USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 49
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REMINISCENCE.
On April 1, 1869, I left Kendallville, Indiana, with Eau Claire as the objective point, arrived in Chicago in the evening of that date and proceeded via Watertown; had our breakfast the morn- ing of April 2 at Tomah, arriving at Black River Falls at eight a. m., the end of the line. Took Priee's stage at ten a. m. and wended our way through ten inches of snow and any quantity of sand toward the then village of Eau Claire, where we arrived at three o'clock a. m., April 3d. About that date the first bridge across the Chippewa was open for travel; previously the erossing was by ferry, operated by Mr. Gans. At this date Eau Claire was without railroad accommodations nearer than Black River Falls; the most of the shipping was done by boats plying between Eau Claire and Reed's Landing; goods from eastern cities came hy way of Sparta or Prairie du Chien.
HIere let me quote a few of the prevailing priees of grain and foodstuffs: Pork, $40 per barrel; young Ilyson tea, $1.50 per pound; "Black Strap" molasses, 75c by the barrel; fresh beef, 10e by the careass ; flour, $8 per barrel; potatoes, $1 per bushel ; plug tobacco, $1.50 per pound; fine eut tobaceo, $1.50 per pound ; oats, $1.25 per bushel ; hay, $15 per ton ; stumpage for pine. $1 per thousand feet. There were located on the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers twenty-seven sawmills. At the time of my arrival in Eau Claire there was but one house beyond the Omaha station, and that the residenee of Tom Randall. In order to reach the East Side hill one had to go by way of the street now leading up from Eau Claire street. The population of the eity at this time was estimated at 2,500. On May 26, 1869, the "Big fire," which started in the Chandler Hotel, spread, laying in ashes all of the business places on Barstow street from the building now owned by Bruee B. Brown on the east side of the street, and from the Peoples' store on the west side as far down as the opera house building. The west side of the river on Water street at this time did quite an important share of the business of the then flourishing village, having a steamboat landing for receiving and shipping, not far from the Niagara and Monongahela IIotels.
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which at this date did a flourishing business, but after the fire which later burned the larger portion of the business places on Water street, though rebuilt, were unable to regain their old time business, as the natural tendency of trade was toward the rail- road which reached Eau Claire in 1871.
There was not much business on the North side of a commer- cial character, mostly confined to boarding houses and hotels. The principal hotel on the East side at this time was the Eau Claire Honse, owned and operated by Mr. Newton, who later on sold the building which was moved and became part of the Hart House, which was removed to make space for the Y. M. C. A. building.
The Chippewa river, which I recently had the pleasure of tracing from Eau Claire to "Lake Hallie" (originally known as "Blue Mill") and return, gave the writer the opportunity to draw the contrast of the appearance along its banks as compared after a lapse of forty years, since floating on a lumber raft over this same distance. Forty years ago the river was lined with mills, piers, booms and logs, which took away all of the natural scenery which now pleases the eye of all true lovers of nature who may chance to pass over this portion of this beautiful stream. where one can feast the eye on the beautiful camping grounds and the changing view of foliage interspersed with trees and shrubs in full bloom, which cast their fragrance on the twilight breeze as if inviting admiration.
But few reminders of the olden days remain, and those in the form of piers and "deadheads" remain to mar the beauty ; hope is entertained in the near future the "deadheads" at least will be removed for commercial profit. At Chippewa Falls was the Union Lumber Company mill, at French Town (now South Chip- pewa) Mitchell & Co., at "Gravel Island" "Jim Taylor, " at "Blue Mill" (so named from the original owner, whose face always took on a blue appearance and he was known as "Blue Tom"). now owned by John Barron, unele of John E. Barron, of the Union Savings Bank. The LaFayette mill, owned by John Robin- son, just above the Dells (now obliterated by the paper mill dam) were the mills of J. P. Nelson, Prescott-Burdette Company and Ingram & Kennedy. At Eau Claire were the mills of Ingram & Kennedy, Smith & Buffington, Daniel Shaw Lumber Company, W. B. Estebrook and Boyd and Randall and the Pioneer Mill of R. F. Wilson. All of these ceased operation, the Daniel Shaw Company mill being the only one still operating under a new ownership. The New Dells Lumber Company and the John E.
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Kaiser Lumber Company are conducting a successful business at the present time.
The writer has seen the thinking village of forty-five years ago grow steadily in business and population until today Eau Claire is recognized as one of the thriving cities of the state. Many industries have come in to fill the places made vacant by the departure of the several lumber mills, which have more than filled the call for employes, and by the combined action of our commercial club, and the booster spirit of our citizens, may we not in the near future see Eau Claire doubled, not only in popu- lation, but in our manufacturing and general business enterprises. If all will pull for that success, with no North, South, East or West side to raise its hand, but in one united effort to build up Eau Claire to the point where all as citizens can justly feel a pride in having it known that they are residents of the beautiful, pros- perous city of Eau Claire. This is no dream, but can be made an accomplished fact if all will boost for Eau Claire, so get at it, you slow ones, and "boost," help the "Booster Club" to boost! boost! boost! for your home city, Eau Claire, first, last and all the time.
(Signed) L. A. Brace.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
EAU CLAIRE CHURCHES.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Eau Claire. About 1850, a mission was founded by the English and German speaking Catholies of Ean Claire, under the supervision of the Rev. Father Smedding, of Chippewa Falls. During his administration he be- gan the erection of the first church on the north side on what is now North Barstow street. At the expiration of two years he was succeeded by Rev. Heury Rheinhardt, who was the first settled pastor of the parish, and through his efforts, extending over many years, the church building was completed.
The Rev. M. De Bekee was appointed his successor in Septem- ber 1867, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. Ifenry Kampschror in September 1868. The next rector was Rev. Joseph Moder, June 1869, and he in turn was succeeded in February 1873 by Rev. Father A. Koke, and in August 1874 came Rev. Joseph Keenan. In January or February 1875, the Rev. G. Keller performed the duties of rector. About this time the German speaking members of the congregation separated from the parish and built a church and school house of their own on the west side of Dewey street. In March 1875, the Rev. Connolly was appointed to the rector- ship on the north side. Previous to this period the school, which was removed, had been conducted by the Sisters Notre Dame from Milwaukee. IIe secured the services of the Franciscan Sisters of Joliet, who continued in charge up to 1893. Father Connolly, in February 1880, was succeeded by Rev. C. B. H. Conroy, who re- mained until September of that year. The Rev. John J. Collins, who followed September 1880, sold the church property to the city in 1882. Lots were purchased on Oxford avenne and Fulton street on the west side, and a new frame church erected thereon, the corner stone of which was laid with appropriate ceremonies June 26, 1882, and the church dedicated December 3, the same year. The church and school were destroyed by fire on October 8, 1884, and a handsome, spacious brick edifice was erected on the same site in 1885, with a seating capacity of about one thou- sand, being 150x65 feet. Father Collins was succeeded by Rey. T. A. Kelly, July 19, 1889, who died October 1891, and who was succeeded by the Rev. Arthur B. C. Dunne, the present pastor.
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The present membership of the church is six hundred families or three thousand souls. |
The parish school has five hundred forty-eight pupils, under the instruction of the Benedictine Sisters, nine graded teachers and two music teachers. The following are the societies con- nected with the church. Knights of. Columbus, membership 220; Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, 100; Catholic Order of Foresters, 200; Women's Catholic Order of Foresters, 150; Parochial Society, N. W. and East Society, 3; Ladies' Club, Young Men's Club, Holy Name Society, 200; Junior Holy Name Society, 250; The Children of Mary, 250, and the Young Ladies' Society, 250.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Germans of this institution at the date of its inception were from about 1850 to 1875 associated with the English speaking Catholics of Eau Claire in what became known in those years as St. Patrick's parish. They worshipped in one church as one body, and the children of both people received instruction in the same school. In 1875 the German members of the congregation thought fit to separate themselves from St. Patrick's, and, numbering about sixty fam- ilies, erected a new frame church and schoolhouse on the west side of Dewey street. Thus was founded the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The work was done under the superin- tendence of Rev. P. Geyer, who was succeeded May 27, 1877, by Rev. Joseph Boehm, who laid the cornerstone of the present brick structure August 22, 1880. It was completed in June, 1881, and is one of the finest church edifices in Eau Claire, with a pleasing interior. It is 145 by 47 feet, and has two spires 105 feet high, which have been damaged several times by lightning. It has 88 pews, with a seating capacity of 400. Standing on rising ground. the building is one of the chief landmarks of the city. Its pres- ent membership is about three hundred families, or fifteen hun- dred souls. A handsome brick school building was erected in 1910, two stories and basement, top floor and auditorium, about 90 by 60 feet in dimensions, costing $35,000. It has 200 pupils under the instruction of five Francescan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. A convent for sisters residing on the church prop- erty was erected in 1880.
On the death of Father Boehm, was succeeded in 1893 by Rev. John P. Metzler, who was succeeded by Rev. P. Geyer in 1899, who died August 15, same year. Ile was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Wiedman, who remained until 1908, when the Rev. Father Herman Joseph Untraut, the present pastor, who was born in Meekenbeuson, Kingdom Wnertemberg, Germany, July 28, 1854.
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Classical education received at Mchreran by Bregenz, Austria, theological at Eichstaedt, Bavaria. He came to the United States in 1882, and was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis' Semi- nary September 23, 1882. The first church was at Edson, Chip- pewa county, and was called the Sacred Heart Church. Here he remained for five years, during which time a beautiful parochial schoolhouse was erected under his supervision and as the result of his efforts. In 1887 he was transferred to Arcadia, Wis., where he was pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help until 1893, during which time another parochial sehool was erected under his management. From there he went to the Holy Trinity Church at LaCrosse, and remained its pastor there for fifteen years, then came to Eau Claire in 1908, where, under his super- vision, the new school and auditorium was erected in 1910. He also remodeled the sister's residence and made many other val- uable improvements on the church property, and his constant efforts toward the welfare of the church and its congregation are always to be witnessed.
First Baptist Church. This chmureh was organized March 31, 1861, by Rev. A. B. Green and six members. Mr. Green was the pastor until November 30, 1862, when he accepted the chaplaincy of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment. IIe was succeeded in Octo- ber, 1863, by Rev. Alexander Hamilton, and through the untiring perseverance of this pastor sufficient funds were raised and a church building was erected. He was followed by the Rev. J. Y. Aitchison May 1, 1868, who served two years, and then Rev. A. A. Drown for a like period. The Rev. D. C. Adams was ealled in August, 1872, and also filled the pulpit two years. On June 30, 1874, Rev. R. Telford took charge for three years, when Rev. J. Y. Aitchison was recalled Angust 1, 1878, to serve a fur- ther term of three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. A. MeKillop. During his term of nine years a second edifice was erected and was dedicated May 6, 1888, two memorial windows being placed within it for Rev. A. B. Green, the founder, and for Rev. Alexander Hamilton.
After Rev. W. A. McKillop's departure to Milwaukee, a call was extended to Rev. J. B. Reynolds, of Kansas, who served as pastor of the church only eleven months, April, 1893, to March, 1894. In June of 1894 a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Arthur C. Kempton, a Canadian by birth, and then a young man of only twenty-three years of age. Mr. Kempton was a graduate of Areadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he received his A. M., and also of Rochester Theological Seminary, Rochester,
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N. Y. Coming directly from his graduation, he was ordained shortly after his arrival in Eau Claire. His pastorate extended over a period of three and one-half years. Six months of this time were spent on a trip to the Holy Land and Egypt on leave of. absence granted him by the church. His was undoubtedly the most brilliant pastorate in the history of the church. During his first year, 128 were received into membership, a debt of nearly $1,000 wiped out, and the balance in the treasury reported. Dur- ing his three-years' ministry 300 additions to the membership were reported, seven Sunday Schools were maintained and Bethel Chapel was erected at a cost of $3,000. When Mr. Kempton resigned in December, 1897, he left the Eau Claire church with the largest membership of any Baptist church in the state.
In January, 1898, a call was extended to Rev. Perry W. Long- fellow, of Grand Forks, N. D. During his pastorate of nearly three years, he led the church efficiently and wisely, resigning in September, 1901, to accept another Wisconsin pastorate. In November of the same year Rev. F. W. Hatch, of New York, was called to the pastorate. He was a graduate of the Rochester Theological Seminary, coming as a young man in the thirties. He proved himself a gentleman of the finest type and endeared himself to the people through his sweetness of spirit. It was during his pastorate that the parsonage next to the church build- ing was erected. Fifteen hundred dollars of the cost price was the gift of Mrs. John F. Stone, while the remainder was raised by subscription from among the members. Mr. Hatch resigned in September, 1905, to accept a call at Beloit, Wis. There was an interim of a little more than one year before the next pastorate began. This was due to the fact that the church called Rev. Edward Babcock, of New York, to the pastorate, and because of illness he was unable to take the charge until September, 1906. Mr. Babcock was a Colgate man, and Eau Claire was his second pastorate. It covered a period of five years. It was during this pastorate that the money raised for current expenses and benevo- lence exceeded that of any other pastorate before or sinee. It was a notable fact that not once during his five years did the church come to the end of the year with a deficit in any depart- ment. Mr. Babcock's great ability in financial lines was shown in his undertaking to raise money for a new church building. Through great perseverance and overcoming many discourage- ments he succeeded in raising nearly $25,000 towards this end. It must be said that $8,000 of the amount was the gift of one person, Mrs. Truax, and the reason for her great generosity
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was because of the wonderful work accomplished by Mr. Bab- cock along Sunday School lines. Having made a study for years of psychology and child study as applied to Sunday School meth- ods, Mr. Babcock made the Bible School one of the noted schools of the state. The "Babcock Class" of young men grew until with a membership of 150 it took its place as one of the great classes of young men in the world. The Sunday School became the largest in the state and a new building became imperative. Leaving nearly $25,000 in hand toward a new building, Mr. Babcock resigned in October, 1911, to accept a call to the historie Park Church, of Utica, N. Y.
January 1, 1912, Rev. George R. Stair, of Vermont, assumed the pastorate. Mr. Stair was formerly associated with Chapman, the evangelist. But perhaps the qualifications which seemed most desirable to the church at the time was his ability as a builder and contractor. Having been engaged in the work during his early manhood, he was well fitted to plan and superintend the erection of the new building. The money being on hand, ground was broken as soon as practicable in the spring after his arrival, and the building pushed to completion. The architecture, after the Greek Temple order, is very beautiful, and the building as it stands today is a monument to the architectural ability of Mr. Stair, the financial enterprise of Mr. Babcock and the sacrifices of many who, by their individual gifts, helped make it possible. In March, 1914, after a pastorate of little more than two years, Mr. Stair resigned to go to Portland, Maine. On May 1, 1914, Dr. C. E. Hemans, of North Dakota, assumed charge of the pas- torate. Through his pulpit ability and general efficiency he is proving a worthy successor to his predecessor.
The First Presbyterian Church. In August and September of 1856 Rev. W. W. McNair, of the Presbytery of Winnebago, was employed by the Board of Home Missions to explore that part of Wisconsin lying between the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. In this work Mr. MeNair visited Eau Claire and Chip- pewa Falls and preached at both places. He returned in the spring of the next year and in July, 1857, the following named persons were organized by him into the First Presbyterian Church, of Eau Claire, under the jurisdiction of the Chippewa Presbytery : Mr. and Mrs. Jacob S. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, Mr. McViekar, Mr. Donald Kennedy, Mrs. Hendershot, Mrs. O. H. Ingram, Mrs. Silvers, Mrs. Charity MeNair and Mrs. Bissell. During this year Mr. MeNair and Mr. Kidder, pastor of the Con- gregational Church, preached alternately in Reed's Hall in an
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unfinished schoolhouse and other temporary quarters. Mean- while, through the liberality of the early village proprietors and the united efforts of the pastors and their followers, a substantial church edifice had been erected at a cost of $4,000 on the corner of Barstow and Emery streets, and was dedicated on the first Sabbath of 1858. Considerable growth in membership followed, and on January 1, 1860, the first session was selected which, by public vote, comprised the following officers: Elders, Joseph G. Thorp and Charles Pringle; deacons, Donald Kennedy and J. C. Callahan, who were duly ordained the following Sabbath. Rev. Mr. McNair closed his labor in Eau Claire on January 1, 1865,. after a pastorate of nearly nine years in which he had greatly endeared himself to the church and the community. He spent the remainder of his life, over thirty years, in ministering to the spiritual life of the Italians, whom he found among the mines in eastern Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. Through his efforts a chapel was erected and most efficient Christian work was car- ried on at Audenride and in its neighborhood. Mr. McNair and his wife had visited Italy and gained a knowledge of the lan- guage and the customs of the people, which was of much value combined with their love and their tactful zeal in winning the hearts and the reverent attention of these alien laborers on onr eastern shores. The missionary spirit which actuated him in the Wisconsin valley was the same potent influence in the mining dis- triet of Pennsylvania, and his reward was not delayed for he had the hearty co-operation of fellow workers in Italy, and in his lifetime saw abundant harvest. Mr. McNair was succeeded by Rev. William H. Lockwood, who was pastor for twenty-five years, which is evidence as to the sincerity and efficiency of his work. He possessed a clear, philosophical mind, well stored with learn- ing, and a heart filled with true brotherly love, and many who had been led to Christ through his ministrations, could testify to the spirit of charity, the divine grace possessed by their loved pastor. Mr. Lockwood was followed in 1890 by Rev. William N. Sloan, an able minister and a good financier, and during his pastorate a second Presbyterian church was organized, which has, however, since become a mission of the first church. As the church building was now old and a too limited capacity to house the large membership of the church and auxiliary societies, a new and modern edifice was begun in the fall of 1891 upon the site of the old one which had been removed, and this was dedicated in the Fall of 1892.
On October 6, 1898, after eight and one-half years of very
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active work in which a large addition had been made to the membership, Dr. Sloan accepted a call to Helena, Montana, and his place was filled by Rev. Lathrop C. Grant, of IIamilton, New York, in February, 1899. After nearly seven years of active service, in which he had become identified as one of Eau Claire's most effective workers in behalf of the city's poor, and had increased the membership of the church considerably, Mr. Grant requested the session to unite with him in asking the presby- tery of Chippewa to dissolve its pastoral relations with this church. Many promises of earnest support, and more faithful attendance were made by men of the church and congregation, and the public ballot was in favor of his remaining, but the presbytery declared the pulpit vacant, and Mr. Grant accepted a call to the First Congregational church, of Menomonie, Wis- consin, in January, 1906.
Rev. John McCoy, of Appleton, Wisconsin, began his pas- torate in March, 1906, and though a scholarly man, good orator and sincere minister, he remained but two years and three months. Rev. Carlton L. Koons, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, became the pastor in November, 1908. During his four years' stay, exceptionally good work was done among the young, such as the reorganizing of the Young People's Christian Endeavor Society, the grading of the Sabbath School, and the organizing of several new clubs.
A legacy of nearly twenty thousand dollars, bequeathed by the late Conway B. Daniels, made possible the erection of a beautiful manse located on South Farwell street, the renovating and refurnishing of the church building, and other improve- ments being advisable. These and work already done have made this one of the most beautiful and modern sanctuaries in the city. Rev. William T. Angus, the present pastor, came to the church in 1912, and all departments of the organization are pros- pering under his administration.
Universalist Church. Late in the Fall of 1858 Mrs. Edwin Wilkins issued a card of invitation to all Universalists, and other liberally inclined religious people of Eau Claire, to meet at her residence and confer upon the subject of their religious welfare and advancement. It was responded to beautifully, and resulted in the organization of a Universalist sociable to meet once a week, with the ultimate object of establishing a Universalist church. In July, 1859, the Rev. Dolphus Skinner, of Utica, New York, visited his son, Dr. F. R. Skinner, and held divine service at Reed's Hall , on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon on the West Side. The sociables were well sustained and contributions accumulated until
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there was a handsome sum in the treasury. Rev. Joseph O. Barrett was in February, 1860, engaged to minister to the spir- itual needs of the congregation. Building lots were soon pur- chased and an exchange made with the second school district for its building and the lot on which it stood, next to Christ church. The organization was considered to be prosperous, but dissensions arose, and many of the influential supporters removed to other localities, until at last nothing was left but the building. Rev. J. O. Barrett afterward became the principal of the East Side school and wrote a very interesting history of "Old Abe," the famous eagle which followed the Eighth Wisconsin regiment through the war.
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