USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 105
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BELMONT, January 6, 1871.
FRIEND VIVIAN : I have just received a few lines from you in relation to the minutes of Wildey Encampment. Enclosed you will find all the proceedings of said lodge. Yours truly,
M. V. BUARIS.
ENCAMPMENT OF WILDEY ENCAMPMENT NO. 1, OF WISCONSIN. MINERAL POINT, August 4, 1838.
Pursuant to previous arrangement, the petitioners for an Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, to be called Wildey Encampment, No. I, of Wisconsin, met at the Odd Fellows Hall on this evening. Present,
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P. G. Sire Wildey, and petitioners James S. Bawden, Levi Sterling, Martin V. Burris, Francis Vivian, William Pol- kinhorn, John Rich, Charles Harris, Edward Code and J. T. Lathrop.
After an explanation had been given of the principles of an Encampment by P. G. S. Wildey, the petitioners received the several degrees belonging to this branch of the order. The following Brothers were next elected to serve in the several offices belonging to the order : James S. Bawden, Chief Patriarch ; Levi Sterling, High Priest ; Mar- tin V. Burris, Scribe ; Francis Vivian, Treasurer; William Polkenhorn, Senior Warden ; John Rich, Junior Warden. and Charles Harris, Guardian.
The whole of the officers elected were regularly installed, the warrant delivered, and the Encampment regularly opened and established by P. G. S. Wildey. On motion,
Resolved, That the Encampment adjourn to Sunday morning next. at 10 A. M.
SUNDAY MORNING, IO o'clock, A. M.
The Encampment met according to previous arrangement at the hall. the following applicants being in waiting for an election, which resulted in their election : Robert W. Gray, Andrew Leonard and Joseph Bailey.
The Encampment then moved to Brother Sterling's grove and regularly initiated the applicants to the degrees of the Encampment. The dues collected were as follows : Brothers Sterling, Barris, Rich, Harris, Polkinhorn, Code and Vivian, each $5, making $35.
Nothing more being before the Encampment, it was closed in usual form. Attest : M. V. BURRIS, Scribe.
Agreeable to previous arrangement. the Encampment met and was opened in usual form, with C. P. Bawden in the chair. James M. Kane, being an applicant for the Encampment, was duly elected, and being in waiting, was reg- ularly initiated into the degrees of the Encampment. Dues collected-J. T. Lathrop, R. W. Gray, J. Bawden, J. S. Bailey, A. Leonard and J. M. Kane, each $5, making in all $30.
Argusr 10. 1838.
The Encampment met pursuant to previous arrangement. Peter Hartman and John Casserly being applicants for the Encampment, were duly elected to the several degrees belonging thereto. John Casserly being in waiting, was regularly initiated into all the degrees belonging to the Encampment. On motion,
Resolved, That the Encampment meet on the first and third Monday of every month.
On motion,
Reso ved, That $10 be the price of initiation into this Encampment, and $5 for every subsequent degree. On motion the Encampment closed, to meet on the first stated meeting, which was the 20th of August. Attest : M. V. BURRIS, Scribe.
MINERAL POINT, July 12, 1839.
First stated meeting of Wildey Encampment, No. I, met at their hall. The Encampment was opened in the usual form, with C. P. Bawden in the first chair ; H. P. Sterling in the second chair. William Campbell being an applicant for the Encampment, was balloted for, and duly elected a member of the Encampment, and received the Encampment, Patriarchal, Golden Rule and Royal Purple Degrees, by dispensation of the Deputy, G. Sire Potts. On motion adjourned, to meet on the first Monday in August, 1839.
Attest :
M. V. BURRIS, Scribe.
" Comments : Why did they adjourn to Sunday ? There seems to have been a meeting ' agreeable to arrangement,' between Sunday and August 10. In a resolution offered on August 10, it would seem there was an initiation beside the degrees. Meeting 12th July, 1839, corroborates by mentioning four degrees.
''Why the hiatus from August 10, 1838, to July, 1839 ?'
. In reply to Brother Langworthy's query, ' Why did they adjourn to Sunday ?' We would reply that in that early day the Sabbath had not extended as far as Mineral Point. And to the other question, ' Why the hiatus from August 10, 1838, to July, 1839 ? ' We would say that the records furnished him were fragments only. The probabilities are that other meetings were held between those dates."
Hudson Encampment, I. O. O. F., No. 33-Was chartered January 19, 1870, with the fol- lowing charter members: J. H. Vivian, George Kislingbury, John Knight, John Dawe, Ed Coad, Jr., H. S. Clauer, Uriah James. The encampment has now twenty members in good standing, with the following officers : George H. Maston, C. P .; J. H. Vivian, II. P .; W. M. Cox, S. W. : M. Treweck, J. W. ; S. C. Thomas, Scribe ; Josiah Jacka, Treasurer.
Daughters of Rebekah .- Amelia Lodge, No. 27, was chartered December 7, 1872, with these charter members : J. H. Vivian, H. Joseph. Isaac Penrose, John P. Prisk, J. Knight ; Sisters Jennie Clauer, Elizabeth Penrose, Amelia Vivian, Mrs. H. Joseph. Laura Pierce, Anna M. Prisk. This lodge now numbers forty in good standing. The following are the present officers : Mrs. E. Maston, N G .; Mrs. E. Short, V. G .: S. C. Thomas, Secretary ; Mrs. M. Huxtable, Treasurer.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Good Templars .- Emery Lodge, No. 311, was organized November 5, 1865, by Miss Mary Emery, of Wisconsin. The charter members numbered seventy-five. At the first meeting of this lodge, November 5, 1865, the following officers were chosen : Thomas Carkeek, W. C. T. ; Mrs. S. Coad, W. V. T. ; R. R. Clark, W. R. S .; Ph. Lawrence, W. F. S .; William Payn- ter, W. C .; P. Allen, Jr., W. M .; Mrs. John Harris, W. I. G .; S. H. Webb, P. W. C. T. The first meetings of this lodge were held in the vestry of the Primitive Methodist Church. They afterward removed to R. L. Reed's Block in the First Ward ; remained here until the room becoming too small to accommodate their fast.increasing numbers, they moved to the City Hall, where their meetings were held until the dedication of their new ball in Hadfield's Block in the Second Ward, which ceremony took place July 4, 1877. This room, which was fitted especially for the use of the Good Templars, is one of the most elegant, as well as one of the best adapted lodge-rooms in the State, the lodge property including fixtures, banners, regalia, etc., being valued at $600. At one time this society was the " banner lodge " of the State, with a membership aggregating 250 in good standing. It now numbers 150, with the following officers : J. B. Teasdale, W. C. T. ; Miss Nellie Fink, W. V. T .; James Goldworthy, W. R. S. ; Samuel Goldworthy, W. F. S .; Miss Jennie Oates, W. T .; William Smith, W. C .; William Harris, W. M .; Miss Maggie Connoly, W. I. G .; John Coad, Jr., W. O. G .; Dr. J. H. Wingender, P. W. C. T. Ph. Allen, Jr., of this lodge, was for two years G. W. C. T., and is now G. W. Counselor of the State; Mrs. Sadie Likens has held the office of G. W. Treasurer of the State Lodge. The following is a list of the P. W. C. T.'s : T. T. Carkeek, John Toay. Sr .. P. Allen, Jr., S. E. Shepard, John Charles, N. T. Martin, James Brown, W. J. C. Bond, J. B. Teasdale, J. P. Hankin, Alfred Charles, R. J. Pennhallegon, G. W. Field, J. H. Cartwright, J. H. Wingender. While through the efforts of this lodge many moderate drinkers have become total abstainers, a number of habitual drinkers have been reclaimed, whose reformation is be- lieved to be complete, and who are now good citizens and respected members of the church. Under the auspices of the Good Templars' Lodge, the Band of Hope No. 11, Juvenile Temple, was organized August 7, 1868, with ninety-five charter members. It now has 150 members in good standing, with the following officers : Thomas Jacka, W. C. T .; Frank Ivey, R. S. ; W. Huxtable, F. S .; Mrs. J. B. Teasdale, T. ; Bertha Kuhneman, Chap. ; S. Goodworthy, P. W. C. T. ; Alma Cox, W. V. T .; James Coad, W. M .; Miss Lu Hutchison. W. A. M. : William Smith, Jr., W. S .; Miss Sally Gray, W. G. Lodge meets Fridays, and Temple on Tuesdays.
Emmet Circle .- This branch of the Fenian brotherhood was organized in Mineral Point in 1870, during the incipient agitation for the liberation of Ireland by filibustering expeditions through Canada. This was the only " circle" or branch in the State of Wisconsin, hence it was a representative institution. During its vigorous existence, a large amount of money was subscribed and forwarded to the " head center " in New York for the good of the cause. Alto- gether, about $400 was subscribed and collected, and, at the time of the Allen execution in Manchester, England, a poll tax of $5 was levied on the members. The sum of $120 was thus raised. The organization continued to enjoy a healthy existence for two years, when, after the lamentab'e and disastrous raid on Canuckia, the Emmet Circle disbanded in unison with a general decay of the movement. The officers were John Commins, Center; Alex Hefferman, Vice Center ; W. T. Healey, Secretary ; James O'Neill and Thomas J. Clancy, Treasurers.
Protection Lodge, No. 7, A. O. U. W .- Was organized by J. M. Cissinger, D. V. M. W., April 23, 1877. The Ancient Order of United Workmen is cosmopolitan in character. embrac- ing among its members all classes, forming a mutual life insurance. By paying an initiation fee and stated amounts at regular intervals, the members secure all the benefits to be derived from the principles upon which the life insurance system is based, and assures to the mem- bers weekly benefits, with a positive guarantee of $2,000 to the heirs and assigns of the deceased member. The Mineral Point lodge was organized by the election of the following officers : M. Benson, P. M. W. ; Sible E. Shepard, M. W .; W. H. Curry, R .; Fred Phillips, O .; William Eastman, Medical Examiner ; P. Allen, Jr., G. F .; William Perry, O. W. ; James Kitto, I. W .; William H. Osborne, G .; George Crawford, F .; William H. Bennett, R. The charter
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
members were J. R. Toay, Francis Ensenroth, S. T. Osborne, C. E. Gale, W. H. Curry, M. Benson, S. E. Shepard, Fred Phillips, William Eastman, P. Allen, Jr., William Perry, James Kitto, William H. Osborne, William H. Bennett and George Crawford. This society now num- bers forty-six, and is constantly increasing. Its meetings are held in the Good Templars' Hall, in Hadfield's Block, each alternate week. Officers are elected annually. The present officers are Joseph Hawkins, M. V. ; W. J. Cox, G. F. ; R. Julian, O .; Charles Neal, G .; F. Ensen- roth, R. ; A. Berg, F. ; William Perry, R. : H. Wies, O. W. ; N. Kessler. E. W.
The Mineral Point Temple of Honor, No. 185-Was instituted March 21, 1878, by Special Deputy C. F. Osborne, of Darlington. The following were the charter members: William Smith, J. P. Davies, H. S. Claner, James V. Dabb, N. T. Martin, Thomas H. Harrison, Josiah Jacka. N. T. Holman, Simon Toav, Nicholas Uren, J. T. Prideaux, F. E. Hanscom, John P. Hambly, E. Y. Hutchison, John Coad, Samuel Toay, Will J. Penhallegon, John W. Richards, J. P. Hawkins. J. A. Huxtable, Harry Hawkins, John W. Bennett, John Dawe, W. H. Slaw- son, Richard Fredinick, William Thomas, James W. Hutchison, John Waters, Thomas Ivey, James Skinner, John N. Waters, James Penhallegon, Joseph Vivian, W. E. Mayhew, Rev. M. Benson, George Crawford, William Richards, R. G. Thomas, James Crawford, John Hadfield, W. A. Jones, Richard Jackson, Jr., Samuel J. Richards. John M. Richards, John M. Harris. J. H. L. Scheel, James Suthers, Charles Cox, John B. Wallis and Thomas S. Teague. The first election was held March 21, 1878, and the following officers chosen : John P. Davics, W. C. T. : Samuel M. Toay, W. V. T. ; C. Y. Hutchison, P. W. C. T. ; W. J. Penhallegon, W. R. ; Simon Toay, W. A. R. ; N. T. Martin, W. T. ; F. E. Hanscom, W. F. R. ; John W. Bennett, W. U. ; Richard Fredinick, W. D. U. ; John Coad, W. G .; Nicholas Uren, W. S .; William Thomas, W. R. H. S. ; Thomas Harrison, W. L. H. S. ; W. A. Jones, L. D. The P. W. C. T.'s are, S. M. Toay, E. Y. Hutchison, Josiah Jacka and W. J. Penhallegen. The present officers are William Smith, W. C. T. ; R. S. Lanyon, W. V. T. ; J. J. Toms, W. R. ; Josiah Jacka, W. A. S. ; J. B. Reynolds, W. F. R. ; Joseph Vivian, W. T .; William Thomas, W. U. ; Edwin Woolrich, W. D. U. ; John Foster, W. G. ; John Evans, W. S. The greatest number belonging to this lodge at any one time was one hundred and ten. The lodge now num- bers seventy-five. Meetings are held weekly in the Odd Fellows' Hall.
American Legion of Honor .- Hope Council, No. 344, was instituted November 23, 1880, by David Neil, of Milwaukee. The object of this organization is to unite fraternally all persons of good moral character, who are socially acceptable, to give all moral and material aid to its members, and those dependent upon them ; to educate its members socially, morally and intel- lectually ; to establish a fund for the relief of sick and distressed beneficial members ; to establish a benefit fund, from which, on the death of a beneficiary member of the order, a sum not exceed- ing $5,000 shall be paid to the family, orphans or dependents, as the member may direct. This society was organized with a charter membership of nine, who were also the first officers. They were William Strauss, Commander ; John Daniels, Vice Commander ; H. S. Weil, Past Com- mander ; Anton Berg. Secretary and Collector ; Alfred Bishop, Treasurer ; William Eastman, Medical Examiner ; N. Kessler, Guide ; F. Guggenheim, Chaplain ; George S. Keeler, Orator. The society now numbers twenty members, with the following officers: William Strauss, Commander ; John Daniels, Vice Commander; H. S. Weil, Past Commander; George S. Keeler, Orator ; Anton Berg, Secretary and Collector ; Alfred Bishop, Treasurer; William Eastman, Medical Examiner ; N. Kessler, Chaplain ; Henry Bennett, Guide. Trustces-Anton Berg, H. S. Weil and John Daniels.
M. E. Lyceum .- This society was organized in March, 1878, with the following charter members : John Eden, Ivah Benson, David Jacka, John Knight, James Benson, M. Benson, F. A. Spensley, Shirley Spensley. James Goldsworthy, Mary Downs, Mrs. J. Knight, Susie Benson, Susie Miller, Lena M. White, Eugenia Sherwood, Amelia E. Coad, Jennie Spensley, Maggie Spitzborth, Jennie Jacka, Lizzie Necollins, Stansmon Vivian, Colen Goldsworthy. The object of this organization is the mutual advancement, morally, intellectually and socially, of its members. The society frequently hold " dime entertainments," and meetings for debate on
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various subjects. It is composed of persons from the different churches in the city, and at pres- ent numbers forty. The officers now are Lofotus Wright, President; Frank Hanscom, Vice President ; Miss Lena M. White, Secretary ; Miss Jennie Clark, Treasurer.
RELIGIOUS.
As appears in the sketch of the early settlement, the first religious services were held here as early as 1828, or 1829, by Elder Roberts, who preached baptism or damnation, both for infants and adults. Services were held in his cabin, or a building prepared for such purposes. It is said of the Elder, that he was exceedingly zealous in striving to convert sinners to Christ, and that he wielded a powerful influence for good among the miners. His headquarters were characterized by his associates as Jerusalem, and the Elder as the High Priest ; but, notwith- standing the levity indulged in by the miners, the Elder was generally respected and fairly treated by them. As one old settler remarks, " the very fact of having preaching, and a place to go to where something could be heard besides mineral talk, for a short time, proved not only a novelty, but was certainly beneficial to those rough and hardened men. No matter if they did leave the services to go to a horse race, or to play cards, and to have a rollicking time during the remainder of the day, there was yet a little good derived from the religious leaven that had been dropped into their souls."
The First Protestant Church in Wisconsin .- Mineral Point enjoys the distinction of having had the first Protestant church built in the State. This may be regarded by many as an event of no particular significance in connection with the present; but, insignificant as it may seem. it was nevertheless the first, and withal, exhibits the fact that, although a majority of the early comers were rough and desperate characters, yet there were enough of God-fearing and humanity- loving people here to take an early start in the right direction.
In trying to measure the development which has been made since that time, not only here, but throughout the State and the great Northwest generally, the mind is completely bewildered. In nearly every town of this vast area, may now be found churches of various denominations, among which the least is not the Methodist, or that section to which belonged the first church started ; and but forty-seven years have elapsed since that time. How wonderful, indeed, is the progress of civilization ; how grand and all prevailing the power of Deity. "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men," must be acknowledged by every person in contemplation of the change.
The following communication gives a graphic description of the first church, and the first work done there by the pioneer preacher, Rev. A. Bronson.
DEAR SIR: The first Methodist Episcopal Church, and the first Protestant church built in Wisconsin, was erected at Mineral Point in 1834. It was of logs entirely. I think there was not a sawed board in it, except what was worked into window-sash and doors. The logs were notched together at the corners, chinked inside, and daubed or plastered outside with clay mortar. The floor was of puncheons split out of logs, and smoothed with a broad-ax on the flat side, the round side being spotted to fit the sleepers. The roof was made of clapboards, split out of large oak trees, and the ceiling and pulpit were made from the same material. The seats were made of split logs smoothed on the flat side, with wooden pegs driven into auger holes for legs. I do not remember whether the door hinges were made of wood or iron. I think it was about 24x30 feet in area. It stood on the first spur or point of land that comes in from the northwest, some fifteen or twenty rods from Abner Nichols' old hotel, near the foot of Commerce street.
l held the first quarterly meeting : gave the first love feast, and administered the first sacrament in it, in the fall of 1835. low long it was used I do not know. I think a school was taught in it for some time, until a schoolhouse was built. I have a cane made out of one of the logs of that church, which was presented to me in 1871, in the present Methodist Episcopal Church. Respectfully,
ALFRED BRONSON.
The Hollowites .- In 1842, a man by the name of John Hollow came to Mineral Point from England. He was what would be termed a dissenter from the established church, and something of an enthusiast as well. After his arrival, he began holding services here and there among those who sympathized with his views, and finally, about 1845, succeeded, by dint of hard work, in enlisting a good many in his favor, and in getting together sufficient means to build a church. The organization that worshiped here for the next few years were known as the Hollowites.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Eventually the interest died out, and with it the society ; the building was used for a school also during a great part of the time. About 1849, it was taken by the Primitive Methodist or seced- ers from the Methodist Episcopal Church here. with whom were identified the Hollowites.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Among the early churches of Wisconsin that have con- tributed so much to the progress, civilization and refinement of the citizens of the Badger State, should be classed the Methodist Episcopal Church. As early as 1834, an organization of this denomination was effected in Mineral Point, and being since cherished and fostered, is now recog- nized as foremost among the leading church societies of Southwestern Wisconsin.
The first class of this organization consisted of William Kendall and wife, John Wallace and wife, William Phillips and wife, Andrew Remfrey, William Ball, Mr. Miller and wife, Mrs. S. Thomas and James Nancarow. For some time these few persons congregated at their dwellings, and had regular prayer-meetings and instructions by the laymen of the fold. Early in September of this year, Rev. Thomas Haney, a noted pioneer " circuit rider," was sent here by an Illinois conference and frequently held religious meetings, which were attended by large numbers of the miners in the vicinity at the time, though, it is surmised, more out of curiosity to see the man who dared to venture in their very midst, and assail them for their laxity of morals, than to partake of the religions blessings there offered. The society continued to increase until, in 1837, it aggregated thirty members. During the fall of this year, a small rock church was built on the corner opposite the present elegant structure. Early in the year 1838, this edifice was dedicated and services instituted. The society having a church, now desired a resi- dent Pastor, but as the congregation was small and unable to support a minister alone, the idea for the time being was abandoned. Soon, however, an opening for a day-school was found, and is was resolved by the congregation to procure a preacher who might administer to their spiritual wants on the Sabbath, and, during the week, teach school, and thus receive sufficient additional salary to support him at this point. Forthwith the Illinois Conference was petitioned for a young man of the requisite qualifications, and Rev. John Mitchell, then stationed at Galena, was sent here and took charge of the combined duties of minister and pedagogue. Rev. Mitchell remained two years, and proved himself a most satisfactory selection. The congregation consisted princi- pally of English and some Americans. For several years the Presbyterian element in the com- munity attended services at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The conveniences of this small church were necessarily of the most primitive character, and lacked to a remarkable degree the church ornaments and luxuries of the present day. The seats were composed of two short poles crossed and placed at each end of a rough plank for support. Here in this rude structure petitions and prayers were offered up by the devout and sincere pio- neers, who would frown upon the luxuriant upholstery and seemingly extravagance in the church fixtures of to-day.
In 1840, the rude plank seats were replaced with more comfortable and attractive benches. The congregation increased in numbers so rapidly, that, in 1845, more commodious apartments were required, and under the supervision of P. Allen, Sr., an addition was made to original building, and the church now assumed gratifying proportions.
The Mineral Point Circuit at this time embraced the territory of Mineral Point, Dodgeville and Peddlers' Creek, now Linden. The first quarterly conference was held at Mineral Point December 24, 1837, when were present Rev. R. Haney, Circuit Preacher, William Ball, Will- iam Thomas, William Kendall, William Webster and Andrew Remfrey, Stewards. Subsequent meetings were held at Peddlers' Creek, Dodgeville and again at Mineral Point. The congrega- tion was administered to after the departure of Rev. John Mitchell, by the circuit preachers, Rev. R. Haney, in 1837; H. W. Reed, 1838; T. C. Lopaz, 1839; John Crummer and J. Hodges, 1840 ; T. M. Fullerton, 1841. In October of 1841, Rev. J. G. Whitford became sta - tion preacher. He was succeeded in 1842 by Washington Wilcox, who was followed in 1843 by T. M. Fullerton. December 1, 1843, the Mineral Point Sabbath School had fifty-six scholars, twelve teachers, two superintendents and a library containing 184 volumes. In August, 1844,
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
H. I. Brunson took charge of the Methodist Episcopal Congregation, and was succeeded in 1845 by Elihu Springer, stationed preacher.
The first recorded meeting of the Trustees was held June 21, 1845, when the members were William Kendall, Joseph Hatch, George Goldthorp, Samuel Rich, William T. Phillips. N. Coad, William Lanyon, John Pearce and Phillip Allen. Sr. Of this number the following officers were elected : William Kendall, President ; Samuel Rich, Vice President; William T. Phillips, Secretary ; Nicholas Coad, Treasurer ; John Pearce, Collector. During this year the basement of the church was fitted up for school purposes, and was also rented as meeting room for the Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance.
In the fall of 1846, Rev. J. M. Leihy took charge of the Mineral Point Station, and con- tinued two years, when in 1848, he was succeeded by Rev. J. G. Whitford. During the pas- torate of Rev. Whitford, a revolution occurred in the congregation, upward of fifty members seceding, and who subsequently organized the Primitive Methodist Society. The cause of this movement is attributed to dissatisfaction concerning the rules and regulations of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Notwithstanding this severe check, however, the congregation continned. its rapid progress, and, within a few years, fully recovered.
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