History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 51

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

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In 1881 the manse was erected, and the same year became marked in the history of the church for the large number of accessions. Rev. Reynard is since deceased. His sister Mrs. J. H. Woolley, has been an active worker in the various channels of church work for many years.

Rev. George Williams became pastor in 1883. Rev. Samuel Wycoff served the church as stated supply during the year 1889 and until sometime in 1890.

The longest pastorate this church has en- joyed was that of Rev. Thomas C. Clark, who came to this congregation in June, 1890, and gave faithful service and inspirational lead- ership for sixteen years, until May 1, 1906. While he was pastor the present beautiful and modern church building was erected at West Second and Wheeler avenue. This church was dedicated in 1904. The succeeding pas- tors have been Rev. John G. Graham 1906, for about five years, Rev. A. F. Ernst, for about four years, Rev. Wm. I. Alexander, and the present pastor, Rev. A. A. Smith.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT WOOD RIVER

The First Presbyterian organization at Wood River was effected sometime about 1870. John and James White and a Mr. Warner were among the moving spirits. Revs. Robbins and Reynard expounded the gospel at that time. For several years meetings were held in the school house. After a time interest waned and the organization disbanded. It was not until 1882 that the Presbyterians effected permanent organization. Those taking an ac-

tive part were John Bence, C. E. Towne, T. C. Taylor, B. L. Colwell and wife, James Allen and sister Jessie and W. A. Colwell. Rev. Fulsom was in charge at this time. In the spring of 1885 in the pastorate of J. G. Tate the new church was erected, and the fol- lowing trustees elected: John Bence, Chas. Towne and T. C. Taylor. After Rev. Tate, the following pastors in their order filled the pulpit : Revs. Hullhurst, Wolf, Hatch, Shields, Dunlap, Belville, Brittin and J. C. Ir- win. The board of trustees in 1900 were Chas. Towne, E. Kunz, Will Colwell, Geo.

Sprague, N. T. Brittin, J. H. Diefenderfer, Mrs. E. A. Murphy, Mrs. S. A. Sherrerd and Mrs. O. W. Eaton. The church built a manse costing about $2,000. Mr. Irwin served this congregation for a long period, and following his pastorate were Revs. Lorimer, Clair, and C. E. Kirscher, the present pastor,

CONGREGATIONAL

The First Congregational church of Grand Island is located in its fine edifice at the cor- ner of Sixth street and Kimball avenue.

This church grew out of a Congregational Sunday school which was organized in a store building on Fourth street April 3, 1887.

It soon had a membership of sixty, under the leadership of Supt. B. F. Merrill. The First Congregational church was organized on the 16th day of June, 1887, with H. E. Clifford clerk and treasurer, B. F. Merrill and Frederick Randall deacons, Mrs. L. A. Har- vey, B. F: Merrill and Frederick Randall trustees. Rev. D. W. Comstock was called on September 11, 1887, to be the first pastor of this young flock. Lots were purchased on the corner where the present church build- ing stands, and the corner stone of the pres- ent building was laid October 18. In one hundred and thirty days after the work was begun the building was dedicated, on January 24, 1888.

Withstanding the usual; experience of a church in a western town, and especially a town which is considerable of a railroad cen- ter, with the people coming and going con- stantly, it has steadily and ceaselessly carried e

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on its work and there many an earnest chris- tian worker has been trained for efficient ser- vice.

The membership of this charch has grown to 232. Twelve years ago the cangregation built a parsonage at a cost of $2,000.

The present pastor of the church, Rev. Thomas Arthur Dungan, has been its leader since April 15, 1914, during which period the present house of worship was erected.

Pastors of the church, with date of their call to the pastorate are as follows: Rev. D. W. Comstock (1887), Rev. W. L. Demorest (1888), Rev. John Doane (1890) Rev. J. H. Henderson (1893), Rev. T. W. Cole (1895), Rev. Mr. Batty (1897), Rev. Edward V. Gardner (1899), Rev. Abraham A. Cressman (1901), Rev. Lucian J. Marsh (1903), Rev. J. Wallace Larkin (1906), Rev. Seth H. Buell (1908), Rev. T. Arthur Dungan (1914).

Present officers of the church: L. F. Fra- zell, clerk; J. E. Lyle, Treasurer; Deacons : C. H. Tully, George C. Humphrey, F. E. Brand, L. B. Jones, J. P. Walker; Trustees ; C. F. Tully, J. R. Fulton, F. S. White, Al Rasmussen, H. E. Clifford, J. E. Buck.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, DONIPHAN

This church was organized January 2, 1884, at a meeting at the home of Rev. J. C. Hughes. Those present were Rev. Mr. Hughes, Lizzie Hughes, Geo. C. Humphrey, Maggie J. Hum- phrey and Lucy A. Avery. The early pastors were Rev. J. C. Hughes, 1884, Rev. E. C. Cressman, 1891-1896; Rev. R. M. Traverse, 1896-1899; Rev. C. H. Hustis, 1899-1902; Rev. W. A. Alcorn, 1902-1904; Rev. R. Jones, 1904-1906; Rev. S. A. Martin, 1906 -.

The new church building of this congrega- tion was dedicated in January, 1912, during the pastorate of Rev. Martin. The building committee who labored on this task were E. B. Treat, H. G. Ranz, Albert Cleal, and W. H. Gideon. A handsome, permanent struc- ture of brick, with seating capacity for three or four hundred persons, with all modern con- veniences resulted from their labor.

The United Brethern Society dated back to about 1872, when Rev. Joseph Wesley visited

Grand Island and organized a class there, one at Alda, and one near Cairo. Among the early members at Grand Island were Mr. Wesley, his wife and son, A. B. Vider and wife.

The organization was completed in 1876, and a house of worship dedicated that year, on July 2nd, by Bishop Glossbrenner and Rev. Joseph Wesley, its pastor. The society at Cairo erected their church house in 1886. The pastors who served the Grand Island society were Joseph Wesley, Rev. Trefren, W. S. Spooner, Joseph Wesley, Charles Ridd, J. J. Lohr, C. C. Kellogg, J. T. Squires, J. M. Wit- ters, D. W. Smith, Rev. Jones, Rev: Dean, Jacob Bresmer.

This denomination has also carried its work on through a church at Cairo.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

A splendid congregation has carried on the services of this denomination since the forma- tion of the First Christian church of Grand Island, in the middle 'nineties. In 1895 this congregation took over the splendid church edifice and part of the membership of the Immanuel Baptist church. Rev. Z. O. Doward served about 1900, for a number of years, and his successor was Rev. J. R. McIntire, who stayed until about 1912. Rev. B. W. Salmon and W. T. Groom then served until the pres- ent pastor came to this church, Rev. M. L. Rose.

This denomination has had a splendid country church in Cameron township that has carried on its work for many years.

OTHER CHURCHES IN HALL COUNTY

The reader will no doubt notice that con- siderably more space has been devoted to the history of certain churches than others in this county. In such instances some one in the past or during the present year, has taken the task of preparing these facts and preserving the records of the particular church in which that person has labored. Other churches are only given such a record as the compiler has been able to prepare from a current research. It will be necessary to confine still other Digitized by

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churches, past or present, to a recitation of their existence in the community. But it may be stated in fairness to all, that an opportunity was given to someone connected with every church organization in the county, which could be located by the compiler, to furnish the same facts in relation to each church. A period of several months has been allowed, and in such instances as a response was not received, such facts as could be ascertained in the time remaining at hand have been set forth in this chapter.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS

This denomination had a good working organization in 1893, with G. W. Broughton as leader. Elder F. M. Corbaly afterwards served this congregation. They have a church at 413 East Eighth, with services at occa- sional periods.

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

The Nirvana Branch of the Theosophical Society was a flourishing organization during . man Lutheran church; the Nazarene church, the 'nineties. Charles Rief was the first presi- of which Rev. Beckman was the pastor for some years; Rev. Schumann's Lutheran church, north of Grand Island; and the Ber- wick church. dent, with Nathan Platt, as secretary. Later officers were Dr. M. J. Gahan president, Al- fred Pigon, vice-president, Sam Conrad, secre- tary, Henry Schlotfeld, treasurer, Mrs. W. Haldeman, corresponding secretary.

SALVATION ARMY

The work of this organization has been in- termittently carried on in this community for many years. By the close of 1888 this organ- ization had headquarters in the old Baptist building. Though no resident captain and his

co-workers are stationed here, their familiar services are not strange to the people of this county, and never fail to meet a hearty re- sponse.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

The work of this society has been carried on in Grand Island for almost thirty years. Geo. W. Bentley was an early leader and practitioner, at 403 East Fifth.

Mrs. A. Cosh served for a good many years as a reader. Headquarters were maintained for a long period at 1131/2 South Pine, but the present place of worship of this congrega- tion is in the 1000 block in West Third street.

Other churches, of which no detailed facts have been secured, but which should be men- tioned and their work preserved for the re- membrance of future generations in Hall County, are: The North Sweden First Scan- danavian Evangelical . Lutheran church of Howard County, seven miles northwest of Grand Island, which has been the church home of some Hall County people; the Salem Ger-

Alda has had three churches that have car- ried on the religious work of that community, the Methodist, United Brethern, and Friends. In Cairo, the Methodists, United Brethern, and Baptists have been the denomination to carry on the church work of the community. Wood River's churches have been treated at length already, and Doniphan's to some ex- tent.

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CHAPTER XIX

THE SCHOOLS OF HALL COUNTY

THE FIRST SCHOOL, BY FRED STOLLEY - COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS - DISTRICT NUMBER ONE - DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR (J. M. HANSSEN ) - DISTRICT NUMBER TWO, GRAND ISLAND- EXTENDED FACILITIES IN THE 'EIGHTIES - SCHOOL CENSUS OF 1872 - GRADUAL GROWTH - SCHOOL BOARD, GRAND . ISLAND - DISTRICT NO. 26, DONIPHAN - DISTRICT NO. 8, WOOD RIVER - SCHOOLS OF WOOD RIVER - DISTRICT NO. 12, ALDA - DISTRICT NO. 72, CAIRO - DISTRICT NO. 80 - DISTRICT NO. 101 - DIRECTORY OF PRESENT SCHOOL OFFICERS OF COUNTY - GRAND ISLAND BUSINESS AND NORMAL COLLEGE - GRAND ISLAND COLLEGE - PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS - INCREASING COST OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION

The pioneers lost but little time in getting educational facilities for their children, in fact as soon as the children first brought to Hall County by the original colony were of sufficient age to receive some public instruc- tions, a means was provided. From log house quarters to splendid brick buildings has been a long road of fifty or fifty-five years, but a story in consistent keeping with the other phases of the county's progress.

In some districts of Hall County the official records reach back to 1871 or 1872. Beyond that, it is necessary to resort to statements furnished by the earliest settlers, even though some minor disagreements might arise on such facts.

As early as 1864 a private school was held in the neighborhood adjacent to Grand Island where the pioneers first settled. This terri- tory was afterward organized into district number one (which is treated separately at some length) and also originally included a large part of what became district number two A first hand account of the earliest school has been furnished to us by Frederick Stolley, one of the pupils :

The first school in Hall County was located on the Theodore Nagel farm, south of Grand Island, where George Baker now lives. The ever got, except for some great ear pulling

first scholars who attended Mr. Nagel's school (for this was a private school, with Mr. Nagel as teacher) were, Henry Henne, William Stelk, Fred Lilienthal and myself, and later Charley Hann and John Hann were added to our list. The school house was Mr. Nagel's dwelling of logs, with an earthern roof. I remember one day that father and Mr. Menck visited our school, when it had rained very hard the night before and a drop of rain was still dripping here and there from the earthern roof, with some dirt and hay coming down, and soon there came tumbling down seven or eight young mice onto our studying table. The two older gentlemen asked in astonishment, "what is that?" Mr. Nagel answered, "Oh, that is nothing uncommon with us," and he reached out with his coat sleeve and brushed the family of young mice from the dining table, improvised for school work, onto the floor, and orders, "Fred, you take a broom and sweep that bunch of dirty creatures out- doors."

At other times the boys attending his school had to help Mr. Nagel keep his corn field clean of weeds, which we were to pull up root and all. Our teacher never indulged in this kind of labor, but would wander over to the O. K. Store and buy a large sack full of sweet crackers for us. After we had devoured them he would order us back to school where we studied multiplication tables, and the "A .- B. C.'s." I think that is about as far as we Digitized by

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stunts, and some terrific stick blows over our backs once in a while. Christian Goettsch and Lillie Scheel were also students at that school.

Three years later the public school was put in its place, and gave our young people an opportunity to make acquaintance with the English language. The first (private) school handled by Mr. Nagel was a German school exclusively, because he was unable to even speak the English language, let alone teach it. But, otherwise, he was a very learned man and deserves due credit for his efforts in establish- ing school work in this vicinity. This school was the only possible chance for us in those frontier days. The children derived a direct advantage through this school.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS

John Wallichs and Fred Hedde bore the burden of superintending the first schools of the county, during the first five years of the county's existence. There was not much of a tax roll to work with prior to 1872, and of course only a few school districts, so the posi- tion was hardly a "full time job" at that. O. A. Abbott, Sr., was the next superintendent, and he resigned on April 1, 1873. His suc- cessor, John D. Hayes, served about three years. Another lawyer, Henry Dunn, became superintendent in 1876, and James Ewing in 1878. D. H. Vantine was superintendent from 1882 to 1886. The next two superintendents were lawyers also, H. A. Edwards in 1886 and E. E. Thompson in 1890. Maynard Spink be- came superintendent in 1894, served for six years, and afterwards moved to Beatrice. D. H. Fishburn served from 1900 to 1906. He is now interested in Paine-Fishburn Granite Works. Miss Margaret Brown, the first woman teacher to be advanced to the leader- ship of the county schools, served around three years, and resigned to become state secretary of The Nebraska Sunday School Association. Her successor was Miss Dorothea Kolls, who gave her entire life to educational work in the county, first as a teacher, then as principal of the Wasmer school, and later as county super- intendent, in which office she served efficiently for nine years until her death early in 1918. The majority of times that she ran for elec- tion she was the official nominee of all political parties, thereby showing the unqualified en-

dorsement she received from the people as a whole.

March 1, 1918, Miss Elizabeth Cunningham, who was then principal of the Jefferson ward school in Grand Island, was appointed county superintendent, elected for a four year term beginning January 9, 1919, and following her recent marriage to Arthur C. Mayer she re- signed and in November, 1919, Prof. W. A. Julian of Wood River was elected to fill the vacancy.

DISTRICT NO. ONE

The boundaries of this district, commonly known as the "Stolley District," as given in the official school records in 1873, were:

Commencing at the Northwest corner of Section One Township 11 North of Range 9 West, thence west two and one half miles thence west one half mile, thence south three- quarters of a mile, thence west one half mile, thence south one-fourth of a mile, thence west one and a quarter mile, thence south to Wood River, thence northeast along the north line of Wood River to the county line, thence north to the line of beginning.

This boundary discription, of course, was placed in the records after the formation of District Two and at a time when the county had twenty-seven districts, so does not include the original boundaries of District One.

The reports for the years 1871 and 1872 made to the county superintendent by C. L. Meves, director, discloses some facts concern- ing the status of the district at that early date. The attendance in 1871 was seventeen, with forty-one children in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one, and 215 days of school taught by qualified teachers. For 1872 the report showed twenty-one attending be- tween ages of five and twenty-one out of forty- one children and one child under five admitted, and 308 days of school taught by Charles Rief, the teacher for both of these terms.

The financial problem presented then is dis- played in the figures showing assessment, $550 for teacher, school house valued at $345.22 and $20 allowed for other purposes, given for 1871. The actual expenditures showed, teacher, $530, fuel $15, building school house, $326.22, other purposes, $10.

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The families then living in the district who had children of school age, in 1871 were: Heinrich Schaaf (Ida, Willy, Emma, Minna, Heinrich), Joachim Doll, Sr. (Minna, Sophia, Ferdinand, Emma), Widow Hamann (Hans, Catharine, Miene, Heinrich, Alweine Paur- tian), John Graham (John, George, Vrathy), Hans Ruge (Hans, Christian, Antzie), Ed- ward Math (Luiriane, Sophie), Hardwig Voss (Catharina, Caroliene), Christian Menck (Gustav, Emilie), Mary Stetch (Wilhelm), Heinrich Joehncke (Willy, Frederick, Hein- rich, Carl, the latter reported in 1872), Adam Windolph (Eliere, Catharina, Tommy reported in 1872), William Hagge (Caroline Scheel, Andrear Catharine), J. Timpke, (Claus Eg- gers), Wm. Stolley (Fred, Anny, Minna, Willy, and in 1872, Emil), Jacob Gremmiter (Conrad). In 1872 C. A. Meves reported Dan. Grahams and Ruge were not reported in 1872 and a family named King with son Willy, age seven, came in, the total being forty-one for each year.

DISTRICT NO. FOUR

Before taking up a detailed history of Dis- trict Number Two (Grand Island) which necessarily will be of some length, we will digress and treat of District Number Four, slightly out of its numerical order.

John M. Hanssen has furnished the follow- ing very interesting story, which not only sheds light on the establishment of this particular district, but added to Mr. Stolley's story of the first school, gives a more comprehensive idea of the difficulties under which Hall County's school system started out :

The first record made public concerning dis- trict No. 4. of those days, was the definition of its boundaries by Fred Hedde, then acting as county superintendent on December 5, 1867. In short, district No. 4 comprised in addition to present district four all of the present dis- trict 28 and district 23.

The first meeting of qualified voters of the new school district was held on November 16, 1867, and the first board elected were H. Wrage, moderator, John Wallichs, director, and John Lassen, treasurer. The first funds for the erection of a school house were col- lected from the residents in that vicinity, late

in 1867, by donations and at the beginning of 1868 they had $148 which thirty men had contributed. A meeting was held at the home of John Seier on January 16, 1869, and it was there decided to lease a site and build a frame school house, 20 x 17 feet and the site then leased is the same site where the present school house of district four now stands (1919). Further action was taken at this meeting to levy on all taxable property at one-half of one per cent and also $1. on each 40 acres to de- fray expenses. John Lassen, John Seier and Claus Stoltenberg were chosen as the building committee.

The first meeting held in the new school house was on October 1, 1868, and it was then decided to fix the school term at eight months; a tax of one and one-half per cent was levied on all taxable property, plus the $1. on each 40 acres then taken up for paying the debt on the school house and hiring a teacher.

From the early records of this district it is not plain who was the first teacher nor just when school really opened, but since the records of the treasurer of No. 4 show that Louis Lorenzen drew Order No. 1 on May 1, 1869, for $135, it must be surmised that he was the first teacher, for the school house was not finished until October 1, 1868 and the funds were not raised until later, and if he had a predecessor, there is no record of any pay be- ing made to such predecessor.

At a meeting held June 1, 1871, it was de- cided to build a log school house in the east- 'ern end of the district, on the site where the school house of district No. 28 now stands (1919). The logs and labor were furnished by the residents of that vicinity and a committee consisting of John Lassen. Theodore Scherz- berg and Fritz Mathews, Sr. selected as build- ing committee. It was further resolved to have a term of twelve months of school in the two schools of the district,nine months in the western or first schoolhouse, and three months in the eastern or second school house; that both schools be conducted and financed by District Four. Henry Rief was the first teacher who acted for both schools, at a salary of $45 a month. At a special meeting of June 12, 1873, it was resolved to buy the school site of the western school, one acre each of John Seier and Hans Wrake, for $15 an acre, this being the same location occupied now (July, 1919).

In perusing the records of District No. 4 through its fifty-two years of existence or cannot fail to be impressed with the follow- ing distinctive facts :

1st. The remarkable good salaries paid af Digitized by

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all times, considering the adversities met by the farmers of that vicinity in early times There is no record of less than $40 a month being paid, the rule being $50 and upwards.

2nd. That it was emphasized at every meeting, as late as 1917 when the switch was made to the American language exclusively, that two languages should be taught, with pref- erence given to the American language at all times.

3rd. At the majority of meetings a prefer- ence for male teachers was brought forth, and this has been the prevailing rule in this dis- trict.

4th. An uncommonly long school term has been maintained, always eight months at least.

5th. Good library facilities have been pro- vided, with special attention also to the heat- ing system.

DISTRICT NO. TWO (GRAND ISLAND)

A school was conducted in the new Grand Island community by private subscription for some time prior to the formal organization in 1868. At that time the district was formally organized, the first board chosen was com- posed of Fred Wiebe, Henry A. Koenig and W. H. Platt.

The first public school was held in a one- story frame building on Second street opposite the City Hall block. Gov. O. A. Abbott, Sr., bears the honor of having taught the first pub- lic school in that building. The children of Wiebes, Koenigs, Michelsons, and the Thor- speckens were the patrons of this early school. The parents and residents in general turned out and built this little 16 x 20 school house. Governor Abbott tells of having worked with a hatchet and saw to prepare the quarters in which he was to teach.

A new one-story frame building was built on block 81, the Dodge school site, and formally opened on September 19, 1870, by a dedication that took the form of a dance with a supper, at the Railroad hotel. George Mc- Kenzie became principal of this school at a salary of $784 a year. The building cost $2,- 895, and the district incurred a total indebted- ness of $3,000. To cover this debt Governor Abbott prepared written school bonds, which were sold to Seth Lee of Cameron township.

In 1874 it became necessary to provide for

the increasing demand for school privileges and an addition was built to this building. In 1878 this addition was moved to Block 20, where the Howard building now stands, and in the summer of 1884 it was moved to Lot 10, blk. 7, Evans addition, and named the Evans school. In 1912-1913 the addition to the Lincoln being completed, it was abandoned and later moved to the Platt grounds as an annex. The main part of the old building on the Dodge site was sold to the Presbyterian people and by them moved to Front street where their church now stands. It was occu- pied by that society for many years and finally sold to Fred Sears and by him moved to Front street, between Walnut and Spruce, where it is used for business purposes.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 51

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011