USA > South Dakota > The Baptist history of South Dakota > Part 4
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REV. A. W. HILTON. IS74-1SS2.
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
The official relation of Rev. G. W. Freeman to the missionary work ended October 1. 1873. Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., whose headquarters were at Ashland. Nebraska, was appointed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, district secretary for Nebraska and Dakota Territory. His term of service began Feb- ruary 1, 1875, and continued until October 1, 1877. The field then occupied by the Baptists was seven or eight counties in the southern portion of the territory. He made several visits to this growing field, assisting the pastors, encouraging the churches, and occasion- ally exploring the regions beyond.
Nearly all of the pioneer missionaries, with com- mendable perseverance, remained at their posts of duty, enduring hardships and making sacrifices now unknown. Some of them continue until now, but are vielding to the infirmities of age, and waiting for the rest that is beyond. Others have ceased from their labor, and their works follow them. To the list of those mentioned in the preceding chapter should be . added the names of some who came a little later, but wrought faithfully and well. Rev. T. H. Judson came in 1872. He was pastor at Elk Point, Vermillion, and Hurley, and did itinerant missionary work at several points where most needed. He died at Hurley, March 17, 1884. Rev. A. W. Hilton settled first in Turner county, in 1874. He was pastor on several fields, in- cluding Parker, Hurley and Sioux Falls. He was a man of commanding influence, strong in his convictions, and fearless in expressing them. He died at Calumet, Turner county, September 20, 1882. Rev. J. R. Eldridge, after a long and successful ministry in New York and Wisconsin came to Dakota in 1878. He was then well advanced in years, but served as pastor at Blooming-
4
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
dale, and supplied other churches as his health would permit. He died October 6, 1884. Rev. Walter Ross, in 1878, established a home at Oakwood Lake, where a church was soon organized. He has also served as pastor of the churches at Estelline, Arlington, Hetland, Centerville and De Smet.
Between the James and Missouri rivers, Rev. J. E. Saunders and others were establishing churches at Armour, Chamberlain, Parkston, Plankinton, Kimball and White Lake. Rev. J. P. Coffman led in the work at Mitchell and Alexandria, Rev. G. S. Clevenger at Brookings, Elkton and Bushnell; Rev. A. S. Orcutt at Watertown, Rev. G. H. Annis at Goodwin, Rev. E. M. Bliss at Aberdeen, Rev. Geo. A. Cressey at Huron, and Chaplain G. D. Crocker at Pierre and Blunt.
With the rapid increase in population there was special need for the constant care and leadership of a superintendent of missions, who could be all the time on the field, watching developments, seizing strategic points, and taking advantage of desirable opportunities for the organization of churches. It was necessary for Dr. Webb to devote most of his time to Nebraska. His visits to Dakota were helpful and encouraged the workers, but they were necessarily limited in number, duration, and the extent of territory covered. During an exceedingly important period in the history of the Baptist cause in South Dakota, from October 1, 1877, to August 1, 1880, it had no one who could be con- stantly engaged in personal oversight of the work.
This led to the discouragement of pastors who were practically alone, and most of them on very large fields which required all of their time and labor. Important centers of influence, where churches ought to have been planted, were not occupied at all, or not until the favor-
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
able time to take possession had passed by. Occasion- ally a pastor, possessed with a burning zeal to multi- ply organizations, would organize churches wherever four or five Baptists could be found, in localities that gave no promise whatever of future growth. With rare exceptions these churches died in their infancy. Their names appeared once or twice in the early min- utes of associations, and then they were dropped from the roll. In the early days it was impossible to fore- see where railroad lines would be constructed, and sometimes villages and churches were established where growth would be impossible, when rival villages were located a few years later at railroad stations. only a few miles distant, and starting under more favorable conditions.
For these and other causes a good many of the early churches, once in existence, became extinct. Among them are the following: Yankton, Lodi (American), Gayville, Sunnyside, Fountain, Oakwood, Silver Lake, Castlewood, Big Stone, Ordway, Redfield. Alexandria, Howard, Columbia, Blunt, Sand Creek, Vilas, Afton (Carthage), Beulah (Alpena , Beulah (Sioux Falls), Clear Lake, Groton, Andover, Webster, Grade Siding, Marion, Dayton, Miller, St. Lawrence, Salem, Wessing- ton Springs, Garfield, Bijou Hills and Myron. Only five of these churches had houses of worship. and one of these, at Myron, was a sod house, which in a few years was destroyed. Most of the others passed out of existence for want of a home, or because of unwisdom in the organization, or in the location of the church. Four of these churches were organized in the first decade (1868-1878 , three in the third decade (1888-1898), and all of the others during the boom period of the second decade (1878-1888). In some cases not only the
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
churches, but the little villages or settlements in which they were located have ceased to exist.
As a general rule churches that have become extinct came to their end mainly for want of a house of wor- ship. A homeless church is like a homeless family or individual ; it becomes a wanderer from place to place, roving about from schoolhouse to hall or empty store- room. Much of the time it can have only occasional services. It finds it difficult to secure a pastor, and lacks the facilities for obtaining the full benefit of his labors. Its congregations are irregular in attendance. It can accomplish but little in revival work, and is not in a condition to satisfactorily gather in the fruits of a revival.
On the other hand, the church that has an attractive and comfortable house of worship, is able to draw others besides its members to hear the sound of the gospel. The local habitation is evidence to the com- munity that the church is there to stay. It is a center of influence for good which is respected by all, even if it is not utilized by all of the people. The thought of the stability and permanence of a church organization has much to do in influencing the people to identify themselves with it as members, or in attendance on its services. It has what the homeless church cannot have, an established place for the praver and covenant meetings and the Sunday school.
It is not claimed, however, that the possession of a suitable place in which to hold religious services, is in every case, especially in a new state, a sure guarantee of the permanency of the church organization. Churches have been established in localities where growth was impossible. Houses of worship have sometimes been unwisely located, through the mistaken belief that it
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
is better to accept from some enterprising real estate dealer, the gift of a lot in the suburbs, than to buy a corner lot in the center of the city or village. It hap- pened several times, in the early development of South Dakota, that new villages, whose enthusiastic inhabi- tants supposed would become cities, were side tracked by the construction of railroad lines, which built up other localities. Illustrations of this have been nu- merous. The once promising village of Fountain is a thing of the past, having been absorbed by Brookings and Aurora. What was originally the church at
Huston became the church at Armour. The churches organized at Swan Lake and Finlay were removed and the names and locations changed to Hurley and Parker. A preaching station at Sioux Valley, north of Elk Point, became the church at Le Rov, and this, after other changes of location and name, became Akron. Experience has also shown that it is possible for town- site companies to hold out inducements and create ex- pectations that are never realized. A few churches that were organized in territorial days. and secured chapels, have died, and a few others are dying, but this result is due to the fact of unwise location of the organization, or of the church building, or internal dis- sensions, or later local conditions that could not be foreseen at the time these churches were organized.
At the beginning of the first decade, in 1868, there were only two Baptist churches in existence, in South Dakota. At its close there were eighteen churches. During this period, though often under discouraging conditions, faithful services were rendered by pioneer laborers. among whom were G. W. Freeman, E. H. Hurlbutt, J. J. McIntire. T. H. Judson, J. L. Coppoc. A. W. Hilton, J. P. Coffman, V. B. Conklin, Wm. T.
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Hill, P. H. Damm, Theodore Hessel. Nils Tychsen, E. Sandquist, A. B. Nordberg, A. J. Furman, E. M. Epstein, and others.
Early in the second decade, begining in 1878, churches began to increase in number more rapidly. Railroad companies were extending their lines in nearly every direction, and the abundant crops, especi- ally from 1880 to 1883, encouraged immigration. It was natural that under such favorable conditions all lines of missionary work were strengthened and extended. New churches were planted, pastors were secured and houses of worship were built. According to the census of 1880, the population of Dakota Territory had increased to 135,189, including 28,024 in the north and 107,156 in the south half of the territory. Scores of new cities and villages were founded. Everybody was enthusiastic and hopeful. Expensive public buildings were erected. The people in each locality were sure that they would win in the struggle for the location of county seats, and becoming railroad centers, and out- rival their competitors in population and supremacy.
Under these conditions, so favorable for rapid growth, and when personal oversight of missionary work was so essential, Rev. Edward Ellis was ap- pointed by the American Baptist Home Mission So- ciety to serve as general missionary for Southern Da- kota. He entered upon his work August 1, 1880, with characteristic enthusiasm and zeal. A large number of churches were organized. For most of these pas- tors were obtained, and wherever practicable houses of worship were built. A majority of the new pastors were young men, thoroughly educated, and full of energy and zeal. Many of them have left their impress on the state whose future destiny they have helped to
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
mould and shape. Among these who came during that period in the work of church organization, securing church homes, and training their people in christian service were E. B. Meredith, S. G. Adams, H. E. Nor- ton, S. J. Winegar, J. Edminster, Geo. A. Cressey, C. N. Patterson. J. C. Burkholder, F. H. Newton, J. E. Saunders, Jacob Olsen, J. R. Eldridge, L. M. Newell, M. Barker. C. G. Cressey, Edward Godwin. S. S. Utter, E. M. Bliss, F. M. Horning, C. H. McKee, G. H. Parker, C. W. Finwall, Andrew Johnson, J. B. Sundt, O. Olthoff, B. Matzke. J. Engleman, and others who came later in the decade.
For ten years from the organization of the Southern Dakota Baptist Association, at Vermillion, June 5. 1872, it was the only one in South Dakota. As the number of churches increased another became neces- sary, and the Sioux Valley Association was organized at Brooking June 9-11, 1882. Sixteen churches, all new organizations, united in forming this body. It soon became evident that this new association covered too large a field, since it extended as far south as Madison and Egan, and as far north as Aberdeen. Ipswich and Big Stone City. A third association be- came a necessity. The James River Association was organized at Columbia, October 10, 1884. The Scan- dinavian Conference or Association was organized at Lodi, December 31, 1874. It was intended at first to serve mainly the purpose of a missionary society, and the Scandinavian churches continued, until 1886, to re- port by letter and delegates to the Southern Dakota and Sioux Valley Associations. Since then, the num- ber of Scandinavian churches having increased, they maintain their own organization. The German Asso- ciation was organized at Plum Creek, near Bridge-
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water, June 17, 1887. The South Dakota Baptist Con- vention began its organization at Lake Madison July 1, 1881. The detailed history of these associations and the state convention will be given in later chapters.
During this decade each of the leading denominations had reached a condition of strength and courage to undertake to establish denominational schools of the higher grade. Before becoming a state the territorial legislature had located a state university at Vermillion, an agricultural college at Brookings, and normal schools at Madison and Spearfish. Early attention was given to the establishment of denominational schools. The first of these was located by the Con- gregationalists at Yankton; the Methodists planted theirs at Mitchell; the Presbyterians at Pierre; and the Baptists, Episcopalians and Scandinavian Luther- ans at Sioux Falls. A separate chapter will be devoted to a historical sketch of Sioux Falls University.
During the first decade only one German Baptist church was organized. This was done at Emanuel's Creek, April 26, 1876, by Rev. J. Wendt. The second organization was at Big Stone City, May 9, 1880, under the leadership of Rev. J. Engler. Missionary work was carried on among these people in several localities by Rev. F. Reichle and Rev. J. Croeni. Stations were established and maintained, but the conservative and careful policy of the Germans was carried out, and the organization of churches was usually delaved until the number of members at each of these stations was large enough to be self-supporting. The German Baptist church at Plum Creek was organized June 9, 1883. Others followed at Madison May 1, 1885; at Emery February 24, 1886: and Eureka June 16, 1886. Rev. O. Olthoff came to Dakota Territory in 1884. As the
REV. EDWARD ELLIS, GENERAL MISSIONARY, ISSO-ISS5.
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
result of his earnest labors some German churches were organized, and later co-workers have helped to increase the number. A detailed history of the Ger- man and German-Russian Baptist churches of South Dakota is recorded in another chapter.
Reference has been made to Rev. Edward Ellis, the second general missionary on this field. His labors began August 1, 1880. He came with the rapidly in- creasing tide of immigration. The services that he rendered were greatly needed and appreciated. In many of the new cities and villages springing up over the prairies, were Baptists who were pleading for church organizations and pastors. He was of a sanguine tem- perament, full of energy and enthusiasm, and had un- bounded faith in the future of South Dakota. He never considered the possibility of a failure, but was always sure of success. The spirit of the times was in sympathy with the zeal of this earnest leader in missionary work. The people were then full of cour- age and hope, and liberally responded to his appeals. It was easier then, than in the later period of financial depression and crop failures, to establish churches and secure the needed funds for building shelters for their comfort and protection. He led in the organization of twenty-six new churches, thirteen of which, in a few vears became extinct, and in the erection of sixteen houses of worship. His term of service continued five years, or until August 1, 1885. During this period, with the consent of the Board of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, he spent six months, in 1882, as supply for the church at Sioux Falls, and superin- tending the building of their house of worship, three months in 1883, assisting in the establishment of Sioux Falls University, and one year as its financial agent.
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
The time regularly devoted to missionary work in the state was a little more than three years.
In August, 1886, Mr. Ellis was appointed by the Home Mission Society to serve as district secretary for Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. His experience as general missionary helped to qualify him for efficient service in this new relation to the cause of home mis- sions. Having served four years as district secretary he returned, in August, 1890, to Sioux Falls, to give needed personal attention to business interests there. In March, 1892, he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and or- ganized the Bay View Baptist church in that city, and became its pastor. While attending the Wisconsin Baptist State Convention, at Hudson, he died suddenly, after a few hours of painful illness, on Thursday, Octo- ber 6, 1892. Impressive memorial services were con- dicted at Hudson, and the funeral services were held at Milwaukee. The pastors of the city were his pall bear- ers, and his mortal remains were buried in Forest Home Cemetery. .
Edward Ellis was born in North Wales in 1842. He was converted and baptized at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, in 1857, and he began preaching when he was fifteen years old. His studies at Beaver Dam were interrupted by the civil war. He enlisted in the twenty-second Wisconsin regiment.
With the exception of several months spent in Libby prison, he served with his regi- ment until the end of the war. He then entered Col- gate Unversity and afterwards completed the full course of theological study at Morgan Park. While there he organized and served as pastor of the First Baptist church of Englewood, Chicago. He after- wards organized and was pastor of the South Baptist church in Milwaukee. From there he came to South
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
Dakota, in 1880, to become general missionary. He was descended from an eminently religious family. Some of his ancestors were among the best known ministers in Wales. As a preacher he was enthusias- tic, forcible and strictly evangelical. He was a genial companion, an inspiring co-worker and a successful leader. He has left an impress for good on the times and places in which he lived and labored.
CHAPTER V.
THE LAST DECADE.
The first half of the second decade, from 1878 to 1883, was the period of greatest activity in both secu- lar and religious work in Dakota Territory. The whole country was flooded with immigration literature, giving enthusiastic descriptions of bonanza wheat farms, and railroad companies were pushing their lines in every direction. Immigration to the territory increased wonderfully, and nearly all desirable govern- ment land was taken by eager settlers. Many new cit- ies and villages were established. Town site compa- nies and real estate agents were numerous and active. Any enterprise, religious or otherwise, that gave promise of helping to build up a community, received prompt and hearty support.
It was the boom period in the history of Dakota. But booms are never permanent. A reaction is inevit- able. The last half of the second decade witnessed the reaction that followed the overdoing of its earlier years. Many business enterprises that were begun under encouraging conditions were left unfinished. Many young cities whose enthusiastic founders pre- dicted for them rapid growth and metropolitan dignity, are now older and wiser, and are still far from the promised goal. These disappointed hopes and the fail- ure to accomplish cherished expectations in secular
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affairs, had a depressing effect on religious work. Plans for the organization of churches, or building houses of worship, were in many localities necessarily postponed, and in some cases permanently abandoned. In our denominational work faithful pastors on exist- ing fields persevered in their efforts to hold the ground already occupied. Here and there a new church was established and a shelter secured, but progress was necessarily slow. The relation of Rev. Edward Ellis, as general missionary, continued nominally until August 1, 1885, but it was practically ended a vear earlier to enable him to serve as financial agent for the Sioux Falls University. Until 1888 there was a period of four years during which there was no state superin- tendent of missions on the field.
Of the Baptist history of South Dakota down to 1888, the author has carefully recorded facts as he has learned them from various sources, including early records, and the statements of surviving pioneers. The history of this last decade (1888-1898) comes within the scope of his own observation and experience, as it covers the period of ten years of his relation to the work as state superintendent of missions. Quac-que ipse vidi, et quorum pars fui. His personal relation to the field and the workers during all of these years, has given him a knowledge of its present and prospect- ive importance, and of their fidelity and devotion. The wonderful tide of immigration in the earlier years of the preceding decade brought many thousands of people to establish homes in South Dakota. Its reflu- ent wave took back with it the restless spirits who are always at the front of every new movement, but never remain to do the hard work, and make the sacrifices necessary for its permanent establishment. The
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workers of the last ten years have had to labor under unfavorable conditions, and make slow progress, though with greater effort than is necessary with those who catch the rising tide, and are borne along on the crest of the wave.
Dakota Territory was still in existence at the begin- ning of this decade. Its division occurred in 1889, and the new states of South Dakota and North Dakota were then admitted into the Union. For some time the question of statehood occupied the special attention of the people, who were passing from the irksome condi- tion of territorial dependence on governmental guard- ianship, to the enjoyment of the privileges and exercise of the long-denied rights of citizenship. After putting in motion the machinery of statehood, there were sev- eral years of drought and crop failure, which caused a good many hopes of the establishment or the enlarge- ment of religious work to fail of their realization. In a number of places the failure of the crops was total, and in others so nearly total as to prevent the carrying out of long-cherished plans for the building of houses of worship, or providing means for the settlement and support of pastors. Still later came the general finan- cial depression throughout the country, and its attend- ant difficulties. All of these things tended to check the progress of the work. It is characteristic, how- ever, of the people of South Dakota that, though they are often cast down, they are not destroyed. They will rally after disappointment and try again. There have been numerous instances of heroic courage and fortitude, under many difficulties, which can be devel- oped only through severe trials, and which illustrate the courageous spirit and unfaltering devotion of the hardy pioneers of this new state.
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THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
Until the beginning of this decade nothing had been done to establish Baptist churches in the Black Hills. Other denominations had been occupying the ground there since 1870, and had become firmly established. The first Baptist church in the Black Hills was organ- ized October 31. 1888, at Deadwood. Others followed in rapid succession, and there are now seven churches. five of which have attractive houses of worship. The present number of members of churches comprising the Black Hills association is 383. Our cause there is full of interest and promise for the future.
When the present state superintendent of missions for South Dakota entered upon his work in April, 1888, there was not a self-supporting church on the entire field, except one among the German Russians. The churches were all dependent upon the American Bap- tist Home Mission Society for aid in the support of pastors. This long-continued condition of dependence had not served to develop the spirit of benevolence and self-reliance. Contributions to all benevolent objects were few and small. Better conditions now prevail. A large number of the churches have become self- supporting, and others will soon reach that desired goal. Generous offerings are now made for missionary work. The plan of co-operation between the South Dakota Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission Society was adopted in 1891, and has been heartily approved by the churches, and through its practical working they have come into a clearer un- derstanding of the duty of each state to foster its own needy fields, by increasing its own missionary re- sources.
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