USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
PEACE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
In the German this church is known as the Evangelical Friedens Kirche, to distinguish it from the other and older Evangelical church, at the corner of
344
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Marr and Third streets. It was organized October 11, 1869, having for its first members William Luling, Martin Sasse, Philip Broecker, C. A. Fuerstnow, Charles Blankenburg, B. De Sombre, Adolph Soll, Franz Werner, Carl Mueller, C. Reichmann, A. Lange, Nicholas Bast, H. Soll. The first pastor was Rev. C. F. Off, who served the congregation from 1871 till 1876. His successor was Rev. Conradi, whose ministrations were between the periods 1876-1877. Then followed L. H. Buehrig, 1877-1883; F. Fleer, 1883-88; A. Blankenagel, 1888- 1902; H. Gammert, 1902-10; and C. L. Grauer, from 1910 to the present time.
The building is an old one, built in 1870, and stands on Military and Ruggles streets, and at the time of its erection cost $13,000, including the site. It was built by Philip Broecker, who donated most of the brick, of which it was constructed. C. Blankenburg and Martin Sasse were also liberal contributors to the building fund.
Every Saturday the pastor teaches a German school in connection with the church, and also a summer school. Societies affiliated with this organization are the Ladies' Society, Martha Society, Excelsior Society and Y. P. S. Society.
SALEMS CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION OF FOND DU LAC
This congregation was organized in the year 1865, as the Salems Church of the Evangelical Association of the City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac county and state of Wisconsin. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Gust. Fritsche, who served one year. During this year a church building formerly owned by the Methodist Episcopal church was purchased and the society organized with thirty- seven members. Rev. William Horn, D. D. was appointed by the annual confer- ence and served two years until May 1, 1868. The membership had increased to eighty-seven.
The pastors who have served from the time of the organization to the present time are :
August Huelster, 1868-70; Andrew Tarnutzer, 1870-72; Otto Kuederling, 1872-75; J. L. Runkel, 1875-78; Jacob Schneller, 1878-80; Fred Nickel, 1880-83; William Zickerick, 1883-86; William Pfefferkorn, 1886-88; Simon Kortemeyer, 1888-90; F. W. Huelster, 1890-93; G. F. Kiekhoefer, 1893-95; John Dietrich, 1895-99; H. E. Erffmeyer, 1899-1903; C. F. Reichert, 1903-07; L. F. Emmert, 1907-II; G. W. Reichert, 1911 to the present time.
During the pastorate of Rev. G. F. Kiekhoefer a substantial parsonage was built on Third street adjoining the church on the east. Rev. H. E. Erffmeyer's pastorate was crowned with the erection and finishing of a substantial new brick church on the site of the old frame church on the corner of Third and Marr streets at a cost of nearly $12,000. The remaining indebtedness was fully paid up dur- ing the pastorate of his successor, Rev. C. F. Reichert. In 1907 a steam heating plant was installed in the parsonage and other improvements made.
IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
This church was organized September 7, 1897, at a preliminary meeting held at the home of one of its charter members. Those interested and taking part in the formation of this society were Christian Haase, Christian Giesler and Carl Dummer. Services were held in private property, which the society had an option to buy. The first services were held at the home of J. Scharf, and shortly after
345
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
this first meeting the society was organized under the name of Immanuel parish. The charter members were: Christian Haase, Carl Dummer, J. Woschnick, H. Thurwachter, W. Splittstoeser, J. Bastan and Ed Schob. The association was incorporated, October 25, 1897, and George M. Weng acted as supply in the pul- pit until Herman Bruckner, the first regular pastor, accepted the appointment and ministered to the spiritual needs of the congregation. Shortly after the organiza- tion of the church, ground was purchased for a building site, November 15, 1897, and $2,000 was paid March 8, 1898. That same year the parish purchased the old schoolhouse on Arndt street and the old parish house on Portland street, pay- ing for the two properties about $1,300.
In 1898 the church was refurnished throughout, and the interior decorated. On July 24, 1898, the church was rededicated. In December, 1910, Rev. Bruck- ner resigned, to accept a call at Alpena, Michigan, and his successor was Rev. Emil Hannemann, who came to the charge and took up his duties in January, 1902. In that year the church was further improved and new pews were added at a cost of $2,100. The church was rededicated in July, 1903, and in that year the present parish house was remodeled. Rev. Hannemann resigned in November, 1903, and was succeeded by Rev. George F. Fritscher, who took charge Decem- ber 4th. He remained two years and resigned to accept a call as professor of theology in the seminary at Dubuque, Iowa. Richard H. Bunge came after him and assumed charge of the parish in April, 1906. In the fall of that year regular evangelical services were begun as a monthly proceeding and have followed to the present time, twice a month. Rev. Bunge left July 15, 1912, to accept a call as president of Eureka College, South Dakota, and Rev. George Becker succeeded him in this charge.
THE ENGLISH LUTHERAN TRINITY CHURCH
This church was founded January 8, 1911, and is in reality the English branch of Immanuel church. There are now twenty-six families connected with the organization composed of the younger generation of Germans and some Norwe- gians and Swedish people. There is a Sunday school, Lutheran Club, Aid Society and Ladies' Society.
ST. PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
This society was founded practically at the time of the meeting of a number of Germans at the home of a Mr. Waller in Fond du Lac. Among those present at that time may be mentioned Frederick Sander, Frederick Abel, John Jurgens, Max Kuchenthal, Andrew Jurgens, Bernhard De Sombre, Christopher Lutzens, Henry Bruns, Carl Abel, August Sander, --- Grabe, John Haberkorn, Ernst Wilkner, William Schmidt, John Meyer, Carl Hundt, Henry Heider, Ernst Reichmann and Carl Furstenow.
The first meeting of the society was held August 15 in the Presbyterian church, at which time forty-seven persons were present. In 1860 the society bought a piece of ground on the corner of Second and Marr streets, for which they paid $700. That same church building erected that year has been doing duty up to the present time. July 10, 1859, Rev. Fachtmann resigned and was suc-
346
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
ceeded by Rev. Bohner, who had come from Germany but a short time previously. He remained until the beginning of the year 1863, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Kern. In 1863 the parish built a schoolhouse, two stories in height, and later a second parish house was built. In 1883 a new schoolhouse was erected and Ernst Mayerhoff took charge June 5, 1864, and did valiant service until August, 1867, when he went to Ripon. Up to this time the pastors had served as teachers, but by 1865, the number of pupils had grown so great that Gustav Denninger was put in control of the pupils. He took charge in 1866. In that year Miss Magnussen and Miss Emma Jurgens were employed and gave lessons to the children. After Rev. Mayerhoff left, Professor Meumann, of Watertown, took charge of the church as supply but in October, 1868, Rev. William Streiss- guth came and remained until 1872. In 1869 ground was bought upon which the present church and school now stand. The price paid for the site was $3,700. In February of that year the church edifice was built and partly paid for with the proceedings of the purchase price of the old church on Second and Marr streets, which was sold for $1,100. In May, 1869, the corner stone was laid and the church was dedicated October 24th. The cost of the building was $4,969, and in the fall of the same year a parish house was built at a cost of $1,275. Rev. Streissguth remained until April 7, 1872, when Professor T. Meumann assumed the duties of the pulpit in May following.
In May, 1876, Rev. George Holzer, of Ripon, was called as pastor and took charge in June. He became ill and in September, 1877, his brother, Philip Hol- zer, who was pastor at Great Bend, Kansas, was called as assistant, in the hope that Rev. George Holzer would eventually be able to resume his duties, but on the 22d of December, 1877, the latter died and Rev. Philip Holzer became his successor. In May, 1878, a pipe organ was installed at a cost of $1,000. A new parochial schoolhouse was built in the summer of 1881, at a cost of $2,000 and on August 25, 1883, the parish celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, having present on that occasion Revs. Streissguth and Mayerhoff, former pastors of the church.
March 17, 1901, it was decided to build a new parish house, which was erected at a cost of $3,100, and was occupied in September. In 1902 subscriptions were solicited for a new schoolhouse and the building was completed in 1903. It is a modern structure with four rooms and basement, and a hall capable of seating 500 people. The building cost $13,600. In 1907 the church was remodeled. Ornamental glass windows were put in, a modern steam heating plant and electric lights installed and the interior decorated at a cost of $4,000.
The church numbers 1,145 communicants and the attendance is 1,650. There is a Ladies' Society, Young People's Society, a Mannerchor, mixed choir, St. Peter's church orchestra and the Sick Benefit Aid Society in connection with the church. In connection with St. Peter's church, February 4, 1900, as a number of Lutherans lived in North Fond du Lac, it was decided to buy a piece of property there for church purposes. The so-called land company donated two lots and a third was bought for $50. In March, 1901, the building of a small church was commenced, some money being donated but most of the funds were furnished by members of St. Peter's parish.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Formerly known as St. Louis Church, erected in 1848, on corner of Marr and Second Streets, Fond du Lac
347
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
The parish of St. Joseph at Fond du Lac was first visited in 1847 by Rev. F. X. Bonduel, one of the earliest missionaries in the state of Wisconsin, who min- istered to the spiritual wants of the Catholic settlers here and held services. Many times subsequent to this he came, at one time prolonging his visit long enough to arrange for and superintend the erection of a small chapel upon the site where the present church of St. Joseph stands. The work of Father Bon- duel was taken up by his successor, Rev. C. Rehrl, who became the first resident pastor. In 1850 Rev. E. A. Godfert came and remained until July, 1853. He was followed by Rev. L. Dael, who was a very energetic and zealous worker. During his pastorage a new parsonage was erected and the church enlarged. In 1860 Father Perrodin assumed charge, during whose pastorate the church was again enlarged. In 1871 Rev. George Willard became pastor and while he was in charge of the congregation, in 1874, the corner stone of the present church edi- fice was laid. Rev. Joseph J. Keenan came in 1879 but remained only a short time, when he was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Trant, who remained six years. In 1886 Rev. M. J. Taugher became the pastor, and remained, beloved by all his people, as pastor of this congregation until the year 1911, when he was taken away from his field of usefulness to respond to the call that all flesh must answer. His successor is the Rev. J. J. Collins, who took up his ministrations, August 17, 1911 in a magnificent church edifice, built in 1909. The property of the church, including a new rectory, is probably worth all of $125,000.
ST. LOUIS CHURCH
This society was organized in 1862. Prior to this the Catholic settlers had all worshipped in St. Joseph's church. The first priests here were Fathers Bonduel and Godfert. Then came J. C. Perrodin, L. Dael and Rev. E. Mazeau, who was succeeded by Rev. O. Comtois, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. Charles Boucher.
In 1868 Father Perrodin commenced the erection of St. Louis church, and though the structure was not yet completed, the first service was held on Christ- mas day of 1870. Father Perrodin continued with this charge until his death, June 7, 1873. Rev. E. Mazeau remained less than two years and was then suc- ceeded by Rev. Louis Dael, whose death occurred in 1879. Rev. O. Comtois remained one year, while Father Boucher took charge September 18, 1880, and remained the beloved pastor of his people for twenty-five years, when he sub- mitted to the last call of the Master, and is now in the home of the blessed. Under his administration the church was completed and the steeples were built. There were at the time in the membership of the church three hundred families and one hundred and twenty-five children in the Sabbath school. Rev. Joseph Hudon suc- ceeded Father Boucher and remained from 1904 until 1910, when Rev. Father J. B. Piette was placed in charge of the parish and has brought it up to a very high state of prosperity.
348
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
St. Patrick's congregation was organized in 1855, and is really an outgrowth of the St. Louis congregation. This society was organized by Father Louis Dael, who was at that time pastor of St. Louis, which is the mother of Catholic organi- zations in the city of Fond du Lac. The first resident pastor of St. Patrick's was Rev. James Colton. In 1881 Rev. Colton was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Keenan, who administered to the people of his charge with fatherly love and priestly bene- faction until he was called to the Beyond on the 12th of April, 1911. His suc- cessor is the present pastor. Thomas J. Cosgrove, whose duties involve the spir- itual care of two hundred families. There is a stately church edifice and on the same lot stands a comfortable rectory.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH
St. Mary's society was organized December 8, 1886, being first administered to by Rev. Eusebius Hensler. His successor was Rev. Nicholas Pickel, who erected a parsonage and also enlarged the church. Following Father Pickel the Capuchin Fathers were in charge of the church for some time, but were succeeded by Rev. Sebastian Schwinn, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Fessler, during whose administration a commodious brick schoolhouse was erected. Those who have since served the church are Revs. Philip Vogt, Louis Peschong. The present pastor is Rev. Gottfried Wuelffing, who has been with this charge a num- ber of years. In 1901, a magnificent new stone church edifice was built and a few years later a rectory was attached and made a part of the building.
FOND DU LAC HIGH SCHOOL
CHAPTER XVIII
EDUCATIONAL
THE PIONEER SCHOOL AND TEACHER-GROWTH OF THE SYSTEM IN FOND DU LAC- MANY HANDSOME AND COSTLY BUILDINGS-SCHOOL HISTORY FROM. 1843 TO 1912 -PUBLIC LIBRARY, ETC.
The first schoolhouse in the city of Fond du Lac was built in 1843, on a piece of land owned by Dr. M. C. Darling, and located on what is now Main street, between Second and Third streets. It was a small, wooden structure, and in 1848 was moved to the north side of Fifth street, between Marr and Main streets, and near the present Farnsworth residence. It was partially destroyed by fire in December, 1848, and lots becoming more valuable in that vicinity, the blackened shell was soon removed to another part of the village, but never afterwards used for school purposes.
The first teacher to try his skill and fortune in inspiring young ideas in this city was Theodore Conkey, afterward of Appleton. He taught in the modest school building, but did not continue long in the work. No doubt he was called to a more lucrative, if not more congenial, field of labor, and was superseded by John A. Eastman, who in the fall of 1844 opened a "select school" in the same building. Mr. Eastman's register showed an enrollment of twenty pupils, not all of them, however, being residents of Fond du Lac. The first free public school in this city was organized in accordance with an act of the territorial legislature, passed in the winter of 1846, and was known as the Franklin school. The district was known as School District No. I, and included the village and town of Fond du Lac. The inhabitants of said school district, who were qualified by law to vote, were authorized to raise a tax not exceeding $2,000 in any one year for the pur- pose of building and repairing a schoolhouse, providing the necessary fixtures and appendages thereto, for the payment of teachers' wages, for fuel, for the purchase of all needful apparatus, and for defraying the necessary incidental expenses for keeping the school in operation.
Three years later, the number of school children having increased from thirty or forty to one hundred, the matter of providing better accommodations was vig- orously agitated. Several plans were proposed to secure a suitable building- either building anew or adding to the old structure-but all proved abortive. Soon after this agitation developed, the board of trustees and superintendents of the Franklin school, consisting of Edward Pier, J. A. Eastman, Isaac Brown, J. M. Gillett, M. C. Gibson and M. C. Darling, reported a set of by-laws for the government of the school, and recommended the erection of an addition to the schoolhouse for primary children, and the purchase of suitable apparatus for
349
350
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
teaching and illustrating the higher branches of education, among which we may mention a globe, geographical maps and charts, and a "planetarium." The same authority ordered that every Thursday afternoon be set apart for the reception of visitors and school officers. Neither the records nor tradition furnish the least hint as to whether these receptions were well attended or not.
For a little more than two years, or until March, 1848, the Franklin school had been maintained free to all residents of the district. But this plan proved unsatisfactory, and at the latter date, the bill chartering the school was amended so that the expenses should be paid by the pupils, at a rate not to exceed $1.50 each for a term of three months, the debt against any parent or guardian to be collected in the same manner as any other tax.
The affairs of the Franklin school were not always prosperous, but from a good beginning, they soon fell to a very unsatisfactory condition, and rapidly went from bad to worse until, at a meeting held in the schoolhouse December 4, 1848, they culminated in the passage, by an overwhelming majority, of a resolu- tion to raise no tax whatever, either to pay arrearages, or to support the school for the ensuing winter. Eight days after this strange action of the voters, by which the children were deprived of educational facilities, the schoolhouse was totally destroyed by fire. Thus ended the Franklin school, and the trials through which it passed are only such as may come to all educational enterprises before they attain strength and influence. During the winter of 1848-9, owing to the incident narrated above, Fond du Lac had no school, and in July, 1849, a meet- ing held in the old court house to elect school officers and levy a tax of $2,000 for school purposes, adjourned without effecting its purpose. The tax of $2,000 for a schoolhouse was considered extravagant and the motion in its favor was summarily tabled. On the 19th of November following, F. R. Kinsman was secured "as a proper person to teach youth," to conduct a school on the "normal plan" in a building rented for that purpose of Carmin Wright; and the next year, 1850, the building now known as the Marr street schoolhouse, was erected. It was then the only school building in the village. Much complaint was made because this schoolhouse, in which school was at once opened and continued regularly thereafter, was made so large, but in a short time it was found to be too small, and in 1852, having grown out of its village clothes, the city was divided into four common school districts. This division prevailed until August, 1854, when E. Hodges, who had in the meantime been elected city superintendent of schools, and the officers of districts Nos. 1, 2 and 3, issued an order consolidating those districts into one, called the Union district No. I, or the North Union dis- trict. Edmund Delaney was elected director; John L. Henry treasurer ; and Robert A. Baker, clerk, of the new district, and bids were at once called for to build a schoolhouse. A site was purchased of E. H. Galloway for $500 and a building costing $2.000 was erected on the spot now occupied by Cotton street schoolhouse. At the same time district No. 4 was by the proper authority changed to district No. 2, or the South Union district, now known as the Marr street school. Before the consolidation took place, the reports of the clerks of districts Nos. 1, 2 and 3 showed a school attendance of 203 pupils, and an expense, for ten months of school, of $932, which was nearly equally divided between sal- aries of teachers and expenses for fuel and other purposes. Those two old and familiar landmarks-Marr and Cotton streets schoolhouses-are still standing and utilized for school purposes.
.
35.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
School matters after this developed a deep and permanent interest, and both North and South Union districts were well patronized and supported and ably and efficiently taught. In October, 1858, the citizens of the two districts into which the city was divided, petitioned for the establishment of a union high school; and on the 8th of October of that year, George B. Eastman, superintend- ent of schools, in accordance with the expressed desire of the people, formed such district, to be called the Union High School district of the city of Fond du Lac, the same to take effect at once. This act cut off that portion of the town of Fond du Lac which had hitherto enjoyed the benefit of the village and city schools, and, by the authority vested in him, Mr. Eastamn appointed Robert A. Baker, clerk, and W. H. Hiner and B. F. Moore, directors, of the new district. Those officers held a meeting in Amory hall, October 21, 1858, and authorized $1,961.40 to be raised for room rent, teachers' wages and fuel. Tuition was fixed at $7 per term of thirteen weeks for non-residents.
The first high school in the city was organized and opened in January, 1859, in what was known as the Sewell store on North Main street, between Johnson and Merrill streets, with Edwin C. Johnson and Miss M. S. Merrill as teachers. The teachers and the nearest streets having the same names led to many a joke and gibe by the pupils at the expense of their instructors. The school opened with nearly one hundred students, and was free to the children of residents on condi- tion that they could pass a prescribed examination in geography, grammar and arithmetic. Mr. Johnson resigned in 1860, and his place was filled by Selim H. Peabody, who opened the school in the Marshall block on Second street. The location was changed the next year to the Warner block, corner of Main and Second streets, this being the last change prior to the erection of a high-school building, the first steps to secure such a structure having been taken in July, 1859.
In 1862, O. C. Steenberg was elected principal of the high school, and in 1864 he was chosen city superintendent of schools, in addition to his position as principal, both of which positions he held until the beginning of 1869.
In January, 1860, the school board purchased a high-school site of S. B. Amory, on the north side of Merrill street, and east of Amory street. In October, 1863, a bond was executed to raise money to build a high school and a mortgage executed to Mr. Amory. In February, 1864, a plan of the proposed building was accepted and the contract let to William M. Phelan and William Heathcote, and, the structure being rapidly pushed to completion, a public dedication was held and the building taken possession of by the high school, with O. C. Steenberg as principal, in 1865. W. D. Conklin delivered an interesting dedicatory address, and great joy and enthusiasm marked the entire proceedings.
In 1862-3 Mr. Steenberg was authorized to grade all the schools of the city, and to make a course of study to extend over a period of thirteen years of school life and to embrace every possible degree of advancement in scholarship. In a published report to the school board in 1867, Mr. Steenberg recommended and urged the compulsory attendance at school of all healthy children of school age, this being the first published educational document in this state containing a rec- ommendation for the passage of a compulsory school law.
The high-school building, above referred to, was three stories high, with brick outside, and had a seating capacity nearly equal to the present high school. On the night of December 4, 1868, the building was entirely destroyed by fire, and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.