History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 133

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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In the 'Sos there was rapid growth in the Congreagtional churches of South Dakota. The state settled rapidly at that time and there was a demand from every community for religious services. Scores of towns sprang up in the eastern part of the state and the Black Hills, and equally as rapid sprang up religious and Sunday school organizations. The Yale Dakota Band, consisting of nine young men from Yale Theological Seminary, came to the state at this time. They were Messrs. Case, Fisk, Holp, Hubbard, Lindsay, Reitzel, Shelton, Thrall and Trimble. Their arrival marked an important epoch in the history of the Congregational church. At this time also woman's work was greatly developed in the church of this state, both home and foreign branches. In 1883 the Dakota branch of the Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior was organized at a meeting of the general association. Of this meeting Mrs. M. B. Norton was president and Mrs. Joseph Ward secretary. One year later, at Yankton, the Woman's Home Missionary Union was organized at a meeting of the general association.

Soon after 1886 the Sunday schools of the Congregational Church were placed under denominational control by the Congregational Sunday School and Publish- ing Society of Boston. Rev. W. B. D. Gray was territorial superintendent and held the post until 1893. This society did much to build up and strengthen Con- gregational Sunday schools. From that time until the beginning of the twentieth century, hundreds of such schools were established where no gospel services were held. The Home Missionary Society continued the work thus begun. They called to their assistance W. S. Bell, William McCready, Albert T. Lyman, John Shat- tler and others. Rev. C. M. Daly succeeded Mr. Gray as territorial superin- tendent, beginning work in July, 1888. At that time there were in this field sev-

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enty-nine Congregational Sunday schools with a total membership of 5,335. By the close of the century there were 221 independent and mission schools, with a total membership of 12,138. During the 'Sos also there was organized the Da- kota Home Missionary Society at a meeting of the general association in Huron. Of this society Rev. Joseph Ward was president and Rev. W. B. Hubbard secre- tary. Rev. Stewart Sheldon continued to serve as territorial superintendent until 1886. During his sixteen years of service he saw the Congregational churches of Dakota Territory increase from one church with a membership of ten to 101 churches with a membership of 3,571 and a Sunday School membership of 5,641. He was succeeded by Rev. H. Wiard, who served for five years. Under his superintendency the churches were increased to 132, with a membership of 4,892. Many new church buildings and parsonages were erected during this period. In 1892 Rev. W. G. Dickinson became superintendent. Owing to failing health he served but a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Thrall, pastor at Redfield. By 1903 the total Congregational Church membership in the state was 7,310 and the Sunday School membership was 12,138. The Young People's societies of the church had a membership of 2,098. The societies numbered sixty-eight. At this time the aggregate value of Congregational Church build- ings in South Dakota was $306,500. The value of college and academy prop- erty exclusive of Indian school property was $225,000. They had endowments aggregating $160,000.

Rev. D. R. Tomlin was appointed first general missionary in 1887. He served for nine years and accomplished great results. Others who served in the same capacity were Rev. W. G. Dickinson, Rev. Philo Hitchcock, Rev. E. W. Jenney and Miss Emma K. Henry.

Early in the 'Sos the Congregationalists began proselyting work among the German population. Soon eleven German churches were established and in good working condition. They were formed into the German Congregational Associ- ation auxiliary to the South Dakota Congregational General Association. An early German missionary was Rev. J. Jose. He said that the reason why many of the Germans left the Lutheran church was because the form and style of the old organization's did not satisfy them. By the close of the century about thirty German churches belonged to the South Dakota Congregational Organization.

The Congregationalists early began work among the Dakota Indians. Rev. A. L. Riggs established the Santee Normal Training School on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River, but it served South Dakota as well. It was established in 1869. Doctor Riggs was assisted by his son, Prof. F. B. Riggs. In 1872 Rev. T. L. Riggs had begun work near Fort Sully on the upper Missouri. Later, in 1880, his mission was extended to Standing Rock, where, in 1885, Miss Mary C. Collins was secured as helper. In 1887 Rev. George W. Reed joined the Dakota Mission and was in active service for many years. In 1885 several Indian workers were set at work. Two years later Rev. James F. Cross arrived and a year later was assigned to work on the Rosebud Reservation.

In 1883 the Dakota Mission of the American Board in its form and member- ship was transferred to the American (Congregational) Missionary Association. As a result of the work near Fort Sully, commencing in 1872, extensions were steadily made until fifteen or eighteen out-stations were established in that portion of the state. Many church organizations in time were established among

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the Indians. By the close of the century nearly two thousand Indians had been taught at the Santee Normal Training School and 500 others had received ele- mentary training at Oahe and Plum Creek and the out-station day schools. At this time there were nine Indian churches with an active membership of 705. They were largely self supporting. Besides these Indian schools six other Con- gregational schools had been established in the state by the close of the nine- tenth century. Yankton Academy, later Yankton College, was one of the strong educational institutions of the Northwest. At first Spearfish Academy was called the preparatory department of Dakota College. As before stated it was founded in 1878 by Rev. J. W. Pickett and was incorporated in 1880. During the same year Pickett Memorial Hall was built and dedicated. In 1882 this school closed its doors owing to lack of funds. While it continued Professor Gay was prin- cipal. Yankton College was the third school to be established by the Congrega- tionalists. Rev. Joseph Ward, D. D., was its first president. The college grounds were consecrated in October, 1881. Later Rev. Henry K. Warren was placed at the head of the faculty. The following departments were maintained: Col- lege, academy, conservatory of music, art, elocution, physical training, shorthand and typewriting, domestic economy. It now has seven or eight buildings on a beautiful campus. Plankinton Academy was established in 1885, but was con- tinued only two years. Redfield College was opened in 1887 and was a branch of the Northern Association of Congregational churches and later was endorsed by the General Association. Rev. David Beaton was its first president. First sessions were held in the Congregational Church at Redfield. The citizens there and other friends erected the first building, which was occupied in January, 1888. Eight years later the building was burned, but was at once replaced with a much better structure. Other buildings were added from time to time. Rev. I. P. Patch was president at a later date. Ward Academy was established in 1893 with Rev. L. E. Canfield as its first principal. It was built in Charles Mix County. In time it became a well patronized and strong educational institution.

In 1900 the Congregationalists had in South Dakota 146 churches and a total membership of 6,870 members. After this date the growth of the church was rapid, particularly east of the Missouri River. In addition, several small con- gregations were established in western districts.

In 1906 there were 168 Congregationalist organizations with a total member- ship of 8,509 and with 142 church buildings, 17 halls, 85 parsonages, 157 Sunday schools and 9,793 scholars. By 1910 the churches numbered 196 and the mem- bership was 9,713. In 1914 there were 227 churches. The state census of 1915 gave the Congregationalists of the state a membership of 18,904. The substan- tial character of the growth of Congregationalism is shown by the following facts :

First, South Dakota has the distinction of ranking first of all the states west of New England in the ratio of Congregationalism to the whole state popu- lation. The present ratio is one Congregationalist to every fifty-eight population. Second, while it is true that throughout the entire nation the number of Congre- gationalists dropped down to about the sixth place among the English speaking Protestant churches, they took second place in South Dakota. Third, Congre- gational workers have made it a point to avoid over-churching: So successful have they been in this movement that in spite of frequent intrusions by other

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

denominations, the over-churched towns where a Congregational church is found are not numerous. Out of 218 towns of less than five hundred inhabitants in South Dakota, there are 151 which may well be called over-churched. For many years there has been a fine spirit of harmony and co-operation among the Home Missionary leaders and the pastors of the Congregational Church. A well per- fected state organization expedites the solving of office and field problems. This state has been fortunate in the fact that for twenty-two years Doctor Thrall, with marked executive ability, keen judgment of men and resourcefulness in critical situations, has been tireless in his service as superintendant.

The Congregationalists have not neglected the rural districts. As only 13 per cent of the population of South Dakota lives in cities, much the larger field for church work is to be found in the rural districts. There are large opportuni- ties for social centers and rural parishes. In the smaller towns, with which much rural work is connected, the Congregationalists have an excellent record. Another happy condition that promises well for the future is the cordial relations exist- ing between the churches of all the Protestant denominations. Comity principles have been adopted and are observed, but better still is the spirit of brotherly co-operation that has come to the church. Methodists and Congregationalists especially, in a Christian and statesmanlike spirit, are steadily withdrawing from regions that have been over-churched. Thus in many deserving fields Christian work has been unified, expanded and strengthened.

On August 29, 1860, at a session of the Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Church held in Dubuque, it was decided to appoint a minister for the country lying between the Big Sioux River and the Missouri River in the proposed new Territory of Dakota. At this conference Bishop O. C. Baker presided, and it was upon the representations of Rev. G. C. Clifford, then presiding elder at Sioux City, that Rev. S. W. Ingham was appointed to this new field. Mr. Ingham was a graduate of Cornell College and was unmarried, but he commenced the work for the Methodist Church in what is now South Dakota. He arrived in the field October 12th of the same year. He came first to Elk Point, thence went to Vermillion, where; on October 14, 1860, he preached the first sermon under authority of the Methodist Church in what is now South Dakota. The next Sunday he held services at Yankton and a few days later went to Bon Homme, where he performed the first marriage ceremony above the James River. On the next Sunday he preached there to about twenty-five people and a week later preached again at Vermillion. This completed his first itinerary.

On January 13, 1861, there was commenced a religious meeting of two days' period at Vermillion on which occasion Rev. G. C. Clifford from Sioux City presided. Here it was that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first administered and here was formed the first religious organization of Methodism in the territory. About this time two other ministers of the Methodist denomina- tion, Reverends Bell and Metcalf, came up the river and located near Richland on Brule Creek. A little later an organization with ten charter members was formed on that creek. Within a year or two the number of members increased to twenty-five. During the summer of 1861 Mr. Ingham visited Fort Randall, where he preached twice and baptized a young daughter of Captain Todd. This was the first baptism performed by a Methodist minister in the state. Mr. Ingham remained in this field for about two years, during which time he labored at

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

Richland, Fort Randall, Sioux Falls, Canton and other points. The two fixed classes that were organized were at Vermillion and Richland. At the beginning of the war both congregations were scattered by the Indians but later both were re-established.

Mr. Ingham was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Paine, of the Upper Iowa Conference, who remained about one year. At this time the Dakota field became part of the Des Moines Conference, but owing to the war conditions, pastors came here only at irregular intervals. Among those who labored here early were Revs. Daniel Lamont, Allum Gore, C. W. Batchelder, T. McKendree Stuart, J. T. Walker and John Plummer. No doubt other ministers visited this field also. Up to 1870 only Vermillion, Yankton, Elk Point and Canton were organized as charges and were part of the Sioux City district of the Des Moines Conference. The first services held at Elk Point were conducted by E. C. Collins. In 1871 the first church was erected at Elk Point under the direction of Rev. Fred Harris. In 1873, at the second session of the Northwestern Iowa Conference, there were' thirteen charges in what is now South Dakota, with a total of 618 members. At this time the field was organized under the name of Yankton District and Rev. James Williams was appointed presiding elder. Three years later, owing to the hard time and grasshoppers, Bishop R. S. Foster discontinued the district and attached what remained to the Sioux City District with Rev. Thomas M. Williams as presiding elder. In 1879 the Yankton District was re-established as a part of the Northwestern Iowa Conference and at this time Rev. Wilmot Whit- field was presiding elder. The same year the Black Hills District was constituted with Rev. James Williams as presiding elder.

In 1880 the Dakota Mission Conference was established and its first session was held at Yankton in September, 1880, on which occasion Bishop Henry W. Warren presided. The Mission Conference at first had 1,050 members and probationers, with 19 charges, 9 church buildings and 6 parsonages. During the previous year $5,800 was raised for the support of ministers. There were four- teen Sunday schools with an aggregate attendance of 966. The second session of the conference was held at Sioux Falls in 1881. Bishop John F. Hurst presided. Ten new churches had been built during the previous year. Rev. Thomas M. Williams was appointed superintendent of the conference; Rev. Wilmot Whitfield pastor at Yankton, and Rev. Lewis Hartsough at Sioux Falls. Twenty-seven pastors were assigned to work by this conference.

After this date the growth of Methodism in this state was very rapid. In 1882, at the second Mission Conference, Rev. Wilmot Whitfield became presiding elder of the Yankton District, and Rev. Lewis Hartsough of the Huron District. Forty-two preachers were assigned to charges at this conference. During this year Rev. Thomas M. Williams, the superintendent, died suddenly while attending a quarterly meeting at Bridgewater.

So rapid was the development of this field that at the fourth session of the Mission Conference held at Huron in 1883 the conference was divided into four districts in charge of Rev. I. N. Pardee of the Mitchell District, Rev. Lewis Hartsough of the Yankton District, Rev. William Fielder of the Huron District and Rev. William McCready of the Ordway District. Seventy pastors were set at work and nineteen charges were left to be supplied in the future. The fifth session of the conference was held at Mitchell in October, 1884, with

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Bishop E. G. Andrews presiding. At this time there were 86 charges with 51 churches and 15 parsonages. The sixth session was held at Blunt, with Bishop Cyrus D. Foss presiding. It was in 1885 that this mission was regularly organ- ized as an annual conference. It began its official existence with forty-two full members and nine probationers. By 1890 the membership had reached 9,663. The hard times of the early 'gos checked the growth of Methodism in the state, but immediately thereafter its growth was renewed. By 1902 there were within the bounds of the Dakota Conference 125 charges under the supervision of five presiding elders. There were 172 church buildings and 100 parsonages. The membership of the church as reported at the annual conference in 1903 was 11,440. There were 232 Sunday schools with a membership of 17,208. The school of the Methodists in South Dakota is called Dakota University and was located officially at Mitchell in 1885. Since that date it has become one of the strong and permanent denominational colleges of the state.

The first preacher of the Methodist denomination to enter the Black Hills Region was Rev. Henry W. Smith, who went there of his own accord to minister to any church members who might have gone there with the mining movements. He began his labors at Custer City, where in a log house he preached as early as May, 1876. A little later he left Custer City, preached on Box Elder Creek, and later, in May, reached Deadwood, where, on July 9th, he preached on the street at the corner of Main and Gold streets. He continued to conduct open air services on the streets of Deadwood for some time. In August, 1876, against the remonstrances of friends, he undertook to walk to Crook City to hold serv- ices, but on the way was shot and killed by the Indians. When he was found his hands were folded across his breast, clasping his Bible and hymn book to his heart. Strange to say, he was not scalped nor mutilated. His body was taken back to Deadwood and buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery. A monument to his memory was erected by his friends in 1891.

At the seventh session of the Northwestern Iowa Conference held in Chero- kee, Iowa, Rev. James Williams was appointed missionary to Deadwood. This was the beginning of organized work by the Methodists in the Black Hills. At the next session of the conference held in Sioux City, Rev. James Williams was appointed presiding elder of the Black Hills District. Mr. Williams continued as pastor of the Deadwood Church and Rev. William Fielder and Rev. A. J. Whitfield were assigned charges at Central City and Lead respectively. The Black Hills Region was organized as a mission by Bishop Warren in 1880, and Rev. James Williams became the first superintendent. Among the pastors under him were Revs. Ira Wakefield, W. D. Phifer and R. H. Dolliver. At the second session held in Deadwood in 1881 Rev. J. D. Searles became superintendent. Others later were Rev. James Williams, Rev. J. B. Carnes, Rev. E. E. Clough and Rev. C. B. Clark. The first permanent religious organization of the Metho- dists in the Black Hills was at Central City. The first quarterly meeting was held there in November, 1878. In 1883 the Methodist Church at Deadwood was dedicated. It cost $6,700, but soon afterwards the whole property was destroyed by a flood. The Methodists organized a society at Lead in 1880. Another was organized at Crook City, afterwards Whitewood, in 1879. The following year an organization was effected at Custer, and in 1881 another was established at Rapid City. In 1890 the Methodists established the Black Hills

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

College at Hot Springs, under Dr. J. W. Hancher, the first president. He was succeeded by Rev. E. E. Lymer. Not long afterwards the institution was closed. In 1888 the Methodists of the Black Hills Region organized as a mission con- ference, but in 1896 became an annual conference. However, in 1901, the mission conference was re-established, because it was believed better for this field. Early in the twentieth century Methodism was well established in the Black Hills Region. There were standing twenty-eight churches and thirteen parsonages. A short time before this date the Methodists began work among the Germans and Scandinavians and soon had a considerable following among these people in the eastern part of the state.

The Canton Epworth League established an assembly in 1901 under the auspices of the league of Sioux Falls District. Soon this organization became a power for extending the Methodist Church and for increasing its membership.

In April, 1896, the mid-year session of the association of the Sioux Falls District Methodist Episcopal Church convened in the church at Flandreau. The exercises were opened by devotional services by Rev. G. F. Hopkins of Dell Rapids. The ministers present were as follows: J. O. Dobson, D. D., of Sioux Falls, presiding elder of the Sioux Falls District, and W. I. Graham, D. D., president of Dakota University, Mitchell. Others present were as follows: J. P. Jenkins, of Madison ; Nathan Farwell, of Sioux Falls; John Kaye, of Hart- ford; G. P. Hopkins, of Dell Rapids; D. Rifenbark, of Canton; W. B. Stewart, of Gayville; William Dawson, of Alcester; H. P. Eberhart, of Egan; F. B. Nicholls, of Elk Point ; G. T. Notson, of Flandreau; W. O. Redfield, of Hudson ; C. G. Hager, of Vermillion; Thomas Morris, of Volin; A. E. Carhart, of Elk Point, then president of the Non-Partisan Prohibition Union.

At the Methodist Episcopal Conference held at Vermillion in October, 1896, it was declared by a vote of 46 to II that women were eligible to preach in that organization. At the same time equal lay representation carried by a vote of 31 to 26. A strong movement in favor of prohibition was commenced at this time. Rev. James T. Gurney was transferred to this field from the Detroit Conference. S. H. Brown, E. E. Dean, Thomas Sanderson and J. T. Gurney. were received in full membership. The committee reported favorably on six of the eleven applicants for the ministry. The age limit for application for membership was placed at thirty-five years with two exceptions. R. B. Bevis and Alfred Fowler of Canada joined the conference at this time. F. W. Sage with- drew. H. B. Clearwater was suspended at his own request. There were ad- mitted to elders' orders Nathan Farrell, Frank Baker, Garry T. Nutson, F. C. McDuffee, A. C. Stevens and A. T. Jolly. Rev. A. C. Stevens of Redfield delivered the missionary sermon. Cole E. Clough of the Black Hills addressed the conference. At this meeting the General Missonary Society was asked to appropriate at least ten thousand dollars for the work of the conference during the coming year. The state statistician showed that there had been an increase in the churches of all gifts for benevolence. It was decided to hold the next conference at Mitchell, the time being left to the board of bishops. This was the twelfth conference of the church that had been convened in the state or former territory. Its membership included pastors and laymen from all portions of the state, excluding the Black Hills Region. An immence amount of routine business was transacted at this time. Among the duties connected with the

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conference were the formation of districts; the ordination of deacons and elders ; the appointment of pastors, and a great variety of miscellaneous domestic busi- ness. Bishop John H. Vincent, D. D., LL. D., presided over this conference.

The South Dakota Chautauqua Assembly opened at Madison in July, 1891. At this time Rev. J. H. Williamson was president of the assembly. Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage was present and lectured to the large audience which assembled on this occasion. It was stated that people came from a distance, in some cases, of fifty miles to participate in the exercises of the chautauqua and to listen to Doctor Talmage.

The second annual convention of the Epworth League of the state assembled at Huron in December, 1892. Each branch league of the state was represented on this occasion by from one to four delegates. The proceedings were important, because many changes were made in methods and proceedings. The president of the league at this time was F. A. Burdick. At this time they passed resolutions protesting against resubmission of the prohibition question, favored a state Epworth League in fact as well as in name, and opposed the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago on Sunday.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 133

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146