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 58
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"This first year was very hard on some of the members, they putting into the church nearly all their living. To illustrate:
"Three of the members jointly bought a carload of lime to plaster the church. One of the men going home to dinner one day and finding a limited dinner his wife said: 'You might have brought some lime.' However, the church was dedicated and the membership took up the burden of its support, firm in the faith and trusting in God. The first funeral service preached in the church was that for the little son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Good- rich. In 1871 Rev. II. D. Jellison supplied the pulpit. The debt hung over the church and the membership was beset with per- plexities extreme. Rev. John Holt came in 1872 and worked mightily for the cause.
The women of the church joined in the work, doing much that the men could not or would not do. The church was heated with borrowed stoves and when the owners ealled for them it became necessary to get a new stove. Rev. Holt was appointed to the task and suceeeded, how no one ever knew. Rev. J. E. Irish came to the pastorate in 1873 and was followed in 1874 by Rev. A. J. Davis. He remained three years, doing faithful and effective work, especially among the young people. The Misses Lois O'Brien, Annie Dittmore and Flora Bell were the leaders
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among the young ladies who did much to help the church. Rev. W. W. Wheaton was assigned to the charge by the conference of 1887. He was an old-fashioned Methodist and made war on infidelity and as a result the congregations decreased in size. His preaching was earnest but not suited to certain conditions. Rev. James Havens came in 1878 and lie wrought a mighty work. The present parsonage was built that year.
In 1879 Rev. John How came and remained three years and was followed by his brother, Rev. William How, who also remained three years. The Ilows were both men of deep religious conviction and earnest workers. Rev. E. C. Booth came in 1885 and remained three years. He was followed by Rev. F. L. Hart in 1888 and he by Rev. William Atkinson in 1890. Rev. Atkinson was an Englishman and a mighty preaeher, but lacked the quality of leadership. It was during the pastorate of Rev. E. C. Booth that the parlors and kitchen were added to the church. The bell that now calls to worship was also purchased and hung during his pastorate. Rev. J. Il. Benson came in 1894 and was in charge three years. Ile was followed by Rev. W. W. Hurd, 1898-9. In 1900 Rev. A. J. Coram came and remained five years and was followed in 1905 by Rev. John Fisher.
Baptist Church. There is a religion of the heart and there is a religion of the mind. The one points the pathway of duty, prompts to justice, merey and love; the other deals with the philosophy of things, the supernatural world, the future of the soul. It is the latter, the religion of the mind, creating intel- leetual anxiety, that has filled the world with sects and the litera- ture of religion with creeds and dogmas. We have no thought of entering here upon a discussion of the merits or demerits of any partieular form of religion, the only thought being to sug- gest an explanation of the fact that a community of intellectual religions even though the aim and purpose of each is the same, viz., the destruction of sin and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. And in this particular religion Augusta was not different in the early days than other communities. First come the Meth- odist missionaries, preaching the gospel of Christ. Then came the Baptists preaching the same gospel, the only difference being in the intellectual conception of certain ideas supposed to be vital.
But let us not quarrel with these ideas, but set ourselves to a recital of the history of the Baptist church in Augusta.
During the summer of 1861 Rev. A. B. Green, a man of God and an earnest Christian worker, had labored in the local field and on October 5 of that year organized the Baptist church of
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Augusta. There were nine members, as follows: Marcellus Rickard, Sarah Ann Rickard, Sally Russell, John Roberts, Mary Roberts, J. Roberts, Andrew Thompson, Henrietta Warren, Joseph Strader and Jane Austin, all but two have since joined the innumerable caravan to the pale reahns of shade. At the time of the organization the articles of faith were adopted, after which the members joined hands and entered into the solemn covenant of the church. John Roberts and Andrew Thompson were elected deacons and Marcellus Rickard was elected clerk.
On December 25 Rev. Green, after laboring with the church "two days each fortnight for four months was obliged to close his work." He entered the army and was a faithful soldier in the army of his country, beloved by all his comrades in arms. From the date of his departure to April 29, 1865, there is no entry in the church record. Evidently, however, the little band of nine were increasing in their worship, for we have the testi- mony of living witnesses that religious fervor had increased in the meantime.
From the record under date of April 29, 1865, we quote: "Held a covenant meeting; had a season of prayer, Bro. H. L. Humphrey presided. Resolved into a church meeting. Voted that Rev. II. L. Humphrey be invited to be our pastor for one year from May 1, 1865, and be paid by the church one hundred and fifty dollars.
"Elder Humphrey accepted the invitation. Closed with prayer and benediction."
Rev. Humphrey was a quiet, devout man, deeply religious and zealous in all good work. During his ministration a Sunday school was organized, June, 1865, with Charles Rickard as super- intendent. The record discloses that the Sunday school was reorganized May 25, 1866, with D. C. Spencer as superintendent. Wednesday evening prayer meeting was established August 4, 1865. We quote from the record of date May 25, 1867: "In view of increasing interest wrote Rev. R. F. Parshall, requesting him to consider the field and pray for us." We quote again from the church record, date July 27, 1867: "Our brother and sister Spencer's dear boy was drowned the fourth of this month. We grieve with them and all feel how frail is life and how vast is eternity." On September I, F. C. Stone was baptized, this being the first administration of that ordinance in the history of the church.
October 16 Rev. R. F. Parshall came and the work for which we have prayed commenced in earnest. The record of December
1
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28, 1867, discovers that Elder Parshall had closed his special work and that Elder Green had "come to labor with Brother Humphrey during the winter." As a result of Rev. Parshall's work eighty had been added to the church and the spirit of Chris -. tian fellowship was at its best.
At this time the meetings were being held in the rooms over D. C. Spencer's house. They called it Spencer's hall.
Rev. Green had come to build a church and to this work he applied himself, at the same time ministering to the spiritual needs of the people. While the membership of the church had increased greatly, yet they were mostly poor in worldly goods and the task of building a church was not an easy one. Ekler Green was equal to the task, however. Ile took off his coat and pitched into anything that needed doing. The members of the church were hearty in their support and contributed labor and material to the extent of their ability, many to the detriment of their personal affairs. One day Rev. Green received word from Hudson that his wife was sick, requiring his attendance upon her. He hadn't a cent of money and how to get to Hudson was a question. Ile was boarding with John F. Stone's family, they charging him nothing therefor, and he did not like to ask Mr. Stone. He started up town with a heavy heart, determined if necessary to make the journey afoot. As he came along Lineoln street Hi Blair and several other jovial companions were stand- ing in front of one of the buildings there.
"Boys," said Mr. Blair, "here comes one of the best men on earth." And when Rev. Green approached Mr. Blair put his hand in his pocket, took out a five dollar bill and gave it to him, saying, "take this, it may help you out of trouble." "God moves in a mysterious way." Rev. Green took the money ; a heavy load was lifted from his heart and he started at onee to visit his wife. After a brief time he returned. The time for which he had been called expired and the church was not yet finished, and at a special meeting it was voted to tender him a second call, to com- menee December 1, 1868. The call was accepted and the work of finishing the house of God went on. The work of finishing the task was a serious one. The people had been drawn upon to the limit of their ability to respond. Elder Green worked night and day. He took Deacon Roberts' team and drove to Menomonie for a load of lime to plaster the church and walked all the way back because the load was too great for the team. There were no doors to the church and the providential arrival of a $10 gift from Rev. Doctor Moore, of Washington Avenue church.
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Brooklyn, N. Y., was turned to this use, and the doors were sup- plied. Finally the church was finished and ready for dedication except that the seating had not been paid for. John Pidd became responsible for the bill, however; all was in readiness. The church was dedicated on Sunday, February 14, the Rev. J. W. Fish preaching the dedicating sermon. Friends of the church and its membership, from Ean Claire, Black River Falls and other places were present. The Saturday before the dedication was observed by the members as a day of fasting and prayer.
September 25, 1869, Rev. C. W. Palmer preached to the con- gregation and a call was then extended to him. He accepted the call and began his ministration November 1, 1869. W. M. Stone was elected church clerk and P. Brown, John Padd and D. C. Spencer were elected deaeons. The record shows that a vote of thanks was tendered to Rev. Parshall for the gift of a beautiful pulpit Bible, Christmas, 1869, and on February 26, 1870, the thanks of the church was tendered to F. D. Stone for a beautiful communion service set, his gift to the church. On the same date it was voted that the organ, which was being used on trial, was snitable and that it be accepted if the Ladies' Social Circle would pay for it. November 16, 1870, Rev. Palmer tendered his resig- nation as pastor, which resignation was reluctantly accepted. During the time since Rev. A. B. Green had been succeeded as pastor he had a deep interest in the church and was a frequent visitor. The record shows that he frequently acted as Moderator at the church meetings and at times occupied the pulpit. On January 5, 1871, it was resolved that the word "reluctantly" as used in relation to the acceptance of the resignation of Rev. Palmer be stricken from the record of November 16, 1870.
Rev. C. C. Miller was present at a church meeting held February 23, 1871, and it was then arranged to extend to him a call to serve as pastor jointly with the church at Black River Falls. The call was accepted and Rev. Miller began his pas- torate. He worked earnestly for the church and was beloved by all the membership. After two years he resigned the charge at Black River Falls and devoted his whole time to the Augusta church until May 24, 1877, when he resigned. September 9, 1877, a call was extended to Rev. W. H. Parker, and on October 1 he accepted the call and began his ministration. He was followed by Rev. J. W. Fish September 25, 1879. Rev. Fish resigned October 4, 1881, and on November 6 of that year Rev. William Hartley succeeded him. Rev. Hartley was an earnest and faithful worker and remained in charge of the pastorate until May, 1885.
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He was followed by S. E. Randall and he by Rev. E. M. Bliss. J. B. Tope was ealled October 13, 1889, and resigned May 30, 1890, serving only eight months. Rev. Fred T. Snell began a pastorate December 11, 1890, and resigned April 3, 1892. Hle was followed by Rev. H. E. Hoare, whose pastorate continned until February 21, 1897, when he resigned. Rev. O. E. Moffet was the next pastor. He was sneceeded in 1899 by Rev. J. C. Williams and he by Rev. J. J. Johnson in 1903. Rev. Jolinson was a young man, filled with the spirit of religion and an earnest worker. Rev. Herbet C. Nash, of Rockford, Ill., was ealled to succeed Rev. Johnson, who resigned in 1905.
Universalist. With the Methodists and Baptists, each with a congregation not too large, and each with a church building ample in all respeets and sufficiently imposing, it seemed that Angusta was well equipped to care for and minister unto the spiritual needs of the people. Not so, however. For a long time there had been a spirit of unrest. Liberalism had gained a plaee in the thought of certain of our people and the faith of the Universalists had found favor in the minds of not a few. Rev. Boyngton, of Minneapolis, had been here several times to preach the faith of Universal salvation, and Rev. W. S. Ralph, of Column- bus, Wisconsin and his wife, Mrs. Agnes Ralph, had followed him in advocacy of the proposition. In the month of August, 1892, a Universal parish, the necessary preliminary of every church organization, was formed with a membership of forty. In November of that year Rev. Ralph came and held a series of meetings, ably and eloquently assisted by Rev. Stanford Mitehell, of Boston, Mass. A church organization was perfected November 23, with a membership of eighteen. The women of the church were at once active in the cause and the organization prospered.
In 1895-6 Mrs. Ralph eame from Columbus, Wisconsin, once each month and ministered unto the people until the building of a church was decided upon. Rev. Robert was called to the pas- torate and the work of building the church was heartily entered upon. A fine location was secured on Lincoln street and a fine building erected. The architecture was modern and every arrangement of the interior was in conformity to the best taste, a commodious andience room for public service and parlors for social and special occasions. The church was dedicated February 22, 1897. Upon the day of dedication fourteen were added to the membership. Rev. Evatt was pastor of the church for two years and was followed by Rev. L. D. Dinnsmore, whose pastorate
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continued for six months. Rev. Oluf Lundberg came in the sum- mer of 1898 and remained until 1900. IIe was a scholarly man, earnest in his work and of lofty ideals. His ministration was fruitful of much good. He was followed in 1900 by Rev. H. E. Newton, who remained two years, or until 1902.
Since 1902 the church has had no regular pastor. At the present time Rev. Turrell, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, comes once each month to preach to the people and preside at their services.
In connection with the church is a Sunday school, regularly maintained and with a good membership.
The Parish, the auxiliary organization, is maintained, with a growing interest, and the women of the church are zealous in good work.
The Catholic Church. In the early days there were but few families that professed the faith of the mother church, and if Catholic serviees were held the annals thereof cannot be found. But with the growth of the settlement several Catholic families came and their spiritual needs demanded attention. Father J. Loke, of the LaCrosse diocese, came in 1873 to serve the people and to raise money wherewith to build a church. He labored earnestly in the small field and was followed by the Rev. L. Spit- zelberger in 1876. This devout man set about the arrangement for the new church. A building committee consisting of Messrs. Matt Relter, M. P. Schuster, Michael Harden and Mrs. Ellen Me- Donell, was appointed to build a frame church, 24x36. The church was built that year. Rev. Bergmann came in 1877 and was followed in 1878 by Rev. Paul Geyer and he by Rev. Gunkle in 1878. Father Voltz came in 1880 and was in charge of the con- gregation until 1886, when Rev. Guzowski succeeded him and remained until 1888, when Rev. Amy Babinski eame for one year. He was followed by Rev. Frydryeowitz in 1889 and he by Rev. Mendell in 1890. In 1890 Rev. H. Mendel came from Chippewa Falls and was followed in 1891 by Rev. Harvestad. Ile remained until 1896, when Rev. Joseph Hofer was assigned to the work. Father Hofer was followed by the Revs. Baner and Xavier Till, each remaining six months.
In 1899 Rev. Joseph Stenz was sent to the charge and in 1901 Rev. August Dovan took up the work. Under the pastorate of Rev. Stenz, in 1900, the church was rebuilt and very greatly improved.
Rev. Frydrycowitz was assigned to the charge in 1904. The ehureh, which is known as St. Anthony's, has a membership
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of about thirty families and services are held onee in each month. Mathias Wagner, our city treasurer, is elerk of the church and the only aetive trustee.
During all the years there has never been a resident pastor, the church being in a eireuit and the pastor coming from IIum- bird, Chippewa Falls, Greenwood or some other locality not too far distant.
The German Lutheran Church. From the early days a large proportion of our citizenship has been of the sturdy Germans, and, as is usually the ease, they are true to the faith of their fathers.
In 1869 a congregation was organized by Rev. W. J. Fredriek. The congregation was known as the Evangelieal Lutheran Graee congregation of the Synod of Missouri. Rev. Fredriek served the congregation and the first church, which was situated where the parochial school now stands. In 1874 this church was destroyed by a cyclone and the same year Rev. F. W. Ruediger came as pastor. A new and better church building was built on the corner, each from the old location, and has withstood the ele- ments and all the adversities sinee. Rev. H. F. Proehl came in 1876 and twelve years ministered faithfully to the people uneeas- ing in his efforts for the moral betterment. He was succeeded by Rev. H. Bruss and he in 1890 by Rev. H. Stute. Rev. Otto Braem came in 1892, and served the church for many years.
In connection with the church is the parochial school, from which a large class of fine young boys and girls are confirmed each year.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church. As in all other churches, there may develop in the German Lutheran ehureh a spirit of unrest, of liberalism if you please. It was so in the old church here and in 1895 an organization was formed known as St. Peter's Luth- eran congregation. The new congregation built a fine new church on West Lincoln street in 1905, a modern church, size 30 x 68, built by Paul Wenzel, arehiteet.
AUGUSTA SCHOOLS.
The importance of edneation was realized by the early set- tlers of Augusta, and, notwithstanding the poverty and the hard- ships and the labors of the pioneer life, one of their first thoughts was of the education of the youth so that they might enjoy the pleasures of knowledge. The first school in Augusta was opened in 1857, with a Miss Parland as teacher. It was located
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on the North side, and was kept in a little board shanty. The number of pupils was necessarily small, for there was but a few families in the community at the time. In 1859 a district school was organized and a new school house was built. It was the little building that was removed in 1905 to make room for the German Lutheran church, and it stood on the ground where C. W. Culbertson's house now stauds. For several years it was a small school and it has been impossible to learn who the first teachers were after Miss Parland until 1866. That year Lydia Hoxhurst was the teacher and it is said that she was a most excellent one. That was in the fall and winter of 1865. The next year the school was divided. The advanced pupils remained in the regular school building with Miss Libbie Denison as teacher, while the primary grade was under the tutelage of Martha Robbins, now Mrs. Stoddard Field, of Ossco. She kept school in the rooms over Dr. Spencer's residence, then known as Spencer's hall.
At the beginning of the fall term in 1867 Mary Day was the teacher of the advanced grade and Miss Lillian Hall of the primary grade. Miss Day had to give up the school within a short time, however, and Mrs. F. N. Thomas took her place for the term. For the spring term Sarah Reed was employed as teacher. Meantime the school population had grown and it became necessary to build a new school house. The new build- ing was built on the ground near the present school building and had rooms to accommodate four departments.
For the year 1867-9 a Mr. Tillinghast was principal of the school. The next year Professor Hutton, of Whitewater, was employed as principal. He was a most excellent teacher, but before he finished the year he was called to more advanced work in a school in the southern part of the state, and Prof. E. H. Sprague, of Elkhorn, succeeded him. He also was a good teacher, and remained in charge of the school for two years. Professor Sprague was followed in 1872 by a man by the name of Jacobs, who came from Winona. He proved incapable and T. E. Williams, a young man from Eau Claire, just out of college took hold of the disorganized situation in a masterful way and had got matters nicely squared when the school house was destroyed by fire.
A new school house was built on the foundation of the one destroyed and about the same general style. The next year the school moved into the new building and Mr. Williams was again employed as principal. IIe remained at the head of the school continuously until 1883, except for a short time in 1877. That
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year he thought to retire from the profession because of ill health, and a man by the name of Beede was employed as principal. Mr. Beede was a good teacher, but was wanting in the essentials of administration and his work failed. He taught only a portion of the year and then Mr. Williams came baek and remained until 1883.
By this time the school had outgrown its former importance and had been organized as a high school. The work of teaching in the high school, together with that of superintendenee, had become too exaeting for one and an assistant in the high sehool became necessary. For this position a young man by the name of L. W. Wood, but a year out of River Falls Normal school, was employed and proved to be a most excellent teacher, full of the school spirit and a leader of the young people, especially of the young men. At the close of the school year Mr. Williams eon- eluded to retire from the profession, and his long service as head of the Augusta sehools was closed.
Professor Williams, we all called him "Professor," although he disliked the term, preferring the ordinary "Mr.," or by the older ones the short name, "Tom," was every inch a man. There were no frills about him, nor faneies, nor deceits. The student body worshipped him, and his word was law. He seareely ever frowned and corporal punishment was to him a thing to be abhorred. He taught by practice as well as from the text, and joined heartily in all the sports of the young people, excelling in athleties and playing any position assigned him on the diamond when a baseball game was on hand. His influenee upon the youth was of that kind that lasts, and many a young man and many a young woman was directed by him into the way of life that terminated in suecess.
But we have departed from our purpose, which was to write the history of the Augusta schools.
In 1884 L. W. Wood, who had been the assistant principal the year before, was chosen by the school board to take charge of the sehool. He was somewhat different than Mr. Williams, but at onee won his way to success. He was an ideal instructor, a good organizer and a leader of the young. He, too, like his prede- eessor, was held in the highest regard by the student body, and, too, he left an impress upon the youth that will only be erased when the death angel eomes to point the higher way. He was in charge of the school for thirteen years, leaving in 1897, to take a better position at Neillsville. Prof. Albert Hedler followed Mr. Wood and remained three years, 1898 to 1900. Ile was a
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good teacher, but left to take up the study of law in Milwaukee. In 1901 Prof. G. O. Banting was the principal and remained two years. He resigned to accept the principalship of the Waupaca school. W. H. Shepherd followed Professor Banting in 1903-4, and was succeeded in 1905 by J. E. Hale.
In 1887 the old school house was too small to accommodate the school population and a new building was erected on the lots on the west of the old building and the two lower grades were transferred.
Again in 1882 the high school building had become inadequate and a special school meeting was held to decide upon plans for the future. At this meeting it was voted to build a new school house and a building committee was appointed. As a result the old school house was torn down and a new one erected at a cost of about $30,000. The new building was ready for occupancy at the beginning of the school year 1903. It is a thoroughly modern building, one of the finest in the state, and is thoroughly equipped in every detail, library, gymnasium, steam heat, electric lights, and every modern convenience. The school has been brought to the highest standard of excellence and is notable throughout northern Wisconsin for the quality of its graduates.
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