USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People > Part 54
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56S
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
In 1868 a new parsonage was built, the upper floor being de- signed for a teachers' residence; this, together with the church and school, was destroyed in the great fire of January 30, 1875. The congregation decided to rebuild at once, and on August 15 of this year the parsonage and school house were finished. January 30, 1876, they decided to rebuild the church, and the cornerstone was laid May 28 and the building completed in Oc- tober, 1876. In 1884 a gallery was built on both sides of the church, and at the same time the interior was decorated. Other improvements in the heating and lighting and roof have been made, until now the church is modern in construction and ap- pointments.
In June, 1905. the tower was struck by lightning, and was re- placed at a cost of $762.27. There are now two hundred and sixty-seven voting members, seventy-two women, whose husbands are not members, in all 1,558 souls. There are two hundred and seven children in attendance at the school, and Rev. H. Erck is still (1908) the pastor.
German Methodist Episcopal Church. Over fifty years ago services were held by Rev. Henry Wiethorn at the home of Chris- tian Zellmer. In 1856, after due consideration, it was decided to call a pastor to preside over their meetings, and the Rev. John Rinder was placed in charge, his field including Oshkosh, Black Wolf, Rush Lake, Clayton and Rat River. In 1866 they started to build a frame church on lots near the court house; the building was completed and dedicated in 1867 at a cost of $4.318.30. Six years later. in 1873, Oshkosh was made a separate appointment. On April 28, 1875, the church was destroyed by fire. At the third quarterly meeting. on May 24, 1875, it was decided to purchase the house and two lots at the corner of Tenth and Nebraska streets at a cost of $1.300. This was remodeled and used as a church until the new edifice which they decided to build was dedicated in November 21, 1875, at a cost of $8.000.
In 1906 the church was remodeled. a Sunday school room built on the west, and a dining room added, the cost of the improve- ments being $7.000. In 1900 a large new parsonage was built.
The following pastors have served the congregation since 1856 : Rev. John Rinder. 1856-58; Jacob Haase. 1858-59; E. E. Keller. 1858-59; George Haase, 1859-60; Theodore Loins, 1859-60: Fred Kodrad, 1860-61; Henry Perewitz, 1860-61; Karl Buehner. 1861- 63; William Kruckman, 1863-64; W. Meier. 1864-65; E. W. Roecker. 1865-68; Karl Ewert. 1866-67: Karl Weinrih, 1868-69;
569
THE CHURCH IN OSHKOSH.
Frederick Gottshalk, 1869-72; Ludwig Limper, 1869-70; George Dilling, 1871-72; Rev. John Rinder, 1872-74; Rev. Berngard Becker, 1874-76; William Hoehle, 1876-78; Rev. A. H. Kopplin, 1878-81; Rev. E. Berger, 1881-84; Rev. Jacob Shaefer, 1884-87; Rev. Charles Hedler, 1887-92; Rev. Charles Allert, 1892-93; Rev. E. C. Miller, 1893-98; Rev. Joseph Meck, 1898-1903; Rev. Herman Rev. E. C. Jannush, 1903-05; Rev. IIerman E. Peters, 1905 -.
The First Baptist Church of Oshkosh was organized in 1854 with a membership of twelve. On July 14 of that year Mr. Ed- win C. Sanders, a member of the church, was ordained by a coun- cil composed of the following churches, viz. : Fond du Lac, Omro, Waupun and Nekimi. Mr. Sanders became the first pastor of the church and continued so until March. 1856. The records of this time show that the congregations averaged seventy-five per- sons. Mr. Sanders was succeeded by Rev. Abner Lull. The church at this time held its meetings in what was known as Mark's hall, but changed in 1857 to a more commodious building and met in McCourt's hall, located on Main street near the bridge. The rental for this hall was $75 per year. During this year a small house of worship was erected on Jefferson avenue; the lumber used in its construction was secured by the labors of some of the members of the church, who went into the pine for- est and cut the logs and run them down the Wolf river to the mills of Oshkosh.
Mr. Lull continued as pastor until 1859; the church having a membership of about eighty. Early in this year twenty of the members withdrew to form the Second Baptist church on the south side of the river.
With varying prosperity the church continued under the pas- torates of Revs. J. I. Hoile, J. L. Morrison and W. W. Whitcomb. The pastor's salary, which was at the organization $200, had in- creased to $850, an indication of prosperity in the little church.
In 1868 Rev. W. W. Moore became the pastor, new members were received and the church took on new life. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Perley Work. In the great fire of 1875 the church building. which had been enlarged and improved. was destroyed. During the following year there was erected a commodious build- ing on the site where the present beautiful temple now stands. At the time this was considered one of the most complete and handsomest church buildings in the state outside of the city of Milwaukee. This building stood until 1901, when in turn it, too, became food for the flames. During these years the pastors were
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570
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Revs. N. W. Miner, H. O. Rowlands, L. A. Clevenger and James P. Abbott. Dr. Abbott had been pastor less than a year, when the church building was burned. It was under his pastorate that the stone temple now standing at the corner of Church street and Central avenue was erected-a beautiful, stately edifice, com- plete in all its appointments. Dr. Abbott remained eight years with the church and was followed by the present pastor, Rev. John William Bailey, Ph.D., a graduate of Chicago university. The present membership of the church is 416. The congregations are large and the work prosperous.
Universalist. In 1866 the First Universalist society of Osh- kosh was organized by the Rev. J. C. Crawford, with Messrs. Jefferson Bray, B. F. Prosser, S. B. Lawrence, Judge Austin, Lucus Alcott, Judge Washburn; M. Harris, M. Edwards, Searls, Dickson Woodards, Spencer and Morgans as charter members. The Rev. Crawford was succeeded by the Revs. Rogers and Liver- more.
The first church, which stood where the postoffice now stands, was burned in 1874. The society was then disbanded and no further attempt was made to have services until the fall of 1885, when the Rev. Olympia Brown came to Oshkosh, gathered the scattered forces and held services. In April of the following year the state and general conventions sent Rev. Edgar Leavitt to take charge of the work. The society was then reorganized under the name of St. John's Universalist church, in conformity to the laws of the state of Wisconsin, with twenty-three mem- bers. Jefferson Bray, A. D. Buck, B. F. Prosser and John Tate were chosen as a committee to draft articles of incorporation. One month they perfected their parish organization, and the fol- lowing persons were chosen as officers: Jefferson Bray, B. F. Prosser. Miss Carrie Lamb, A. D. Buck, E. M. 'Lull, Mrs. A. Bowen, Mrs. A. Allen and C. B. Hewitt.
The society held services in the old United Presbyterian church building on Church street. In 1887 they changed their place of meeting to a hall at 160 Main street. The success of the mission was assured by an increased membership. In 1880 the society purchased the lot at the corner of Church and Union streets. Soon after Rev. Leavitt resigned the pastorate and Rev. John R. Carpenter became his successor. Under his leadership the pres- ent church was built, the Masons laying the cornerstone. Rev. Carpenter remained the pastor until 1890. During the fourteen years following the pastors were the Revs. Baldwin, Critchette,
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571
THE CHURCH IN OSHKOSH.
Hammond, Gossow and York. The church was then without a pastor for two years, but in 1904 the Rev. W. H. McGlauflin, D. D., put his strong shoulder to the wheel and the church began again. He served as pastor for two years, preaching monthly, or as often as his obligations as tri-state superintendent would permit. Under his influence the membership was increased. In June, 1906, a call was extended to the present minister, Rev. R. D. Van Tassel, and he began his pastorate the following Au- gust. Under his leadership the church has been remodeled and made more commodious and convenient. The membership has been doubled and the church takes its place as one of the great forces for good in the community.
The Free Methodist Church, of Oshkosh, was organized in 1883 under the leadership of Rev. J. A. Murray. A church build- ing was erected the same year on Merritt street, which was used by the society for thirteen years, when the First Free Methodist society and the Elm Street Free Methodist church, which had been in existence since 1891, and was first led by Rev. J. H. Flowers, effected a consolidation of the two congregations. Short- ly after this event the Merritt street church building was sold, and the proceeds used in improving the Elm street property.
The congregation at present numbers fifty-five, and the pastor is Rev. E. J. Roberts.
Oshkosh Young Men's Christian Association. In the fall of 1882 Messrs. R. McMillen, R. T. Morgan, George W. Williamson, A. H. Bartlett, D. M. Beals, E. R. Hicks and F. W. Houghton met for the purpose of organizing a Young Men's Christian associa- tion for the purpose of improving the spiritual, mental, social and physical condition of the young men of Oshkosh.
The first meeting for the election of officers and directors was held in the Beckwith building Thursday evening, December 21, 1882. The first officers elected were : E. R. Hicks, president; R. T. Morgan, treasurer; C. W. Harned, general secretary; A. II. Bartlett, recording secretary.
The association first occupied rooms in the Beckwith block, or the old Beckwith hotel. They now occupy their own building on the corner of Algoma and Bond streets.
St. Vincent de Paul's Church. This parish was established in the year 1868, at which time it was visited by the Rev. Nico- laus Stehle. The Rev. M. Marco attended to these people from July of that year until September, 1869, and it was during his administration that the first church was erected. The Rev.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
George Willard, his successor, remained with this congregation until September, 1870, and during his short term he built a very comfortable parsonage. The next pastor was the Rev. John Gmeiner, who was a resident of South Oshkosh, from October, 1870, until March, 1871; then the Rev. John Reindl became in- cumbent, continuing as such until December 13, 1891, when he died very suddenly. Father Reindl was also active in making improvements to the property, and among other things veneered the entire church structure, redeemed the church property from the hands of the sheriff, added a steeple to the church, built a school house and bought several lots. His successor was Rev. M. Joerger, D. D., who remained from 1892 to 1893. when the Rev. A. Wibbert took charge, and it now has a large congregation. Several school sisters from Notre Dame convent, Milwaukee, are in charge of the parochial school, which has an attendance of be- tween five and six hundred scholars. Of Catholic societies con- nected with this congregation there are the St. Vincent de Paul Men's Society, St. Joseph's society, St. Boniface society, a branch of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, Schutzgesellschaft society, a court of the Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Mary's Married Ladies' Society. St. Mary's Young Ladies' Sodality, St. Aloysius Boys' society, and St. Agnes' Girls' society.
The Rev. A. Wibbert was born in Stadtlohn, Westphalia, Ger- many, in 1844. Acquiring his ordinary education at the parochial and common schools of that country. he pursued his classical studies in the university at Muenster, Westphalia. He then came to the United States and completed a course in philosophy in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and also in theology in Montreal, Canada. He was ordained to the priesthood April 16, 1876, at Leavenworth, Kan- sas. Ile occupied the pulpit at various places in Kansas, and in the St. Michael's at Dotyville, in the archdiocese of Milwaukee. From there he was transfered to Platteville and thence to Osh- kosh, where he assumed the pastorate in November, 1893.
St. John the Evangelist's Church. The Church of St. John the Evangelist, at Oshkosh, was duly dedicated on June 13, 1897, the services being conducted by Rev. Father A. Schinner. of Milwau- kee, private secretary to Archbishop Katzer. The sermon was delivered by the Very Rev. James J. Keogh, of St. John's Cathe- dral. This church is located on Thirteenth street between Jowa and Michigan streets. The building occupies an area of 92x6616 feet and has a seating capacity of about four hundred. The height of the building is eighty-eight feet; height of the audi-
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THE CHURCH IN OSHKOSH.
torium is twenty-nine feet; gallery is eighteen feet in width and runs across the rear of the auditorium. The entire cost of the structure, exclusive of interior finishings, was about $11,000. The organization of this church is the result of a division among the people belonging to St. Vincent's church, which, until 1893, comprised a parish of both English and German-speaking people. In that year, however, the English members obtained permission to erect a church of their own, of which Father Morissey became pastor and preached his first sermon on the first Sunday in Au- gust, 1893, on which occasion he occupied also the pulpit of St. Vincent's, as he did, in fact, until the new church was built. In October, 1894 the parsonage was erected, and the congregation . of St. John's soon numbered in the hundreds.
The Rev. J. Morrissey was born near Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1859. In 1873 he entered the seminary of St. Francis and was ordained to the priesthood after completing the regular prepara- tory course, and after ordination he filled the chair of English literature and mathematics in the Seminary of St. Francis for two years; then accepted the pastorate of St. John the Evangel- ist's.
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XLVIII.
THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AND WINNEBAGO COUNTY IN THE CIVIL AND SPANISH WARS.
By General Charles R. Boardman, Adjutant-General of Wisconsin.
The following data concerning the part taken in the wars by citizens of Winnebago county is taken entirely from the records and reports on file in the office of the adjutant-general at Madi- son, Wisconsin. In each case where the officers or men came in part at least from the county a brief history of the organization is given :
Co. "E," Second Regiment of Infantry. This company was recruited from Winnebago county by Capt. Gabriel Bouck during the months of April, May and June, 1861; was mustered into the service of the United States June 11, 1861; and was mustered out of the service at Madison, Wisconsin, on the 28th of June, 1864, by reason of expiration term of service. The company con- tained 120 officers and men. It took part in the following en- gagements : First Bull Run, Second Bull Run, Blackburn's Ford, Gainesville, Fitzhugh's Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, expedition to Westmoreland Court House, South Mountain, An- tietam, Fredericksburg. Wilderness, Laurel Hill, expedition to C'one River and Lower Machodoc, and Beverly Ford.
In view of so many of the Second regiment coming from
"'I am enclosing the war data for the history of Winnebago county. It is in crude form, and, as I have stated, is taken almost entirely from the official records. Because of state encampment duties I have not had time to write such an introduction as I would like or to round the matter out so as to give it any literary finish. As it stands it is a bare state- ment of facts, and I hope you will have time to fix it up in better shape. I may not have been happy in my choice of individuals whose records are given, still I think the list comprises most of those who attained promi- nence, and it has seemed to me that they as well as the organizations are deserving of some special mention. This work, short as it is, represents a large amount of time in searching the records and in the effort towards compilation.
"Signed,
C. R. Boardman."
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OSHKOSH IN CIVIL AND SPANISH WARS.
Winnebago county the following from the division commander of the Fourth division, Fifth Army corps, may be of interest :
"Headquarters Fourth Division Fifth Army Corps,
"June 10, 1864. "The Second Wisconsin Volunteers having served their full term of three years in this army and being about to leave for their homes, the general commanding deems it proper for him- self and in behalf of those of their comrades who remain behind to address to the officers and men a few parting words.
"Three years ago you entered the service one thousand strong. You now leave us with 153 all told. Where are they ? O'Connor, Stevens, Colwell, Randolph and many others, both officers and men, are mustered with the hosts on high. Others are disabled for life. Others still are in rebel prisons. Among all these things you have always been true to your flag and your country. You have never failed in any duty required of you. You have a right to be proud of your record. The state has reason to be proud of you. You leave with the best wishes of all your comrades, and to that I wish to add my most cordial desire for your future honor and prosperity, collectively and individually.
"(Signed)
L. Cutler,
"Brig. General Comdg."
The following from "Colonel Fox's Regimental Losses" has reference to this regiment: "This regiment sustained the great- est percentage of loss (killed and died of wounds) of any in the entire Union army. In proportion to its members this brigade sustained the heaviest loss of any in the war." Losses of Co. "E," Second regiment : Killed in action, 16; died of disease, 5; died of wounds, 66.
Cos. "B" and "G," Third Regiment Infantry Volunteers. These companies came largely from Winnebago county and re- sponded to the first call for troops. They rendezvoued at Camp Hamilton, Fond du Lac, about June 15, 1861. The organization of the regiment was soon completed and they were mustered into the United States service June 29, 1861; and left the state for active duty in the field July 12 under orders to report at Hagers- town, Md. On September 12, 1861, they marched to Frederick, Md., and surrounded the city and arrested the legislature, which convened there on the 17th. The regiment took part in many en- gagements. At the battle of Winchester they acted as rear guard
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
and secured the retreat of the army through Winchester. "As a rear guard of an army they had to contest the advance of an enemy in overwhelming numbers and flushed with victory, but obeying the orders of their officers with the coolness of men on parade and taking advantage of every spot where a stand could be made, their determined bravery infused new spirit into the broken columns and secured the escape of the army." In this engagement the regiment lost three killed, fifteen wounded and seventy-nine missing in action.
They took part in the battle of Cedar Mountain, losing twenty- five killed, sixty-five wounded and eighteen prisoners. In Gen- eral Gordon's official report of the battle he paid a high compli- ment to the regiment for their coolness and bravery. At the bat- tle of Antietam they had 335 men engaged, and twenty-seven were killed and 171 wounded. At the battle of Chancellorsville Captain Scott, of Co. "B," was killed. The regiment also took an active part at the battles of Beverly Ford, Gettysburg and Dallas. On December 21. 1863, three-fourths of the regiment re- enlisted as veterans. The regiment took part in Sherman's "march to the sea." Cos. "B" and "G" were mustered out with the regiment near Louisville, Ky., July 18, 1865.
Co. "K," Eleventh Regiment Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers. This company was originally organized by Capt. Calvin J. Wheeler at Neenah, Wisconsin, in the month of October, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service at Madison, Wis- consin, October 18. 1861. for three years. Eighty-nine of the 156 members of the company came from Winnebago county, the first officers all being from Winnebago county and were Capt. Hiram J. Lewis, First Lieut. Ira J. Hunt and Second Lieut. Robert P. House. Captain Lewis enlisted August 23, 1861, and pryor to that time had been first lieutenant of Island City Guards, Wis- conson State Militia. He did some recruiting in Wisconsin; was detailed as aide de camp to Colonel Harris at Brashear City; also acted as assistant provost marshal at New Orleans. Was mustered out January 3. 1865, by reason of expiration of term of service. Ile was afterward commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fifty-second Regiment February 24, 1865, and mustered out July 28, 1865. Lieut. Ira W. Hunt enlisted August 23, 1861, at Neenah: commissioned first lieutenant November 2, 1861; commissioned regimental adjutant August 11, 1863; rank July 28. 1863; resigned June 14, 1864. Lieut. Robert P. House en- listed August 23. 1861, at Neenah; commissioned second lieu-
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OSHKOSH IN CIVIL AND SPANISH WARS.
tenant October 14, 1861; resigned on account of ill health No- vember 27, 1862. The company took part in General Curtis' Arkansas campaign in 1862, General Davidson's Missouri cam- paign and General Grant's Mississippi campaign. In action at Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Big Black river bridge and siege and capture of Vicksburg. The company was mustered out Sep- tember 4, 1865, at Mobile, Ala.
Co. "C," Fourteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry Volun- teers. This company was in part enlisted from Winnebago county during September, 1861, and mustered into the United States service January 30, 1862, at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The company was officered by Capt. W. W. Wilcox, First Lieutenant Colin Miller and Second Lieut. Alfred Carfee, all of Omro. Captain Wilcox resigned March 16, 1865. Lieutenant Miller was wounded at a charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg and died May 23, 1861. Lieutenant Carfee resigned April 15, 1863.
The battle of Shiloh was the first battle the regiment took part in and for their determined bravery on this their first field of battle, their comrades in arms gave them the sobriquet of the "Wisconsin Regulars." The total loss of the regiment in this battle was fourteen killed and seventy-nine wounded and miss- ing. The following from the official report of Colonel Oliver, commanding the brigade at the battle of Corinth, may be of interest : "Colonel Hancock and his regiment, the Fourteenth Wisconsin, there was no discount on-always steady, cool and vigorous. This regiment was the one to rely upon in any emergency. Though suffering more loss than any other regi- ment in the command, they maintained their lines and delivered their fire with all the precision and coolness which could have been maintained in drill."
The company took part in the siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, Columbia, Tenn .; Tuscembria, Westerford, Shiloh, Sherman campaign to Atlanta, Nashville, and siege of the Span- ish fort, battle of Corinth.
The company was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, October 9, 1865. Co. "C's" loss was: Killed in action, three; died of wounds, five; died of disease, sixteen.
After the surrender of Vicksburg, on July 4, when the brigade marched into the city, to the Fourteenth Wisconsin was assigned the right as the position of honor. General Ransom compli-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
mented the regiment by saying, "Every officer and man of the Fourteenth is a hero."
Co. "F," Eighteenth Regiment. Company organized in Feb- ruary, 1862, and mustered into service in March, 1862. The com- pany was officered by Capt. Joseph W. Roberts, Lieuts. George Stokes, William A. Pope, George A. Topliff and Francis M. Car- ter. Took part in the battle of Shiloh, Altoona and Corinth, and had killed in action, three; died of wounds, three; died of disease, twenty-five. Mustered out July 18, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.
Co. "B," Twenty-first Regiment. This company was recruited from Winnebago county by Capt. C. N. Paine during August, 1862, and consisted of 163 officers and men. It was officered by C. N. Paine as captain; Hiram Russell, first lieutenant, and James H. Jenkins as second lieutenant. The company took part in the battle of Chaplin Hills, Jefferson Pike, Stone river and Chickamauga; the Sherman campaign from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Goldsboro, N. C .; Raleigh, N. C., and Washington, D. C., 1864-65; Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Ga .; Kenesaw mountains. Peach Tree creek and Atlanta. Lost in action, five; died of wounds, two; died of disease, twenty-eight.
Co. "C," Twenty-first Regiment. This company was partially recruited from Winnebago county by Captain Godfrey and con- sisted of 155 officers and men. It was enrolled in August. 1862, and mustered out at Washington, D. C .. June 8, 1865. The com- pany was officered during its term of service by the following officers : Captains, Alphonso S. Godfrey and William Wall; first lieutenant, Robert W. Jackson; second lieutenants, David W. Mitchell, Julius P. Bissell and William C. Hubbard. The com- pany took part in all the engagements of the regiment and lost in action, five ; died of wounds, six; died of disease, twelve.
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