the church decreased fifty per cent .; the sisters gave up the school, and at the close of 1898 there were but one hundred and thirty families. Father Merkl was succeeded by Father Petrasch, who came in 1907. He pro- ceeded to tear down the old church, and the present brick church, school house and par- sonage were erected. In 1912 Father E. Boll succeeded Father Petrasch, but the latter re- turned for a few months in 1916, when Father Boll left. In December, 1916, Father Bickert, the present priest, took charge of the parish. There are now one hundred and seventy-five families on the church roll, and eighty-four pupils in the school, which is in charge of three Dominican Sisters, from Racine, Wis- consin. Philip Graff, Henry Lang, John Plu- beck, John Scharton, Hugh Carmichael, and Arthur Woelke constitute the present board of trustees. The following organizations af- filiate with the work of the church: Knights of Columbus, Society of the Altar, Sewing Circle, Ladies' Social Club, and Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.

The First Baptist Church of Beatrice was organized December 6, 1873, and for a while it was served by Rev. J. N. Webb, the state supreintendent of Baptist churches. June 27, 1874, Rev. Thomas J. Arnold became its pas- tor. He was succeeded April 9, 1876, by Rev. L. P. Nason, who, in June, 1877, was suc- ceeded by Rev. L. D. Wharton, and the latter was succeeded, November 1, 1878, by Rev. George Scott. The first church building was where the Knox livery barn now stands, on the north side of Market street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. About 1880 it was moved to the north side of Ella street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, where Kimball's laundry now stands. A few years afterward this church was moved to Grant street, between Seventh and Eighth streets. About twelve years ago the church was again moved, to

Sixth street, and placed on the alley, occupy- ing what is now the southeast corner of Charles Park. When it was decided to locate the park upon these lots the city bought the old church property and paid the Baptists $6,000 for it, and they in turn purchased the Unitarian church building, on the northwest corner of Sixth and High streets, which they have since occupied.

The charter members of the church were John Kerlin, Elizabeth Kerlin, Mary C. Ker- lin, S. A. Smith, Rhoda Smith, Josiah A. Smith, T. J. Smith, and Job Buchanan, who was also first church clerk. The trustees were John Kerlin, S. A. Smith, and Job Buchanan. The deacons of the church now are Griffith Evans, R. Davis, George Sexton, Henry Fair- child, H. M. Garrett, Fred Lloyd, F. N. Crangle, C. H. Aylesworth. The board of trustees are G. W. Thomas, Walter D. Wright, Dan Crosby, Walter Andrews, Argre Fryer ; the church clerk is S. R. Jamison.

St. John's Lutheran Church of Beatrice was organized in 1880, with fifteen members. It met in various halls until the erection of its church at the corner of Fifth and Bell streets. The first minister was the Rev. Lynch. The present minister, Rev. Leonard Poeverlein, has served the church continuously since 1883. The church has a membership of fifty families. Fred Damrow, Julius Harter, and Fred Paul are trustees, John Roschefski is church clerk, and F. S. Kuhl is treasurer.

The German Methodist Church, located at the northwest corner of Eighth and Scott streets, was organized in 1886, and a church was erected in 1887, at a cost of $2,000. It had a membership of twelve when organized and now has twenty-four. As pastors E. T. Treibler, G. M. Zwink, John Lauer, C. G. Meyer, Conrad Eberhart, John Mueller, and Edward Beck have served this church, Rev. Edward Beck being the present pastor and having been with the church since 1904. M. Buehler, Albert Eckel, and Henry Wipper- man constitute the board of trustees.

LaSalle Street Methodist Church was or- ganized in 1887, and its church was dedicated November 6th, of that year, with Rev. H. C.

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Wells, pastor in charge. There were fifty- four charter members, and the present mem- bership is one hundred and seventy-four. Pastors, H. C. Wells, 1886-1887; James K. Maxfield, 1887-1889; James Darby, 1889- 1892; T. S. Fowler, 1892-1893; H. D. Wil- cox, 1893-1895; G. W. Selby, 1895-1896; J. W. Royce, 1896-1898; D. C. Phillips, 1898- 1899; A. W. Coffman, 1899-1900; E. L. Barch, 1900-1903; F. W. Bean, 1903-1905; George M. Jones, 1905-1906; J. W. Lewis, 1906-1909; B. F. Hutchins, 1909-1911; J. A. Ronsley, 1911-1912; J. B. Darby, 1912-1915; Henry Bell, 1915-1916; A. L. Pratt, 1916 to the present time. The church has been rebuilt and was rededicated in June, 1914.

The Church of the Brethren merits definite consideration in this work. This branch of the Brethren church, located at the corner of Fourteenth and Grant streets, was organized in 1881, and the church was built in 1888, at a cost of $3,000. Its ministers have been J. E. Young, J. H. Mohler, L. D. Bosserman, A. D. Sollenberger, A. P. Musselman, and W. W. Blough. At the present time the deacons are Charles H. Price, E. J. Kessler, and C. J. Lichty ; the trustees are C. H. Price and E. J. Kessler; the treasurer is Miss Rebecca Essam, and the clerk is E. J. Kessler. The church has a membership of ninety-five.

The following record concerning the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the city of Beatrice, was prepared by Leonard A. Em- mert :

Interest in Christian Science was first aroused in Beatrice in the fall of 1884. A lady who had been confined to her bed several months was invited by a friend to visit her in Boston, Massachusetts. While there she was induced to take Christian Science treatments, with the result that she was healed. Upon re- turning to her home (Beatrice) she told of the wonderful "new religion" in Boston known as Christian Science, and of its heal- ing power. Her recovery and the story she told interested others suffering from diseases that the doctors had pronounced hopeless. Several decided to go to Boston, and it writ- ing to Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of

Christian Science, were informed that a stu- dent of hers just finishing metaphysical college would be in Omaha in a few weeks. As soon as this student arrived in Omaha, Mrs. Eliza- beth Buswell, given up by the doctors as in- curable, went to her, in May, 1885, and she was healed in a week's treatment. This was the reason for many others going. All came back healed or greatly benefited.

Within a few weeks, when it was sufficient- ly known that the new method of healing, called Christian Science, purported to be a practical and scientific application of the truth taught and practiced by Jesus and His disciples, a number who had been interested and benefited began meeting together in the different homes. The first public meeting was held in the Masonic Hall - First National Bank Building - Easter Sunday, 1886. A charter was granted from Boston May 15, 1886. November 24, 1888, services were moved to what was then known as Gibbs Hall and on this date the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state. This was the first Church of Christ, Scientist, organized west of the Missouri river.

In the winter of 1890, on account of fire, the church was obliged to move again, this time taking up quarters in the LePoidevin Block. In April of the following year (1891) it became possible to secure the Brethren church edifice, located in the 1200 block of Court street. This last move proved to be an important one for the growth of the church, for shortly after locating here every depart- ment of work advanced rapidly. At a meet- ing of the board of directors, held June 14, 1891, it was decided to purchase a lot at the corner of Ninth and Elk streets, for the pur- pose of some day erecting a building. This was successfully accomplished the following month, on July 31st. It was secured from Maggie C. Blakely for a consideration of thirteen hundred dollars.

The next important step in the march of progress was the buying of the Brethren church, in the fall of 1900. It was planned that this church building was to be moved to

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the lot purchased, but in working out this program it developed that a more desirable location presented itself, which resulted in the directors disposing of their first purchase and buying a lot, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, on the corner of Eighth and Ella streets. This was purchased from Cora M. Woolridge, September 22, 1900, consideration being eight hundred dollars.

In March, 1901, meetings were again held in the LePoidevin Block, while the church edi- fice was being moved to its new location. There it was remodeled, enlarged and refur- nished throughout. This home was dedicated May 26, 1901, and remained unchanged, ex- cept for a few minor improvements, until September, 1916, when it again became pos- sible to remodel and enlarge the structure. A beautiful foyer was added, and several large columns were placed at the entrance, which seems to be so characteristic of Christian Science churches. Meetings were resumed in the church edifice November 26, 1916. Ser- vices were held in the Commercial Club rooms while the work was being done.

Three authorized teachers have taught Christian Science in Beatrice. The first class taught west of Chicago was conducted in Be- atrice, October 5, 1885.

The history of this church would be incom- plete without mention being made of the nation-wide attention which was directed to- ward Beatrice in February and March, 1893, when a student and teacher of Christian Sci- ence was indicted, under the statutes of the state of Nebraska, for practicing medicine without legal authority. Quoting from one of the local papers, dated February 27, 1893, we find the following records made of the case : "The case of E. M. Buswell, who is charged with practicing medicine without legal autho- rity, will be called up in the district court to- morrow. It is a peculiar case, perhaps unlike any that has gone before in the courts, and it will excite widespread interest." Quoting again from the same paper, dated March 5, 1893: "The great trial is over. The jury in the case of E. M. Buswell, charged with ille- gal practicing of medicine, which went out at

eighty thirty yesterday afternoon, came in about nine o'clock in the evening with a ver- dict of acquittal. The defendant was there- upon discharged. The verdict is generally re- garded as what might have been expected in the face of the evidence presented." This was a victory for Christian Science which was felt throughout the United States and wrote a memorable page for the growth of the church here, and for the cause.

The history of this church is like that of most churches which started in the west - the record of a small beginning, a slow but sturdy progress, perseverance in the face of discouraging obstacles, defiance at times that seemed almost defeat. But what is here to- day is a testimonial of Courage - Faith - Hope - Love.

The Seventh Day Adventists of Beatrice held their first meeting July 7, 1894, and they organized a church in August, 1895, with twenty-two members. The meetings were held in homes of the members until the church was built, in 1897, on the northeast corner of Ella and Tenth streets. The first minister was Elder J. H. Rogers. The local elder is A. E. Putnam. George Stout is treasurer, and Mrs. A. E. Putnam is clerk.

The First Congregational Church of Be- atrice was organized June 1, 1884. The charter members were J. M. and Matilda Wilber, Dr. Edward S. Bates and Jennie N. Bates, Gray Warner and Carrie L. Warner, W. B. Hotchkiss, Lewis R. Thomas, Ruth A. Thomas, H. S. Cox, A. R. Dempster, Jennie C. Dempster, Dr. Calvin Starr, Dr. Julia C. Starr, Mary Starr, L. E. Walker, Bessie Yule Walker, Henry D. Gates, Nellie W. Gates, Clara Bewick Colby. At a business meeting held July 20, 1884, steps were taken to pro- vide the organization with a house of worship. On October 10, 1884, the church purchased, from Isaac N. McConnell, lots 1 and 2, block 6 of the original town of Beatrice, and began the erection of a commodious church building on the east seventy feet of these lots. It was pushed to completion and on Thursday, June 30, 1885, it was formally dedicated to the pub- lic worship of Almighty God as a Congrega-

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tional church. From that date to about the 7th day of August, 1914, it was occupied by the Congregationalists of Beatrice as a house of worship. Prior to the 7th day of August, 1914, the church acquired by purchase lots 9, 10, 11, 12, block 29 of Cropsey's Addition to Beatrice, as a more suitable location, and on that date, by warranty deed, conveyed the old church property to the Evangelical Lutheran church, which has since owned and occupied it as their church. Long prior to that date

been fortunate in the character and ability of the men who have served it as pastors during the thirty-four years of its existence. Its first regular pastor was William O. Wheedon, who served from 1884 to 1886, when he was forced to resign on account of ill health. His successor, E. H. Ashman, held the pastorate from August 18, 1886 to February 1, 1888, and was succeeded by E. St. Clair Smith, February 24, 1888, who very ably served the church as its pastor to July 31, 1892, when he

NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

the church had sold the west seventy feet of their property to Rev. E. S. Smith, one of its early pastors, who erected thereon a dwelling which he occupied as a parsonage during his pastorate. The property is now owned and occupied as a home by Miss Marie Upson. Following the sale of its property to the Lu- therans, the church began the erection of a handsome brick structure on the lots pur- chased by it in Cropsey's Addition, on the corner of Sixth and Grant streets. This church was completed at a cost of approxi- mately $20,000, and on the 4th day of June, 1916, it was, with appropriate ceremonies, dedicated to the worship of God.

The Congregational church of Beatrice has

resigned to accept a charge in Indiana. The church thereupon extended a call to George W. Crofts, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and for twelve years this good and saintly man was not only a forceful factor in the Congrega- tional church of Beatrice but also in the churches of the state and in the community at large .. No minister of the Gospel ever exem- plified in a greater degree the graces of its precepts than the poet-preacher George W. Crofts. In 1912 he passed to his reward, and all that is mortal of this beloved man lies in the cemetery at Council Bluffs. November 2, 1904, Mr. Crofts was succeeded by Edwin Booth, Jr., who continued in the pastorate until May 15, 1908, when he resigned, to take

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charge of the First Congregational church at Norfolk, Nebraska, of which he is still the pastor. He was succeeded by Fred I .. Hall, whose ministry terminated July 1, 1910. Rev J. W. Ferner, of Shenandoah, Iowa, was called to the service September 23, 1910, and re- signed November 8, 1914, to accept a call to the First Congregational church of Aurora, Nebraska. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Victor F. Clark.

This church, though small in numbers, en- ters actively into the religious and social life of the community.

Gage county has had one religious immi- gration, and the story of that immigration is set forth in the following narrative, prepared for this work by the Hon. Peter Jansen :

"Mennonites, called after the founder of the church, Menno Simons, a former Roman Catholic priest in Holland. Principal char- acteristics: Baptize only adults, upon confes- sion of faith; opposed to all war, like the Quakers ; avoid law suits ; members are to be strictly honest ; do not make oath, but affirm.

"They are called 'Prussian Mennonites,' which is a misconception. Their ancestors came from the Netherlands (Holland) to Prussia in search of religious liberty, espec- ially freedom from military service, which was abrogated during the early '70s of the past century, after the Franco-Prussian war (and to avoid military service were forced out of Prussia.)

"At the instigation of Cornelius Jansen and his son Peter, the latter having settled in Jef- ferson county in 1874, a delegation visited Ne- braska during the summer of 1876, and finally selected Gage county as the most promising and suitable place for their settlement. A dozen or more families moved to Nebraska that fall and located temporarily in Beatrice, then a frontier town of a thousand or so in- habitants. By the spring of 1877 thirty to forty families had arrived and settled within a radius of ten miles of Beatrice; most of them bought farms and grass land at from six to ten dollars per acre. The names of the most prominent families were Penner, Wiebe, Reimer, Thimm, Goosen, Claussen, Janzen,

etc. Others joined them during the next few years, so that eventually a large and very prosperous settlement has sprung up.

"They built a commodious meeting house a few miles west of town, and later another one in this city. Still later they bought the old Kilpatrick church, about ten miles west of Beatrice. All three meetings are under one bishop, Gerhard Penner, now eighty-two years old, living in West Beatrice.

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History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, Part 29

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849- Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company Number of Pages: 1120

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849-
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company
Number of Pages: 1120