USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 34
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county. The voting membership at the present time is 49; total mem- bership 329.
The members of this congregation, like all the congregations of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, consider it their duty to not only educate their children in the secular branches of know- ledge but also to give them a thorough instruction in the great truth and undefiled doctrines of christianity pertaining to the salvation of ther immortal soul and for this reason have built and are maintaining a congregational school with a special teacher in charge. The present teacher, Jos Dietrich, is well qualified to teach English as well as German. He lives a few hundred yards west of the church, in Seward county. The membership are citizens of both Seward and Lancaster counties.
OLD STONE CHURCH
The old Stone church was one of the oldest land marks of Seward county, being erected in 1872. It was one of the first church edifices ever built in the county and is deserving of more notice than our space will allow. It was a most substantial stone structure with a seating capacity of about two hundred and cost one thousand dollars. It served the congregation for thirty years but in 1902, it was torn down to give place to a more modern and much grander edifice; but it almost seemed like sacrilege to tear down that old landmark of christian civilization. It had stood throngh so many storms and had sheltered so very many worshipers Where thousands of people had chanted anthems of praise. where so very many children had been confirmed in the faith of the fathers and where so many of our young people had taken their solemn vows at the sacred marriage altar -- where so many sweet memories of the past were centered and from whose portals hundreds have been car- ried to the silent grave. Dear old house where God had met with his people so often ! It is indeed a sad thing to say farewell to thee. But like all earthly things thou in thy time served thy purpose and now minst be numbered with the things of the past.
The church was founded by that grand old veteran of the cross, Father K. T. Gruber in 1869, when he gathered the scattered families of his faith in eastern Seward county. Nine families were gathered into the fold, viz : Diedrick Brant, Louis Liebrock, Conrad Grotz, Fred Roep- kee, Conrad Roerkasse, Wm. Lubbie, Frank Thomas, Andrew Shultz and M. C. Miller. Most of these old people are now sleeping in the church yard and a great multitude of other people ocenpy their places. In 1902, the present great new structure took the place of the old. It has a seating capacity of five hundred and cost thirty-six hundred dollars. This is the parent edifice of the great Evangelical Lutheran church of Seward county in western H town. Its present membership is sixty families and is the mother church of that denomination in this conty which now numbers twelve congregations with several thousands of communicants,
427
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
SEWARD M. E. CHURCH By Rev. Dr. J. H. Presson -
The history of Methodism in Seward county commences with its first settlement. It came with the first camp-fires that lit up the groves and prairies, it was found in the hearts of many of the rugged pioneers, who sang the songs of the Wesleys while they followed the plow that broke the virgin soil. The Methodist itinerant, with his saddlebags,
9.4.7.9.3
Seward M. E. Church
bible, hymn book, and discipline. helped to lead the advance of civili- zation, and to establish in this beautiful land the gospel of the Son of God. Some of this number-preachers and laymen and devoted wives and mothers-have passed over and are numbered among the redeemed. Others are still with ns, and are rejoicing in their well earned victories. They see and enjoy this beautiful land which they have helped rescue from the wilds of nature, and have transformed into a paradise of christian civilization, a land of home and plenty, where God dwells in the hearts of many people, and where all may enjoy the benefits of our
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
blessed christianity. The first minister visiting this locality was young Rev. Skaigs.
In the year 1870 Seward was the head of a very large circuit. It was then a place of two or three hundred inhabitants. The preacher was the Rev. C. W. Comstock, his charge consisted of the north half of Seward, west half of Butler, all of Polk, and the north half of York counties. Milford at this time was the head of another large circuit, embracing the south half of this county, part of Saline and York connties. The Rev. A. Blackwell was the pastor. The entire mem- bership reported living within the bounds above mentioned was (85) eighty-five, except a few who lived in the extreme southwest corner of the county under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Oliver.
In the spring of 1871 the Rev. Josiah Burlingame was appointed to Seward charge, then a mission, embracing the northwest part of Seward, southwest part of Butler, and all of Polk counties. The society at Seward at this time was the possessor of four lots situated just west of where our high school building now stands. These lots were the gift of Lonis Moffitt, the original owner of the town, for the use of the so- ciety for a church and parsonage but were subsequently disposed of in order to secure a more suitable location. Rev. A. J. Combs, now de- ceased, filled the pulpit in 1873.
Milford this same year. was supplied by the Rev. D. C. Bannon, under whose labors a great revival took place, and many of the best families of the town were converted and became members of the church. In 1872 Seward was left most of the year without a shepherd. In 1873 Rev. A. L. Folden was the pastor. During his administration the old church, a brick structure, was completed and dedicated. The Rev. Bishop Andrews, who was master of ceremonies, found it a hard task to provide for the debt, but through the liberality of a few of the members, some of whom are yet living in this vicinity, the amount asked tor was subscribed, and the first M E. church of Seward county was dedicated to the service of God on the 29th day of December, 1874. Some of the trustees are still living in Seward. Too much praise can not be given the men and women who did so much for the cause of Christ in those early days.
This same year there was a church built at Milford, under the pas- torate of the Rev. John Gallagher.
The Rev. T. L. McLean, who will be kindly remembered by many of the old residents as a man of ability and fine social qualities, served as pastor at Seward during the years 1875-6-7.
In 1878 Rev. J. W. Shank was appointed to Seward. Utica was made an appointment, and attached to Milford, with Thos. H. Worley as pastor. At the close of that year there were reported 184 members in the county. The parsonage-the main part of it-was built that year. It is amusing now to hear the ladies tell of the various methods used in order to raise money to pay for the home of their pastor. The following preachers have been from time to time appointed since at
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Seward : Rev. J. P. Roe, Peter Van Vleete, E. J. Willis, G. W. Selby, Geo. M. Morey.
(From this point the history was written by the Author. )
Rev. J. H. Presson commenced his pastorate with the church in the year 1886, and served three years and during his last year, 1889, the church determined to erect the elegant edifice of the present. In this great undertaking Rev. Presson threw all the force of energy he had in store. He worked unceasingly until the completion of the edifice was assured and the corner stone was laid under his pastorate in the autumn of 1889. The church was completed and dedicated June 1, 1890. The first committee on subscription secured $5184.00. At the time of dedi- cation $5458.00 had been paid and at dedication $4046. 00, including former pledges, was raised leaving a balance unpaid of $4,000, which under the pastorate of Rev. J. S. W. Dean was raised and paid off in Sep- tember, 1891. The total cost of the edifice was $13504. It is now en- tirely free from debt. The church edifice and parsonage are centrally located on the southwest corner of 3d St. and Jackson Ave., facing south on a hundred foot street and west on 3d street. A most beautiful and valuable location. The building is of red pressed brick and is so well constructed that should no calamity befall it, it will stand for cen- turies. It is heated with a hot air furnace. The main audience room overlooked by a neat and commodious gallery, has a seating capacity of seven hundred including the lecture room which is connected by sliding doors. The edifice has three entrances. One, the main entrance is at the street corner, and one on 3d St. near the north end and leading to both main audience room and lecture room. The third entrance is on Jackson Ave. near the southeast corner. At the rear of the pulpit is an alcove ready for a great pipe organ which will in the future have a home in the church. This space is now used by the choir. The build- ing is well supplied with vestibules and cloak rooms. The seats are strong yet beautiful. The aisles are broad. The windows are of stained glass and well decorated, several of them memorial windows. The building is lighted by electric torches. The building is most com- plete and beautiful. The architecture is grand. As we have gazed at and admired this lovely house of God, we have often thought that in all the hundreds of cities great and small reaching from ocean to ocean, that it has been our privilege to visit, among all the grand church edi- fices that we have seen, none so completely fills the bill for beauty as our little church at Seward. One other feature we should mention is the dining room in the basement, where the ladies have all the para- phanalia for giving sociables. They have stove, tables, chinaware, etc.
The pastors of the church since 1889 have been Rev. J. W. Sea- brook, one year; Rev. J. S. W. Dean, two years; A. B. Whitmer, two years; Rev. T. A. Hull, two years; Rev. J. F. Kemper, three years; Rev. John Galliger, four years; Rev. L. W. Grigsby, one year and the present incumbent, Rev. H. G. Wilcox. The parsonage is rather old and hardly in keeping with the grand church, but the property is quite valuable, worth about $1500, and the present value of the entire church
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
property is now about. $17000. The present membership is one hundred and fifty, and is in a prosperous condition. The church is of great value to all the citizens of the community. It is always open to great meetings of the proper character. It is a great blessing to the entire community.
A large and flourishing Sabbath school is maintained also a pros- perous Epworth League and a Junior League is in good flourishing condition.
MILFORD M. E. CHURCH By Mrs. E. J. Wortendyke
Was organized in the summer of 1866 or rather it was a class with four members, viz: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brown and their two daugh- ters, Mrs. E. J. Badgley and Miss D. E. Brown. Our first minister was Rev. Skaigs, who preached every two weeks when he could get here. He served us one year when Rev. Olliver and Blackwell were here alternately during 1867, and then Rev. Win. Worley assisted Rev. Olliver. After this Rev. Bryant was with us three months, when Rev. John Galliger took charge. Rev. Skaigs helped organize a Union Sab- bath school in the spring of 1866. Our preacher was superintendent when with us and J. L. Davison, Wm. Reed, Patrick Davidson and others officiated at times. The Sunday school was held at the home of J. L. Davison where preaching service was also held. We all enjoyed the Sunday school very much, as we could all take a part in it and it gave us a place to go and all get together and perhaps we would get in- vitations to dinner for that was the fashion those days. Then we could see all the neighbors and talk over all the news. Those were happy days but they soon passed. When winter came our school closed as many went away to work or spend the winter in other parts of the state.
In the spring of 1867, our school was reopened in the home of Rev. Harrington, a United Brethren minister who settled near where the Industrial home is now located. Onr school had its days of prosperity and its times of adversity. We lacked a supply of books. The Con- gregational and Presbyterian churches of Nebraska City. gave us a small lot of books which made our hearts glad and we laid then the foundations for more thorough and better work. Much of the time the river and creeks were high and impassible as there were no bridges,
BEAVER CROSSING M. E. CHURCH
The society was organized in November, 1888, in the hall over Eager's store by Rev. Geo. Abern, the blind evangelist. Later they oc- cupied the old store building now occupied by F. Hunkins, then later they moved to the upper story of Dimerzy's store that stood where D. E. Campbell's store now stands. This building was burned and under the leadership of Rev. G. L. Hasford the old school house was bought in 1895. The society had a long and hard struggle with debt on the parsonage, but it was all paid off in 1901. For some years the church
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
has prospered and grown rapidly, so that more adequate room was re- quired and the society determined to erect the present beautiful modern structure. It is up to date in every way. The auditorium is 36x46 feet, with incline floor. Lecture room 18x32, and class room 13x16, with a splendid belfry 10x10 and 58 ft. high. The windows are of leaded glass and will add greatly to the appearance of the edifice. The church will be heated by a furnace. It is placed upon a commanding site and is an ornament to the little city. With the exception of the church at Seward it is the finest and best edifice in the county. It will cost $5000 when completed. Beaver Crossing has a right to be proud of this grand temple of worship, is the opinion of the author.
UTICA M. E. CHURCH
Was organized in 1880, by Rev. W. H. Tibets. The records are lost to us and we can learn but little about the membership of the early days. Rev. A. J. Marsh was second pastor, in 1882, when H. Clover, B. F. Bosworth, A. T. Congill, H. M. Colman., W. W. Woodward, M. Cross, T. J. Brant and G. W. Miller were trustees. From that time the pastors have been as follows: Rev. D. Z. Black, 1883; Rev. A. M. Ogburn, 1884 to 1886; Rev. G. A. Hobson, 1887; Rev. Enock Holland, 1383; Rev. H. C. Harman, 1889 to 1893; Rev. J. M. Darby, 1892; Rev. C. E. Rouse. 1893; Rev C. E. Givels. 1894 to 1897; Rev. L. Morrison, 1897 to 1899; Rev. D. P. Cline, 1899; Rev. M. C. Smith, 1900 to 1902; Rev. O. T. Moore, 1902; Rev. I. C. Lemon, 1903; Rev. E. S. Burr the present incumbent, 1904 to the present.
The church edifice was built in the early 80's, can't tell just the year. Cost near $2000, seats 250. Very creditable building. Present membership eighty-six. Have a fairly good parsonage. They main- tain a flourishing Sabbath school of 135 pupils.
UTICA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Was organized, June 9, 1889, by Dr. T. L. Sexton with thirty-six members. Rev. A. H. Ewing was the first minister to supply the charge. The first session was composed of the following members : elders, Win. Close, now deceased ; R. R. Williams and J. W. Scott. Services were regularly held in a hall. A Sunday school was organized and prayer meeting maintained. The present church edifice was built the same year. Rev. W. R. Adams was installed pastor in 1890. He also had charge of church at Tamora. Three years later was followed by P.ev. J. C. Giffer, then Rev. Sharp, Rev. W. H. Parker, Rev. W. Watson and Rev. F. A. Mitchell as supplies. In 1897, Rev. W. H. Parker was installed pastor and remained two years, when Rev. J. B. Cherry located in February, 1900. who remained until the fall of 1904. During his pastorate the manse was purchased at a cost of $1200. Rev. N. W. Larimer was installed pastor in December, 1904, who is now in charge. Present membership is eighty-five and is in a flourishing con- dition.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
GERMANTOWN UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
It seems for some years dating back to the early settlement, a Methodist Episcopal church had occupied the field, but death and many removals had so descinated their numbers that it was deemed wise to disband and their church property was sold to the Congregationalists, September, 10, 1900, who had organized with a membership of twenty- nine. We are not able to find the records of the organization. The present membership is thirty-six. John A. Ohlwiler and Henry Hans are among the leading members. The church was without a regular pastor until January 1, 1904, when they joined with Immanuel church and jointly employed Rev. G. L. Brakemager. They have a neat church edifice with a seating capacity of about 200 and costing four- teen hundred dollars. They maintain a flourishing Sabbath school. A church was built in 1890 by the M. E. people.
UNITED BRETHEN CHURCH
The first organization was effected in 1872, at the Slonecker school house by Rev. E. W. Johnson. Seward church was organized in 1878 by Rev. Johnson. The church edifice was built and dedicated by Bishop Wright in 1880. The class at Slonecker school house removed their membership to Seward in 1882. Rev. Johnson was pastor from 1872 to 1875; Rev. Henry Lohr, from 1875 to 1876; Rev. P. P. Landen was in charge from 1876 to 1877 and was followed by Rev. E. L. Austin ; Rev. Johnson was in charge in 1878 to 1881; followed by Rev. M. Wal- temire and he was followed by Rev. J. M. Eads in 1882; Rev. O. D. Cone had charge in 1883 and was followed by Rev. J. M. Duffield in 1884; In 1885 Rev. Cone had charge and died in the harness; Rev. J. J. Hamer completed the year 1885; Rev. J. J. Lohr served in 1886; fol- lowed by Rev. F. W. Jones; followed by Rev. Mr. Olliver; succeeded by Rev. Mr. Horner, who was followed by Rev. E. F. Bowers; suc- ceeded by Rev. Mr. Strainyer ; then Rev. J. M. Higgins; followed by Rev. H. E. Myers; then Rev. W. S. Lynde; followed by Rev. G. W. Shrader; who was followed by Rev. T. S. Swan; then Rev. A. G. Mc- Vey ; followed by the present pastor Rev. D. W. Davis.
Present membership is about sixty with a flourishing Sabbath school of seventy-five pupils. There is a flourishing young people's so- ciety. Present class leader, Mrs. John Metz; S. S. superintendent, Miss Cora Smith, president Young Peoples Society, Ernest Figard; class steward, Geo. Baless; presiding stewart, Levy Hafer; treasurer. Calvin Anderson ; president Ladies Aid society, Mrs. Levy Hafer; junior sup- erintendents, Mrs. E. Metz and Augusta Wullenwaber; trustees, Lewis Anderson, James Fairbrother, Levy Hafer, Geo. Lefel and J. F. Metz.
In the death of Rev. O. D. Cone the conference sustained a great loss. He was a most worthy and intelligent minister and was honored wherever known and was dearly loved by his parishioners. The church of his choice and where he labored so faithfully mourns the loss of a faithful servant and able defender, the community loses one of its most highly honored citizens.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
GROVER UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
Was organized in the autumn of 1889 by Rev. J. Shattuck with forty five members. About the same time a Sunday school was organ- ized, with Ada Hill as superintendent with about thirty- five scholars. Rev. Shattuck was pastor for about five years and was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Dunn ; followed by Rev. Curtis; then came Rev. M. Falk- ener ; followed by the present incumbent, Rev. W. D. Morgan who is both pastor and Sunday school superintendent. The school is in a prosperous condition with thirty members.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CIVIC SOCIETIES
Officers of several of the lodges have neglected to place the data in my hands and are left out, and the reader must not blame the author.
MASONIC FRATERNITY
Oilver Lodge No. 38, A. F. and A. M. was organized under dis- pensation July 29, 1871, by the following members, to-wit : C. J. Rich- mond, W. H. Tuttle, J. W. Dupin, Samuel Manley. A. W. Sperry, L. W. Manning, Thos. Corr, H. S. Faucett.
In September, 1872, it seems there was a new dispensation or a re- newał of the first granted to the members: Thos. Corr, William Hayes, H. C. Page, T. L. Norval, L. G. Johns, S. D. Paddock, Samuel Man- ley, Wm. Leese, John Helms, James Hackney, JJ. W. Dupin and W. H. Tuttle.
June 18, 1873, a charter was granted which bears the following names of members and officers: William Leese, W. M. ; T. L. Norval, S. W. ; Aurelius Roberts, J. W. ; J. W. Shields, Treasurer; J W. Dupin, Secretary ; Thomas Corr, Nathan Clough, O. P. Cope, M. Dunigan, James Hackney, Wm. Hayes, L. G. Johns, J. C. Langton, Horace Lester, Samuel Manley, L. W. Manning, Geo. Miller, S. D. Paddock, H. C. Page, C. J. Richmond, Madison Rogers, Robert Rowbottom, W. T. Shields, I. B. Sorter, Sam. Stevenson, J. C. Sullivan, Joel Tishne, A. B. Sutton, Joseph Whitson, and O. T. B. Williams. The first Worship- ful Master was C. J. Richmond ; first Sen. Warden, W. H. Tuttle; first Jun. Warden, Sam .. Manley.
We regret that our masonic brethren were so careless as to neg- lect to furnish data to bring history of their lodge up to date.
UTICA LODGE NO. 96, A. F. AND A. M. By C. S. Swartz Asst. Sec.
On the 14th day of July, 1882, a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska to Joseph Jones, E. J. Porter, Thomas E. Standard, Stephen H. Hobbie, Lyman Calder, Robert Mailer, Samnel H. Beaver, James G. Hibbard, Joseph J. Pounder, David M. Roland, Geo. A. Verbach and Edmund L. Blanchard, all Free and Accepted Masons, to assemble as a lodge of Free Masons at Utica, Nebraska. Having passed the proper term of probation, on the 19th day of June, 1883, to the above mentioned petitions together with the following members : Thomas C. Allen, Andrew Austin, John C. Bicount, Cyrus Black, Thomas E. Standard, Thomas J. Brant, William Dingman, Ira Tapham, James E. Murphy, Calvin E. Phinney, Prisley Pindell and Harvey Robinson. They were organized as a regular and constitu-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
tional lodge of Master Masons under the name of Utica Lodge No. 99, with the following officers: Joseph Jones, W. M. ; E. J. Porter, S. W. ; Lyman Calder, J. W. ; Samuel H. Beaver, Sec. ; Robert Marler, Treas. ; Stephen H. Hobbie, S. D. ; James E. Hubbard, J. D. : Thomas E. Standard, Tyler; Joseph Pounder and Edmund L. Blanchard, Stew- ards.
The lodge thus organized has steadily progressed under a fair state of prosperity up to the present time. On the 3rd of March, 1905, an auxiliary of the Masons-a chapter of the Eastern Star was organized, with fair prospects of becoming a good strong order.
Our list of honored dead who were members in good standing of this lodge at the time of their demise are: John Davies, Oscar D. Swartz, John A. Boon, Charles Greenwood, Daniel P. Sherwood, and Calvin E. Phinney and Joseph Jones, besides a number of others who were demitted and were members of other lodges at the time of their death. Our total membership up to the present time, March 1, 1905, is 94, counting those whom we have lost by death, demits and otherwise. Our present membership is 35 and we feel that we have wielded a great influence for good in the community. Since our organization we have had the following Masters : Joseph Jones, Samuel Runyan, Daniel J. Hartrum, Thomas J. Brant, Tom L. Davies, Fred G. Limback and Wil- liam C. Kenner.
Our present officers are William C. Kenner, W. M. ; Jacob Severin, S. W. ; Geo. W. Collamore, J. W. ; Daniel J. Hartrum, Sec. ; Joseph Jones, Treas. ; Chas. L. Swartz, S. D. ; Gustav Rutenbeck, Jr., J. D; Henry Larson, S. S. ; Tom L. Davies, J. S. ; Nicholas Cradick, Tyler.
SEWARD LODGE NO. 26 I. O. O. F. Samuel Pense, Sec.
The Odd Fellows of Seward became instituted and organized, May 30, 1871, by Grand Master John Hamlin. Charter members: L. G. Johns, D. H. Figard, J. H. Anderson, W. R. Davis, and T. D. Green. The first officers were, L. G. Johns, N. G. ; D. H. Figard, V. G. ; J. H. Anderson, Sec. ; and T. D. Green, Treas. Samuel Pence was the first initiated candidate and has never been delinquent in dues, and is intitled to wear the veteran jewel.
There has been admitted to membership to the present time 234. By initiation 144 and by card 90. The lodge has paid for relief of its members the sum of $1812.00. A fine hall was built by the order in 1886, and the present value of the lodge property is estimated at $3,000.00. The lodge at this time is doing well having initiated 15 within the last year with bright prospects for the future. The present officers are G. A. Merriam, N. G. ; H. E. Hassinger, V. G. ; Samuel Pence, Sec. ; T. C. Sampson, Treas. ; Trustees, F. A. Marsh, F. R. Wooley and U. H. Franklin. They meet every Monday night and all Odd Fellows are always welcome.
COLUMBIA REBEKAH LODGE NO. 84
The ladies auxiliary to the I. O. O. F. was organized, February
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