USA > South Dakota > The Baptist history of South Dakota > Part 13
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December 6, 1898. The church was organized March 13, 1898. Though nominally a Scandinavian church it is intended to meet the needs of Americans as well as Scandinavians. Services are conducted in both lan- guages, and all nationalities are represented in the membership. A house of worship has been erected which will soon be dedicated.
The following list gives the name and date of organi- zation of all of the Scandinavian Baptist churches in South Dakota:
Big Springs, July, 1869.
Bloomingdale, October 15, 1871.
Lodi, March 25, 1872.
Daneville, December 31, 1873.
Oldham, January 25, 1882.
Strandburg, June 25, 1882.
Brookings, March 15, 1883.
Sioux Falls, May 19, 1883.
Sun Prairie, June 3, 1883. Pukwana, July 25, 1885.
Dell Rapids, November 2, 1886.
Spink County, July 10, 1887. Orleans, April 8, 1888.
Lake Norden, September 17, 1888. Spring Valley, November 11, 1888. Miner County, June 16, 1889. Huron, December 19, 1889.
Turkey Valley, February 8, 1893.
Vernon, June 19, 1897.
Summit, March 13, 1898.
In this historical review of the nineteen Scandinavian Baptist churches in South Dakota, it will be observed that four of them were organized early in the first
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
decade; Big Springs in 1869, Bloomingdale in 1871, Lodi in 1872, and Daneville in 1873. There was an in- terval of over eight years before the fifth church was organized.
This long period of seeming inactivity may have been due in part to the poverty of the people, the frequent crop failures and grasshopper scourges, and the finan- cial depression throughout the country. Another cause of this long delay was the lack of a superintend- ing missionary, to visit and encourage the churches. But the principal thing that operated against their progress was the apostasy of some of the pastors and a large proportion of the members of the few Scandi- navian churches then in existence, on account of the pernicious activity of Seventh Day Adventists, in dis- seminating their views concerning the observance of the seventh day of the week instead of the first. Mat- ters became so serious during the years 1874-5-6, that the existence of these churches was threatened.
These Adventist missionaries were Scandinavians, and the greatest injury to our cause was done among the people of their own nationality. The four Scandi- navian Baptist churches were rent and torn for a time, and disruption seemed to be inevitable. In this criti- cal situation of affairs Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., district secretary, made arrangements to have Rev. P. H. Damm, of Iowa, and Rev. Theodore Hessel, of Nebras- ka, both Scandinavians, visit these churches and en- deaver to stay the contagion. The latter was continued on the field for some time. Their labors were finally successful. Some were reclaimed and many were ex- cluded. One of the leaders in this disaffection, a former pastor of the Lodi and Daneville churches, after he saw his serious error, brooded and grieved over his
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wrong doing until he thought it was unpardonable, and in his despair he took his own life. The churches were saved, but it was long before they could fully re- cover from the injury received.
With the incoming tide of immigration which fol- lowed the rapid building of railroad lines in 1879 and 1880, were many Scandinavian Baptists. There were soon many new settlements of Swedes, Norwegians and Danes. In some of these there were enough of Baptists to call for special missionary work, and render necessary the appointment of a Scandinavian mission- ary. A leader was needed. He was already on the field, serving as pastor of one of the first Scandinavian churches organized after the eight years of waiting. In addition to his work as a pastor, he had shown that he possessed the qualifications needed in a superin- tending missionary, by the itinerant missionary work which he had done in Brookings, Hamlin, and other counties. The man for the emergency was Rev. Jacob Olsen. He was chosen as Scandinavian missionary for South Dakota, by the Scandinavian Baptist conference, in the summer of 1884, and continued to serve as such until October 1, 1898. As he has been so actively engaged in missionary work for many years, the fol- lowing brief sketch of his early life is here given:
Jacob Olsen was born in Bierkland, near Haugusend, Norway, February 10, 1850. When he was fifteen years old he went to sea. He made rapid advancement in seamanship, and at the age of seventeen, he ranked as an able seaman on one of the largest Norwegian ships. When a little past twenty-one years old, he landed at Philadelphia, March 11, 1871. He was then third mate on the Norwegian ship Hobert. On that day he accompanied the captain up to the city. As he
REV. JACOB OLSEN. ISS2-1509.
SCANDINAVIAN MISSIONARY ISS4 -1505.
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
and the captain stood on the dock, above which an American flag was floating, Olsen said: "I am going to take the oath of loyalty to the stars and stripes." He left the ship and came west to Buffalo, N. Y. He began sailing on the lakes in the summer of 1871, and continued four years, having risen to the position of first mate. He was married April 11, 1873, to Clara Roundquist, who was born in Sweden.
In 1877 he was converted, and became a member, and soon after a deacon, of the Danish-Norwegian Baptist church in Chicago. He spent two years-1880-81 -- in the Dano-Norwegian department of the theological sem- inary, at Morgan Park, Ill. In 1882 he came with his family to Dakota, arriving at Lake Preston July 4. He entered at once upon the work of a missionary pastor. serving the Norwegian Baptist church of Kingsbury county, and also the Norwegian Baptist church at Brookings, which he organized March 15, 1883. He was ordained at Sioux Falls November 2, 1882, during the first annual meeting of the state convention. Since his election, in 1884, as Scandinavian missionary, he has proved to be a wise and careful leader. The pro- gress of the work among the Scandinavian people has been gratifying, and new churches have been organized in various portions of the state. After fourteen years of continuous and faithful service, he closed his labors October 1, 1898. Though specially devoted to the interests of the Swedes, Norwegians and Danes, he sustained cordial and intimate relations with American Baptists. He has been held in the highest esteem among them, and "his praise is in all the churches." As an officer of the state convention, and a member of its board of managers, and of its executive committee, his co-workers long ago learned to appreciate his worth,
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
and to love him for his high christian character, his genial spirit, and his broad and generous sympathy with every good work. In the councils of the denomi- nation he was always efficient, and in the homes of the people he has always been a welcome guest. Cordial welcome has been given to his successor, Rev. Andrew Swartz. Having been for several years a pastor in the state, he is familiar with the field and its needs, and possesses the qualifications necessary for the respon- sible position to which he has been called.
In October or November. 1874, the Scandinavian Baptists organized a missionary conference at Lodi. This was not intended to serve the purpose of an asso- ciation, but gave them an opportunity to meet for the consideration, in their own language, of missionary and other topics. It answered a useful purpose, unifying the work and aims of the three nationalities repre- sentd in the organization, and binding them together in a bond that vet remains unbroken. The early churches became members of the Southern Dakota
Association. Churches further north, that were organized in later years, identified themselves with the Sioux Valley Association. This affiliation of Ameri- can and Scandinavian churches continued until the number of the latter had so increased as to justify an organization of their own. They then utilized their old missionary conference, which was still in existence, and in 1886 it became the Scandinavian Baptist Associ- ation of South Dakota.
In this association there are now nineteen churches, designated according to the nationality most largely represented in each. Of these, nine are Swedish churches-Big Springs, Bloomingdale, Sioux Falls, Orleans, Huron, Lake Norden. Vernon, Strandburg
-
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and Sun Prairie; five are Danish churches-Daneville, Lodi, Dell Rapids, Spring Valley and Turkey Valley; two are Norwegian-Brookings and Miner County (or Burton); and three are Danish-Norwegian-Spink County, Pukwana and Summit. There is no other state in which all of these three nationalities work together harmoniously and successfully in one organi- zation. They are closely united in every movement intended to promote the welfare of their people, and advance all the interests of the state, and they are in hearty sympathy and co-operation with their brethren in the American Baptist churches. These nineteen Scandinavian Baptist churches have 897 members, thir- teen houses of worship, and three parsonages. The total valuation of their church property is $19,500. In addition to the number of members stated above, in many localities there are Scandinavian Baptists who are members of American Baptist churches.
The natural tendency of Scandinavian Lutherans, when truly converted, is to identify themselves with the Baptists. As a general rule they are in fullest sym- pathy with every department of evangelical work. They are characterized by an earnest devotion to the church and all its interests, deep spirituality and un- stinted liberality, especially to the cause of missions. Church discipline is carefully maintained, and there is always manifested a parental and brotherly watchful- ness over the daily lives of their members. An intense- ly devotional spirit pervades their meetings, and they are responsive to the calls of duty. Their pastors are earnest, usually well educated, and conscientiously de- voted to their calling.
The ratio of increase in the number of church organi- zations and members is relatively larger than is usual
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
among American Baptists. They unselfishly foster their own interests. Naturally their field of operations is bounded by lines of nationality, but many others have been inspired and helped by them. They guard carefully against the growth of grievances among brethren, and in the settlement of difficulties they manifest wisdom and ability. Here is an illustration of tact and sound judgment, not always exhibited by ecclesiastical councils. On one occasion one of the Scan. dinavian churches became involved in a serious quarrel. It had grown to such proportions that it became neces- sary for a council to meet, and try to restore harmony and peace. The council met at the seat of war, but instead of listening to statements of grievances from the contending factions, after earnestly exhorting them to manifest a Christ-like spirit, and settle their own difficulties among themselves. the council left them to themselves, and withdrew to another place to spend the time in earnest prayer for those who had become estranged from each other. It was not long until the members of the council were summoned to the church. On arriving there they were informed that the warring factions were reconciled, and that all roots of bitterness had been removed. This is a model plan for settling church quarrels and grievances among brethren, and it could be wisely followed on many occasions.
The Scandinavians are recognizing the inevitable tendency of foreign born people, who come to this coun- try to establish homes for themselves and their chil- dren, to become Americanized in language and customs. They are generally accepting the fact that the younger generation, most of whom were born in this country, will identify themselves with those with whom they have common business, social and religious associa-
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tions. The necessity for maintaining their own church organizations still exists, but in the course of time separate organizations will gradually diminish in num- ber. A movement in this direction has been inaugu- rated. At Oldham, there existed, for several years, two Baptist churches, one Scandinavian and the other American. The former was what was originally known as the Scandinavian Baptist church of Kingsbury county. Recently, by the mutual and hearty agree- ment of these two churches they were consolidated. and hereafter an English speaking pastor will be the spiritual leader of the people in that locality.
CHAPTER XVIII.
GERMAN AND RUSSIAN BAPTISTS.
Among the foreign born citizens of South Dakota, the nationalities most largely represented are the Scandinavians, who according to the last census num- bered 31,373, and the Germans and German Russians, of whom there were 33,561. Of the native born inhab- itants, about 80,000 were born of foreign parents. Of this number fully one-third are of German descent.
Among the Baptists of other nationalities, the Scan- dinavians were the first to organize a church, as in the case of the Swedish Baptist church established at Big Springs early in July. 1869. Among the early German settlers in Dakota were some German Baptists, scat- tered here and there in the new colonies. Being unable to speak or understand the English language, compara- tively few of them united with American Baptist churches. In order to minister to their spiritual needs. and to evangelize others, Rev. J. Wendt came from Ministrita, Minnesota, in 1875. He found several Ger- man Baptists in a German settlement at Emanuel Creek, near Tyndall. His appearance among them was
hailed with great satisfaction. Many meetings were held, and the people were greatly interested and ben- efited. Some of them went thirty miles and more, with ox teams, to hear the gospel preached in their own lan- guage. A number of persons were converted. As a result of this movement the first German Baptist church in Dakota was organized at Emanuel Creek, April 26, 1876. .
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
Early in 1877, a colony of German-Russians came to Yankton county. A Baptist church was organized and a chapel was built. In a year or two most of these people removed to Bon Homme and Hutchinson coun- ties, and the identity of the church was lost. Some German Baptists having settled at Big Stone City, in the northeastern portion of the state, a church was organized there, May 9, 1880, under the leadership of Rev. J. Engler. Rev. J. D. Menger succeeded him as pastor in 1881. In 1881 and 1882 Rev. F. Reichle and Rev. J. Croeni came as missionaries to several of the southern counties, and labored, especially at Yankton, Scotland, Bridgewater and Plum Creek. They at first established mission stations at these places, since the number available as members at each station was not large enough to organize churches. The station at Plum Creek was organized into a church, June 9, 1883. The German church at Madison was organized May 1. 1885, and Rey. W. Achterberg became its first pastor. After this period the organization of churches was more rapid. When German Baptists came to establish homes in German settlements, they promptly began missionary operations by organizing Sunday schools, and holding meetings in their primitive dwellings to which all of their neighbors were invited.
Rev. B. Matzke and Rev. O. Olthoff were pioneer workers on several important fields. The former or- ganized the churches at Eureka, June 16, and Warner, July 20, 1886, and one or two others now located in North Dakota. The latter labored in some of the coun- ties further south, and organized the following churches: Emery, February 28, 1886; Salem, Decem- ber 4, 1890; Avon (formerly Tyndall), December 15, 1890; and Lennox, afterwards called Germantown, and
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
now known as Chancellor, July 15, 1882. The organi- zation known as the Yankton and Scotland church was brought about through the labors of Rev. T. J. Schaefer, who was ordained at the time of the recogni- tion services held November 22, 1892. After a few years the church at Warner became extinct on account of crop failures, and the consequent removal of the members to other localities. The others named have become strong churches, each having from two to six flourishing stations. This is a common custom among German Baptist churches.
After the Indian reservations were thrown open to settlement, a number of Germans located in and near Fairfax, Gregory county, west of the Missouri river, and near the Nebraska line. Rev. Claus Regier was sent there as missionary, and a church was organized at Fairfax, June 30, 1894. Along the southern border of his field, across the state line in Nebraska, he organ- ized a church at Napier, December 14, 1896. A house of worship was dedicated there June 9, 1897. The church at Parkston was organized January 13, 1894. The church at Eureka had grown to such proportions that it had twelve stations in McPherson and Campbell counties, and across the line in North Dakota. A divi- sion became necessary. The church at Mound City was organized December 29, 1897, and it has charge of six important stations in Campbell county. The youngest of the German churches was organized at Chotean Creek, October 9, 1898.
The following list gives the name, location, and date of organization of all the German and German-Russian Baptist churches in South Dakota:
Emanuel Creek, April 26, 1876.
Big Stone City, May 9, 1880. Plum Creek, June 9, 1883.
REV. AUGUST LIEBIG.
THIRTY YEARS A MISSIONARY AMONG THE STUNDISTS IN RUSSIA. SEVERAL TIMES IMPRISONED, AND FINALLY BANISHED.
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
Madison, May 1, 1885. Emery, February 24, 1886.
Eureka, June 16, 1886. Warner, July 20, 1886.
Salem, December 4, 1890.
Avon, December 15, 1890.
Chancellor, July 15, 1892.
Yankton and Scotland, November 22, 1892.
Parkston, January 13, 1894.
Fairfax, June 30, 1894.
Napier, November 14, 1896.
Mound City, December 29, 1897.
Choteau Creek, October 9, 1898.
The following list gives the date of the dedication of most of the houses of worship belonging to German Baptist churches, with the estimated value of each. It is not complete, as several of the churches have not reported the chapels belonging to some of their stations:
Plum Creek, 1 October 17, 1883 S 500
June 19, 1893 800
Madison, November 21, 1886
2,000
Emanuel Creek, May 26, 1889
800
Eureka, October 10, 1889
1,200
Big Stone City, July 6, 1890
1,500
Emery, June 20, 1891
1,500
Tyndall, July 5, 1891
1,700
Engel, July 19, 1891
400
Avon, November 22, 1891
700
Menno, November, 1891 800
Bridgewater, June 19, 1892 2,000
Scotland, May 21, 1893
1,000
Salem, September 10, 1893
1,625
Chancellor, December 23, 1894
1,500
Napier, June 9, 1897 800
Fairfax, 1899 800
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
From the foregoing sketch it will be seen that the German Baptists have fifteen church organizations, all established within twenty-two years, and nearly all within the last fifteen years. During these years they have built twenty-two houses of worship and seven par- sonages. The total valuation of church property is over $25.000. The number of Sunday schools is 24. The last reported membership is 1,280. This is more than one-fifth of the whole number of Baptists in South Dakota. This is a gratifying record of growth, and it compares most favorably with the rate of progress made in older eastern states. In Pennsylvania, where missionary work among the Germans began fifty-seven years ago. they have only twelve German Baptist churches. The growth in South Dakota has been much greater in only a little more than one-third of the time. In 1887 these churches raised $1.800 for mis- sionary and other benevolent objects. The members are generally beginners in this new country. and they have had to bear the burdens of poverty.
The work of establishing these churches and sup- porting them has involved greater self-sacrifice than is usually experienced in older states. Driving long dis- tances over the open prairies, through the heat of sum- mer and the cold of winter, often through blinding storms, and holding meetings in the stifling atmos- phere of a densely packed dwelling house or chapel. these were among the difficulties to be overcome. Such men as Wendt, Reichle, Croeni. Menger, Matzke, Olthoff. Mueller. Weisle, Penski, Golling, Regier, Schaefer, and others. will long be remembered as faithful pioneer workers among the Germans in South . Dakota. In the work that has been necessary to reach present results, grateful acknowledgments are made of .
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
the sympathy and co-operation of their American brethren in the state convention, the assistance ren- dered by the state superintendent of missions, and the aid received from the American Baptist Home Mission Society.
While generally familiar with the work of the Ger- man Baptists of the state, the writer has been greatly assisted in preparing the foregoing sketch by the thoughtful kindness of Rev. A. L. Tilgner, one of the representative German pastors.
The oldest survivor of the German pioneer Baptist ministers vet remaining in South Dakota, is Rev. (). Olthoff, who has kindly furnished the following outline of work accomplished through his instrumentality or under his observation, since 1884:
In the year 1884, when a great many Ostfriesland Germans from Iowa and other states settled in South Dakota, I felt the time had come when South Dakota ought to be conquered for Christ. Accordingly, in April of that year I came with my family. Two weeks previous two Baptist families had already come. We settled at Emery, in Hanson county. About eleven miles southwest was Bridgewater church, now called Plum Creek, and Scotland, now Immanuel Creek. The members of these churches lived in a district about fifty miles in'circumference. My plan was to work up the field north and northeast of Emery. The church of Emery had its membership scattered to within six- teen miles of Madison, so that at present anyone going from Madison in a southwesterly direction may travel nearly one hundred and twenty miles, and still remain among German Baptists. In this district we have now six churches, namely, Madison, Salem. Emery, Plum Creek, Immanuel Creek and Germantown (or Chan- cellor). At first our number was very small, the four members mentioned at the beginning, and my wife and myself. After I had preached eleven months seven
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
souls professed conversion, and six of these desired baptism. On April 5th, 1885, these six were buried with Christ by baptism. It was a day of great rejoic- ing for us, as it was the ingathering of the first fruits of our labors. February 24th, 1886, we were organized as a church, with sixteen members. The recognition services and my ordination took place on the same day. Up to this date we had still been members of the church in Aplington, Ia. The pastor of that church was Rev. G. C. Englemann, who represented the church on this occasion.
The church at Emery soon began lengthening her. cords, and even before we organized I had been preach- ing in McCook and Turner counties. I received no certain salary from the members nor support from the Home Mission Society. Still the work, though hard in one sense, was a source of joy, as the little band of members carried me, as it were, on the hands of player, and did all in their power when help was needed.
Warrington, now called Monroe, became the first sta- tion of the Emery church. On December 23d, 1885, I preached there for the first time, and at first the meet- ings were well attended. But these people were much opposed to Biblical baptism, nevertheless we had the pleasure of seeing seven follow Christ in baptism, and the word of God is gaining ground. Afterward we succeeded in opening a Sunday school. Since then other stations of the Emery church have been opened, including Salem, Avon and Lennox. I am sorry that Monroe has not made better progress, but hope it will soon grow into a church. Our brother E. E. Johnson, the first one baptized on this field, rejoices now over the souls who were then awakened and have found peace, and were baptized March 23d, 1893. It seems that showers of blessings are at hand. The members at this place are wide awake and earnestly praying, "Thy kingdom come."
Avon became the second station of the Emery church. In 1886, brother and sister Edyard and sister Browen
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and myself made a trip to Bon Homme county, where we had some Baptist families who were formerly mem- bers of the church at Aplington, Ia. We found these members hard at work for the Master. Quite a num- ber of children and grown people met together for Sunday school and church services. In November, 1886, these members were received in the Emery church. I found it impossible to visit this station oftener than every eight weeks. In the meantime brother Schoeder took charge of the work until Febru- ary, 1888, when he moved to Emery. His place was filled by brother W. Van Geopen. Thus the Lord helped us wonderfully, as brother Van Geopen had helped me in my work in Germany, also in Illinois, and now in my absence acted as substitute. When this station numbered twenty-four members they saw fit to organize a church. The organization and recognition took place December 15, 1890. This young church at Avon, formerly called the German church of Tyndall. has now sixty-four members. When the church saw the necessity of building a house of worship, there were willing hearts and hands, and it was built in 1891. Our chapel there cost about $1,200. In 1892 I was per- mitted to baptize eight converts, later on four young men, and others at later periods.
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