USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 33
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When Dr. Converse was superintendent of the old Mid- land Pacific a little incident occurred of which Hon. Henry Beckman, of east "H" township, tells. In 1874, when the rail road was in its infancy and there were few trains and less business, Mr. Beckman and some of his neighbors had a lot of wheat to market and as stations were few and far between they made arrangements with the superinten- dent to leave a car from the train going to Seward on the main track. While the train was going to Seward and back the men doubled teams and loaded the car, and when the train came back the engine pushed it to Lincoln.
At that time any citizen wishing to board a train could flag it and the accommodating conductor would stop the train and take on the passenger. These were accommodating trains sure enough.
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THE FIRST ENGINE TO PRESS THE SOIL OF ILLINOIS IN 1848
In October, 1849, the author had his first "ride on a rail" hauled by this primitive engine. There was only twenty-one miles of old fashioned strap rail leading from the foot of Kin- sey street, Chicago. We were landed in a desert prairie west of Des Plains river where an old stage took us in.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY
It will be noticed that some of the churches are not noticed. It is not because of our sectarian sentiments but because the church officers have been careless and the data was not furnished.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENT CHURCH
Was organized May 23, 1875, near Ruby station and was named Seward church. Local elder was M. Hackworth; first deacon, Alex Hackworth ; first secretary, Ella L. Hackworth. Other organizing members were Francis and Drucilla Morton, Martha and Alice Rider, Rebecca Hackworth, Abiatha Kennison and Anginette Morgan.
In 1902 they built a neat and substantial house of worship in the west part of Seward. Membership at present is about thirty. They hold regular services every Saturday. Many changes have occurred through the years, death has called many home, others have moved to other fields. Yet the church grows and prospers.
AMISH MENNONITES
A small colony of these people settled two miles west of Milford, April 3, 1873. Eight families constituted the first settlement. Their first communion was held October, 1875, by Rev. Christian Ruff of Mc- Lean county, Illinois, who was sent by the conference held in Illinois that year. Membership at that time was eleven. In the spring of 1876, Rev. Paul P. Hershberger came from Henry county. Iowa, and that spring a church was organized with twenty-three members, and Rev. Hershberger became pastor for the season. Late that fall com- munion was held by Rev. Nafziger and Rev. Zoder from Woodford county, Illinois. Three converts were baptized on this occasion. In the spring of 1877, Rev. D. C. Miller, of Howard county, Indiana, vis- ited the church and held communion when two new members were re- ceived into the communion.
Rev. Hershberger conducted services until the spring of 1878 when Rev. Joseph Garsho came who assisted Rev. Hershberger and that season the church was built. It is situated in Section 9 in "O" pre- cinct. At that time the membership was fifty-five. Rev. Samuel Zoder conducted the first service in the new church. In the fall, Bishop Joseph Schezel bought a home with us. He held communion and baptized five persons. He took up his residence here in the spring
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
of 1879, and has been pastor to the present time. We have enlarged the church and it is now 28x56 feet.
This peculiar sect of Protestant people had its origin in Zurick, Switzerland, in the early part of the 16th century. They are baptists. Meno Simmons was a chief exponent of their peculiar doctrines al- though not the originator. Within the communities evangelical life means separation from the world and this law forbids marriage outside the church. They refuse to take an oath or to use the sword. They were content to live as strangers upon the earth. The pursuit of holi- ness is the chief end of their lives. In all parts of Europe they were ostracised and persecuted in the early days. Large numbers under a peculiar guarantee took up their abode in western Russia but under later sovereigns these guarantees were withdrawn and large numbers migrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania. They do not recog- nize a salaried ministry. For many years they eschewed the use of buttons and the use of the razor. Their settlement in Russia began under Empress Catharine in 1783. They now number near two hundred thousand in the United States and Canada. Their oldest settlement in this country was founded in 1683, at Germantown, Pennsylvania. These people are noted for sobriety, industry and frugality. They are almost universally prosperous and it can truthfully be said that in their Seward county community. they own one of the finest blocks of farms in the entire west. Their houses, barns and orchards are beauti- ful beyond description. They maintain no parocial schools but take a great interest in the public schools. School District No. 73, in the midst of their settlement is the largest in the county outside of the principal villages, having 124 scholars.
They are wonderfully loyal people to their church and it is a sight to behold the gathering of the people on Sabbath mornings, as they come in droves from every quarter to worship. One feature worthy of notice and commendation is the care they take of their teams. They have long rows of sheds to shelter their teams while they are at worship. The congregation, the largest in the county, has now outgrown their church edifice and a much larger one is to be erected during the season of 1905. Present membership about four hundred.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH By B. F. Thompson.
Of Beaver Crossing was organized in about 1871. A young gradu- ate from Andover Seminary by the name of Smith (other name un- known) came and gathered together snch of the scattered settlers as were religiously inclined and organized a church with the following named members : Mr. and Mrs. E. Taylor, Wm. Livesly and wife, Al- fred Livesly, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Pinkerton, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Thompson, Mrs. Sarah Foster, Mrs. Mary E. Nichols. The oragniza- tion continued about ten years. They worshiped in the school house. Ministers in charge so far as is possible to learn were: Rev. Fred
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Alley, Rev. H. A. French, Rev. Clark, Rev. Winslow, Rev. L. E. Benton, Rev. Warren Cockran, Rev. Moore and Rev. Chase. At one time the church was in a flourishing condition and had a good influence over the community but in 1881, or about that time, other churches oc- cupied the field and the Congregationalists gave way, after breaking the ground and preparing the way.
The first Sunday School was organized as a "Union" Sunday School in the home of Daniel Milspaw during the summer of 1869. Mrs. Mary E. Nichols was superintendent. This was before the advent of the International lessons and the lesson was assigned weekly in ad- vance, generally requiring upon the part of the juvenile members, the committing to memory of a chapter from the Testament or one of the Psalms. The hymns used the first year were generally selected from the Pocket Edition of the M. E. Hymnal. The next summer the school was re-organized in our new school house, a new set of hymn- books, The "Happy Voices" were purchased. The membership greatly increased. From this time there was almost always preaching service in connection with the Sunday School. Well filled wagon loads of both young and old coming from their newly located homes for miles around.
EMANUEL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Was organized April 19, 1891, with sixteen members, as follows: V. Minor, J. Westerhoff, John Westerhoff, C. E. Hans, J. Koehler, P. Kil- zer, F. W. Westerhoff. Henry Hans, Sr., H. Hans, Jr., P. Zillig, F. Witt, N. Black, John Kilzer and Wm. Westerhoff. First deacons: John Kil- zer and Henry Hans, Sr. Pastor Rev. H. J. Neubaur. Present mem- bership sixty. Second Pastor, Rev. Fred Worth, eight years. Third Pastor, Rev. C. Rickbert, two years. Fourth Pastor, Rev. B. Hoppel, one year. Fifth Pastor, Rev. G. L. Brakemager in charge since Jan- uary 4, 1904. The congregation have a very creditable house of wor- ship, a frame structure.
SEWARD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Was organized May 9, 1887, with thirty-five members, mostly those were connected with the Presbyterian Church and had withdrawn. The first officers were: Rev. A. M. Darly, Pastor; J. C. Bradley and A. Bemis, deacons; F. H. McLain, clerk ; S. R. Douglas, treasurer ; trus- tees, S. R. Douglas, Edmund McIntyre, L. R. Cotrell, Henry Morris and R. P. Anderson. Soon thereafter the congregation built a fine two story brick church edifice with a belfry, which at the time was the best church edifice in the county. We are indebted to Rev. F. W. Leavitt, the present pastor for the following historical facts.
The second minister, Rev. J. A. Dobson, died here during his term of service in September, 1890. Revs. George Ray, G. B. Carlisle, T. W. C. Cheesman, Paul C. Burhans successively filled the pastoral office. The present incumbent, Frederick W. Leavitt, began his labors, July 15, 1903. The membership now stands at seventy-five and some
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
sixty families look to this church for pastoral services. Auxiliary to the church are a Sunday School, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Boy's Club and Ladies' Association. During the year 1904, the organization expended $1500 for home expenses and benevolences.
The official board at present is constituted as follows : Deacons, Dr. D. D. Potter, Alfred Hiller, W. H Moore; trustees, Dr. J. T. Potter, S. R. Douglas, W. H. Moore, R. P. Anderson, F. C. Williams; clerk, E. H. Koch; treasurer, Alfred Hiller. Sunday School superintendent, Mrs. M. D. Carey ; Y. P. S. C. E. president, Miss Minnie Cole ; Ladies Association president, Mrs. D. D. Potter.
MILFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Was organized, April 10, 1869, with the following members, viz: William H. Reed, Patrick Davidson, A. J. Waterman, Lee H. Smiley, Nancy C. Reed, Sophia Davidson, Elizabeth J. Waterman, Mary J. Smiley, Ester Smiley, Sallie M. Smith, Marion Hooker and Sophia D. Hooker. The first deacons were A. J. Waterman and Patrick David- son. Lee H. Smiley was first clerk. During the first year nine new members were received. In 1870 ten were received and two removed by death. In 1891, four were dismissed. In 1872 five were received and two dismissed. In 1873, eleven were received and four dismissed. Up to January 1, 1875, fifty seven had been placed on the roll of mem- bership and sixteen dismissed. Rev. T. N. Skinner was first pastor and continued till February, 1872. May, 1872, Rev. H. A. French became pastor.
At first the church was without rules of government except such as were found in the Eclesiastical Society of the church. January, 1870, it adopted a code of laws. In 1873, a constitution was formed and in 1874, it revised its polity and became incorporate. The first year 1869, a frame church edifice 24x36 was erected at a cost of $1600, on lots one and two on block one, Milford. Twelve hundred dollars were paid by citizens and $400, from the church building fund. Rev. S. G. Lamb was pastor from 1884 to 1888. Rev.Geo. Bisco to 1890. Rev. R. M. Tra- verse from 1892 to 1895. Rev. G. A. Monroe from 1895 to 1900. Rev. John Jeffreys came March 1, 1901, and remained one year. Rev. G. R. Martin came February, 1903, and remained to June 1, 1904, when Rev. Francis Wrigley took the pastorate and is with the church at present. The present membership is seventy-six. A flourishing Sabbath School is maintained. Mrs. M. M. Salladin has been their very efficient clerk for many years. In 1884 the present beautiful church was erected at a cost of $3500. The building is of red brick and is a very creditable and substantial edifice.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES
Of Seward county and immediate vicinity. About the year 1876, a settlement of twelve Catholic families from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Connecticut and Wisconsin had located near Salem school
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
house in the northern part of Seward county. This little settlement comprised the following families, John McGowen, Thos. McGowen, John Ward, Michael Gray, Thos. Reynolds, John Reynolds, Daniel Driscol, Daniel Kennedy, Jacob Scherseberger, Thos. Grant, Adolphus Mantry, John McGinnis and Mrs. Wills. A Lincoln Priest, Rev. Father
Seward Catholic Church
Smith began visiting the settlement in 1875 and gathered the little flock together in private homes for religious worship. He continued his ministrations for some time. In 1873 and 1874, several Catholic families had found homes at Seward and vicinity. Among these pio- neers may be mentioned Anthony Carey, Richard Conway, Wm. Ma- roney, Patrick Coneley, John Kribeler, August Guthman, James Fallon and John Zimmerer. Rev. Father Smith also looked after their spirit- ual welfare and gathered the little flock together in private houses for a time and later they held services in the old court house. In 1879, the congregation had grown somewhat and it was determined to erect a house of worship and a little frame edifice was built which in later years has been reconstructed into the present neat and beautiful edifice that is shown in the above cut. It is well to note that the member- ship at the Salem school house united with the Seward congregation and from this time forward a Priest was sent to reside among them at Seward. Rev. Father O'Brien was the first regular pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Wallace and he by Rev. Father Lysaught. In 1881, the Salem settlement had so increased that they thought it
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
wise to make a change and at a meeting of the members of that locality it was determined to erect a place of worship that would be more con- venient and better serve their wants. This meeting was held in the school house. Jacob Schneberger proposed to donate land but as the A. N. railroad had been completed to Ulysses, it cansed a material change. The Rt. Rev. James O'Conor was Vicar Apostalic and in 1885
Rev. Wm. Murphy, Pastor Catholic Church
became Bishop of Omaha and had jurisdiction over the churches of Ne- braska and Wyoming. He determined that the church should be built near a railroad station. So the congregation determined to erect the church edifice at Ulysses. A neat building for the present needs was erected in 1881, but the congregation soon outgrew the building and in 1892, the present commodious structure was erected. This congrega- tion has been up to the present writing served by the resident Priest of Seward.
While the Ulysses church is in another county its membership is
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
largely made up of citizens of Seward county, and are justly entitled to proper notice in these pages, as the birth place of the church was within our borders. In about the year 1876. a few Catholic families had settled in the vicinity of Utica and were visited at irregular per- iods by the Seward pastor. A small church was soon built which the congregation is using at the present. Recently a church was organized at Beaver Crossing and a church edifice and parsonage were built. Some years ago some fifteen families had settled at and near Milford and were attended by the Seward Priest, but they have never erected a church and the membership have scattered. About ten or twelve years ago a wealthy lady died leaving a bequest in her will for the erection of a church edifice in Milford but by some means the bequest was di- verted to other purposes. The Seward church owns a beautiful and valuable property with a nice church edifice and parsonage. Rev. Father Wm. Murphy has been the popular and efficient pastor for years.
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Away down just one mile north from the south line of the county in section 26, town nine, range two east, stands a beautiful church and parsonage. The church was dedicated August 18, 1891. It cost $1362.
The congregation was first known as Pleasant View class and was organized as an attache of the Beaver Crossing church, in 1889. The class was organized with forty-six members. The first pastor was S. H. Pontiers. In 1891, the church was recognized by the conference and set upon its own footing. The present membership is made up of fourty-four families.
Pastors that thus far led the flock are as follows: Rev. J. P. Ash, Rev. S. H. Pontius, Rev. A. H. Zilmer, Rev. I. A. Young, Rev. U. S. Crane, Rev. E. H. Kiefer, Rev. J. A. Adams, Rev. H. E. Shumacher and Rev. G. B Bancroft. Present board of trustees are R. B. Parks, J. C. Boye, A. Conell, A. J. Miller and J. N. Pate.
The church maintains a flourishing Sabbath school, including ofti- cers, teachers and scholars, it numbers fifty-one. Its first superinten- dent was A. J. Miller. He was succeeded by J. C. Boye. Arthur Mc- Cracken is now superintendent. The church is a well built structure and is accompanied by a neat parsonage occupying a beautiful tract of ground surrounded by a splendid lot of well improved farms.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL FRIEDEN'S CHURCH AT SEWARD
This is a branch of the German protestant church. The church at Seward was organized September 22, 1878, by Rev. Christian Bek, with the following members, John Schmidt, Geo. Goetz, Mathias Schmidt, Heinrich Meinberg and Carl Maier. Soon thereafter the congregation bought a quarter block where the church edifice now stands and built a neat little church which is now used for the parocial school. In 1885 they built the parsonage at a cost of $1000. They established a flour- ishing Subbath school and also an elementary day school and prepara-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
tion for confirmation is maintained. The charities consist of general church work, supporting the pastor, Home and Foreign Missionary work Seminaries, Orphan homes and other benevolent institutions.
Pastors in their order have been Rev. C. Bek from 1878 to 1881, Rev. J. P. Welch from 1881 to 1883. Rev. P. Speidel from 1884, June 1st to 1895, eleven years. Rev. Carl Snider from 1896 to 1899. Rev. C. H. Hauck from 1899 to 1901, when the present incumbent A. Woth be- came pastor. The new church edifice was built under the pastorate of Rev. Speidel in 1888, at a cost of $2700, and with a seating capacity of about 400. It is a very creditable frame building, with a fine belfry. Present membership is forty-eight families.
The Sabbath school has an enrollment of fifty. The parocial school has thirty-five pupils. The parsonage is neat and commodions . The congregation is free from debt. A Ladies Aid Society with thirty-six active members does much charitable work. Present church officers are V. Rocker, secretary ; Henri Busche, treasurer, and trustees W. M. Bar- thold, G. Tempel, H. Weinberg and John Goebel The church is in a very prosperous condition.
Church at Goehner was organized by Rev. A. Woth in 1903. They have a membership of thirty families and a Sabbath school of fifty- eight scholars and a parocial school in summer of forty-seven pupils. They built a neat frame church in 1903, at a cost of $2500 with a seat- ing capacity of about 400. Their officers are: Geo. Baner, secretary ; F. Shultz, treasurer, and H. Bluhm, Wm. Vogt, F. Imig and Chas. Gembler, trustees. The church is served at present by the Seward pas- tor, Rev. Woth. These churches belong to the German Evangelical Synod of North America.
MILFORD EMANUEL EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION
Was organized, September 13, 1903. Their first church was built in 1880 but moved to the present site in 1903 and greatly enlarged. The beautiful frame structure is 36x40 with a nice belfry and cost about $2500. It is by odds the finest church edifice in Milford. It is heated by a furnace. They have forty-five communicants. They have a flour- ishing Sabbath school. The organizing members were sixteen. The denomination also has a neat and prosperous church northeast of Mil- ford. The present pastor is Rev. F. W. Schulzky.
SEWARD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Was organized at Seward, December 10, 1877, by Rev. Father Karl T. Gruber. Its first trustees were Herman Diers, Oscar E. Bernecker and Chas. Kroeger. Among the first members were J. F. Goehner, Wm. Shultz, H. Kimmel, Herman Bernecker, Mr. Kortge and Grand- father Bernecker and their families. Other names connected with the organization are lost to us. A little frame church edifice was erected in 1879 and was dedicated November 9th. Father Gruber served as pastor of the little flock up to 1880, when, in 1881 Rev. C. Bode took the
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
pastorate and served for a time and was succeeded by Rev F. Koenig, who served the church till 1891, when Rev. A. Miller held the pastorate till 1895, when the present incumbent was called, Rev. C. H. Becker. In 1888, a very creditable parsonage was erected.
The present elegant house of worship was erected in 1893. The old edifice has been used since that time exclusively for school purposes but two years ago, another frame school building was erected at rear of the church and two schools are maintained with an attendance of eighty pupils where both English and German are taught. The new
Seward Lutheran Church
church has a seating capacity of five hundred and cost about thirty- eight hundred dollars. The present number of communicants is three hundred and fifty besides the unconfirmed children.
In 1904, the congregation procured and placed in the church an elegant pipe organ at a cost of $1600. The congregation has grown to the extent that a large addition is now in contemplation for the near future. The present trustees are Herman Diers, J. F. Goehner and H. Gerkenmeyer. Deacons are O. E. Bernecker and Peter Goeliner. The church school board are Henry Krueger and Paul Beck. The pastor is chairman of these boards. The present teachers are E. F. Rolf and
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Louis Rewinkel, both graduates of the Adison normal school of Illinois. The teachers lead the church choir and play the organ.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LINCOLN CREEK
The German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel congregation on Lincoln Creek, Seward county, Nebraska. This congregation was or- ganized in the fall of 1873 by the following members: John Suhr, Carl Heitman, Fred Suhr, Joeachin Gierhou, Dietrich Erks, Eilers Erks and Carl Gierhan. Four of these gentlemen still live: Carl Heitmann, Fred Suhr, Eilers Erks and Carl Gierhou. The first officers of the congregation, who were, however, not elected in the first meeting, were: John Suhr, Carl Heitmann and Henry Neujhr, trustees ; Albert Klebe, secretary ; Carl Heitmann, treasurer. In the fall of 1874 the congregation bought ten acres of railroad land in "D" town, five miles north of Utica, and built their first church out of sod 16x20 ft. In 1877, the first frame church, 20x30 ft., was built. This structure, enlarged and renovated, is still in use as a parochial school of the congregation. The present church building, 32x48, steeple 14x14, toft. high, bearing a 2100-1b. bell-metal bell, was erected in 1887. In 1902 the congregation bonght five acres more of land and erected a teacher's dwelling, they having called Mr. H. Beels as teacher of their parochial school. Three resident ministers have served the congregation as pastors: Rev. G. Gruber, Rev. H. Bohl and Rev. M. Zagel, the last named being in charge of the congregation for the last fourteen years. The congrega- tion today has a membership of 64 voting members and 445 sonls. The present officers are : Carl Heitmann, Fred Suhr and Dietrich Dey, elders ; William Pozehl, Fr. Meinke and Fred Fischer, trustees ; D. C. Martens, treasurer ; Gustave Irmer, secretary.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
The German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at east line of "H" precinct was organized in November, 1872, by the following per- sons : Johann Heinrich Beckmann, Sr., H. Friedrich Beckmann, Hein- lich Beckmann, Fritz Beckmann, Johann Beckmann, Heinrich Brune, Karl Koch, Heinrich Niebuhr, Fritz Gahle, Friedrich Sieck, August Sieck, Ernst Sieck, Heinbrich Sieck, Friedrich Lange, Sr., Heinrich Lange, and Hermann Goecke.
During the summer of 1872. a district school house was built on the northeast quarter of section 14-11-4, in which Rev. Theo. Gruber, pas- tor of the Middle creek congregation, Seward county, Nebraska, preached every third Sunday, if possible. In September, 1881, Rev. Friedrich Koenig accepted a call as pastor of the congregation and remained until 1884, when he followed a call to Seward and was succeeded by the pre- sent minister, Rev. W. Brakhage. In 1884, a church was built. This building (30x50 ft. ) cost about $2100 not including the work done gratis by the members of the congregation. The church as well as the par- sonage, costing about $800, stands just across the line in Lancaster
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
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