USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People > Part 47
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ruary 8, at Fond du Lac, Robert Shiells acting as the representa- tive of the church. After the Rev. Mr. Walker retired from the pulpit of the Second Church and during the process of union the two congregations worshipped together, mostly under the minis- try of Rev. Mr. Kelley. The pastoral relations between him and the First Church was not dissolved by the Presbytery until January 4, 1870, at a meeting held in Neenah. During that week the pres- ent pastor, J. E. Chapin, came as a candidate to the Second Church and preached two Sundays, the 9th and 16th, to both con- gregations. The Rev. Mr. Kelley preached and declared the pul- pit of the First Church vacant on the 23d, according to the direc- tion of the Presbytery. Then the pulpit was supplied by various ministers, two, the Rev. Mr. Duncan, of Chicago, and the Rev. A. S. Dudley, of Ohio, preaching as candidates. At a meeting of the congregation, March 28, Mr. Dudley was chosen to supply the pulpit for one year with a view to a more intimate relation, but could not accept. A call was then extended to the present pastor and he began his labors the last Sunday in May, 1870. and was installed May 16, 1871, the Revs. H. L. Brown, T. G. Smith and George Spinning participating in the service. A very pleasant reception followed the service at Empire Hall.
The first work that engaged the attention of the session after the supply of the pulpit in 1870 was the examination of the records of the two churches and the formation of a new roll. It was found that instead of a membership of 235, which the rolls of the two churches promised at the time of union, there were really but about 170 known active members.
The work of enlarging this building began early in September, 1870. We worshipped on the second Sunday of that month in the old church and there continued until the work here was complete. The house was ready for rededication on the first day of the new year, 1871."
The First Presbyterian Society, having dwelt in the old frame church from 1865 and as rebuilt in 1871, in 1900 commenced the erection of their present brick edifice, which, completed the next year, was a palace church, costing nearly $60,000. It was dedi- cated June 2, 1901, with an elaborate ceremony in which local and neighboring pastors of other churches participated.
Rev. Dr. John E. C'hapin, the grand old man of the church, was installed as pastor May 16, 1871, and for over thirty years gave the best of his noble life to its good work and cast all about him to aid, advise and help. Then a few years ago he felt the labors
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were too great for his strength, and to lighten his burdens the congregation kindly made him pastor emeritus and called Rev. J. L. Marquis, a young man, as active pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The first Methodist to arrive on the future site of Neenah was Rev. Clark Dickinson, one of the farmer teachers, and doubtless held first services and preaching in Neenah and in the county. The next Protestant sermon preached in Neenah was by a travel- ing itinerant of this church in 1845. The church was organized by the Rev. William H. Sampson in the fall of 1849 with seven members. The probabilities are that Neenah was attached to some other charge for a few years. It appears from the minutes that Albert Baker preached here in 1856. C. G. Lathrop also served the church at an early day. The venerable Samuel Lugg was here in 1860. C. W. Brooks' name appears as the pastor in 1863-64, at which time the New School Presbyterian Church, on Wisconsin street, was purchased by the society for $700 and the little society felt as though they were gaining. T. C. Wilson served the church for three years, 1866-68, with great acceptabil- ity. IIe built a very convenient parsonage. The records show that he was very popular, marrying most of the marriageable folks and increasing the congregation. In the fall of 1868 Rev. George Fellows was appointed to the charge, but a change was effected by which he went to Menasha, and Rev. L. L. Knox served the Neenah church for that year. Thomas Walker was next appointed. J. II. Gaskell was sent to the charge in the fall of 1870 and served the people with acceptability. J. II. Waldron succeeded him in 1871, and by much energy, faith and perse- verance added to the numerical strength. He also purchased an addition to the parsonage lot, repaired the parsonage and was quite successful in his labors. M. G. Bristol was sent to. the charge in 1873 and served for one year. W. J. Olmstead was next sent to the charge and it was during his administration that the place of worship was purchased from the Presbyterians. It was a very commodious building. This fine church, by the aid of its friends and the very liberal offer of the Presbyterians to take $1,200. was secured and paid for. By additions it became valued at $2,500 in 1876 and the parsonage at $1,500. J. T. Woodhead was his successor and served the church for two years with hard work and success. N. J. Aplin was his successor in the fall of
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1877. He came from the Clemansville charge, where he had been for the three previous years. He had been in the Wisconsin con- ference twenty-four years. The present pastor is Rev. M. A. Drew. In 1907 the handsome old church on Wisconsin street was torn down and the lumber was used in parts of the handsome brick church edifice on South Commercial street. In destroying the old church careless workmen allowed the ancient old bell to fall to the ground, cracking it beyond further usefulness.
A Baptist Church was first organized in Neenah in July, 1851. from which time regular prayer meetings and covenant meetings were held. Rev. Peter Prink assisted in its organization and acted as pastor about two years. He was succeeded in 1853 by Rev. James Andem, of Massachusetts, followed in turn by Revs. James Follett and Luke Davis, with intervals between each pas- torate. Mr. Davis left in 1857, from which time the church was without a pastor.
The membership of this church at this period was over thirty. These were greatly scattered and by removals it rapidly de- creased after Mr. Davis left till 1861, when but two or three fami- lies remained in town, and the total membership which could be counted was less than a dozen. Meanwhile the Baptists of .Menasha had been holding prayer meetings and made proposals to them to unite in the support of a minister, to which they ac- ceded. The Menasha church organized on April 24, 1860, adopt- ing the declaration of faith known as the New Hampshire Con- fession and the covenant accompanying it. The church was re- organized and admitted into the fellowship of the denomination at a council composed of the churches of Omro, Oshkosh, Neenah and Appleton, on June 13, 1860. Its roll contained at that time about a dozen members. The first regular covenant meeting was held on July 7, 1860. On October 8, 1861, Rev. B. J. Boynton was ordained and assumed the pastorate, remaining one year. On November 30, 1861, the Neenah church voted to disband and grant letters to unite with the church in Menasha, or with other Baptist churches, as the members should choose. Eleven letters were granted, some to new residents. About six united with the Menasha church, namely, Mr. and Mrs. H. Shoemaker. William Sherry, Mr. and Mrs. J. Dolson, Mrs. E. Millard and Horace Baird. For several years meetings were held in Menasha with an occasional service in Neenah. The Sunday-school was started in December, 1861. In 1863 Rev. D. H. Cooley was called to supply the church, preaching a part of the time also in other places. This
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arrangement continued till June 1, 1867, when Rev. O. W. Bab- cock, of Fayetteville, New York, became the pastor. With his pastorate a new era was inaugurated. Regular services were held in both Neenah and Menasha. Steps were taken to secure a house of worship, which resulted in the purchase of a building owned by the Norwegian Church and its removal to a lot secured for the purpose on Commercial street, which would be a central point for the members of both towns, its present location. They met in their church on November 2, 1867, and the name of the organization was changed to the "First Baptist Church of Menasha and Neenah." Rev. Mr. Babcock left on April 1, 1873, after a pastorate of six years. Rev. Benjamin Freeman became pastor in June, 1874, after a little more than a year's interreg- num, resigning again August 29, 1875. There was a vacancy till February 27, 1876, when Rev. H. T. Gilbert, a student from the Theological Seminary, commenced preaching to the church on July 26, but was compelled, on account of the health of himself and family, to resign October 22 of the same year. In November, 1876, Rev. T. T. Potter visited the church and supplied the pulpit till February 1, when he was called to the pastorate. The present pastor is Rev. Alfred Goodwin.
Trinity Episcopal Church, Neenah, as an organization dates back to July, 1866. Previously, however, occasional services had been held here by the Rev. Simon Palmer, missionary at Appleton, and subsequently by Rev. George Gibson, who succeeded Mr. Palmer as missionary at that place. The Rev. William D. Chris- tian, rector of St. Stephen's Church, Menasha, according to the above date, called a meeting of the congregation together with all those interested in the Episcopal Church in Neenah, when the organization was perfected by the election of the proper officers. George O. Strong and John A. Bryan were chosen wardens; D. L. Kimberly, W. P. Peckham, John N. Stone, John Burns and L. J. Matthews were elected vestrymen.
Two years later, November, 1868, the congregation resolved to build and a committee was formed for the purpose of facilitating the project. A lot was at once purchased of Mr. Gilbert Jones for the sum of $250, $100 of which Mr. Jones himself donated. A commencement was made on the church building in August, 1869, the plans and erection of the edifice being under the supervision of the Rev. E. Peake, minister in charge, who previously to his ordination had been a civil engineer. The building progressed slowly and surely and when finished in the spring of 1870 it was
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free from incumbrances. Up to the time of occupancy the congre- gation had been worshipping in Peckham Hall. This comforta- ble place had been fitted up, kept in order and warmed by Mr. Peckham for three years.
Up to the present time the two parishes of Neenah and Menasha have had the services of a clergyman conjointly. The clergymen who have succeeded each other in the duties are the Rev. William D. Christian, who resigned in October, 1866; the Rev. George N. James was called in November, 1866, and resigned in February, 1867; in March, 1868, Rev. J. A. Davenport was called to the parish and continued to officiate till the following Easter; Rev. E. Peake, rector of Grace Church, Appleton, took charge of Neenah and Menasha church about May, 1869, giving them after- noon services, and continued the duties till March, 1870; Rev. H. M. Thompson succeeded Rev. Mr. Peake in May, 1871, who came as rector of the two parishes, residing in Menasha. He died October 8, 1872. From that date the two parishes had to depend on Appleton for a supply of services, and Rev. George Verner labored until the entrance of the Rev. Joseph Wilkins Tays upon his duties in October, 1876. IIe continued until August, 1877, when he received a call to Kentucky. Rev. George Gibson was called to the charge of the two parishes, St. Stephen's, Menasha, and Trinity, Neenah, October 1, 1877. In 1878 the organization was composed of Rev. George Gibson, rector; John A. Bryan and John N. Stone, wardens; D. L. Kimberly, W. P. Peckham, Nor- man Willard and N. D. Stanley, vestrymen. The . wardens and vestrymen are elected yearly. Rev. Upholm came in 1879. Rev. George W. Lamb was rector in 1896; Rev. II. S. Webster in 1898; Rev. Delaney in 1900; Rev. T. W. C. Cheesman in 1903 to 1904; Rev. G. A. Cornell in 1907, in whose time services in this church were abandoned.
Emmanuel Church of the Evangelical Association. This congre- gation was the first German religious society in the city. In 1855 Rev. Jacob Hinnel, of the Illinois conference, served as pas- tor of the Oshkosh Mission and came to Neenah to ascertain the religious conditions of the Germans. Finding quite a German set- tlement without a church or pastor, he decided to come occasion- ally and preach the gospel to them. The services were held in a hall. In 1856 the newly organized Wisconsin conference sent Rev. August Huelster to this mission. This nineteen-year-old youth, of special zeal and earnestness, was received with cordial hospitality in the homes of Mr. Sherry (whose mother, a German
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Pennsylvanian, was especially interested in the work), Mr. Mahnke and Mr. Brinkman. Rev. Huelster now organized the small band with Anton George as class leader and Fred Brinkman as exhorter. Besides these the following were charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Mahnke, Fred Brinkman and wife, John Brown, Sr., and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Baumgarten and Mrs. Henry Dietz. From now on the meetings were held in the home of Anton George, where quite a few visitors attended the services. In 1857 to 1859 Rev. William Zicherick (since the Civil war Rev. Captain Zicherick) was sent as pastor to the little flock, having in the lat- ter year of this time Rev. G. Fritsch as a colleague. During these two years the work was blessed with quite a revival, which re- sulted in an increased membership and (in 1859) the organization of a Sunday-school.
During this year the congregation decided to build a chapel. Ex-Governor Doty, being interested in the work, showed his good will by presenting them with a lot for this purpose. On December 11, 1859, Presiding Elder Rev. J. G. Isher dedicated the building to the worship of the Triune God.
This building still stands on Forest avenue and is at present the property of the city, being used as a school house for the pri- mary department of the Third Ward School and as an election booth in the time of the elections. In 1864 a home was purchased on the southeast corner of Church and Sherry streets, to be used as a parsonage. One room of the George residence had. up to the time the chapel was built, served as the place of meeting. After twenty years and during the ministry of Rev. L. F. Emmert this place was sold and a modern appropriate parsonage was built at 200 North Commercial street, where the present pastor has his home.
The beautiful and spacious building which now serves as the place of worship for the congregation, corner Bond street and Forest avenue, was built in 1890 under the labors of Rev. G. F. Kiekhofer. Since its organization the congregation has ex- perienced both difficulties and encouragements. At times, when the spirit of immigration to the Dakotas and other places pre- vailed, it lost numerically, but revivals at different periods of the congregation's history always got new vitality and increased membership.
At present Rev. W. G. Raddats is pastor of this congregation. who has served them four years. In the latter part of the first year of his ministry the congregation made per vote the im-
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portant change of having all the Sunday evening services in the English language, which more than tripled the evening attend- ance. During this time in 1906 the congregation celebrated its fiftieth jubilee, having present as speaker Rev. A. Huelster, from Minnesota, who fifty years ago organized the congregation. In these last four years many new members have been added to the church and the congregation is in a flourishing condition, its finances resulting in a surplus for several years and its member- ship being the largest in its history.
Pastors who have served the congregation: Jacob Himmel, 1855-56; August Buelster, 1856-57; William Zickerick, 1857-58; William Zicherick and Gustav Fritsche, 1858-59; Peter Held and Jacob Banzaf, 1859-60; N. Schuck and Frederick IIuelster. 1860- 61; Henry Schelp, 1861-63; George Schafer, 1863-65; Frederick Kurtz, 1865-67; E. Bockemuhl and Frank Moser, 1867-68; E. Bockemuhl and Ferdinand Dite, 1868-69; G. Zellhoefer and A. Piepenburg, 1869-70; G. Zellhoefer, 1870-71; Henry Schelp and H. Clement, 1871-73; N. Schuck and J. G. Kern, 1873-74; N. Schuck and C. Oertli, 1874-75; A. Tarnutzer and Frank Illian, 1875-76; A. Tarnutzer, 1876-78; S. Kortemeyer, 1878-80; Frank Stroebel, 1880-82; L. F. Emmert and H. M. Schurrman, 1883-85; L. F. Emmert and F. A. Mundt. 1885-86; William Zicherick and E. Gassman, 1886-87; William Zicherick and R. Pflueger, 1888-89; J. G. F. Zimmerman and R. Pflueger, 1889-90; G. F. Kiekhoefer and H. Lutz, 1890-91; G. F. Kiekhoefer and G. Pfeffercorn, 1891-92; G. F. Kiekhoefer and M. Ubele, 1892-93; J. A. Siewert and W. Berg. 1893-94; J. A. Siewert and W. Joten, 1894-95; M. C. Werner and A. F. Wendorf, 1895-96; J. C. Kunst and II. Koten, 1896-98; Jacob Schneller and H. Koten, 1898-99; Jacob Schneller and W. Bar- netzke, 1899-90; Jacob Schneller and William Dumke, 1900-01; Jacob Schneller and W. R. Schuelke, 1901-02; H. H. Brockhous and W. R. Schnelke, 1902-03; II. H. Brockhous and G. E. Zellmer, 1903-04; W. G. Raddats, 1904-08.
On the fiftieth anniversary of the congregation, where the clergymen who organized the congregation in 1856 were present as speakers, the pastor prepared a history and souvenir for the members, from which this list is taken.
Rev. W. G. Raddats was born September 20, 1876, in Mil- waukee, where he received a public school education and after- ward an academic training at Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill., and is a graduate from the College of Liberal Arts of Law- rence University. His theological training he received at Union
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Biblical Institute, Naperville, Ill. He entered the University of the Wisconsin Conference of the Evangelical Association in 1900, and from 1904 to 1908 is serving as pastor of the local church. Mrs. Raddats is the daughter of Rev. G. Fritche, P. E. They were married April 4, 1900, and have two sons, Merlin A. and Stanley G. Raddats.
(Signed) W. G. RADDATS.
The Scandinavian Lutheran Church, of Neenah, Wis., was or- ganized by Rev. Hatlestad on January 29, 1861. The following were the signers of the constitution: Ole M. Sorlie, M. E. Sorlie, K. Bjoinson, H. Nelson, Even Johnson, E. Arnesser, A. Jorgenson, Loren Wilson, O. T. Torgerson, Mones Larson, John Bergstrom, O. O. Myhre, A. Ruge, Carl Ruge, Ole Olson, Chr. Rasmusen, Chr. Ruge and Lars Olson. The official name of the Congregation was the Evangelical Lutheran of Neenah and Menasha. Rev. Isaac Jensen was its first pastor. The first church was built in 1862 near the present site of St. Patrick's Catholic Church on the island.
In 1866 it was decided to sell the church property and build on the site where the present church stands, corner Cherry and South Commercial streets.
The following have served the congregation as its pastors: Isaak Jensen, I. Vidding, Johan Olson, J. C. Jacobson, H. L. Haakonson, O. C. Anderson, Sigord Olson, G. Gregonson, William Eckman, E. C. Tollifson, M. Mickelson. The present pastor, Rev. G. Kluxdal, was born in Mt. Morris, Waushara county, Wiscon- sin, August 21, 1866, was brought up on his father's farm, edu- cated in a county school and at Wautoma High School. After his father's death he went to Northfield, Minnesota, where he entered St. Olaf College in the fall of 1887. After finishing his course at St. Olaf and a three-year course at the United Lutheran Theologi- cal Seminary at Minneapolis, he accepted a call as pastor of a small congregation at Ephraim, Wis. In 1900 he accepted a call to the Scandinavian Lutheran Church. Neenah. In 1903 the pres- ent beautiful edifice was erected and finished in time for dedica- tion April 17. 1904. Rev. Kluxdal acted as solicitor for funds. chairman of the building committee, purchaser of material and treasurer. ITis advisors were John Olson, the builder of the base- ment. M. G. Madson and Arne Gunderson. Marew Bjornson. the mother of Mrs. H. F. Anspach. is the only survivor of the first signers of the constitution.
The Ladies' Aid Society, with Mrs. H. F. Anspach as president. Mrs. George Howe treasurer and Mrs. G. Kluxdal secretary, is in
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a thriving condition. English is used in the Sunday-school, Young People's Lutheran League and Sunday evening services, although Norwegian is still the official language of the congre- gation. (Signed) G. KLUXDAL.
Neenah Mission. What is known as the Neenah Mission was first organized October 19, 1885 (at 3 p. m.), in what was known as the old Good Templars' Hall (over the present Home Trade Shoe Company), under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Mathe- son, assisted by Mr. Ed. Jorgenson, Miss Hannah Thompson, Mrs. N. DeMerritt, Miss Tilla Ruegie, Miss Charlotte Matheson, Mr. Louis Mickelson, Miss Lizzie Simmons, Miss Jennie Jenson, Mr. Peter Peterson and Mr. Hans Rasmussen. The reason for its or- ganization was that a large number of children of different na- tionalities and belief was, for one reason or another, not reached by the churches, and therefore not receiving religious or moral instruction. The Mission, through its faithful corps of earnest workers, volunteered to furnish such instruction free of cost and without interfering with the child's or parents' faith or belief. Protestants and Catholics alike were encouraged to be faithful to God and their church, as well as obedient to their parents. With this motto constantly before us large numbers of children and adults received new inspiration for good, returning to their own church to live better lives. The attendance often numbered 150 and averaged over ninety. When children were not suitably dressed to attend services clothing was provided with parents' consent. In case of sickness among unfortunates, nurses, doctors, medicine and eatables were often provided. The work was ex- tended to assisting at funerals and finding homes for small chil- dren. On March 15, 1896, the Mission was reorganized for greater work by widening out into cottage and mission prayer meetings, Sunday evening services as well as special revival meet- ings, as often as practical.
In 1898 the present Neenah Mission Chapel was built and dedi- cated January 2, 1899, at a cost of $1,500. including the lot. The money was supplied by public subscription through the efforts of Mrs. Nels Matheson in sums of 25 cents to $20. Sums thus raised amounted to nearly $1,000. The names of subscribers and amount given has been neatly framed and hung on the walls of the Mis- sion. A debt of $500 was left on this chapel for a number of years, which was paid up in full in 1906 by Mr. II. Babcock. Mr. J. A. Kimberly, Mrs. J. A. Kimberly, Mrs. C. B. Clark and Mrs. Hiram Smith. Each paid $100.
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The Neenah Mission is not a society like a church. It employs no salaried officers and takes no membership. It urges all its con- verts to join themselves to the church of their choice. Its helpers are volunteers of deep Christian experience from the different churches, all working by and through the love of God and for His approval. (Signed) NELS MATHESON.
The Danish Evangelical Lutheran. This society was organized September, 1872. The pastor in 1876, Rev. N. Thompson, was the editor of the "Church Gatherer," with a circulation of 700. printed in the Danish language. The present pastor is Rev. Jeppe Soe.
Danish Methodist Society has for pastor Rev. Carl H. Ander- son.
Welsh Calvanistic Society commenced worship in 1848 with a congregation of ten persons and a membership of five, which was increased to fourteen. They had a small house of worship, but no resident pastor.
Welsh Congregational Society was organized November. 1861, with fourteen members. Both Welsh churches maintain a Sun- day-school.
German Lutheran Trinity was organized December 26, 1865, Rev. Otto Hager, pastor, 1876-78, and September 29, 1897, Rev. II. Froeleke became pastor and served for ten years, an event re- cently celebrated by a meeting and presenting the pastor with a $10 gold piece for each year of his pastorate from 1897 to 1907.
German Lutheran was organized January, 1874, worshipping in the brick house on Oak street purchased of the Methodists and built by the Congregationalists in 1852. Rev. II. J. Haack was pastor 1876-78 and Rev. August Kleinhaus in 1908.
XLI.
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH.
By Charles Barber.
Webster Stanley is sometimes called the first settler of Osh- kosh. While in the employment of the United States govern- ment, engaged in transporting supplies from Fort Howard to Fort Winnebago, in 1835. he observed the natural advantages of the present site for a settlement. The city of Oshkosh was settled in 1836 by Webster Stanley. Chester P. Gallup, Henry and Amos Gallup and George F. Wright. David and Thomas Evans, Chester Ford and C. J. Coon came a little later. They all took up lands on Lake Winnebago and Fox rixer except C. J. Coon, whose purchase embraced what is now the Sawyer and Paine properties and the Country Club near Lake Butte des Morts. Coon was a settler of Algoma rather than of Oshkosh.
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