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 51
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The first record of the service held by the next rector, the Rev. B. F. Cooley, is dated November 28, 1888, and the last record August 18, 1889. After an interregnum of twelve months, during which time Mr. Morrison held the services, the parish called the Rev. C. A. Cummings, and he was rector from September 1, 1890,
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until February 7, 1895. The Rev. E. F. II. J. Masse then acted as "loeum tenens" up to May 5, 1895. He recorded in the parish register: "It is the custom of this parish to hold the devotion of the three hours on Good Friday." This is a eustom which still continues and we trust will always continue. After Mr. Masse's departure for Massachusetts the Rev. O. J. Ferris had temporary charge until September, 1895. The next reetor was the Rev. T. C. Eglin, of Burlington, Wisconsin, who was duly called and took up his residence in the parish November 1, 1895. In 1889 the work on St. Edward's chapel, Bellevue avenue, commeneed, but since that time had remained in a very incomplete state. On June 5, 1896, the present cornerstone was laid by the Rt. Rev. I. L. Nicholson, D. D., bishop of Milwaukee. The formal opening of the chapel was held on St. Peter's day, 1896, and on the third Sunday in Lent was duly consecrated by Bishop Nicholson as a memorial to the late Rt. Rev. Edward Randolph Welles, some time bishop of the diocese of Milwaukee. Mr. Eglin left the parish for missionary work in South Dakota, August 8, 1898. The Rev. Joseph Moran, Jr., became rector October 24, 1899. During his reetorship the rectory was built. Of this the bishop wrote in his diary: "Christ church has built a most beautiful rectory, chiefly the work of the zealous women of that congrega- tion. Mr. Moran remained until January 10, 1901. On July 19, 1901, the vestry called the Rev. John F. Milbank, of Monticello, New York. He accepted and remained until October 26, 1902. After his departure the church was closed for seven months. On March 3, 1903, the bishop informed the vestry that he had arranged with the Rev. Francis Horatio Stubbs, B. D., of Balti- more, to take charge of the parish. This priest arrived on March 10, 1903, and remained as rector until the time of his death, March 29, 1906. He was a man of great spirituality and left an abiding impression on the parish. Ile was a most faithful and conseientious priest and all who knew him loved him.
A great act of foresight during Mr. Stubbs's rectorship was the purchase of a corner lot adjacent to the church property, the lot upon which the new church when completed, will stand. If this lot had not been purchased at that time, September 27, 1904. in all probability, owing to the rapid growth of the parish sinee then, the parish would have been forced to seek a larger site elsewhere in the city. Connected with the purchase of the lot on the corner of Jones and Farwell streets there is a matter of sentiment to the parishioners. On that portion where the chancel now stands in the early days a little building stood in which the
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first missionaries of the church used to hold services. The vestry extended on June 16, 1906, a unanimous call to the Rev. Philip Henry Linley, B. D., rector of Christ church, Chippewa Falls. The call was accepted and Mr. Linley entered upon his duties September 1, 1906. With the good foundations laid by Mr. Stubbs, the parish has rapidly grown during the last eight years, so that today it is one of the largest and strongest parishes in the diocese. And whereas, the property is the canse for great rejoicing, those who labored in former years, surrounded with innumerable difficulties and obstacles, and many discourage- ments, are held in high honor. They all labored in faith, looking forward to the day when the church they dearly loved would become a power making for righteousness in the city. They labored in faith and we today under the guidance of the holy spirit are reaping the fruits of their labor. The worship has been embellished by the introduction of a vested choir of some forty voices trained by a professional choir master. The vested choir sang their first service on the first Sunday after Easter, 1907. The time at last arrived when the building of a parish house and new church became imperative. It was therefore decided to build a parish house and the chancel of the new church. The last services in the old church, which stood on the land now occupied by the parish house, were held on Easter day. 1910. The church was crowded to its ntmost capacity at all the services, and many were sad in the realization that they were assembled for the last time in their quaint and beautiful church, which was so rich with the memories of the past. To remove it seemed almost like an aet of sacrilege, but it had well served its day and had to give way before the great need of a larger edifice to accommodate the congregation and a place for the parochial activities.
The nave was moved during the week following to the corner lot, so that the services were continued withont interruption and the work of building commenced. The new church and parish house are of the early English perpendicular. The church is of Vermont granite and Bedford stone, and the parish house is of the same materials in the first story with a pebble dash stueeo encased in panels in the second. The group of buildings are among the most handsome, dignified and permanent in the state. The first service after the completion of the new chancel was held on October 30, 1910, and the parish house was formally opened on December 21, 1910. The chancel is commodious and arranged with the greatest care, with every provision for any
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need which occasion may require. The one bond which mate- rially associates the new with the old is the pipe organ. This instrument was the first one erected in the eity, and was given by Mrs. William J. Starr, as a memorial to her father, Francis DeLong HIill, M. D. The years have increased the sweetness of its tone with a mellowness which cannot be surpassed. At the time of its erection in the new chancel the same was consider- ably added to and the action changed to a tubular pneumatic, with a newly extended console containing all the latest deviees for control, etc. The crowning glory of this chaneel is the chaste and beautiful altar made in Italy of Carrara marble in a pure gothic design. This altar, as well as the three paneled windows of the best English antique cathedral glass representing the risen Christ, are placed as memorials to Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Moon, and were presented by their sons and daughters. The altar is also furnished completely with bronze furniture by the same donors in memory of their grandmother, Mrs. Cornelia Baker Ellis. Mrs. Ellis was a tower of strength in the parish in her day. The altar and furniture thereof was duly conseerated by the Rt. Rev. William Walter Webb, D.D., on May 6, 1911. Many other memorials have been given, including a large solid silver alms receiving basin in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Squires, a fumed oak credence table in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Marslı ; solid silver credence lights in memory of Lillian Bundy, and a large silver chalice of unique design and workmanship in memory of Miss Nettie E. Thurston. The communion silver was given previously in memory of Mrs. Betsy Moffat, of blessed memory. By unanimous aetion the vestry have recorded their intention of having the nave completed in time to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the present rector. Many memorials have been promised to beautify this completed church, and the one which will fill the greatest need is the memorial chapel which will be built on the south side of the chancel. The wisdom of completing the parish house before erecting the nave is most apparent to all the congregation. It has provided a thoroughly np-to-date work shop for the parish, and during the winter months especially is a hive of parochial industry. In it the various organizations have a permanent home, and from it as a eenter radiates many a noble influence made concrete by some definite act which tends to build up the kingdom of righteous- ness. By degrees through the deep interests of certain indi- viduals the parish house is being equipped and adorned, so that those who gather within its walls will be surrounded by the
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beautiful and the useful as incentives. The parish is entirely free from debt, and takes much pride in running all of its affairs in accordance with the strictest business ethics. It is the desire that a parish should be an example to the community in its busi- mess affairs, which, alas, is not always the case.
In conclusion, one regrets that the history of the parish should be so largely taken up with the account of the coming and going of the various priests who have had charge and of the accumula- tion of things material. It is well nigh impossible to even give a vague idea of the great spiritual good that has emanated from Christ church. No one can tell of the lives that have been redeemed from worldliness and sin ; no one can tell the souls that have been led to Christ and have found in Ifim a Savior. The large record of baptisms and confirmations does not tell the story. The story is written in the hearts of men and women who have quietly engaged in the battles of peace and have endeavored to be Christ's faithful soldiers and servants until their life's end. After all, the material prosperity is an outward and visible sym- bol of the love and devotion which the congregation has for Christ and Ilis church. People do not give except to that in which they believe. Christ church has been tested again and again, and today loved and respected she gives the honor to those loyal sons and daughters who remain faithful to her in the hours of shadow. (Signed) Rev. Philip Henry Linley.
Second Congregational Church. At a meeting of the directors of the Y. M. C. A., May 2, 1882, the need for religious instruction in the northwestern part of the city was discussed and steps di- rected toward supplying the want. Soon, through the efforts of Rev. J. F. Dudley, the honored pastor of the 1st Congregational Church, and others, a sufficient sum was subscribed to buy a lot and erect a building. The lot was purchased by the Eau Claire Missionary Association from Mr. E. W. Blatchford, of Chicago, who gave $50 toward it when informed of the purpose for which the lot was to be used. A mission chapel was soon built and a Sunday school organized in 1883. R. H. Chute was chosen super- intendent and V. W. Bayless secretary and treasurer. In 1884 regular Sabbath services were begun and Rev. A. Kidder supplied the pulpit for one year. The whole work was now in charge of Mr. Dudley's church, which contributed generously to its support until it assumed self-support.
In January 1885, F. A. Towne was elected superintendent of the Sunday school. The chapel beeame too small and a new house
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was built and dedicated in 1890, free of debt. It was first deter- mined to organize the 2nd Congregational Church of Eau Claire. A council was convened June 30, 1885, and the church organized with 16 members, 8 by letter from various organizations and 8 on confession of faith. Rev. C. A. Payne became the pastor and the church prospered until at the end of the year a severe finan- cial depression affected seriously that part of the city, the sixth ward. Many families were compelled to remove to other places and, as one consequence, the church had members scattered in 12 different towns when it was two years old and for a time it seemed doubtful whether it could live. In the winter of 1887-8 a revival added much to the number and to the strength of the church and was followed by the organization of the Y. P. S. C. Endeavor. Iu the fall of 1888 it was decided to erect a new edifice. In the next spring the lots and chapel were purchased of the E. C. Mis- sionary Association by the church, the old chapel taken down and the new house begun. It was a difficult undertaking, but was carried on with faith and heroic effort and successfully accom- plished. The cost was about $4,000 and it was dedicated, free of debt, on December 29, 1889. It is a fine frame building on the corner of Maxon and Bellinger streets.
Mr. Payne remained with the church seven years, resigning in response to a call to take charge of the institutional work of the Plymouth Church, Milwaukee. He was succeeded by Rev. H. R. Vaughn, who served the church acceptably for five years, when impaired health necessitated his resignation. Rev. D. R. Ander- son followed with a three years' pastorate, characterized by pa- tient and persevering labor. Rev. R. Porter sneceeded with two years of energetic work, resigning to complete his course at Ober- lin. Rev. J. B. Thompson, recently returned from missionary service in China, took up the charge and conducted it effectively for nearly three years, followed by Rev. P. C. Burhans for a year, when Rev. A. J. Arn was called. During his pastorate Mr. Arn took the initiative in the purchase of a parsonage. A desirable location was chosen and the property secured, largely through the personal efforts of the pastor, the people responding gener- ously to his appeals. Compelled by ill health, Mr. Arn relin- quished the work and Mr. Vaughn returned to the field, supply- ing the pulpit for more than a year, during which time he made a diligent canvass of the field, receiving sufficient financial en- couragement to warrant the calling of Rev. L. E. Osgood to the church. He remained as pastor three years and largely through his personal efforts, needed repairs were made possible and the
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church building made comfortable and attractive. Rev. W. B. O'Neill was called to the church soon after the resignation of Mr. Osgood and under his leadership the different departments of church activities are moving with increasing interest and enter- prise.
Second Methodist Episcopal Church. The regular services of this organization were, during the first years of its existence, held in what was then known as the Seminary building, located on the site of the present high school. They began in 1860. The Rev. W. A. Chambers was the first pastor. Early in 1870 the efforts of Rev. A. J. Davis, the then pastor, seconded by his suc- cessor, Rev. E. E. Clough, to raise the necessary funds for the erection of a church structure were so encouraging that on Sep- tember 19 of that year the corner stone of a large and beautiful edifice was laid. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Fallows officiated. The building was constructed of wood and veneered with brick, with a handsomely decorated interior. It is located on Fourth avenue and Lake street, and is known as Lake Street Methodist Episco- pal Church. The total cost was $15,000, and was dedicated Sep- tember 15, 1872, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Haven conducting the serv- iccs.
In this church, the annual conferences of 1872, 1877, and 1884 were held. The Rev. M. B. Balch was the pastor during 1874 and 1875. He was succeeded by Rev. William Hamilton, who served one year, then Rev. W. J. Mckay was the next appointee. He remained three years and was followed by Rev. John Tresid- der, who served for a similar period. His successor was Rev. A. M. Pilcher, whose pastorate continued for three years, 1883, 1884 and 1885. Rev. H. Goodsall, came to the church in 1886, and re- mained until 1891, and was succeeded by Rev. M. Benson.
In 1893 Rev. Geo. W. Case was assigned to the church and re- mained till 1898. Rev. F. W. Straw from 1898 to 1901. Rev. Geo. Merrifield, 1901 to 1903. Rev. E. A. Mckinney, one year and 6 months. Rev. E. Harris, 1905-8. Rev. G. W. Campbell, 1908-12. Rev. F. L. Roberts, 1912-4. The parsonage was burned in 1884 and the church records were destroyed. A new and com- modious parsonage was recently completed adjoining the church. The membership in 1886 was 162, in 1914, 288.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (German), was founded in August 1874, by the Rev. Frederick Mehrteus, who began the building of a frame church on the north side. At that time, there was but a small congregation of sixteen or cighteen families. The second pastor was Rev. George Meyer, who took
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charge in September 1875, completed the church building and also erected the first parsonage. He resigned October 28, 1877, and was succeeded by Rev. G. Reeknagel, who remained until 1890. During his pastorate, he disposed of the old church property, pur- chased the site where the present church is located, erected the present handsome brick edifice at a eost of $18,000.00, and also a parsonage adjoining. In 1890 the present pastor, Rev. August F. Augustin, took charge. The church now has a membership of about 120 families or 1,030 souls, and 120 voting members. Rev. Augustin, since taking charge of the parish, has made many improvements in the church, putting in new steel eeilings, altar, organ, bell and also rebuilt the parsonage.
German Evangelical Association. The first meeting of this denomination held in this city was in 1886, at the Second Congre- gational Church, when its organization was perfected and Rev. William Pfefferkorn was selected as the first minister. The mem- bership rapidly increased so that a subscription was raised among its wealthy members under the auspices of Rev. Charles F. Finger, Mr. Pfefferkorn's successor to the pastorate. A lot was purchased on Babcock and Beach streets, and the church built in 1887. It was a frame structure, thirty-two by fifty-two feet, with a seating capacity of 300. Mr. Finger continued in charge of the pastorate until the spring of 1890, when he was succeeded on May 1, by Rev. William Kaun, who served until 1892 and was succeeded by Rev. H. E. Erffmeyer.
The following ministers, given in the order of their succession, served from one to five years :
Rev. E. W. Gassman, Rev. Wm. Pfefferkorn, Rev. F. Dite, Rev. F. Reichert, Rev. C. F. Werner, Rev. John Schneller, Rev. II. A. Franzke, Rev. G. J. Pfefferkorn, and Rev. E. S. Zimmerman, the present incumbent.
The language question which has confronted churches in the Services of which the Mother Tongues have been used, has been amieably settled.
For some years the Sunday school has been conducted in the English language, as well as the Sunday evening serviees.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Congregation, of Altoona, Wiscon- sin, was founded in 1892, as a mission of St. Patrick's Church, Eau Claire, attended first by Rev. Father T. A. Kelley, and after his death, by the Rev. Father A. B. C. Dunn, up to 1903. In that year Rev. L. J. Vaughan was appointed pastor, serving four years. He established a parochial school and also equipped the school for the work of the 8th grade, likewise introduced a four-years'
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course of high school studies. In 1907 Rev. II. P. Toeller was ap- pointed pastor of the congregation, with missions at Augusta and Rock Falls. Ile rearranged the schools to accommodate boarders as well as day scholars under the supervision of eleven sisters of St. Benedict of St. Joseph, Minnesota. The high school is affili- ated with the universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The school property comprises one square block, valued with equip- ments at $25,000.00. A parsonage was erected on a separate lot in 1901, at a cost of $3,200.00. The congregation has a member- ship of thirty families, or one hundred and twenty souls; the school has an attendance of 90 pupils, about one-half of which are from surrounding territory. St. Mary's Altar Society is the only society connected with the congregation. who take charge of and pay all expenses of the altar, and the furnishing of the par- sonage.
Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1885, a class of Norwegian Methodist Episcopalians was formed under the direc- tion of Rev. O. Jacobson. The organization of this church was the result. The meetings and services were held in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. The Rev. E. Hanson was the first pastor. Under his administration a lot was purchased on Chestnut street and Fifth avenue and a church built in 1887. It was a frame structure, with a seating capacity of 300. There was also a class room which accommodated about eighty persons. After performing the duties of his office two years and establish- ing the organization on a solid basis. Mr. Hanson was succeeded by Rev. P. Hanann, who served two years. He was followed by Rev. O. Kristensen, who served nine months, when Rev. F. A. Searvie was called in 1891.
CHAPTER XXXIX. BANKS OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.
BY C. W. LOCKWOOD.
As early as 1857 C. M. Seeley started a private bank in Eau Claire in a one-story building on Eau Claire street, opposite the present Y. M. C. A. building, and in the fall of the same year Hall Brothers, of Aurora, Ill., opened another private bank with D. R. Moon as cashier and manager. This latter bank closed in 1861. Whipple, Bellinger & Wilson, real estate dealers, also did some banking business in connection with their other affairs. In 1861 C. M. Seeley sold his bank to Carroll C. Spafford, of Rock- ford, Ill., who in the same year took as a partner DeWitt C. Clark, employed in the county treasurer's office, forming the copartnership of Spafford & Clark. In 1866 the IIon. O. H. Ingram purchased the interest of C. C. Spafford and the firm was succeeded by Clark & Ingram, who continued until 1883. In that year William K. Coffin, of Batavia, Ill., came to Eau Claire and organized the present Eau Claire National Bank, with a capital of $100,000, which succeeded the banking firm of Clark & Ingram. O. H. Ingram was elected president, L. M. Vilas vice-president and Mr. Coffin cashier. Mr. Vilas resigned as vice-president July 12, 1887, and was sneceeded by William Carson, who served until his death, January 4, 1898. The firm of Spafford & Clark had a banking office first at about 314 Eau Claire street. They later moved to 203 South Barstow street and finally Clark & Ingram erected a building at the southwest corner of South Barstow street and Grand avenue East, which is the present location of the Eau Claire National Bank. In January, 1902, the following officers were elected by the Eau Claire National Bank: O. H. Ingram, president ; W. K. Coffin, vice-president and cashier ; C. W. Lockwood, vice-president; T. B. Keith, assistant cashier; E. J. Lenmark, assistant cashier. Mr. Keith was first made assistant cashier January 18, 1896, and finally resigned his position to enter the firm of Keith Brothers in March, 1903.
In January, 1904, Otto von Schrader was elected an assistant cashier. In January, 1905, Mr. Ingram retired and Mr. Coffin was made president, with C. W. Lockwood as vice-president and
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cashier. In January, 1906, E. J. Lenmark was elected cashier, succeeding Mr. Lockwood. In January, 1909, John Bauman and J. A. Playter were elected assistant cashiers, and in January, 1911, W. S. Woodruff was added to this list. Mr. Bauman resigned some years ago and went to the Eau Claire Savings Bank. At the present date, September, 1914, the capital of the Eau Claire National Bank is $150,000 and the officers and directors are as follows :
Officers: W. K. Coffin, president ; C. W. Lockwood, vice-presi- dent; E. J. Lenmark, cashier; Otto von Schrader, assistant cashier ; J. A. Playter, assistant cashier ; W. S. Woodruff, assistant cashier. Directors: D. S. Clark, W. K. Coffin, D. M. Dulany, M. B. Hubbard, A. J. Keith, T. B. Keith, C. W. Lockwood, A. J. Marsh, B. G. Proctor.
The First National Bank, of Eau Claire, was organized in the early seventies with a capital of $50,000, and opened an office at 313 South Barstow street. The officers were: F. W. Woodward, president ; William A. Rust, vice-president, and George T. Thomp- son, cashier. This bank was succeeded by the Bank of Eau Claire, organized under the state law with a capital of $30,000 in April, 1878, with the same officers. On January 1, 1885, F. W. Wood- ward retired and Mr. Thompson went to the Chippewa Valley Bank. The succeeding officers were: W. A. Rust, president : H. H. Hayden, vice-president, and C. W. Lockwood, cashier. C. W. Lockwood resigned in March, 1897, and was succeeded by James T. Joyce, cashier. Marshall Cousins was also elected assistant cashier. January 1, 1893, the capital of the Bank of Eau Claire was increased to $100,000 and its office was removed to the build- ing which it had purchased and remodeled at the southeast corner of South Barstow street and Grand avenue East. The Bank of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley Bank were merged and suc- ceeded by the Union National Bank in July, 1906, with a capital of $200,000. The first officers of the latter were: President, William P. Bartlett; vice-president, James T. Joyce; cashier, George T. Thompson, and assistant cashier, Marshall Cousins. Mr. Thompson died June 14, 1907, and Marshall Cousins was elected cashier at the annual meeting in January, 1908. Mr. Bart- lett retired as president and director, declining re-election on January 10, 1911, and was succeeded as president by O. H. Ingram. The Union National Bank occupies the building of the former Bank of Eau Claire, which it has entirely rebuilt and refurnished. Below is given the present official roster of the bank :
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