History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 101

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665

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

" Clifton was considered the Goshen of the surrounding country. Ministers and others found a warm welcome at such homes as J. F. Brown's, Clayton's, Clifton's, Shipley's, How- del's and Bosye's. The old 'rock church'-one of the first erected in Grant County-was a fine structure for the times. Mineral was found in considerable abundance near the church, but the most extensive mining was done in and near Wingville, which consisted of a dilapi- dated church on the hill, a small parsonage, stores kept by Clayborne Chandler, S. D. Green. Jenks, Bell & Thomas, and one or two others. The Stephens House and Ledbetter Hotel were the only places of entertainment. East of Wingville for ten miles, there were no farms directly on the main road, if Parmalay's is excepted, whose house was in a beautiful grove nearly half a mile from the road. Comfort, Armfield, Lincoln and others had settled on their prairie farms, and were just beginning a new life in the beautiful country." To these and others of that ilk was the early itinerant indebted for that bounteous entertainment which was ever ready whenever he might appear.

In 1852, Rev. W. M. Osborne filled the pulpit, followed in October, 1853, by the Rev. John Hooper. In 1854, Rev. A. H. Walters was returned and remained two years, when Rev. E. Tasker assumed the pastorate, remaining until July, 1858. At that time he was succeeded by the Rev. C. P. Hackney, who served as Pastor one year and a half, delivering his charge over to the Rev. R. R. Wood, in December, 1859. The growth of the church in the meantime had been slow, but not marked by fluctuations that showed later on. Rev. Mr. Wood was fol- lowed in 1861 by Rev. Matthew Dinsdale, who remained until September, 1862. At the con- ference that year, Rev. R. Dudgeon was appointed to succeed Mr. Dinsdale, and remained one year. In 1863, Rev. E. Buck came, remaining the conference year. The ultra opinions held by this gentleman on the great issues then being put to the test of battle, caused a sad falling off in the church membership, a blow which was felt for many years afterward. Mr. Buck was suc- ceeded by Rev. C. Cook, who remained in charge of the congregation until 1868, when he was followed by the Rev. James Simms. His pastorate extended over the three years next ensuing. The conference of 1871 returned Rev. Anthony D. Dexter to the charge. He was succeeded in 1874 by the Rev. A. W. Cummings. During the pastorate of this gentleman, the present church building was erected, a substantial and commodious structure, standing on the corner of Cherry and Monroe streets. The building was ready for dedication late in 1877, but, with a spirit worthy of imitation, the society decided not to formally dedicate the building until the debt then resting upon it was paid, and the church as a consequence remains undedicated up to the present time, although but a very small portion of the original debt remains. Mr. Cum- mings was succeeded by the Rev. G. W. L. Brown, who remained until 1879, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. C. Cook, the present Pastor. The present officiary of the church is as follows : Pastor, C. Cook ; Trustees, James Woodhouse, R. L. Hoskins, Stephen Vivian, J. E. Mckinney, John Willis, B. E. Quincey, Alexander Ivey ; Secretary and Treasurer, Alexander Ivey.

Congregational Church .- This church was organized in the court house on the 21st day of May, 1843, by Rev. J. L. Stevens. The membership was, at this date, limited to seven. Judge Mills and wife, Mrs. Rebecca Mills, Mr. Daniel McAuley and wife, Mr. Dexter Ward and wife and Miss Mary Ward. Of these early members, Judge Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Ward and Miss Mary Ward, now married and living elsewhere, remain. When first organized, the church was Presbyterian, but was changed some years later to a Congregational Church. Mr. Stevens remained for some time in charge of the little flock, meetings being held in the court house, and oftener in a vacant log cabin, then standing in Bushnell Hollow. In this structure. the first prayer meeting was held, and the Sunday school organized. Upon the erection of the school- house in 1843, this was used as a place of worship on the Sabbath Day until the erection of the first church.

The first regularly established minister was Rev. R. Carver, who came in 1844, and remained as Pastor until December, 1845. He was succeeded by Rev. O. Littlejohn, who remained as spiritual head of the church from August, 1845, until January, 1847, when he was

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

succeeded by Rev. S. Eaton. The first election of Trustees of the new society took place in 1850. J. T. Mills was chosen Clerk of the board, but aside from this, not much is known of this early body, as the earlier records of the church were lost through some dereliction on the part of those having them in charge. But in this same year, subscriptions were solicited for the purpose of erecting a new church ; at this time, Sunday school was held in the old schoolhouse, a portion of which is now used as a dwelling by Judge McGonigal. Owing to the absence of the Pastor, work on the new edifice was not begun until the following season, when it was inclosed and plastered, and with the aid of seats temporarily obtained from a church at Potosi, and a pulpit furnished by the Platteville Church, the building was fitted for occupancy as a place of worship, and consecrated December 2, 1851. This church was situated on Lots 1 and 2 of Block 29, on the corner of Cherry and Adams streets. It was a modest structure forty feet in length by thirty in width, and cost $700; the builder was E. B. Tenney. The interior was completed at a later period, and an addition of twenty feet was made to the front of the build- ing in 1860.

This place of worship was retained until the erection of the present edifice occupied by the society.

In 1862, Rev. Mr. Eaton was commissioned Chaplain of the Seventh Wisconsin Regiment, which was composed in a great measure of Grant County representatives. Mr. Eaton went at once to the front, where the regiment was engaged in watching and fighting the rebels. From this time on, he remained at his post until the close of the war, and many a wounded soldier boy has reason to bless the Chaplain of the Seventh Wisconsin; so faithful was the rev- erend gentleman in his work, that he was heartily spoken of by officers and men as "the best Chaplain in the army." During his absence, the pulpit was filled by the Rev. Mr. Maiben.

In 1871, it was decided to erect a new and more commodious structure, better fitted for the growing needs of the society, and, August 19 of that year, the corner stone of the new building was laid with imposing ceremonies. Under this block, on which was to rise the imposing pile, was deposited a history of the Congregational Church in Wisconsin, in two volumes, last issues of the county papers, cereals and seeds, and a sketch of the history of the church. After the ceremonies were over, the group was photographed by Vanderwall. The site selected for the edifice was that known as the Dewey lot, on the corner of Madison and Cherry streets.

It was not until 1873 that the building was ready for occupancy. On Sunday, July 17 of this year, the church was formally dedicated to the worship of God. Rev. C. H. Richards, of Madison, delivered the sermon, the remainder of the exercises being conducted by the resident Pastors of the Congregational and Methodist Churches. Previous to the formal dedication, an appeal was made to the audience for subscriptions to pay off the debt of several thousand dollars that still remained, and $2,000 was thus obtained. The contractors and builders were Messrs. Alcorn & Muesse, the plans and specifications being furnished by C. W. Shinn, of Springfield, Ill., and the cost of the building was $12,650. The edifice is of the style known as the pointed gothic, and is 50x85 feet outside ; height to cornice, twenty-two feet, with height to upper ceil- ing, thirty-two feet. The main spire is 100 feet in height, ornamented with beltings of cut stone.

The auditorium is 40x80 feet, from which is taken a "social room," 20x40 feet. This room is separated from the auditorium proper by sliding partitions and doors, which are so arranged that they can be lowered to the basement when occasion requires, thus throwing the whole together in one room. Over this "social room " is a gallery of the same dimensions as the room itself. Admittance is gained by two entrances on the east side of the building, and one on the north. In addition to these, there is an entrance direct into the Pastor's retiring room.

The interior is very tastefully decorated in a cool gray, slightly bordering on the blue, while the roof is checked off into large squares by the timbers supporting it, that are thus called into play as a portion of the decoration ; these are grained in a dark oak, while the squares show a gray tone somewhat warmer in color than the side walls. The general effect is quiet but

Hathoyland

LANCASTER.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

pleasing. The pulpit stands in an arched recess, on either hand of which are other and smaller arches-that to the right of the pulpit being used for the choir, the congregation being thus able to "face the music" without the trouble that is necessary so to do in many churches. An im- mense chandelier, with numerous side lights-both the present of Gen. J. B. Callis-furnishes the light necessary when occasion requires, while the room is well warmed by two furnaces in the basement.

Upon the completion of the new church, the old building was sold to Mr. E. H. Borah for $700, and was raised, another story added underneath, and now serves as a dwelling and shop.

A debt of a few thousand dollars still remained, but, through the active exertions of the church members, together with aid furnished by outside parties, the debt was lifted, and, Decem- ber 26, 1879, the society stood free from debt and in possession of a church edifice such as they might well view with pride.

The present officiary of the church is as follows: Pastor, Rev. S. Eaton ; Deacons, Mr. George Howe and J. H. Jones ; Trustees, J. H. Jones, George Howe, S. H. Farnsworth, B. White, Charles H. Baxter ; Secretary, T. A. Burr ; Treasurer, J. H. Howe.

Baptist Church .- In accordance with a notice previously given, a meeting was held at the court house November 29, 1844, for the purpose of forming a Baptist Church. D. Ban- bridge was appointed Moderator, and J. Miles Clerk, after which it was resolved " that we form ourselves into a church, to be designated as the Baptist Church of Lancaster. The resolution was carried unanimously, and signed by George McFarlin, Martha McFarlin, Israel Miles, Evan Miles, Reuben Miles, Isaac F. Miles, Caroline Woods, Mehala Miles, Jesse Miles and Sarah Miles. At a subsequent meeting, held November 16, 1844, the members of the young body "agreed to meet the citizens of Lancaster to deliberate on the subject of building a house of worship." Jesse Miles, William N. Reed and Evan Miles were the first Church Trustees, elected November 19. At a meeting, held December 14, William Reed was elected Church Clerk, and the Trustees appointed a committee to confer with the citizens, to co-operate with them in building a Baptist Church. The first Deacon was George McFarlin, elected April 15, 1845, and in August of the same year Jesse Miles, William Paddock and William N. Reed were appointed as a committee to purchase Lots 4 and 5 of Block 22, for a site for the proposed church.

Up to February, 1846, Elder Miles had served as Pastor of the little body, but at that time a call was extended to Rev. Mr. Chapin to serve as Pastor for one year, and he accepting, commenced his work in June. The Baptist organization at this time, being the strongest in the place, the citizens had offered to co-operate with the congregation in erecting a church, deeming it necessary that the village should contain at least one house of worship, and by the beginning of 1847, $900 had been subscribed. A building society had been formed, and Nelson Dewey, Alfred Miles, J. C. Cover, H. L. Liscum and James M. Otis elected Trustees. As such they also acted as a Building Committee, and July, 1847, there being $1,015 available, the contract was let to Jacob Gow for building the foundation, the price to be paid being $188. This work was finished by the spring of 1848, when the contract for the erection of the church building was let to James M. Otis for $1,100, the building to be finished by November the same year. This was not done, however, and it was several years before the house was ready for occupancy. The public services of the society were held in the meantime in the court house, and occasion- ally in the schoolhouse in the north part of town. Mr. Chapin remained until 1851, when he was succeeded by Rev. D. Matlock, who remained until 1853.

July 4, 1852, the church was ready for occupancy and was dedicated upon that day. Upon Mr. Matlock's resignation, a call was extended to Rev. E. M. Lewis, which was accepted, and he commenced his pastorate in July, 1854, remaining until early in the summer of 1856. The church then remained without a Pastor until January, 1858, when Rev. E. B. Hatch came for a short period, extending to November of the same year. His successor was Rev. D. Matlock, who took charge of the congregation for the second time in 1862. Mr. Matlock's pastorate extended over a period of two years, when the church was again left pastorless. In 1869, Rev.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Wade accepted the charge of the society for a short time, but resigned in December of the same year. Since the departure of Mr. Wade, the church has been without any regular Pastor. Oc- casional services have been held upon the occasion of visits from outside clergymen, but, owing to the deterioration of the church, through emigration and death, there can hardly be said to be an organized body at present existing. During 1868, repairs were made upon the church, which placed it in good order, but to-day it stands quiet and alone gazing out upon the west. a me- morial of the early days of Lancaster. Its ultimate fate is uncertain, but, as one of the oldest structures still remaining in the city, it should, and doubtless will, be preserved as a relic of the olden times.

Emanuel Episcopal Church .- About the year 1852, Mrs. Horner, wife of the celebrated Prof. Horner, the anatomist, of Philadelphia, sent the sum of $602 to Lancaster to aid in the erection of an Episcopal Church at this place. The cause of the good lady's thus interesting herself in the matter was, presumably, owing to the fact that her daughter had removed about that time to Lancaster Township with her husband, Mr. William Horner, and was then living here. March 27, 1852, at a meeting held in the office of Messrs. Barber & Lowry, the parish was formally organized under the name of "Westwood Parish," and Wardens and Vestry elected as follows: Senior Warden, Nelson Dewey; Junior Warden, William Horner; Vestry- men-John Welsh, Alexander Calder, Samuel Rowden, Andrew Barnett, J. Allen Barber, Dwight T. Parker. D. T. Parker was chosen Treasurer, and J. Allen Barber, Secretary. It not being deemed advisable at that time to proceed with the erection of a church edifice, the money then on hand was let upon good security, and for a period of six years, the new church existed only in the hopes of a few ardent churchmen.

August 2, 1858, a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen of "Westwood Parish " was held at the office of Barber & Lowry, and after ascertaining the amount of money then at their disposal-which had in the interval accumulated to $954.32-decided to proceed with the erec- tion of the proposed church. J. Allen Barber, Samuel Rowden and Alexander Calder were, by resolution, constituted a building committee, and empowered to let the contract for the new edi- fice. Rev. Ebenezer Williams, at this time officiating at Wingville, preached occasionally for a time in the church when finished, and services were also held by Bishop Kemper and others. Services had, also, previous to the erection of the new building, been held in the little school- house, in the north part of the village. From causes at this late date unknown, the movement suffered another relapse, and it was not until May 8, 1865, that the parish was organized on a stable foundation. Its name was then changed, at the suggestion of Mrs. Lewis Hoyt, a lady who took a deep interest in the infant parish, to "Emanuel Parish." This organization was effected by Charles H. Rice. The first Wardens and Vestry of the Emanuel Parish were: Senior Warden, H. B. Fisher; Junior Warden, Richard Meyer; Vestrymen-Thomas Lan- gridge, J. Thornton, James F. Rhodes, Samuel F. Clise, William Carter, Sr., William Pitt Dewey, J. H. Hyde, Allen R. Bushnell. Mr. Rice remained but a short time. In 1866, Rev. Francis Moore assumed the rectorship of the parish, under whose ministration the young church made a rapid and vigorous advancement. In October, 1868, Mr. Moore left for Missouri. For an interval of four years, the church was without a Rector. October, 1872, Rev. Mr. Moore returned to the parish, remaining until June 15, 1873. Upon his departure, the parish remained without a Pastor until 1875. In August of that year, a call was extended to the Rev. S. S. Burleson, which was accepted in October, and on the first Sunday in Advent, the reverend gentleman assumed pastoral charge. The succeeding year, the present rectory was built, being ready for occupancy in December. Rev. Mr. Burleson remained until the spring of 1880, being the first Rector whose duties had been confined to Lancaster. His resignation had been tendered in October, but circumstances prevented his departure until the spring of 1880, as above men- tioned. During the summer of the same year, a call was extended to the Rev. Lewis Cloak, the present Rector, who took charge of the Parish August 15. The present officiary of the church is as follows: Senior Warden, Thomas Langridge; Junior Warden, Charles Langridge, Sr .; Vestrymen-Dr. James Brown, Mr. H. B. Fisher, Henry Muesse, P. H. Parsons, James F. Rhodes, G. D. Streeter. Mr. P. H. Parson is also Secretary and Treasurer.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

St. Clement's Catholic Church .- This congregation was originally under the charge of the Pastor of Potosi Parish as a mission. The present church was erected in 1859, under the superintendence and through the efforts of Rev. Father Gibson, then Pastor at Potosi. The first resident Pastor at Lancaster was the Rev. Father Thomas Hodnett, who came in 1870. He remained until October, 1873, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Father R. J. Scott. In 1876, Rev. Father Hugo Victor took charge of the parish, remaining uniil April 10, 1877, when he was transferred to other fields of labor, being followed in the pastorate by the Rev. Father Peter Schwieger, the present priest in charge. The parish was first known as St. Bar- tholomew, but there being one parish of that name in this section, it was changed by the Bishop to St. Clement's, which name it at present retains.

CEMETERY.

The first burial-place in Lancaster was a plat of ground just south of the Episcopal Church, this in time passing into a quasi private depository for the dead. In August, 1855, a meeting was held for the purpose of taking steps toward purchasing land for cemetery purposes. Judge McGonigal was chosen Chairman and J. Allen Barber Secretary. The name chosen for the organization was the "Lancaster Cemetery Association." The management was intrusted to three trustees, the first board comprising J. Allen Barber, Ovid B. Phelps and Myron W. Wood. Five acres of land were purchased south of town, on the site now occupied by Mr. Charles Langridge. The drainage facilities were, however, soon found to be inadequate to keep water from settling in the graves, which forced an abandonment of the proposed plan, and the movement dissolved in thin air. A year or two later-the deed bearing date of October, 1857 -William McGonigal, Theodore Barber, George Howe and James Barnett purchased an acre of ground southeast of the village, on the farm owned by J. Allen Barber. In May, 1863, these original owners deeded the land to the Trustees of the village of Lancaster for a ceme- tery ; additions were made at different times to the first purchase, until now there are included in the cemetery limits about five acres, which is laid out into burial lots, and from its sightly and beautiful location forms one of the most pleasing "cities of the dead " in the county. Upon the merging of the village into a city the property passed into the hands of the city government, the Council having full control of it at present.

MASONIC ORDERS.

Lancaster Lodge, U. D., was organized in the year 1847, with the following list of officers : E. P. Wood, Master ; H. R. Colter, S. W .; J. K. Rickey, J. W .; J. S. Fletcher, Sec .; James McKinzie, Treas .; John Barnett, S. D .; B. Bunton, J. D .; Jacob Gow, Tiler. On the 10th of December, 1848, the charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, Lancaster Lodge taking rank as No. 20 in the list of lodges in the State. In the year 1853, so many members had departed for California, that the lodge had to suspend work, and the charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge, June 16, 1853. On the 13th of June, 1855, the charter was restored by order of the Grand Lodge, and Lancaster Lodge, No. 20, was re-organized and her officers installed by G. M. H. M. Billings, since which time the Lodge has regularly continued its work. The following order was made by the Grand Lodge restoring the charter :

I hereby certify that at a grand annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, on the 13th day of June, 1855, the following resolution was adopted :

Resolved, That the charter of Lancaster Lodge, No. 20, together with the jewels and furniture of said Lodge, be restored to said Lodge, and that said Lancaster Lodge, No. 20, shall resume i s rank and priority according to its number on the registry of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

Certified by me, June 15, 1855, at Milwaukee.

WILLIAM R. SMITH, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

The present officers are as follows : R. B. Showalter, W. M .; T. F. Baldwin, S. W .; C. T. Langridge, J. W .; Joseph Bock, Sec .; J. P. Lewis, Treas .; George E. Budd, S. D .; A. E. Hyde, J. D .; J. B. Bradbury, Tiler. The lodge membership is sixty-one.

Grant Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M., was instituted February 27, 1866, and at present num-

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

bers thirty-five members, with the following list of officers : George E. Budd, H. P .; William McGonigal, K .; J. G. Clark, S .; John P. Lewis, R. A. C .; T. F. Baldwin, C. H.

I. O. O. F.

Mississippi Valley Lodge, No. 86 .- Under a dispensation from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin, Mississippi Valley Lodge, No. 86, I. O. O. F. was in- stituted November 28, 1855, by Bro. J. W. Van Orman, District Department Grand Master ; the following brothers constituting the charter members ; C. S. Babcock, G. W. Ryland, Rich- ard Drane, John Pepper, Joel Manning. Bro. A. H. Walters was initiated the same evening. and appointed Chaplain of the lodge. Babcock was elected and installed N. G .; Ryland, V. G .; Drane, R. Sec .; Pepper, Per. Sec., and Manning, Treasurer. £ Bro. Babcock having offended against the laws of the order, was, on March 25, 1857, for good cause, expelled from the order, and at the January session of 1871 of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, upon applica- tion of Mississippi Valley Lodge, the name of Babcock was expunged from the charter of the latter lodge, and the charter re-issued with the name of Bro. Alcorn substituted as a charter member in the place of Babcock. The lodge after its beginning increased and prospered in membership, so that in 1862 it had some thirty-eight members. At the breaking-out of the war, the younger members and some of the older ones responded to their country's call, and went forth to fight its battles. During that long struggle, the lodge almost ceased to exist, but after the termination of the war, the lodge was revived and placed upon a firm basis, and has since been in good working order. Up to 1880, there had been received into the lodge 132 members, of which 106 were admitted by initiation, twenty-four by card, and two as ancient members. The lodge membership at that date was forty-six.

Of the dead, but not forgotten, there are five : Edward Coumbe, died September 26, 1856 ; S. F. Clise, February 16, 1868; Simon E. Lewis, May 14, 1874; J. C. Cover, died at sea, July 4, 1872; Thomas Wier, February 12, 1879. In August, 1869, six members of the Mis- sissippi Valley Lodge withdrew by card to institute a German branch of the order. Of the charter members, but two remain, Messrs. Ryland and Alcorn. Bro. Drane is land commis- sioner of a Southwestern railroad, and resides in St. Joe, Mo. Bro. Pepper resides at Boscobel, and Bro. Manning is dead. The lodge is in a strong and prosperous condition, and with long years of usefulness before it.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?] Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050