USA > South Dakota > Minnehaha County > History of Minnehaha county, South Dakota. Containing an account of its settlements, growth, development and resources Synopsis of public records, biographical sketches > Part 88
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1891. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; aldermen, 1st ward, N. S. Nel- son, E. S. Tresidder; 2d ward, O. O. Sawyer, R. A. Knight; 3d ward, W. L. Briley, G. J. Johnson; E. J. Elliot treasurer, S. P. Peters justice of the peace, L. C. Harrington police justice, G. R. Krause auditor, R. W. Hobart city attorney, L. C. Harrington; assessor, E. T. Sawyer chief of police and street commissioner, Dr. O. O. Sawyer health officer.
1892. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; alderman, 1st ward, M. S. Well- man, E. S. Tresidder; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, R. A. Knight; 3d ward, W. L. Briley, C. J. Johnson; M. A. Dieson treasurer, S. P. Peters city justice, L. C. Harrington police justice, G. R. Krause auditor, Henry Robertson city attorney, L. C. Harrington assessor, E. T. Sawyer chief of police, S. P. Peters street commissioner, Dr. Parker health officer.
1893. Mayor, M. R. Kenefick; aldermen, 1st ward, E. S. Tre- sidder, M. S. Wellman; 2d ward, R. A. Knight, T. S. Galbraith; 3d ward, W. L. Briley, C. J. Johnson; M. A. Dieson treasurer, S. P. Peters justice of the peace, Clinton De Witt police justice, G. R. Krause auditor, Henry Robertson attorney, R. W. Hobart assessor, J. M. Griswold chief of police, S. P. Peters street commissioner, Dr. Parker health officer.
1894. Mayor, O. H. Smith; aldermen, 1st ward, B. R. Bentson, fresigned in October and succeeded by H. Lampman) E. S. Tre- sidder; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, R. A. Knight; 3d ward, C. J. Johnson, W. L. Briley; M. A. Dieson treasurer, I. E. Ewen city jus- tice (resigned in October, succeeded by J. E. Fargo), C. DeWitt police justice, F. W. Rathman auditor (resigned in October, suc- ceeded by W. J. Crisp), K. W. Hobart attorney, V. A. Potter assessor, H. Farrand chief of police, John McDonald street com- missioner, Dr. A. S. Bergh health officer.
1895. Mayor, O. H. Smith; alderman, 1st ward, H. Lampman, G. A. Galloway; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, J. G. Meldrum; 3d ward, C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; M. A. Dieson treasurer, J. E. Fargo jus- tice of the peace, C. De Witt police justice, W. J. Crisp auditor, R. W. Hobart attorney, H. Noble assessor, H. Farrand chief; of police, Halver Halverson street commissioner, Dr. O. O. Sawyer health officer.
1896. Mayor, O. H. Smith; aldermen, 1st ward, G. A. Gallo- way, Henry Lampman; 2d ward, J. G. Meldrum, T. S. Galbraith; 3d ward, C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; treasurer, M. A. Dieson; city jus- tice, J. E. Fargo; police justice, C. DeWitt; auditor, G. R. Krause; attorney, Henry Robertson; assessor, A. R. Sullivan; chief of police, W. G. Lund; street commissioner, E. Paulson; health officer, D. W. Evans.
1897. Mayor, O. H. Smith; aldermen, 1st ward, Henry Lamp- man, J. G. Meldrum, O. F. Bowles; 2d ward, T. S. Galbraith, S. P. Peters; 3d ward, C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; city justice, J. E. Fargo; police justice, C. DeWitt; chief of police, W. G. Lund; attor- ney, Henry Robertson; auditor, P. W. Dougherty; treasurer, M. A.
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Dieson; asssessor, G. R. Krause; street commissioner, E. Paulson: health officer, D. W. Evans.
1898. Mayor, E. J. Elliot; aldermen, Ist ward, J. G. Meldrum, W. M. Henderson; 2d ward, S. P. Peters, Ole Paulson; 3d ward, C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; city justice, H. Noble; police justice, WV. S. Catlin; chief of police, Gunder Olson; auditor, D. E. Ward: treasurer, M. A. Dieson; assessor, G. E. Bowerman; street commis- sioner, C. T. Bryant; health officer, Dr. Hofflund.
1899. Mavor, E. J. Elliot; aldermen, 1st ward, W. M. Hender- son, O. E. Shattuck, A. Nielson; 2d ward, S. P. Peters, Ole Paulson; 3d ward, C. J. Johnson, J. T. Maule; city justice, H. Noble; police justice, W. S. Catlin; chief of police, Gunder Olson; auditor, D. E. Ward; treasurer, M. A. Dieson; assessor, G. E. Bowerman; street commissioner, C. T. Bryant; health officer, Dr. Hofflund.
SCHOOLS.
The first school meeting of district No. 12, was held at the store 'of B. D. Graves, in Dell Rapids, November 8, 1873. The fol- lowing officers were elected: John E. Hoyt director, B. D. Graves clerk, Peter Morse treasurer. It was voted that the board provide a suitable room, fuel and furniture, and employ a teacher for a three months term of school.
In accordance with instructions, Miss E. Juanita Alexander was employed at $20 per month. A contract was made with Mr. P. Morse to rent the house of Mr. Mann at 56 per month. Lumber for seats and other things were furnished by B. D. Graves and Peter Morse, and it was agreed by the board that the district should pay for same. A stove and pipe was purchased of Mr. J. W. Cowan for $21.80, and an order given in payment with interest at 10 per cent. if not paid when due.
At a meeting held August 4, 1874, Mr. Peter Morse offered to give a perpetual lease of a tract of land, as long as it should be used for school purposes, eight rods square, situated on next corner east of Mr. Thorne's house as platted. This proposition was accepted and the board was authorized to build a school house of lumber, to be not less than 18 by 22, nine feet high at the eaves, but delays oc- curred and it was not built during that year. George L. Wood was engaged and taught a term of three months at $20 per month, in the building which had previously been used as a school room. Sep- tember 5, 1874, the annual school meeting was held and R. S. Alex- ander was elected director, Albion Thorne treasurer and B. D. Graves clerk.
The annual school meeting September 4, 1875, was held at the house of B. D. Graves. R. S. Alexander was re-elected director, Peter Morse treasurer and B. D. Graves clerk. No business was transacted at this meeting, which adjourned until September 20. The following then appears on the record: "Pursuant to notice no- body met on Monday, the 20th day of September, consequently no business was transacted. B. D. Graves clerk." The next meeting was held November 20, 1875, and it was resolved to rent the store room of B. D. Graves for school purposes at a rental of $18 for the
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
winter term, and to engage Mr. M. C. Graves to teach a three months term at $20 per month.
In June, 1876, a notice of a special election was given, to be held at the store of M. C. Lyon on Thursday, June 15, for the purpose of again making arrangements for building a school house and relocat- ing a site. The committee appointed to locate a site, selected lots 7, 8 and 9, block 42, of the original plat of Dell Rapids, but nothing further was done until the annual meeting in September, when Dr. Wm. B. Parker was elected director. The new board awarded the contract for building the school house to Win. H. McCune for the sum of $565.59. M. C. Graves was engaged to teach the winter term of four months school at $25 per month, to begin December 4, 1876. The school house was finished during the ensuing fall.
The next annual meeting was held April 3, 1877. J. W. Walters was elected district clerk. The number of children of school age residing in the district for the year ending March 31, 1877, was fifty- four.
At the annual meeting held April 2, 1878, G. A. Uline was elected treasurer, and it was voted to have nine months of school during the ensuing year. Miss E. C. LeClere was engaged for three months at $30 per month. In the fall of 1878, John F. Seaman was engaged for a term of three months, at $35 per month. Mr. Seaman was also retained for the winter term at the same salary. The as- sessed valuation of school district No. 12, for the year 1879, was $35,709.
April 1, 1879, J. R. Richardson was elected director. The num- ber of school children residing in the district for the year ending March 31, 1879, was fifty-two. J. W. Walters clerk, G. A. Uline treasurer holding over. Assessed valuation of the district for 1880 was $62,000.
At a special meeting in the spring of 1880, for the purpose of providing additional school room, it was decided to raise the school house eight feet and build a stairway. The contract for the work was given to M. P. Lower October 1, 1880, for $583.25.
At the annual meeting April 5, 1881, G. A. Uline was elected treasurer and M. R. Kenefick clerk.
At the annual meeting in 1882 J. R. Richardson was elected di- rector.
March 9, 1883, the act organizing the independent school district of Dell Rapids was approved. The following members of the board of education were appointed: M. R. Kenefick, I. N. Neher, G. A. Uline, George Whitman and J. R. Richardson. The board organ- ized by electing George Whitman president, G. A. Uline treasurer, and Albion Thorne clerk. April 24, Mr. Richardson resigned and Albion Thorne was appointed to fill vacancy.
(No record of members elected in 1884).
In 1884 the school house was blown down during a heavy wind, and the Episcopal hall was rented for school purposes until a school house could be built. A committee was appointed to examine loca- tion for a site, and a special election was called on August 12, for the purpose of determining whether bonds should be issued for building
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
a school house, and whether it should be built of wood, brick or stone. The result of this election was in favor of issuing bonds not to exceed $8,000.
In 1885, Henry A. Cadd, A. C. Folsom, M. R. Kenefick and G. A. Uline were elected members of the board. The Episcopal hall was rented for a school room during this year also. After April 27, 1885, the Baptist church was rented at a rental of $11 per month.
Bonds were issued to the amount of $7,000 in the spring of 1885. Plans were drawn by W. L. Dow, and he was employed to superin- tend the building, and the contract was awarded to J. Kays & Co. for $5,722.50. The building was erected on lots 7 and 8, block 42, during the summer of 1885, and is still standing, a handsome stone building of two stories, containing four school rooms and recitation room.
In 1886 the members of the board for 1885 were re-elected.
In 1887, the following were elected members of the board: J. A. Stanfield, Wm. Barr, L. C. Harrington, Albion Thorne and M. R. Kenefick. In the fall of 1887 a bell, weighing 396 pounds, at a cost of $37 was placed in position.
The two new members for 1888 were W. A. Eppard and Albion Thorne; Messrs. Harrington, Barr and Stanfield holding over. In the fall of 1888, four teachers were found necessary in place of the three previously employed.
In 1889, Henry Cadd, O. H. Smith, E. J. Elliot, W. A. Eppard and Albion Thorne composed the board. In April, 1889, lot 3, in block 42, adjacent to school grounds was purchased for $290, and lot 4, same block, for $250.
The two new members for 1890 were M. R. Kenefick and Albion Thorne.
The members for 1891 were E. J. Elliott, John McDonald and C. J. Johnson, Mr. Kenefick holding over. Albion Thorne resigned and O. O. Sawyer was appointed to fill vacancy and was also elected treasurer: C. J. Johnson was elected president, C. E. Sutton prin- cipal.
1892. The members were O. H. Smith and John McDonald, C. J. Johnson president, E. J. Elliot treasurer, W. I. Howland sec- retary, L. E. Goodwin principal.
1893. The members were O. H. Smith and R. Simpson, W. I. Howland president, James Ridlington treasurer, O. O. Sawyer clerk, L. E. Goodwin principal.
1894. The members were E. C. Bent and R. Simpson, W. I. Howland president, James Ridlington treasurer, O. O. Sawyer clerk, L. E. Goodwin principal.
1895. The members were James Ridlington, R. Simpson, J. E. Fargo, Will S. Catlin, M. S. Wellman and O. O. Sawyer; E. C. Bent president, G. E. Bowerman treasurer, L. K. Larson clerk, L. E. Goodwin principal.
1896. President, E. C. Bent; clerk, G. E. Bowerman, fre- signed, and P. H. Dougherty was elected to fill vacancy); treasurer, L. K. Larson; principal, E. M. Green.
1897. President, E. C. Bent; clerk, P. W. Dougherty; treas- urer, L. K. Larson; principal, E. M. Green.
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1898. President, E. C. Bent; clerk, P. W. Dougherty; treas- urer, L. K. Larson; principal, E. M. Green.
1899. President, E. J. Engelson; clerk, C. H. Muckler; treas- urer, L. K. Larson; principal, J. E. Tschantz.
CHURCHES.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .-- On the 21st day of July, 1872, seven- teen persons in Dell Rapids came together for the purpose of organ- izing a Baptist church. The Rev. Alvah Bush of Osage, Iowa, was elected chairman of the meeting and J. I. Sweeney clerk, and such proceedings were had in the way of organization that the body cre- ated was on the 1st day of September following recognized by the proper authorities as the the First Baptist Church of Dell Rapids. Meetings were held in the school house, with occasional preaching by Revs. J. W. Freeman and Bush, until the 29th day of June, 1873, when the Rev. W. T. Hill was called to the permanent pastorage of the church. Mr. Hill remained in charge until 1879. May 1, 1879, the church extended an invitation to the Rev. J. F. Merriam to be- come its pastor, which invitation was accepted; the arrangement be- ing made that he should preach at Dell Rapids every other Sunday. At the end of his first year he resigned. January 6, 1881, the Rev. J. Edminster was engaged for one year, and had charge of the church until February 4, 1882, when the Rev. S. G. Adams of Wisconsin was called, and remained in Dell Rapids as pastor of the church for five years, when he resigned. The Rev. Ira Kneeland was the next pastor from the first day of June, 1887, to October, 1888, when he was called to take charge of a church in New York. On the 1st day of January, 1889, the Rev. J. P. Coffman took charge of the church, and remained until December 3, 1891, at which time he removed to Sioux Falls. January 1, 1892, the Rev. H. E. Norton commenced his labors with this church and remained its pastor until October, 1896. He was succeeded by the Reverends Parker and Rice, and in Sep- tember, 1899, the present pastor, the Rev. Mr. Cantwell took charge. Until the erection of the first church building in 1881, services were held at various places. In the spring of 1883, a large and more com- modious church building was commenced, which was completed and dedicated June 8, 1884. In connection with the church there is a large and prosperous Sunday school and a Young People's society, and it is one of the strong churches in the county.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- In the winter of 1879-80, the idea of estab- lishing an Episcopal church was first thought of, and the matter was talked over by a few of the ladies of Dell Rapids. On January 27, 1880, a Ladies' Society was organized for the purpose of obtaining money to build a church at some future date, and in the spring of that year Mrs. Potter was authorized by the society to write to the Dean of the Territory, asking his recognition, advice and co-opera- tion with them in the work which they had undertaken.
Some time in March, 1880, the Dean came and held service in the sitting-room of the Exchange Hotel, and before he went away he ad- vised the Ladies' Guild to write to the Bishop and inquire what steps should be taken to enable the people to organize a parish. At this
REV. H. E. NORTON.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
time there were five communicants in the town, namely, Mrs. V. A. Potter, Mr. and Mr. Lovering, Mrs. Sibbison and her daughter Flora Sibbison.
In the latter part of March, 1880, a proposition was made by Mr. Peter Morse in regard to the sale of a lot belonging to him, situated on Pearl street, which was accepted and the lot purchased. Soon after Bishop Clarkson came to Dell Rapids and preached in the Bap- tist church, and on this occasion informed the guild that they would have to organize as a mission until the time came when their num- bers would justify the organization of a parish, and it was agreed to name the mission Gethsemane Mission.
December 2. 1880, a committee was appointed to purchase a warehouse belonging to C. S. Gifford; this was bought for the sum of $100 and moved to the lot previously purchased. Services were being held during this time at the Exchange Hotel and in the Bap- tist church, by various clergymen, until the warehouse was roughly fitted up as a church, service being held there for the first time on the first Sunday in January, 1881. The Rev. Mr. Morrison, the first clergyman who was called, arrived in Dell Rapids on the first day of January, 1881, and remained about nine months. The Rev. F. Gard- iner of Sioux Falls and other Episcopal clergymen supplied the pul- pit at more or less regular intervals until the Rev. T. Howell Rich- ards came to Dell Rapids to take charge of the parish. He officiated as lay reader until September, 1894, when he was ordained Deacon, Dr. Trimble of Sioux Falls being the Rector. Mr. Richards left the parish and the ministry in 1897.
Up to 1893, the congregation worshipped in the old building on Main street, known as the Episcopal Hall, at which time the present church, called the Church of Living Water and located on the south- west corner of Orleans and High streets, was consecrated. This building is of stone, is handsomely furnished and has a seating capac- ity of one hundred and twenty-five. The membership of the church is forty-eight. A window of peculiar interest was presented to the church by Walter Crisp of Logan, in 1893, who brought this relic from England, where it was originally in St. Nicholas church at Long Stanton, a little village about six miles west from the town of Cambridge. This church is supposed to have been an old monastery up to the time of the reformation, and is thatched with reeds; being one of the few remaining specimens of the open timber roof churches of the middle ages. The window was removed from the St. Nicholas to make way for a more modern one, and another similar to it is now in the British Museum in London. It is supposed to have been originally placed in the old church in 1230. The window came into Mr. Crisp's possession July 4, 1893.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The Methodist church in Dell Rapids was organized on the 26th day of July, 1880. The Rev. Wil- mot Whitfield, presiding elder of the Dakota district of the North- western Iowa quarterly conference, and I. O. Kent, secretary of said conference, were present and conducted the election of a board of trustees, resulting as follows: C. L. Hager, W. B. Parker, O. H. Parker, J. R. Richardson and John E. Hoyt. In October following,
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,
the Rev. G. R. Oakes assumed charge of the church, and remained about one year. During this time a church building was com- menced, but was not completed until 1882. The successor of Mr. Oakes was the Rev. M. D. L. Johnson, who remained two years. Since then the following ministers have had charge of the pastoral work, and in the order named: The Reverends G. W. Kliver, one vear; Thomas H. Walker, two years; W. H. Vivian, one year; L. Bradford, one year; J. P. Jenkins, three years; D. Rifenbark, one year; W. F. Minty, one year; W. J. Hyde, two years, and A. Jamie- son, who had charge of the church from October 15, 1894, until the Rev. F. Hopkins became his pastor. In November, 1896, he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. John Lewtas.
When the church was first organized there were only a few members, but the membership has been steadily increasing so that at the present writing there are about one hundred and fifty mem- bers. A parsonage was built in 1886.
ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION .- The Roman Catholic church com- menced mission services in Dell Rapids in 1880, with Father Maher of Sioux Falls in charge until some time in 1882. At first there were only ten or twelve regular communicants, and during the vears 1882-3, only occasional services were held. In July, 1884, Father Quinlan took charge of the Mission, and held services once a month until the spring of 1887, when Father Colman took charge of the same for a short time. He was succeeded by the Rev. Father Vandemere of Flandreau, who continued to hold monthly service until the fall of 1888. At this time the Rev. XX. P. Guay took charge for a few months, when Father Vandermere again performed the services. In June, 1889, the Rev. J. Barnes had charge and contin- ued to officiate until November of that year, when Father Jerram took his place and held services until March, 1892. He was suc- ceeded by Father O'Hora, who continued in charge until sometime during the fall of that year, when the Rev. J. C. Ahern took charge and held services monthly until the fall of 1894. From this time until July, 1895, the Rev. O'Hora, a brother of Father O'Hora, who officiated in 1893, had charge of the Mission. The Reverends Flynn, Grabig and Feinler also had charge of the little flock of Catholics at Dell Rapids during the time services were held over Mr. Collin's drug store. During the fall of 1898, the Rev. M. J. Martyn organ- ized St. Mary's Catholic church, and became its pastor. He at once set about the work of erecting a church building. A beautiful site was purchased in the northeastern part of the city for the sum of $300, and during the summer of 1899 a fine, commodious church building was completed, and is now occupied for church purposes. It cost a little over $4,000, and the citizens of Dell Rapids gener- ously assisted the society in erecting the building. The member- ship of St. Mary's church comprises twenty-seven families, and the average attendance is one hundred.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- The Presbyterian church of Dell Rapids was organized on the 16th day of August, 1882. At this time there was an Indian Presbyterian church at Flandreau, and with this exception there was no other Presbyterian church in Dakota.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
For ten years services were held more or less regularly in the school house, until the 22d day of October, 1882, when the present house of worship was dedicated. It was built at a cost of about $2,500. In April, 1896, a one-thousand-pound bell was placed in this edifice. On the 30th day of May, 1899, during a heavy storm, the steeple was torn down by lightning, the damage amounting to about $300. The membership of the church, like that of all churches in the West, has been very fluctuating. Its roll of members since or- ganization numbers one hundred and sixty, and it has a membership at the present time of fifty-five. Working in connection with the church are societies of both senior and junior Y. P. C. E., and a flourishing Sunday school, having a membership of one hundred and fifteen.
The following ministers have been in charge: Rev. Geo. F. Le- Clere, from September, 1877. to September, 1878; Rev. R. H. Hooks, from November, 1880, to November, 1881; Rev. R. T. McMahan, from January, 1882, to May, 1883; Rev. H. L. Dickinson, from May, 1883, to May, 1884; Rev. W. J. Skillman, from June, 1884, to October, 1885; Rev. E. M. Snook, from December, 1885, to December, 1886; Rev. John A. McAlmon, from May, 1887, to May, 1888; Rev. Robert Christison from June, 1888, to September, 1891; Rev. George Hutch- inson, from January, 1893, to April, 1894; Rev. R. Christison, from September, 1894, to June, 1899. Besides these ministers, theologi- cal students have filled the pulpit when no minister has been avail- able.
Rev. Robert Christison, the last pastor of this church, was born in Scotland, and educated at the University of Edinburgh, and at the Free Church College of Glasgow. He was pastor of the Presby- terian church at Dell Rapids from 1888 to 1891, when he resigned on account of his health and went to the Pacific coast, but was recalled in September, 1894. Mr. Christison is a very able and scholarly man.
THE SCANDINAVIAN BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church was organ- ized November 8, 1886, with a membership of thirteen. Its first pastor was the Rev. N. Tychsen, who had charge of the church a little over six years. He resigned in January, 1892, and removed to Oakland, California, and the following April his place was filled by Rev. A. Carstensen, who remained until November, 1894, when he removed to Council Bluffs in response to a call from a church at that place. The church from this time until May, 1895, was without a pastor. At that time the Rev. H. P. Andersen accepted a call from the church, and the present pastor is the Rev. A. C. Nesby.
About the time this church was organized, the old Baptist church at the east end of Main street was purchased by the congre- gation, and has since then remained its place of worship.
The church records show that since its organization one hun- dred and eighty-eight persons have been received into its commun- ion, and that the present membership is about one hundred and twenty. There is a large, prosperous Sunday school in connection with the church.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH .- About the 1st of January, 1892, steps were taken to organize a Lutheran church in Dell Rapids. The or- ganization was perfected on the 21st day of January following. It was called St. Peter's church, and became one of the strong relig- ious institutions of the city. From its start it had a large member- ship, there being upon its roll no less than fifty-nine communicants and a total membership of upwards of one hundred and thirty. This number has not materially changed since then, the removals and ac- cessions being about the same. It has as yet no church building, although it has purchased some very desirable lots on which to erect a church. It has thus far worshipped in the Presbyterian church. Sometime prior to this organization a small congregation of Luther- ans worshipped at Dell Rapids under the ministrations of the Rev. Mitboe, but by reason of removals and other causes, whatever or- ganization there was, had become dissolved. Several societies have been organized in connection with this church, a flourishing Sunday school, the Young Ladies' Missionary society, the Ladies' society, the Young People's society of St. Peter's Lutheran church, and the Willing Workers, and whatsoever can not be accomplished through the offices of the church in promoting the welfare of the congrega- tion, is sure to be attained through the instrumentality of these vig- orous societies.
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