Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume I, Part 33

Author: Sawyer, Andrew J., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 454


USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume I > Part 33


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, from Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, came to Lincoln in June, 1883, and established an academy for young ladies. They dis- continued their work in Lincoln several years ago and left. At one time the Ursuline Sisters from Peoria, Illinois, also conducted a school here twenty years ago, but are not active now. In 1889 the Franciscan Sisters from Lafayette, Indiana, took charge of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lincoln and now have charge of the orphanage. In 1890 the Sisters of Charity from Dubuque, Iowa, took charge of St. Theresa's School and have remained. Recently the Catholics of Lincoln have purchased fifteen lots west of the new Lincoln high school building, one block on J Street, and intend to erect a school of magnificent proportions.


St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Havelock was started as a mission of the Franciscan Order of Lincoln. A handsome church building was constructed in 1908 and, including a frame parsonage, is valued at $30,000.00. Rev. D. B. O'Connor is the pastor of this church which includes about four hundred and fifty members. The mission was established in 1893.


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CHRISTIAN CHURCHES


On January 24, 1869, D. R. Dungan, chaplain of the Legislature, held services in Lincoln in the interests of the Christian denomination. He found here about twenty-seven persons who had formerly been members of the Christian Church and on the 24th of January of that year they were legally organized. Michael Combs and Joseph Robinson were the first elders of the society and G. W. Aitken and J. H. Hawkins were the first deacons. Lots were donated by the state on condition that a house of worship be erected thereon. J. M. Yearnshaw settled in Lincoln in May and many of the early meetings were held in his home. On Sep- tember 5, 1869, the meetings were removed from his residence to the old capitol building and later to the school house where they continued to worship until July 3, 1870, when they dedicated a church building on the northeast corner of Tenth and K streets. This building cost them $2,300.00 and was the home of the society for nineteen years.


On September 13. 1870, the state missionary convention was held in Lincoln for the first time and there were present fifty delegates and twenty-five pastors. On October 23, 1870, J. M. Yearnshaw was elected the first regular pastor of the First Church in Lincoln. On April 23, 1871. the first Sunday School was organ- ized with J. Z. Briscoe as superintendent. By the year 1887 the membership had increased to such an extent that a new building was thought advisable. The result was the purchase of three lots on the corner of Fourteenth and K streets and the construction of a church building which was dedicated upon the last Lord's Day in August, 1889. In May, 1897, the society was compelled to give up this building for financial reasons, and it was later bought by the Catholics and converted into the cathedral. For several years after this the Christian Church was without a building, but continued to meet downtown. In the spring of 1901 the church bought lots on the corner of Fourteenth and M streets for $4,000.00 and during the following autumn erected on the back of these lots a little chapel in which they worshiped until November, 1907. Then they moved into the Lyric Theater and still later to the Auditorium. They held services in this way until the dedication of their new church building on May 16, 1909. Ground had been broken for this building on June 11, 1908, and the cornerstone laid Septem- ber 16, 1908. The cost of the church was $30,472.00. On March 23, 1916 a modern pipe organ, $4.000.00, was added to the equipment of the society. Follow- ing is a list of the pastors who have served the Church of Christ in Lincoln : Revs. J. M. Yearnshaw, D. R. Dungan, J. B. Johnson, I. M. Williams, B. F. Bush, Robert E. Schwartz, C. L. Crowthers. R. H. Ingram, C. B. Newnan, J. J. Morgan, H. J. Kirschstein, T. J. Thompson, N. S. Haynes and H. H. Harmon. Julia Marsh, the first person baptized (in Salt Creek) is still living in the city of Lincoln.


The East Lincoln Christian Church of Lincoln was founded in 1890 with a membership of forty. It was in the month of April of that year that the forty members of the First Church asked for letters of dismissal that they might enter a field almost barren in religious activities. Prior to this a Sunday School had been established in the east section by the people of the Christian Church, but this was abandoned owing to the impossibility of finding suitable quarters. In 1890 a lot was purchased, cornering on Twenty-seventh and Y streets, and a small


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chapel was erected. This chapel was dedicated in 1890 with R. W. Abberly as pastor. He remained in charge until 1895. when he was relieved by Rev. J. W. Hilton, the present pastor. In May. 1913, ground was broken for the new build- ing and the cornerstone laid on June 29. 1913. The cost was $30,000.00. The membership of the East Lincoln Church is 325.


There were fifty-four charter members of the Tabernacle Christian Church of Lincoln, most of whom left the First Church in full sympathy with the mem- bers of the latter society. The First Church had entertained the idea of a con- gregation in that part of Lincoln since October 7, 1903, at which time a committee was appointed, it being the annual meeting, to look into the matter. In 1905 the location at Seventeenth and South streets was thought most desirable. But, owing to the fact that the next few years were years of building at Bethany, Haverlock and Lincoln, action on the construction of a church was deferred. In May, 1912, the city missions committee of the joint board, after several conferences with South Lincoln residents, arranged for a meeting of members in South Lincoln at the home of E. J. Sias, when a committee was appointed. Reverend Sias volun- teered a year's service as pastor of the church. A building was raised on June 26th and dedicated four days later. The membership is 260 and the pastor at present is Rev. C. W. McCord.


The First Christian Church of Havelock was organized in 1906 and the church building constructed shortly afterward. The society now has a mem- bership of 275, and is in charge of Rev. W. E. Wessley.


CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHIES


The following paragraphs in regard to the early history of the First Congre- gational Church of Lincoln is re-quoted from the Morton History of Nebraska ; it is condensed from a historical account given at the fortieth anniversary by Rev. Lewis Gregory.


"The early days of this church have special interest because its organization antedates both the city and the state. Its history carries us back to pioneer times. The first white settler of the county is said to have settled on the banks of Salt Creek on what is now Centerville, in June, 1856. At this time the country had not been surveyed. During the next five years a few families moved in here and there on inviting spots near Waverly and Yankee Hill. They led a precarious existence, disputing with the Indians the right of possession.


"In 1862 the homestead law was passed. Among the first settlers under it was John S. Gregory, Sr., the first deacon of this church. His first stop was at a roofless and floorless log cabin on the margin of the salt basin. The cabin had been erected by J. Sterling Morton as a preemption claim, but was desolate and deserted. Mr. Gregory built a dugout in which he lived. He furnished salt to the Rocky Mountain freighters at two or three cents a pound. The next year Lancaster County was organized. Mr. Gregory was made chairman of the board of county commissioners. He also succeeded in having a postoffice established named Gregory Basin, of which he was appointed postmaster at a yearly salary of $3. with an extra $12 for bringing the mail from Saltillo, then in Clay County.


"In 1864 J. M. Young, with ten or a dozen others, staked out a town of eighty acres where Lincoln now stands. They called it Lancaster. The settlement was


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planned as a church colony of the Protestant Methodist Church. From the pro- ceeds of a sale of lots a building was erected, known as Lancaster Seminary, and also as a place for Sunday meetings, until a stone church was afterwards erected on the corner of K and Twelfth streets. To this building Mr. Gregory personally contributed $8,000.00. In spite of the heroism and sacrifice of the members, this church did not flourish and it passed away with its first families twenty years ago.


"From the beginning Mr. Gregory and a few neighbors who were Congrega- tionally inclined held services among themselves, ministered to occasionally by the pastor at Greenwood. Finally, on August 19, 1866, a little church of six members was organized, when, as the first page of the church record states, there were but seven buildings in the town, viz., the seminary, the store, the blacksmith shop and four dwellings. The church agreed to raise $100.00 a year for its minister, a pledge which the record at the close of the year proudly states was more than fulfilled. During this year, in March, 1867, Nebraska was pro- claimed a state. In July the capital was located on paper and the bare prairie. In November of this same year Rev. Charles Little, having been chosen pastor of the Congregational Church, set about securing for it a building. There were then, he says, not over three hundred people in the city.


The first church building was erected in 1868 and finished and furnished in 1869-simple but substantial and capable of seating 125 people. It cost $2.778.86. This was the first permanent building dedicated to the worship of God in our city. Following the completion of the building in 1869 the church was only able to pledge $201 for the pastor's salary, of which only $132 had been raised at the close of the year. The remaining meager support was contributed by the Congregational Home Missionary Society. Such a condition of things makes short pastorates. The minister, having exhausted his own resources and those of his friends, must leave. Mr. Little resigned in 1870, the church then having thirty-four members.


"Rev. L. B. Fifield, a man of scholarly tastes and well educated, took up the work and helped to bear its burdens for two years more, adding twenty-three to its membership, but owing to deaths and removals he left it in numbers the same as he found it.


"His successor, Rev. S. R. Dimmock, was a man of unusual oratorical gifts. The church building was enlarged and fifty were added to the membership during Mr. Dimmock's pastorate. Yet there was the constant going and coming characteristic of a western town ; so when, after two years and a half of service, the minister was compelled to resign on account of ill health, there were but fifty-four names on the roll, of whom only forty were resident, while on the other side was a debt of $2,000.00."


The author of the above paragraphs became pastor of the church in October, 1875. and was pastor for twenty-two years, the membership at the close of his services being 472. During his pastorate a new church building was constructed, being dedicated January 9, 1887.


The first members of the society were: F. A. Bidwell, Jolin S. Gregory, Mrs. Welthy P. Gregory, Mary E. Gregory, Philester Jessup and Mrs. Ann M. Langdon. Rev. E. C. Taylor was the first pastor of the church, from its organization until October, 1867 and he was followed by Revs. Charles Little,


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L. B. Fifield, S. R. Dimmock, Lewis Gregory, W. H. Manss, John E. Tuttle and R. A. Waite. The church property is valued at about $60,000.00. The mem- bership is 600.


The present Plymouth Congregational Church had its inception in 1887. The idea of a branch church more conveniently located for the people of the south of Lincoln was originated by Rev. Lewis Gregory of the First Church. In the fall of the year 1887 thirty-six active members of the First Church with- drew and with eight others became the first congregation of the church at Seventeenth and A streets. A rough building, or tabernacle as it was called, was erected for $180.00, with eaves only five feet from the ground and a lean-to vestibule. There was no ceiling ; a round drum-stove supplied heat ; and behind the pulpit was the motto "Welcome." The original members were : Rev. E. S. Ralston, J. A. Lippincott, Mrs. J. A. Lippincott, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Mosher, Mrs. B. P. Cook, Miss Carol Churchill, T. C. Wright, Mrs. T. C. Wright, Mrs. J. L. Thompson, Miss Phoebe Mosher. James Rivett, Mrs. James Rivett, Mrs. Lucy Pierce, Mrs. W. T. Abbott, Mrs. T. E. Hardenbergh, Mrs. L. M. Fowler, Miss Alice Martin, Mrs. H. M. Chapin, Leonard Chapin, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Newton King, Mrs. Z. Townsend, Mrs. H. L. Abbott, Miss Gertrude Abbott, Edwin Sharp, Mrs. Edwin Sharp, James Mar- shall, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Wallingford, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Hackney, Mrs. L. H. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Lane, W. A. Selleck, Mrs. Nellie Horton Selleck, John B. Horton, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Crooks and Miss Jessie Love.


The church was originally known as the Second Congregational Church, but at the first business meeting of 1888 the name was changed to Plymouth. The church has had only five pastors during the whole time of its existence. Rev. Ed- ward S. Ralston was the first pastor, serving from May, 1888, until compelled to give up the work on account of ill health. Rev. Norman Plass succeeded him, then Rev. John Doane. In 1901 Rev. H. C. Hamlin occupied the pulpit and in 1903 Rev. C. H. Rogers came and is still here. At a meeting held in the old tabernacle on September 14, 1887, plans were made for the erection of the second church building and in the following year the new building was completed, but placed the society under a heavy indebtedness which took years to settle. This property was valued at $15,000.00. The new Plymouth house of worship was first talked of in January, 1914. At that time the congregation voted to begin the erection of a new building as soon as 80 per cent of the money necessary for its completion was raised. A canvass for subscriptions resulted in securing over twenty-seven thousand dollars and a building committee was instructed to proceed with the building at an approximate cost of thirty-four thousand dollars. The contract was let January 8, 1915, the cornerstone laid May 9, 1915, and the dedication December 12, 1915. The church and furnishings complete cost $36,000.00. The present membership is 425.


The Vine Congregational Church at Twenty-fifth and S streets was organized June 8, 1890, by Rev. Harmon Bross, D. D. and Rev. Lewis Gregory, the latter pastor of the First Church. Rev. Henry S. Wannamaker was the first pastor, from 1890 to 1893, and was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Newell, 1893-99. Since September, 1899, Rev. M. A. Bullock has been the pastor of the Vine Church. The first church building was constructed in the year of organization and was remodeled under Newell's pastorate. The present new church was erected in


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1906-7. The membership is 375. During the year 1915 a pipe organ was in- stalled in the church.


The First German Congregational Church was organized January 12, 1889, by Rev. Adam Traut, a student of the Chicago Theological Seminary. There were sixteen members at this time, six of whom live in the city now and one of whom is active in the church. The pastors who have filled the pulpit of the German Church are: Revs. John Lich, 1889-98; E. E. Osthoff, 1898-1900; G. L. Henkelmann, 1900-2; John Lich, 1902-6; B. R. Bauman, 1907-10; G. L. Ilenkel- mann, 1910 -. The church building was erected in 1888 at a cost of $2,000.00. The membership is 130.


The German Salem Congregational Church was organized in 1902 by Reverend Schwab and the first regular pastor was Rev. Andrew Suffa. Following him have been Revs. D. G. Schurr, F. Von Brauchitsch and R. E. Herholz. The first house of worship was built in 1902. The membership of the Salem congregation is now 250.


The German Congregational Eben-Ezer Church at 1018 E Street was organ- ized in 1915 and has a membership of 100. The pastor is Rev. J. F. Grove.


The German Congregational Zion Church, an outgrowth of the First German Congregational Church, was organized in 1900 and now has a membership of 400. Rev. C. H. Graf is the pastor.


The Swedish Emanuel Congregational Church at 2011 G Street was organ- ized in 1895, has a membership of eighty-five, and is in the charge of Rev. Samuel Hogander. This was the first Swedish Congregational Church in the state.


The First Congregational Church of Havelock was organized in 1892 and a frame building constructed the same year. This house of worship was remodeled in 1914. Rev. H. M. Skeels has been the pastor for six years and is to be succeeded by Rev. David Tudor this year. The membership is 101 and the property is valued at $6,000.00.


UNIVERSALIST


The First Universalist Society of Lincoln, which has been succeeded by the All Souls Church, Unitarian, was organized at the residence of J. D. Monell on September 1, 1870, with W. W. Holmes, S. J. Tuttle, J. N. Parker, Mrs. Sarah Parker, Mrs. Julia Brown, Mrs. Laura B. Pound and Mrs. Mary Monell as charter members. Property on the corner of Twelfth and H streets was granted to them by the Legislature. Pending the erection of a building services were held occasionally in the senate chamber in the old capitol. Rev. James Gerton was the first regular pastor of the church in 1871. The cornerstone of the chapel was laid in October, 1871, and on June 23, 1872, the structure was dedicated.


AN EARLY PASTOR'S STORY


Rev. M. F. Platt was an early missionary in Iowa and Nebraska, working under the direction of the American Home Missionary Society. In a letter written by him in 1886 he had the following to say about the first religious services and organization of the first Sabbath school in Lancaster County :


"Doctor Hanly and myself went from where Ashland now is towards the


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present site of Lincoln, but night overtook us and we camped on the banks of Stevens Creek, seven miles northeast of that place. This was Saturday night. We arose early Sunday morning and went up to our friend Langdon's. Desir- ing to hold Sabbath services, and having sent no appointment in advance, it was necessary to reach there soon enough to circulate the word. We took breakfast with Mr. Langdon's family. Mr. Langdon sent his oldest son across Oak Creek to notify the neighbors. It did not take long, as there were but two other families on the salt basin. Mr. Cox was the tony one, for he lived in a log house; of the others, one lived in a dugout and the other abode in a tent. We went over to Mr. Cox's at 10 o'clock A. M., held religious services, Doctor Hanly and myself both speaking, after which we organized a Sabbath school. This, so far as I know, was the first religious meeting held in what is now Lancaster County. At that and various other times I saw the wolves, deer and antelope, as well as the jack-rabbit, bounding over the prairie where Lincoln now is built."


Mrs. S. M. Melick, now living in Lincoln, is a daughter of the Langdon referred to in the above.


CHAPTER XXIII


THE BENCH AND BAR OF LANCASTER COUNTY


Note: On June 14, 1872, the Lancaster County Bar was organized. Prior to this time there had been several attorneys practicing in the county, but no effort had been made to organize a bar association. The lawyers of the period of 1868 were: S. B. Galey, Seth Robinson, S. B. Pound, Ezra Tullis, Major Strunk and J. E. Philpot. The first man admitted to the bar in the county was John S. Gregory, under Judge Dundy in 1866. He and Milton Langdon had practiced here as far back as 1864. By 1876 the Lancaster County Bar had increased in membership, the following then belonging : John H. Ames, George K. Amory, Newton C. Abbott, L. W. Billingsley, Carlos C. Burr. Erastus E. Brown, Lionel C. Burr, Guy A. Brown, Amasa Cobb, Paren England, Smith B. Galey, D. G. Hull. N. S. Harwood, Robert Knight, Walter J. Lamb, G. M. Lambertson, M. Montgomery. Robert E. Moore, T. M. Marquett, James E. Philpot, Rollo O. Phillips, A. C. Ricketts, Adolphus G. Scott, M. Il. Sessions, Samuel J. Tuttle, Charles O. Whedon, Joseph R. Webster, Jeff D. Weston, Joseph Hunter and A. J. Sawyer.


The first term of the Territorial Court was held in the home of Jacob Dawson in November, 1864. Dawson's house was a double log cabin, located on West O Street, between Seventh and Eighth, on the south side. This was Dawson's first house ; after the location of the capital he built a stone and wood house farther up town. The officiating judge at this first term of court was Elmer S. Dundy. Mr. Dawson acted as clerk and Judge Pottenger, of Plattsmouth, was appointed prosecuting attorney for the territory. T. M. Marquett, then of Plattsmouth, was present as an attorney. Milton Langdon and John S. Gregory were the local attorneys. The principal case of the term was that of Bird vs. Pemberton, the latter being indicted on the charge of "malicious assault with intent to kill." T. M. Marquett, for a fee of $10, defended the man and managed to persuade Judge Dundy to quash the indictment. There was a term of court in Lancaster County in 1865 and probably one in 1866. The case of John S. Gregory and his Uncle Eaton of Plattsmouth was the most noted one of those days and at times grew very warm.


REMINISCENCES OF TIIE BENCII AND THE BAR By Samuel J. Tuttle


On my arrival in Lincoln on March 29, 1869, I found the legal profession both in number and quality well represented, composed in the greater part of young men, well educated, ambitious, capable, and drawn hither by the promise of professional opportunity, incident to the location of the capital of the state.


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The city was then a hamlet of a few hundred inhabitants. In the journey hither the white-covered wagon was seen on every hill top and in every valley, slowly wending its way towards the West. It had come from Iowa, Illinois, In- diana and possibly from Ohio. It was usually drawn by a span of strong horses, with a chicken coop fastened on the rear, and the family cow hitched thereto. Within was usually the young husband and wife with their small children and all the household belongings. At night it found a camping place beside some small stream, fringed with trees. One such scene typifies all: it was evening; the sun had set and its departing rays crimsoned the clouds resting upon the western horizon. The camping place was beside a small stream. The horses and the family cow were tethered near the white-covered wagon. The fair-haired wife and mother, over a fire kindled by dry sun-flower stalks, was cooking the evening meal. The husband, wearing the faded blue overcoat of the common soldier of the republic, was gathering other sun-flower stalks for the next morn- ing. Two little children, well bundled up, were sitting upon a blanket spread upon the ground, and near them the faithful dog, with hind legs drawn up under his body, with fore legs outstretched and head resting between them, in the very attitude of extreme weariness and exhaustion. Aside from these and a solitary onlooker, not a living being, human or animal. The gently sloping hills stretched away into the distance, unmarked by dugout or sod house or other human habi- tation. Solitude dominated the scene.


At that time Col. James E. Philpot, the sole survivor, save only the writer, in point of active practice, stood easily at the head, vigilant, active, ambitious, and even yet, in his eightieth year, still active in the profession at his new home in Minatare. He is resourceful, with unflagging energy and oblivious of fear. He accompanied the commission that located the capital in 1867, spent the follow- ing autumn and winter in Iowa, and returned the following spring, permanently locating as a lawyer.


He was preceded by Stephen B. Pound, who had located here even before the establishment of the state capital, a graduate of Union College, New York, a student, a quiet, refined gentleman and an excellent lawyer. He practiced a few years and was elected probate judge, was a member of the constitutional conven- tion of 1875, chosen judge of the District Court, re-elected twice, resigning shortly before the expiration of his third term to enter the practice, to the great loss of the administration of the law, and to himself as well. The judicial office was most suitable to his nature and learning. On an occasion after leaving the bench he told the writer that throughout his official career, no one-layman or lawyer-had ever even suggested to him anything savoring of judicial mis- conduct.


Another pioneer lawyer was Joseph H. Knox, a lawyer of much experience and ability. He had an infirmity-an addiction to strong drink. The writer, known as a very sober youth, was deputed to go with him to a Fourth of July celebration at Milford in 1869, to care for him, that when he should appear be- fore the audience he would be presentable. That duty was performed success- fully. In a grove on the bank of Blue River, to an audience that had come from the dugouts and sod houses, in common farm wagons, on horseback and on foot, he delivered an excellent speech, with force and ability, to the great satisfaction of his audience. His duties performed the writer, on call, added his mite to the




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