USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 64
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 64
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The Durand water supply is derived chiefly from a flowing artesian
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well, 303 feet deep, the distributing pressure being both direct and of gravitational force, reaching all parts of the city. In 1912 the city put in a system of waterworks at a cost of $20,000. The water is pumped by electricity, furnished by the Durand Light & Power Co., from its Eau Galle plant. A number of private artesian wells, from 150 to 500 feet deep, are also in use.
The Durand Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1888 with 50 men, and with an equipment of one steam fire-engine and one hook and ladder truck. The steam fire-engine was sold in 1918. The department now consists of 25 men, one hose-cart, with 3,000 feet of hose, and one hook and ladder truck, W. E. Barton being chief. The water is furnished from the city standpipe and pumping station, being forced by electric pumps at a pressure of 80 pounds. The department is housed in the city hall, in which also are the city offices and council chamber. It is a two- story brick building equal to the present needs of the city.
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The Durand Public Library was established in 1898 by subscription and was housed in Dr. Hutchinson's drug store, at which time it had five or six hundred volumes. In 1900 the city took it in hand and moved it to a room furnished for the purpose, where it remained until the library building was completed in 1907. Several applications were made to the Carnegie Library Association for a building, which in due course of time was granted. The city furnishes funds for its maintenance. The library now contains 4,000 volumes, including periodicals and a fine line of reference books. Mrs. E. M. Dunlap has been librarian since 1900.
Tarrant's Park owes its birth to the liberality and kind consideration of the family of that name. It comprises twelve acres of wooded land, well suited for park purposes. It was a gift to the city from the Tarrants as a family presentation to perpetuate the intimate association of this name with the commercial and social history of Durand.
The Durand Light & Power Company was originated in 1900 by the present company with a paid-up capital stock of $35,000. It has met with a general support and its services are in universal demand for the lighting of the city homes and stores, besides the power. The company owns its water power of 565 horse capacity, located on the Eau Galle River. It now has in service about 4,000 lights. Its official staff is made up of G. M. Miles, president; E. M. Miles, vice president, and H. A. Miles, sec- retary, treasurer and manager, all men of enterprise and high local stand- ing, whose worth is reflected in the good electrical service rendered and influence in industrial promotion in other undertakings.
In 1856 a keel boat was built by M. D. Prindle and called the "Dutch Lady." It was run for a number of years between Reed's Landing, Durand and Eau Claire, carrying the freight between those places.
In 1857 a ferry was started across the Chippewa River at Durand by Jacob Kuhn and John Schnell. This was a pole ferry and was run as such until 1860, when Sol Crosby a horse ferry. It was subsequently purchased by George Babcock. Then the Goodrich Brothers became the owner of it, and they afterwards sold out to Carlisle & Smith, who introduced the first steam ferry-boat. H. R. Smith purchased his partner's interest in the en-
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terprise and operated the ferry until the bridge was built across the river. As this was the only place on the river between the Mississippi and Eau Claire at which a crossing could be made, it necessarily brought many people here and was beneficial to the town.
In 1884 a wooden bridge was constructed across the Chippewa River by the Chippewa Bridge Co., at a cost of $17,000, the city granting the necessary charter and donating $3,000, which was raised by subscription. The structure was built of wood and iron, with four spans of 200 feet each, and a draw 100 feet in the clear, spanning 225 feet. Its total length was 1,240 feet. It was operated as a toll bridge, a charge of 25 cents being made for teams, or 40 cents both ways, and five cents for foot passengers. After being in operation for 20 years the charter expired, and on Sept. 11, 1906, during a high wind, the bridge was blown off its abutments and destroyed.
In the spring of 1902 the city started the construction of a steel bridge, which was completed in the fall at a cost of $33,000. It has four spans of 200 feet each, and a draw of 326 feet. It is operated as a toll bridge during the day time, but passage is free after 8:00 p. m.
This bridge has been of the greatest advantage to the people and merchants of Durand. There is no other crossing place lower down the Chippewa River, and people desiring to get by automobile from the Mis- sissippi River towns below the mouth of the Mississippi to those above, and vice versa must pass through Durand. This brings to the city tourists who patronize the hotels and advertise its advantages, and business men who spend considerable money here. Much rural trade is also brought from the westward.
The first school available for the children of the earliest settlers of Durand was taught by Emma Ide (afterwards Mrs. H. R. Smith) in the summer of 1857 at Chippewa, the small settlement a mile and a half above Durand, now known as Bear Creek. The first school in Durand was taught by Mary Morse, in a small frame building, she being succeeded by Emma Ide, the first teacher at Chippewa. In 1860 the first district schoolhouse, with one department, was built. It was known as the stone schoolhouse. Since 1873 it has been occupied as a dwelling. The district schoolhouse on Burgess' addition was substituted for it when the high school was established under the free high school law of the state. It was moved about a mile out of the city, in 1876, and converted into a residence.
The present schools consist of two frame buildings, each of two stories, one being used for grades and high school, and the other for grades only. The main building was erected in 1876, at a cost of $4,000, additions being made in the eighties. It is electrically lighted, heated with hot air fur- nace, and furnished with running water and toilets. In this building eight grades are. taught, together with a full high school course of four years, and courses in agriculture and domestic science.
The Durand Postoffice has an interesting history. In the spring of 1858, the postoffice at the village of Chippewa, at the mouth of Bear Creek, was removed to Durand, D. C. Topping was the first postmaster,
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and the office was in his store in what was afterward known as the old Barton Block. In 1861, he was succeeded by W. F. Prindle, whose suc- cessor was C. J. Smith. The next to hold the office was Myron A. Shaw. He was followed by H. D. Dyer, who continued to serve the public for 21 years. A. W. Hammond was then postmaster for three years, his suc- cessor, W. L. Bachelder, being appointed in 1889. Patrick Ryan was ap- pointed in 1896 and remained in office until September 1, 1899. On Sep- tember 1, 1899, Mabel Ryan succeeded Patrick Ryan and was postmistress to January 1, 1900, at which time John Gillmore was appointed and was postmaster to December, 1915. His successor was Henry Pattison, who is postmaster at the present time. The mail service at the present time comprises a free city and rural delivery, made up of one city, four rural and two star route carriers. Durand is one of the few cities of its size in the United States having free mail delivery, a privilege created by the large local business. Rural Route No. 1 was established and commenced delivering mail about 1902. August Fisher was the first carrier. F. G. Slumph has been carrier on the route some fifteen years. Rural Route No. 2 was established and commenced to deliver mail on February 2, 1903. Charles G. Branch was the first mail carrier and is still delivering mail on this route. The Tarrant postoffice on this route was discontinued into the Durand office. Rural Route No. 3 was established and commenced to deliver mail on June 15, 1905. August Schlumpf is now delivering mail on this route. The Misha Mokwa postoffice on this route was discontinued. Rural Route No. 4 was established next. Roy Forster is now the mail carrier on this route. The Urne postoffice was discontinued when the route was established.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Durand dates back to religious activities in the days of the early settlement. As long ago as 1855, prayer meetings were held on Maxville Prairie, and the following year several meetings were held by local preachers. At these early meetings, the most prominent and active participants were Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Kings- land, Mr. and Mrs. M. Aaron, and Edward Doughty and other members of the Doughty family. Of these C. F. Kingsland became an ordained clergyman in the Minnesota conference, and all became leaders in Chris- tian work. Meetings continued to be held throughout this region from Alma to Eau Claire and much good resulted. As the result of this activity, Rev. Chauncey Hobart, presiding elder of the Prescott District, came to Maxville Prairie, on July 17, 1858, organized the Maxwell Prairie-Bear Creek Circuit, installed Rev. S. M. Webster as circuit preacher, and held the first quarterly conference. James B. Drew and Edward Doughty were made local preachers and exhorters, while U. P. Purcell, Henry Cole- man, Perry Hardy, L. Howard, J. U. Stafford and Henry Doughty were selected to serve as stewards. Of these Henry Doughty is still a member of the official board of the church at Durand.
The old time quarterly conference was an important event in any Methodist community. This was more than that. It was a climax. A revival broke out, and about one hundred persons are recorded as con-
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verted. The participants came together from a wide region. One came from beyond Beef River with an ox team. Parties were made up to make the trip from Durand, Alma, Chippewa City and other points.
The second quarterly conference was held Oct. 9, 1858, at Tuttle's Schoolhouse, in the Bear Creek Valley, north of the David Gifford farm. Among those prominent at this conference were P. Hardy, Edward Doughty, Andrew Lobdell, J. B. Green, F. Neal, G. Doud, Henry Doughty and Daniel Doughty. The third quarterly conference was held at Maxville Prairie. The fourth quarterly conference was held at Chippewa Village, at the mouth of Bear Creek, a mile above Durand. Nelson Sabin and Jere- miah Newville were elected stewards. S. M. Webster was recommended to the Bishop to be returned to the circuit. This year a parsonage was erected on Maxville Prairie.
The second year opened under favorable circumstances. Four stations were in the circuit, Maxville Prairie, Chippewa City, Tuttle's Schoolhouse in Bear Creek, and Luna in Lima Township. Rev. S. M. Webster was circuit preacher and Edward Doughty his assistant. The first quarterly conference was held at Luna, June 25, 1858. Timothy S. Kilgore was added to the list of stewards. Daniel Beeman was present and was re- ceived into full membership from the Primitive Methodist Church, and his license as a local preacher in that church recognized. Beeman was a well-known character of those days. He had lived in New Orleans, and was an ardent abolitionist. For some years he had been a daring agent of the Underground Railroad, but being discovered and his usefulness thus ended there, he fled north and settled near Eau Claire.
The second quarterly conference was held at a camp meeting on the land of Delos Allen, just east of the present limits of Durand. After the camp meeting, the lumber from the sheds, stands and shacks was piled on a lot in Durand for the purpose of erecting a church. But a deed to the lot was not obtained, the plan did not materialize and the lumber was disposed of otherwise. This was the last as well as the second confer- ence, the annual conference thereafter being held in the fall. A number of new names had by this time began to appear in official connection with the circuit, among whom may be mentioned E. S. Havens (local preacher), M. D. Ford, J. W. Harding, R. F. Brown and George Teal.
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In 1860-61, Rev. S. M. Webster continued as circuit preacher, with M. Woodley and D. W. Downs as junior preachers. The circuit now in- cluded Alma, Maxwell, Little Bear Creek, Durand, Tuttle's, Wood's, Luna and Locks. The second quarterly conference was held at Durand, Feb. 9, 1861. The fourth quarterly conference was also held there. Tyrone was added to the circuit. A missionary collection for the year amounted to $10.50. The conference recommended that the circuit be split north and south, cutting off Mondovi.
The first quarterly conference for 1861-62 was held at Luna with M. Sorin as presiding elder, Thomas Harwood as circuit preacher and C. F. Kingsland as junior preacher. Daniel Doughty was appointed class leader of the Durand Class.
At the fourth quarterly conference held at Durand, Sept. 10, 1862,
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the financial report of the year was read. It had been estimated that for the year's work and expenses the presiding elder should have $24, the circuit preacher $210, and the junior preacher $350, a total of $584. But of this, only $159.07 was collected. For missions $6.04 was raised in the whole circuit.
At the beginning of the new conference year that fall, M. Sorin was still the presiding elder. Rev. C. P. Hackney was circuit preacher, and J. S. Ackers junior preacher. Mondovi, Durand and all outlying points were in one circuit.
In 1863-64 the same preachers remained. T. C. Golden was presiding elder. The building of a church at Durand continued to be considered. In 1864-65, the pastor was the Rev. M. Woodley, and James Gurley, of Maxville, the local preacher. At the quarterly conference held in July, 1865, Mr. Woodley announced that poverty compelled him to leave the circuit. He had served forty-five weeks, driven the circuit in all kinds of weather, had advanced his own expenses, had himself contributed to various church funds, and had received from the circuit but $254.16, or about $1 a day. The Civil war was just ending, and after the four years of struggle, the scattered settlers in this region were without money. Mr. Gurley filled out the year, receiving for his services, $38.00.
But a renewed prosperity and interest were about to dawn. In the fall of 1865 came Rev. L. E. Sprenger. Mr. Sprenger had served through the Civil war as chaplain of the Third Wis. Vol. Inf., and had done excel- lent work. He brought with him to this circuit both energy and ability. Before he had been working here long he had at Durand a class of 37 members, with an average attendance of 18 at the class meetings and six at the prayer meetings. He also had at Durand a flourishing Sunday school, with some eighty members. The work at Maxwell, Tuttle's and Wood's flourished in proportion.
In 1866, with a view to building a church, a board of trustees was appointed to acquire and hold property at Durand. This board con- sisted of Daniel Doughty, Seth Stott, Fayette Allen, Henry Doughty and Samuel Doughty. The fall or early winter of 1866, Rev. Mr. Sprenger started the erection of a church edifice which was 40 by 60 feet, ground dimensions, and cost $1,200. It was completed during the pastorate of the Rev. A. J. Davis, 1867-68 and dedicated by Rev. J. B. Richardson, presiding elder of the La Crosse District. It cost about $4,000. The next pastors were Rev. W. H. Bushnell, 1869; Rev. W. T. Boughton, 1870; Rev. G. D. Brown, 1871-73. F. W. Dighton supplied for a few months and died here in 1874. The Rev. W. W. Wheaton was pastor in 1875-76; Rev. C. C. Swartz in 1877-78; Rev. W. C. Cross in 1879-80; Rev. J. Harrington in 1881; Rev. N. C. Bradley in 1882; Rev. G. D. Brown in 1883-84; Rev. P. K. Jones in 1885-86. During Mr. Jones' pastorate, the church building was improved and a good parsonage erected. These ventures left the con- gregation considerably in debt, but this was partly liquidated under the pastorate of the Rev. John Holt in 1887-91. During this pastorate a tower was built on the church and a furnace installed. Rev. G. W. Smith served the charge in 1892 and G. W. Smith in 1893. During the pastorate of Rev.
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Warren Woodruff in 1894-95, the parsonage was painted and an addition erected. Under Rev. W. E. Emery, in 1896, the church was painted and electric lights put in. Rev. John Leimbuhler served in 1899-1900; Rev. H. C. Chambers in 1901; Rev. A. W. Luce in 1902-03; Rev. R. A. Atkins, 1904-05. Under the Rev. Frank Bell, 1906-08, improvements were made on church and parsonage and the parsonage again painted. Rev. R. H. Reed served from 1909 to the spring of 1911. Since then the Rev. J. W. Harris has had the church in charge. Under his pastorate the church has taken on new life. The locations of the church and parsonage have been changed, the church being placed on the corner of the block. The church was repapered on the interior, a full basement constructed and a new furnace and heating system installed. The parsonage was repapered and repainted on the interior, a full basement constructed, and the remod- eled church furnace placed therein. Thus both buildings were made more suitable for their present use and the property greatly increased in beauty and value. Among the pioneer members of the church whose early toils made the later success possible may be mentioned : John Stafford; Edward, Henry, Samuel, William, Henrietta and Phoebe Doughty; Daniel and Eliza- beth Graff ; Charles (Sr.) and Zillah Van Brunt; Perry and Lucinda Hardy ; Seth and M. B. Scott; Joseph and Susan Harding.
The Plymouth Congregational Church of Durand was established by the Rev. A. Kidder, of Eau Claire, who commenced missionary work here in February, 1874. In the following September, the Chippewa Convention was held in the village, when a church of twelve members was organized. These members were: Caleb Spooner, Matthias Vickery, Lucinda Spooner, Mrs. Augusta Greenwood, Mrs. Alma Tunison, Mrs. Lucy E. Kidder, Al- berone Kidder, Mrs. Jessie Fraser, Mrs. Tercelie Sterling, Mrs. Sarah J. Kinney, Mrs. Hattie Dyer and Mrs. Angelina A. Hutchinson. Caleb Spooner was unanimously chosen the first deacon. There was a revival in 1875, when the membership was increased to twenty. Services were held at the Courthouse until the frame house of worship, 33 by 66 feet, with a seating capacity of 280, was erected in 1879-80 at a cost of $4,500. Mr. Kidder was mainly instrumental in securing efficient aid for this purpose. The dedication took place Oct. 17, 1880. The Rev. F. B. Doe officiated at the ceremonies and raised the balance of the indebtedness, $700, thus rendering the congregation free from pecuniary obligations. Mr. Kidder resigned in 1883, having served nearly ten years. He was followed in the pastorate by the Rev. J. A. Wood, who remained two years, retiring July 26, 1886. His successor was the Rev. E. L. Morse, who served as pastor until October, 1891. Under his leadership the present manse was erected at a cost of $1,400. Since then the pastors have been: the Rev. Messrs. E. B. Boggess, October, 1891-February, 1893; Henry Baker, De- cember, 1893-April, 1894; F. B. Doe, June, 1894-September, 1894; J. F. Bacon, November, 1894-October, 1895; J. A. Eaken, December, 1895-Au- gust, 1898; Alex Chambers, January, 1889-May, 1901; L. A. Holt, January, 1902-November, 1902; F. H. Anderson, April, 1903-September, 1905; J. H. Roland, February, 1906-October, 1909; O. W. Smith, October, 1911-March, 1914; N. W. Conkle, March, 1915-May 1917. T. T. Phelps, the present
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pastor, came in September, 1917. Under his leadership the church has more than doubled its membership, seventy new members being admitted his first year here. The Manse has also been greatly improved, the exte- rior being stuccoed and the interior decorated. The church is in a flourish- ing condition and is doing its share toward the progress of the community.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durand is pleasantly situ- ated on West Montgomery street. The church dates back to 1889, when services were held in Gerber's Hall by Rev. F. Schaffnit. These services continued to be held and in 1898 an organization was perfected by Henry Bruenn, George P. Gerber, C. Bruenn, H. Klems, J. Hartman and Albert Strese. Among others who have since come into prominence may be mentioned Richard Dreysee, William Strese, John Bruenn and Fred Block. The church building was erected in 1901 and dedicated Nov. 10, of that year. The pastors have been the Rev. Messrs. F. Schaffnit, H. Claassen, W. Flachmeier, C. Baetke, J. Preu, J. Kruger and P. Schedler, the present pastor.
On a high elevation, commanding a splendid view of the valley of the Chippewa River, stands, almost on the outskirts of the city, the Church of the Durand Catholic Parish, St. Mary's, erected in 1885, by the Rev. Joseph M. Baur.
Many years prior to its settlement as a parish, the Catholic Congrega- tion of Durand had been in existence as a mission, being attended in suc- cession by priests from Chippewa Falls, Hudson and Eau Galle. The first Catholic settlers in and around Durand were Daniel Fitzpatrick, Ber- nard McDonough, Maurice Powers, Thomas Fox, Thomas Egan and others, who had emigrated from Ireland during the potato famine and, after many wanderings had settled here in the fifties of the last century. They were followed in the sixties by Catholic settlers from Germany and Belgium, among whom the Nussberger, Kralwoski and Kieffring families deserve special mention. In the seventies there came a large influx of Catholics of the German race, who came from the province of Lower Austria, in the former Austrian empire; this influx continued until 1890, and at pres- ent the great bulk of the congregation consists of Catholics of Austrian descent, with a good sprinkling of people of the Irish and French race.
The present church property was purchased in 1866 and the first Catholic church erected on it in 1874. In 1876 Father Albert Mendl, who was appointed first resident pastor in Durand, built a new parsonage. He was succeeded by the Rev. N. Flammang, who remained until Dec. 31, 1880, when Rev. Joseph M. Baur assumed the duties of that office. During his pastorate, which lasted 18 years, many valuable improvements and addi- tions were made. Among these is the present substantial brick church, 42 x 82 feet, which was erected in 1885 and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Flasch of the La Crosse diocese. The following year a parochial school was opened in the building which had formerly served as church. The present spacious parsonage was built in 1891 and the old parsonage turned into a residence for the School Sisters.
January 1, 1898, Rev. Charles B. Weikmann was appointed pastor of the congregation and continued until July, 1909, when he was succeeded
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by the present incumbent, Rev. Peter Trierweiler. Father Weikmann liquidated the debts of the congregation and added many valuable im- provements to school and parsonage. In 1914 the present imposing Parochial School building was erected at a cost of $10,000.
The congregation at the present time is estimated at 800 souls. The parochial school which is connected with this congregation, consists of three departments, the total average attendance of scholars being one hundred. The school is in charge of the Sisters of St. Francis of La Crosse, Wis.
The Pentecostal Church of the Nazarine was organized in the G. A. R. Hall, on July 31, 1915, by the Rev. Lyman Brough with eleven charter members as follows: J. T. Dorchester, Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Moore, Mrs. William Moore, Mrs. Walter Moore, Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Harding, Esther Harding, Ruth Harding, Earl Smith and Mrs. Lewis Ganoe. Mr. and Mrs. William Eagen have since been added. The church is located on Third street, and through the faithfulness and sacrifice of the members, the property is free from debt. The first pastor, Rev. C. H. Beck, was suc- ceeded by Rev. D. D. Tower, who in turn was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Theodore F. Harrington. Of the purpose of this church the present pastor says: "The above church exists to preach the salvation purchased for all mankind by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It believes that this salvation is free, full and present, and not for a chosen few but for all. It has no desire nor intent to tear down God's work or fight any other church, but to build up the church and fight sin in all its forms by preach- ing the truth as found in the Word of God. Truth is bound to triumph as Christ is bound to triumph, and so is His truth and that we believe. We preach a sin-eliminating salvation, bringing full salvation to every heart that accepts it on God's terms."
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