History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 179

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767

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In 1883 the St. Croix District was renamed the Hudson District, Rice Lake being made a part thereof. The presiding elder lived in Madison. In the meantime the number of probationers at Rice Lake had decreased to four, and of full members to forty-eight. Fin- ances also had fallen off.

The presiding elder's reports were first in- cluded in the minutes of the Conference of 1883. According to Dr. Benson's report of this year the Rice Lake charge then included three villages.

James Conner, a local preacher, supplied at Rice Lake in the year 1883 and during the closing days of the year the cornerstone of the new church was laid. The charge was feeble, but had fine opportunities for devel- opment according to Dr. Benson's report. Membership and finances were better and a Sunday school was organized.

Mr. Connor was continued by the Confer- ence of 1884 but the charge was left to be supplied in 1885 and 1886. John Haw had charge during a part of this time and in March, 1886, the Rice Lake church was dedi- cated, valued at $1,800. In 1886, H. W. Bush- nell succeeded M. Benson as presiding elder, and Barron was separated from the Rice Lake charge. At the conference of 1887, the Ashland District was created and Rice Lake was left to be supplied. Later M. C. Alley was secured, and under his direction the membership tripled during the year. Fin- ances were very poor.

George Brown was appointed for the year 1888-90 and saw unprecedented benevolent collections and large payments on the church debt as well as increased membership. He sacrificed much himself financially. E. P. Sanderson succeeded him in 1890. Mr. Spears left late in the year, and A. W. Partch was secured to finish the year. G. W. Pepper was appointed in 1892 and S. N. Griffith in 1893, 1894 and 1896. During these years the church grew stronger financially. A. J. Davis was made presiding elder in 1893. A parsonage was built at Rice Lake during the year 1894-95. W. P. Burrows was pastor in this charge from 1896 to 1901. In 1898 the entire church debt was removed through a gift from Mrs. E. A. Spencer. In 1901, A. M. Pilcher of Eau Claire being presiding elder, J. N. Mills commenced his two years' pastorate, during the second year of which F. M. Haight was appointed presiding elder. E. D. Johnson succeeded Mr. Mills and also served two years. During the second year of his term, the old church property on Douglas

street was disposed of, and the church build- ing was moved to the newly purchased lot on Messenger street where it was enlarged. At the end of these improvements the indebted- ness amounted to $400.

In 1905, L. E. Squires succeeded Mr. John- son and in turn was followed by H. B. Bor- tel who was in charge two years. In 1908 the office of presiding elder was changed to that of district superintendent and J. W. Irish was appointed to fill the newly named office. In the same year, William Philpott commenced his four-year pastorate at Rice Lake. He was followed by E. R. Little, dur- ing whose pastorate of one year the church was rebuilt, the dedication taking place under the direction of Bishop Quayle in the summer of 1912.

In the fall of 1912, C. N. Galloway was ap- pointed pastor. In 1914, tne Superior Dis- trict succeeded the Ashland District, and Dr. J. E. Kundert was appointed district super- intendent and E. L. Cooper pastor. Dr. Kun- dert is still serving.

During the pastorate of Rev. E. L. Cooper. which lasted from September, 1914, to Sep- tember, 1920, much advance was made in every direction. The church membership was increased from 134 to 255; the value of ine church property from $12,000 to $15,000; the Sunday school enrollment from 175 to 217; the membership in the Young People's Leagues from 35 to 45; the ministerial from $1,138 to $2,070, and benevolent offerings from $137 to $1,019. The church indebted- ness was decreased from $6,725 to $4,000.

In September, 1920, the Annual Confer- ence was held at Rice Lake, presided over by Bishop Charles Bayard Mitchell, D. D., LL. D., and Rev. C. Ernest Burdon appointed pastor at Rice Lake. At once under this new leadership, officials of the various de- partments of the church organized closely for an advance toward certain objectives laid down for the year, and by careful planning and prayerful working the plan, the objec- tive was passed in almost every instance. In the one year, 1920-21, the church membership increased from 255 to 354; the value of the church property from $15,000 to $22,000; the Sunday school enrollment from 217 to 308; to membership in the Young People's Socie- ties from 45 to 147; the ministerial support from $2,070 to $3,000; and the benevolent offerings from $1,019 to $2,005.

The coming year is expected to be the banner year in the history of the church. Some time in the spring the Lakeside Meth- odist Hospital, built at an outlay of $150,000, will be dedicated. It is expected, too, that in the near future a new church plant will be erected, fully in keeping with the hospital.

In addition to the flourishing Sunday school, and the Epworth and Junior Leagues, the church has a flourishing Ladies Aid So- ciety and other organizations.

The First Presbyterian Church of Rice Lake was constituted Sept. 9, 1883, with Rev. W. V. Chapin, a home missionary, as pastor.

Mr. Chapin had started holding services in Rice Lake about a year before, the meet- ings being held in the old building now

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standing south of the School for the Deaf, but then located on the present site of the Odd Fellows' Block. The building was erect- ed as a Courthouse in 1874, and afterward used for various purposes. For a time the upper story was the City Hall, and for a time the lower story was the postoffice. The first church edifice used by the Presbyterians was a little chapel on West Humbird street, dedicated Sept. 9, 1883. Later this chapel was moved to a site opposite the present church. Mr. Chapin was succeeded in 1884 Dy Rev. S. Phoenix. He was succeeded late in 1888 by Rev. William Omelvena. Mr. Umelvena remained but a short time. After his departure services were maintained for a while by Alden Bliss, a local layman. Late in December, 1889, Rev. Thomas S. Waller was called to the pulpit. He also had a charge at Chetek. Neither congregation was self supporting, and the Home Mission So- ciety contributed funds to keep the churches open. The present church was erected in 1893. In 1894, Mr. Waller was succeeded by the Rev. D. C. Jones, who remained until 1899. Then for a year Rev. Palm was pas- tor. During his pastorate the "Manse" was erected. To complete this building $900 was borrowed from the Church Erection Board. After Mr. Palm left for a while there was a vacancy in the pastorate. Rev. Lanman preached here for a few months. Next Mr .. Koons, a student, was called, and occupied the pulpit for a year. During his pastorate the church for the first time became self supporting. Mr. Koons was succeeded by Mr. Erickson. He died before the expiration of his first year, and Mr. Melrose, a student, was called. Under his supervision an annex to the church was constructed. Mr. Melrose resigned and Mr. Conger, a student, was called. It is interesting to note that he went from here to Russia to work among the Ger- man prisoners. After he left here for three months there was no regular pastor although the pulpit was filled every Sunday. Then Rev. U. G. Lacey was called. He was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. L. F. Badger. The church has an excellent La- dies' Aid Society organized in the spring of 1883. The Sunday school and the other church organizations are in flourishing con- dition.

Mrs. Horace W. Drake, who has furnished the information for this article has many interesting stories to tell of the work of the church and of the Ladies' Aid Society in the early days. She says:

"In the latter part of August, 1882, Mr. Drake and myself started from Shell Lake to Rice Lake. After reaching Cumberland, in Barron County, we stopped at the Colling- wood House. Upon making inquiry we learned from the proprietor that a traveling missionary was about to start out with a team of horses that Mr. Monteith, a prom- inent business man, had left at the hotel to be returned to Rice Lake by some reliable person. It was then that we made the ac- quaintance of the Rev. W. V. Chapin, who consented to take us with him. After a drive of eighteen miles over the rough roads we reached Rice Lake in safety and went to

the home of my sister. There my mother met the missionary, and it was thus that she became a charter member of the church he was to organize. After he had been preaching here about six months, the La- dies' Aid Society was organized, with about ten members, the first president being Mrs. Dean. I was one of the members. We did a great deal of entertaining. Our work most of the time was giving dinners and fairs, piecing quilts, making comforters, sewing carpet rags and manufacturing paper flow- ers. I remember that I made one bouquet of roses which I sold to Mr. Nunn for fifty cents. Our annual fairs were great events, held in vacant buildings, and lasting from two to three days. The members manufac- tured everything sold, and sometimes made as much as $200 or $300. Our society worked hard in those days and all the money we made we paid toward the minister's salary. When the first little chapel was to be cleaned before it was opened, we cleaned it of spat- tered lime, and took turns scrubbing the floors and windows. The first heating stove was donated by Judge Swift. In the summer the mosquitoes were a great nuisance, and in the winter time the pastor, Mr. Chapin, had to dig a path through the deep snow so that the congregation could get into the chapel. Three of our pastors, the Rev. Messrs. Koons, Melrose and Conger, brought their brides here. The church is now in a prosperous condition, and in watching the eager workers of the younger generation in the various church organizations, we older ones are glad that such worthy hands are taking up the task of carrying on the work: that we began some four decades ago."

The Emanuel Congregation of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Rice Lake, Wis., was or- ganized June 17, 1886. Prior to this time, Rev. J. D. Nelsenius of Ashland, Wis., had visited Rice Lake, and preached the gospel to the Scandinavians there. As there was no church building at the time, the home of Anders Knudson was used as a "church." The first members of the newly organized congregation were:

Anders Knudson and wife, Anders Sorder- strom and wife, Nels P. Hornquist and wife, A. J. Anderson and wife, Jacob Peterson (the · only one now living, 1922) and wife.

Rev. Nelsenius was called to the office of vice pastor with the understanding that he should visit the congregation once each month. Coming all the way from Ashland, Wis., twelve times in the year and for tak- ing general charge of the entire work he was paid the sum of seventy-five dollars. Thus the faithful pioneer continued to serve the congregation until the year 1891. He was succeeded by Rev. August Bengston, who was called to take charge of the work in 1891. Rev. Bengston served the congrega- tion but four years. In April, 1896, Rev. A. J. Malmquist was called. He served the congregations at Rice Lake, Cumberland, Shell Lake and Hayward, until the early spring of 1903.

At the annual meeting of 1897, Anders Knudson offered to donate a lot if the con- gregation would proceed to erect a church.

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This was accepted. In December, the same year, an extra congregational meeting was held, at which it was decided to erect a church. The following were elected to serve on the Building Committee: Gustave Flo- berg, Anders Knudson, August Nordeen, Carl Anderson, J. Johnson and Isack Jonson. A church was finally built in 1898. The ceme- tery, located three miles southwest of the city, was secured about this time.

Rev. Erick Edmund, M. D., succeeded Rev. Malmquist in the year of 1903 and served until spring of 1906. He was succeeded by Rev. Olaf Nordblad, who remained but one year. In 1906 rev. J. A. Forstlund was called. He served the congregation for three years and was succeeded in 1911 by Rev. Elmer, who served his congregation until his death in 1913. Olaf F. Domay, then a student in the Augustana Theological Semi- nary at Rock Island, Ill., was called. He ac- cepted and served until the spring of 1918. Then the present pastor, Rev. A. E. Gom- grew, then a theological student, was called, and has since served.

The church was rebuilt in 1920 at the cost of approximately $10,000. The church prop- erty, the cemetery not included, is now valued at $16,500. The total membership is two hundred and fifty souls.

The Evangelical Church of Rice Lake dates back nearly forty years. The work of the Evangelical Church on the Rice Lake Mission started in the year 1883. Rev. David Schneider being pastor of the Barron County Mission and living at Prairie farm, came over to Rice Lake and held services in a schoolhouse two miles south of Rice Lake, and at the same time he also started preach- ing nine miles northwest of Rice Lake, what is now the Wiesner Church. In 1894 & church was built at Rice Lake, Rev. H. Ninneman being pastor. At the Wiesner congregation the meetings were held for a number of years in the houses, but during the labor of Rev. G. E. Zellmer in the year 1908, a church was built. During the same year a church was also built five miles north-west of Barron which is known as the Hope church. A parsonage was built in Rice Lake in 1905.

The following ministers served on the field: David Schneider, L. M. Siewert, F. A. Munat, E. W. Gassman, H. Ninneman, W. F. Berg, G. H. Scheible, F. Reichert, David Schneider, H. P. Gordan, H. Haag, G. E. Zellmer, G. F. Hack, B. O. Maschmann, E. W. Marks, Jacob Schneller, and A. F. Wendorf.

The first members of the Rice Lake Church were Philipp Henrich, Elizabeth Henrich, Frank Henrich, Anna Henrich, Carl Hoffman, Emilie Hoffman, Barbara Rauchenstien, Robert Krueger.

The first members of the Wiesner Church were Herman Wiesner, Ernstine Wiesner, William Wille, Augusta Wille, Henry Weilep, William Wiesner, Alvina Wiesner.

The first members of the North Barron (Hope) Church were Fred Schranz, Bertha Schranz, Edward Boyk, Mary Boyk, Chris- tian Aellig, Ursula Aellig.

Sunday Schools were organized and are held in all three congregations. Two La-

dies' Aid Societies were also organized, one at Rice Lake and the other at North Bar- ron. In the Wiesner Church the young people have an active Young People's Alliance.

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church was started in 1880, as a mission from Our Lady of Lourdes at Dobie, by Rev. J. Dole. The brick church building was erected in the same year. The first resident pastor was Rev. M. Schoelch. He remained eight months, when the church again became a mission of Stanfold. This method of min- istration was continued until July 9, 1889. when Rev. P. Becker was appointed rector. Under his pastorate the parsonage was erected in 1889, and St. Joseph's school in 1890. Both are of brick. The latter is 30 by 60 feet, with two stories and base- ment.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in Bar- ron County. The missions and parishes of the church in Barron County are part of the La Crosse Convocation and are directly under the supervision of the Archdeacon of La Crosse, Diocese of Milwaukee, Bishop W. W. Webb of Milwaukee being the bishop of this diocese.

Charles Nunn and F. M. Angel and fam- ilies settled in Rice Lake in 1875. They were the first church families here. The James Bracklin and S. S. Morrison families came in 1876.

Strenuous efforts were made by these families to obtain the ministrations of a priest, but it was not until March 23, 1879, that they had an opportunity of listening to a sermon by an Episcopal minister, Rev. P. B. Morrison of Eau Claire. The service was held in a building on the site of the present Odd Fellows' Hall. Occasional services were held in 1879 by Rev. E. R. Sweetland. The first missionary preacher assigned to the parish was Rev. A. P. Peabody who vis- ited Rice Lake once a month, from 1880 to 1882. In the fall of 1880 the primal steps were taken to obtain a lot for the erection of a church edifice. Rt. Rev. E. R. Welles, S. T. D., third bishop of Wisconsin, made his first visit to the village May 10, 1881 and confirmed three persons. The services were held in the old city hall building. A mission . was organized in June, 1881, and placed in charge of Rev. S. J. Yunt in July, 1882, with Rev. Charles S. Sleight as assistant. F. W. Angel was warden; S. S. Morrison, treas- urer, and G. H. Baiwaise, clerk. Sept. 21. 1883, the corner stone of the church was laid, Bishop Welles officiating. The first services were held in it June 3, 1884, when the Bishop conducted the services. There were four baptisms and four confirmations.

Many very noted men have been in charge of this parish.

St. Mark's Church, Barron, was organized in 1894 by the Rev. E. F. Gee. Major E. N. Stebbins is really the one to whom the church in Barron owes the most. He was the first churchman to settle at Barron, and it was largely due to his untiring efforts that Barron now has one of the prettiest and best furnished churches in Barron County. St. Mark's was consecrated by the

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Rt. Rev. L. A. Nickolson, Bishop of Mil- waukee, in 1901. St. Mark's is now becom- ing one of the important churches of the city of Barron.

St. Phillip's Church, Turtle Lake, was organized in 1901. The parish has a very fine little church building properly fur- nished and the Archdeacon of La Cross sees that regular services are held there.

There is a church at Cumberland that has been closed owing to the lack of men to look after it. Plans are being made to open it within the coming year.

St. Hugh's Mission at Chetek has had a long history also, it has never been organ- ized but services are held there from time to time by the missionary of Rice Lake and Chippewa Falls.

The only resident rector in Barron County is the Rev. M. B. Goodall, who re- sides at Rice Lake, and is the priest in charge of Grace Church at Rice Lake and St. Mark's at Barron, as well as of other Barron County Missions.

The Barron County Bank, located at Rice Lake, is the oldest bank in Rarron County. It was organized in 1882 by N. W. Bailey, a merchant of Richland Center, Richland County, this state, who saw in the growing hamlet an opportunity for establishing a flourishing financial institution. He opened the bank at the southeast corner of Hum- bird and Main streets, his wife, Mrs. Anna B. Bailey, after his marriage, being his as- sistant. In 1888 the banking rooms were moved to the northwest corner of Eau Claire and Main streets, the present loca- tion. The building thus occupied was later burned, but was at once replaced with the present structure. The institution was in- corporated as a state bank, July 29, 1903, with a capital of $10,000, the officers and stockholders being: N. W. Bailey (presi- dent), Miss A. Pauline Bernard (vice presi- dent), and Mrs. Anna B. Bailey (cashier). July 15, 1909, Edolph G. Shervey became assistant cashier. A reorganization was ef- fected March 2, 1911. Mr. Bailey remained president, D. F. Clark became vice presi- dent, and William D. Brady became cashier. Mr. Shervey was still assistant cashier. Oct. 15, 1914, the capital was increased to $25,000. Aug. 7, 1916, Mr. Clark became president, Mr. Brady vice president, and Mr. Shervey cashier. At that time Henry O. Moe was made assistant cashier. Mr. Moe volunteered the day after the United States entered the World War, became a second lieutenant, and was killed in action in France. Carl G. Hagen became assis- tant cashier Sept. 6, 1919, and was suc- ceeded March 29, 1920 by Harvey I. Amund- son. March 15, 1920, Miss Ione Quinn be- came bookkeeper, and on Jan. 12, 1921, Melvin Newberg was added to the staff in a similar capacity.

The financial statement of the bank is- sued Nov. 15. 1920, was as follows: Re- sources-Loans, discounts, rediscounts and overdrafts, $444,584.18; United States se- curities and other bonds, $16,878.20; bank- ing house, furniture and fixtures, $8,000;

cash and due from banks, $67,983.37; other assets, $2,974.05; total, $540,419.80. Liabil- ities-Capital paid in, $25,000; surplus and undivided profits, ($15,630.05 less $10,774.43 current expenses and taxes paid) $14,- 855.62; deposits, $465,564.18; bills payable. $35,000; total, $540,419.80.

The First National Bank of Rice Lake, the largest bank in Barron County, dates its uninterrupted operation back to the fall of 1888, when E. L. Everts, then a Rice Lake business man, opened a private bank in the historic old Ringling building, so called, at the southwest corner of Main and Newton streets. A year later, Oct. 28, 1889, the institution was incorporated as the Bank of Rice Lake, with a capital of $25,000, the incorporators being: President, Louis S. Tainter; vice president, Nathan B. No- ble; cashier, Edward L. Everts; assistant cashier, Charles Nunn. These gentlemen were all from Rice Lake, except Mr. Tain- ter, who lived in Menomonie. Mr. Nunn died, and on Nov. 29, 1890, James Brack- lin was appointed director in his place. Jan. 14, 1896, Mr. Bracklin was made vice president in place of Mr. Noble. F. T. Watson was added to the board of directors Jan. 13, 1894. B. I. Bliss became assistant cashier Jan. 19, 1895. When the bank closed its books Jan. 2, 1900, the officers were: President, Louis S. Tainter; vice president, James Bracklin; cashier, Edward L. Everts; assistant cashier, B. I. Bliss; and the directors were the Messrs. Tainter, Everts, Noble, Bracklin and Watson. The institution was reorganized Jan. 3, 1900. with a capital of $50,000 as the Bank of Rice Lake. The incorporators were: Louis S. Tainter, Menomonie (president); James Bracklin, Rice Lake (vice president); Ed- ward L. Everts, Rice Lake (cashier); Wil- liam H. Hatten, New London; Nathan B. Noble, Rice Lake, and O. H. Ingram, Eau Claire. The three officers constituted the board of directors. B. I. Bliss was made assistant cashier and L. S. Everts was made second assistant cashier. On Jan. 12, 1901, Mr. Bracklin having died, there was a re- arrangement of the directorate. O. H. In- gram, Eau Claire lumberman, was made president and W. H. Bundy vice president. E. L. Everts was retained as cashier and B. I. Bliss as assistant cashier, and the latter was also made a director. The fifth director was C. A. Chamberlin. L. S. Everts was continued as second assistant cashier. Jan. 31, 1902, Mr. Bliss resigned. William H. Hatten took his place as direc- tor, and L. S. Everts took his place as as- sistant cashier. Jan. 6, 1903 it was voted to convert the institution into a National Bank. In the meantime, Feb. 13, 1892, the bank had purchased two lots which the present bank occupies, and erected a bank- ing house thereon.

The First National Bank of Rice Lake, reorganized from the Bank of Rice Lake, opened for business April 8, 1903, the for- mer institution having closed out the night before. The first board of directors con- sisted of: O. H. Ingram (president), W. H. Bundy (vice president), E. L. Everts (cash-

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ier), C. A. Chamberlin and W. H. Hatten. L. S. Everts was assistant cashier. O. H. Ingram was succeeded as director Jan. 14, 1919, by William H. Hatton, who was suc- ceeded Jan. 13, 1920, by E. H. Bjoin. W. H. Hatton, who was one of the original direc- tors, was succeeded July 14, 1909 by Oscar Hooey, but, as noted, resumed office again for a year in 1919, as O. H. Ingram's suc- cessor. C. A. Chamberlin was succeeded as director Feb. 12, 1912, by Orrin Ingram. E. L. Everts was succeeded as director on Aug. 1, 1910, by Nels Stolheim, who was succeeded Feb. 17, 1914 by W. A. Demers. W. H. Bundy was succeeded as director May 21, 1909, by J. E. Horsman. Jan. 1, 1914, O. M. Sattre became the sixth member of the board and is still serving. Jan. 10, 1905, C. H. Ingram became the seventh member of the board and was succeeded Jan. 8, 1907 by E. B. Ingram. The first president, O. H. Ingram, served until his death in 1918. He was succeeded Jan. 14. 1919, by E. B. Ingram. Jan. 13, 1920, Dr. O. M. Sattre became president. W. H. Bundy, the original vice president, was suc- ceeded July 14, 1909, by O. M. Sattre, who in turn, was succeeded Jan. 13, 1920, by J. E. Horsman. E. L. Everts, the cashier, was succeeded Aug. 1, 1910 by Nels Stal- heim. Nov. 26, 1913, Mr. Stalheim being ill, W. A. Demers was appointed secretary of the board of directors, and on Oct. 14, 1914, after Mr. Stalheim's death, was made cashier. L. E. Everts was the original first assistant cashier. He resigned Oct. 16. 1907, and ten days later W. A. Demers was appointed, succeeded Feb. 14, 1914, by Carl E. Overby. Carl E. Overby was the original second assistant, appointed Oct. 16, 1907. He was succeeded Jan. 13, 1915, by T. G. Hoff. Henry O. Moe was ap- pointed third assistant, Nov. 17, 1913, and served for a short time. March 21, 1917, Peder Peterson (Aas) Jr., was appointed. He served as second assistant during Mr. Hoff's service in the United States forces, July, 1917, to June, 1919. Of the present staff, Mr. Demers has been with the bank since Nov. 1, 1907, Mr. Overby since Feb. 20, 1902, Mr. Hoff since Oct. 26, 1911, and Mr. Peterson since March 15, 1915. The institution joined the Federal Reserve sys- tem Feb. 17, 1914. The bank has the finest. banking house in the county, fully equipped for the best methods. The building is of Bedford stone, two stories high, with full mahogany. The banking house interior is finished in marble and mahogany. A fea- ture is the comfortable space reserved for the patrons to be used as a rest room, for business appointments and committees and board meetings. Work on remodelling the old building was started in the spring of 1916, but after the work was started the plans were altered, so that the present building is practically a new structure. It was formerly opened Feb. 24, 1917.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 179

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1767

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767