USA > Wisconsin > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, past and present : including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county [microform] > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
543
544
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
consequence, Rev. Michael Ewert, the nearest Lutheran pastor, having his home at Burr Oak, was instructed to provide this faith- ful band with the means of grace. He was received with great joy when he preached the first Lutheran sermon in Monroe county on the fifteenth of May. 1862. at the district school house No. 1, in the present town of Ridgeville. He promised to preach at least once in eight weeks, receiving for every round trip of sixty miles $8.00 in cash. The Lord's Supper was administered for the first time on the eighteenth of May to thirty-four communicants. Dur- ing his time a suitable place of worship was erected, a log house, 20 by 32 feet. In June, 1862. after the congregation had pre- viously been admitted to the Wisconsin Synod. the new church was dedicated with solenm ceremony. the Rev. F. W. Hass from Mormon Cooley assisting.
Rev. Michael Ewert. the first minister who preached the word to the oldest Lutheran settlement in Monroe county, was born at Radschief, Province of Posen, Germany. February 18. 1812. After receiving his preliminary education in the parochial schools of his native village. he entered the Teachers' Institute at Bromberg. In 1856 he crossed the ocean and came to Wisconsin, where he was called upon to preach to the pastorless people of Golden Lake. Waukesha county, connecting himself with the Frankean Synod. By recommendation of Pastor Muehlhaeuser, he was ordained for the gospel ministry in October, 1861, therewith becoming a member of the Wisconsin Synod. In the same year he accepted a vocation to the "Memminger Church" at Burr Oak, resigning his pastorate at Cedar Creek and Richfield, Waukesha county. shortly after Christmas. He died January 10, 1888, and is buried in the cemetery at Ox Bow, Jackson county.
Through the instrumentality of Dr. Ed. Moldehnke, who had previously, in June. 1863, preached at Ridgeville while on his missionary expeditions, the Rev. John A. Hover was commis- sioned to become the first resident Lutheran minister in Monroe county. He arrived August 25, 1865, and delivered his first ser- mon on the following Sunday. His ordination was performed by W. Dammann, of Milwaukee, on the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. A parsonage was built for him in the spring of the following year. Rev. Hoyer labored with great zeal, preaching not only at Ridgeville, but also at Clifton, where he had organized a congregation during the first year of his ministry, until he received and accepted a call to Eldorado, Wis. October 27. 1867.
During the ensuing interim of seven months Mr. Waegner con- dneted services. May 20, 1868, the Rev. Ludwig Ebert was unani-
545
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHIES
mously called from Portland. Houston county, Minnesota, where he had rendered service to a number of German Lutheran congre- gations. He founded a church at South Ridge and erected a house of worship at Clifton, whereupon he departed from Ridgeville April 9, 1871, in order to return to the fatherland, accepting a position as teacher in a gymnasium.
April 10, 1871, the Rev. Albert F. Siegler, a native of Wollin, Pomerania, Germany, and first student under Dr. Moldehnke in the College at Watertown, Wis., was invited to take charge of the church. He accepted the invitation, and entered upon his work April 26, 1871, preaching his first sermon from the Gospel of the Good Shepherd. Ilis installation followed on Pentecost Monday, May 29, Rev. C. G. Reim, La Crosse. Wis., officiating. During his pastorate the congregation grew too large to be accom- modated in the old log church, and consequently it was decided to erect the second house of worship, a frame building, 54 by 32, spire 75 feet, with altar niche and sancristy, at a cost of $3,000. Mr. H. L. Scherr and E. Brauer were the contractors. In Feb- rmary. 1874. the completed building was set apart to the worship of God. the pastor loci conducting the official ceremony. A church strife. into which the congregation was precipitated by the Reformed members, while the building was in progress, ended in the withdrawal of thirteen families and the formation of Salem's Church, October 17, 1873, which became extinct in 1890. Rev. Siegler's career of this and fourteen other congregations and preaching places came to a close when he was called to Ixonia, Wis .. July 17, 1877.
July 24, 1877, the Rev. Erdman A. Pankow, whose father immigrated to Lebanon, Dodge county, with the so-called old Lutherans of Pomerania and Brandenburg in 1843, was called to the pastorate. Ile accepted and commenced his labors October 14, being installed by Rev. C. G. Reim of La Crosse, Wis. This rev- erend gentleman held the office of pastor of St. John's at Ridge- ville. St. Paul's at Tomah and St. Jacob's at Norwalk four years. when he was obliged to give notice to this congregation that on account of ill health he would have to sever his connection with this pastorate September 18, 1881.
When Rev. Pankow removed to St. Louis, Mo., the services of Pastor Andrew Schroedel was procured September 18, 1881. After due deliberation he commenced his labors in December. when he was formally installed by Rev. J. Badke of Dorset Ridge. Shortly after his arrival the first bells were hung in the steeple. The first mission festival was celebrated September 20, 1885. At
546
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
a congregational meeting held June 2. 1889, it was resolved to erect a new parsonage on a recently purchased lot. whereupon William Zellmer, Fred Gnewikow and Henry Schlinz were appointed a building committee to carry out the design of the congregation. Accordingly, November 25, 1889, a contract was entered into with Charles Prehn of Portage, Wis., for the erection of a frame building, for the sum of $1,050. But before the com- pletion of the parsonage, October 28, the Rev. Schroedel asked for an honorary dismissal, having received a call to Watertown as professor. This was granted November 25, 1889.
December 29, 1889, the Rev. Christian F. C. Koehler from East Farmington, Polk county, Wisconsin, was chosen to fill the pulpit. He entered upon the duties of his office on the twenty-second of February, 1890. being installed by Professor Schroedel. Upon his instigation a special meeting was called on March 7, 1892, for the purpose of devising plans for a new school house, 22 by 36. On March 13 the congregation took title to a plot of ground com- prising two acres, purchasing the same from Martin Achtenberg, for a consideration of $275. William Matthes was given the con- traet and finished the work in November. Rev. Koehler's min- istry lasted until June 4, 1899. when he was compelled to resign, being stricken with a hemorrhage. He removed to White Bear, Minn .. and soon after died, October 11. 1900.
Rev. George Washington Albrecht was the next pastor. He entered upon his clerical duties July 26. 1899, and was introduced to his congregation the following Sunday by Prof. Jul. Gamm. The membership soon became too great to accommodate the crowds. A larger building became imperative. It was, therefore. decided to erect a brick structure, 45 by 65. altar niche 16 by 20. tower 110 feet high. Plans sketched by Schick and Harrison of LaCrosse. Wis .. were approved, and the contract let to Ernest Daherr. of Tomah. Wis .. May 14. 1900. the excavation was begun with. The corner stone was laid with impressive services on hte twenty-second of July. the Rev. Prof. A. F. Ernest of Watertown, Wis .. preaching from Romans 8:31-32 and I Corinthians 3:11-12. The new church was formally dedicated to Almighty God on Jan- mary 20. 1901. the Rev. Phil von Rohr, president of synod : Rev. T. Gamm, professor at Watertown. Wis., and Rev. A. F. Siegler. pastor at Wauwatosa. Wis., conducting the services of conseera- tion. The Rev. AAlbrecht continued in faithful service in the eon- gregation until December 1. 1907, when he received permission to move to Osceola, Wis. He died May 14. 1910.
February 1. 1908, Rev. Ewald Herrmanns' faithful and
547
EVANGELICAL LUTHIERAN CHURCHES
unhappy pastorate of two years began. Ile came to this charge from the Deerfield and Newville congregations, near Waterloo, Wis., where he had labored since 1904. Ilis resignation was accepted March 7, 1910, whereupon he removed to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
The present incumbent is the Rev. August C. Stock, who has labored with diligence and acceptability since June 19, 1910. Dur- ing his ministry a pipe organ was purchased for $2,000. The golden jubilee of the congregation was celebrated June 2, 1912, the Revs. E. A. Pankow. A. F. Siegler, O. Kulow and Prof. J. Schaller delivering sermons. Extensive rebuilding and beautify- ing of the parsonage have taken place lately at a cost of about $1,600.
The membership of the church is represented by one hundred and thirty-six families. The present officers are Fred Gnewikow, president : William Lange, secretary; Aug. Kewitt, treasurer; William Sommerfeld. F. Fuchs. Aug. Martin, elders. The prop- erty owned by the congregation is estimated at $20,000. In con- nection with the church is a congregational school with about forty-five in attendance. A Ladies' Aid Society is in flourishing condition. A very able church choir is under the direction of the present pastor. The "Gemeinde-Blatt" is read by thirty-two members. Rev. Leo Kirst and Rev. Arnold Schulz have entered the gospel ministry from this congregation.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH OF TOMAH. By Rev. J. G. Glaeser.
As near as can be ascertained at present writing, the first regular sermon was preached in Tomah by the Rev. A. F. Siegler, the resident Lutheran minister of St. John's Church of the town of Ridgeville, Monroe county, Wisconsin, on Monday following Easter Sunday. in the year 1872. The services were held in the home of William Fieting. Christians of Lutheran faith residing in Tomah and vicinity had prior to the date given occasionally assembled in private homes, having one from their midst to read a sermon. As shown by the early records, once before the men- tioned date the Rev. Ebert of Ridgeville delivered a sermon in Tomah at a special occasion. Regular services were inaugurated by the said Rev. A. F. Siegler in 1872. Services were held every four weeks in the private homes of Lutherans in Tomah. In those days the homes of the people were mostly small. Much incon- venience was soon experienced to accommodate the worshippers.
548
IHISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
So the thought to provide for a more suitable place to assemble. if such could be had, became dominant. In the fall of 1873 an agreement was made by the Lutherans of Tomah with the Con- gregational Church Society of said village by which the Lutherans should have the use of their church every fourth Sunday in the afternoon. Misunderstandings over prosperity argently de- manded to organize as a church body and seek an own church home at an early date. At a congregational meeting July 26. 1874. articles of incorporation were drafted, agreed to and the same received and filed by the register at the court house in Sparta on August 18. 1874. The society is known under the incor- porate name. German Evangelical Lutheran. St. Paul's Church of Tomah. Wis. The constitution of the society sets forth that the Holy Scriptures shall be source. norm and rule of doctrine and Christian life. that the Book of Concord, the volume containing the General and the Lutheran confessions of faith, shall be the true manifestation of faith as the same is propagated by this church. Aside from the doctrine question. the object of organ- izing. the aims, the work of the organization, the requisites of membership. etc., are defined. The names of the charter members. seventeen in number, may find place in the history of the church. to wit : E. Daher. William Fieting. Ang. Scholz. Carl Kupper. Louis Schulz, Fred Helmke. L. Frieske. Fr. Maas, Dav. Martin, Ad. Koehn. Fred Schmidt. Fr. Duwe. Fr. Lueck. Alb. Bongers. Jul. Lueck. Ferd. Krueger and Rud. Roscovius. The statistics on the day of organization give seventeen voting members, forty- four communicant members. ninety-three souls.
Immediately after organizing Karl Grutke was taken in as voting member, making eighteen in all, and the first board of trustees was elected, a body of three in the early days of the church, which has been changed later to six. The first board of trustees were Karl Grutke, David Martin and Lud. Frieske. The financial powers of the members of St. Paul's Church was very limited in the early days of its existence, but the trust in God gave the small congregation courage to vote to purchase suitable ground for a church building. Two lots on North Superior ave- nue, 50 by 150 each. were purchased. Consideration. $180.00. At a meeting September 26. 1875, the congregation decided to erect a church edifice on their lots. The building to be 24 x 36 × 12. of frame construction. The construction work was at once takeu up and the first church building of the congregation was soon completed. On December 26. 1875. the new church was dedicated. The entire cost of same was $600. The building is to this day
549
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES
occupied by the congregation, it being a part of its parochial school building.
St. Paul's Lutheran congregation of Tomah has always known the duty of Christian congregations toward the rising genera- tions in their midst and has made provisions for Christian train- ing of the children of its members, as circumstances demanded. In the early days of the congregation, when the members were few and poor at that, they could not see their way clear to provide a regular day school, so they did the next best thing, giving the children a Sunday school. But a Sunday school could not suffice, where the young should learn to know the Savior well and where god-fearing men and women should be trained, who could serve God, country and fellowman aright. So the congregation decided at a meeting December 26, 1877. to furnish a winter term of four months' daily schooling to the children of the church members. Mr. E. Daher was engaged to teach the four months' term of 1877-1878. Re-engaged the succeeding terms to 1881. October 9, 1881, the congregation voted to call its first regular teacher and organize a full day school of nine and one-half to ten months a year. Mr. Kahlfass was called at the meeting above stated. He accepted the call and taught for one and one-half years. A school board was elected February 5, 1882, by the congregation. The members of the first school board were William Fieting, Ernst Daher and Fr. Helmke.
The parochial school had come to stay. The first teacher, on his resignation, was succeeded by Messrs. Jul. Bittner and Ad. Stolz. Thus the things were done by the congregation to rear the young in the admonition unto the Lord. as circumstances and ability of the church of Tomah could possibly afford.
One live question of the congregation yet was unsolved. the provision of an own resident minister. True, the pastor of St. John's Church of Ridgeville, the Rev. A. F. Siegler, and his suc- cessors, the Revs. E. Pankow and A. Schroedel, did all their time and ability permitted to provide for the spiritual wants of the Tomah Lutheran Church. The growing congregation in Tomah demanded its own resident minister ..
At the congregational meeting April 6, 1884, it was voted to call a minister. Mr. John Jenny was elected to fill the pulpit of St. Paul in Tomah. Mr. Jenny, at present pastor of St. James' Lutheran Church of Milwaukee, is a graduate of Northwestern College of Watertown, Wis., graduating from the Lutheran Sem- inary of Milwaukee in June, 1884. The Rev. Jenny accepted the
550
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
call to Tomah in 1884 and was installed pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Tomah in the fall of the year given.
Pastorate of the Rev. J. JJenny. 1884-1892.
The congregation now had its own resident minister. The next step to be taken was to provide a parsonage for the congre- gation. After considering several locations for same it was decided, January 30, 1886, to accept an offer of the lot, 50 x 150, adjoining the church property on the south. with a small cottage thereon. consideration being $900. The Rev. Jenny had taken unto himself the ministerial work as well as the school work, the congregation being too weak then to support a minister and a teacher. But soon the Lutheran congregation of Sparta pe- titioned the Tomah congregation to permit their pastor to fill the pulpit of their small church also. The petition was granted De- cember 26, 1887, and the Rev. J. Jenny became pastor of the circuit-Tomah. Sparta and town of Lincoln, Zeeda and Good- year. The ministerial work thus plentiful left no, or not sufficient. time to the minister to properly care for the school. So a parochial teacher was again called by the congregation. Mr. Phil Gruetzmacher took charge.
The congregation had grown to number fifty-nine voting mem- bers January 1. 1889. A larger church edifice became a pressing need. At a meeting August 25, 1889, the congregation voted to build a new church, which church building. by a decision arrived at in special meeting December 1, 1889, should afford a seating capacity of 350 and be of frame with brick veneer construction. The contract of erection was awarded to E. A. Daher of Tomah for $3,585 on February 15, 1890. On June 8, the basement com- plete. the corner stone was laid. Prof. E. Notz of the Lutheran Seminary of Milwaukee assisting the pastor in the act, preached the sermon. On the twelfth day of October, 1890. the church was dedicated. The Revs. H. Vogel, F. Stromer and C. Gansewitz doing service to an elated congregation by speaking words to the honor of God, who had made willing hearts and open hands to erect a structure of the kind. The pastor read the dedicatory prayer. The dimensions of the church edifice, stately then, were 38 x 56 × 16, with tower 104 feet and altar niche and sancristy. The total costs were $4,493.92.
At a special meeting September 19. 1892. the pastor was given an honorable dismissal from his duties in order to accept a call to Duluth, Minn.
-
551
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES
PASTORATE OF THE REV. G. E. BERGEMANN, NOVEMBER 1, 1892-NOVEMBER 30, 1899.
Rev. G. E. Bergemann, of Bay City, Mich., was called to fill the pulpit of St. Paul's Lutheran church, of Tomah, vacated by Rev. J. JJenny. Rev. Bergemann accepted the call and took charge of his work in Tomah November 1. 1892. The Rev. Berge- mann is at present pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church, of Fond du Lac, Wis. He holds the office of president of the Evangelical Lutheran synods of Wisconsin. A. O. States is ex- officio member of various boards of said synod. The Rev. Berge- mann is a graduate of Northwestern college, of Watertown, '85. graduating from Lutheran seminary in June, 1887.
In the parochial school of Tomah congregation Mr. Gruetz- macher having resigned as teacher Mr. Brann succeeded him in November, 1892. Mr. Otto Borchert took charge of the school in the spring of '93. resigning his position in January, 1899. Mr. Chas. F. Brenner was given the school the same year.
In 1896 the parsonage was altered-enlarged at an expense of $700.00. During Rev. Bergemann's pastorate the church's indebtedness was reduced to $500.00. In the year 1899 the con- gregation celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its exist- ence, commemorating the day by placing a new pipe organ in their church at a cost of $785.00. August 20 was the day desig- nated to mark the twenty-fifth mile-stone. Services were held in the forenoon, afternoon and evening, the speakers being the Revs. J. JJenny and G. E. Bergemann. Church census figures on the day were given out, 126 voting members. 437 communicant members-682 souls. The Rev. G. E. Bergemann soon thereafter accepted a call to St. Peter's Lutheran church, of Fond du Lac, leaving his Tomah charge the first days in December, 1899.
PASTORATE OF THE REV. J. G. GLAESER, FROM JANU- ARY 11, 1900, TO PRESENT DATE.
The Rev. J. G. Glaeser, of Naugart, Marathon county, Wis- consin, was called as pastor by St. Paul's Lutheran church, of Tomah. to succeed the Rev. G. E. Bergemann. Rev. Glaeser, a graduate of the Lutheran seminary in December, 1887, ordained a minister of the gospel in town of Paris, Kenosha county, Wis- consin, December 26, 1887, accepted the call tendered, arriving in Tomah, January 11, 1900, taking charge of the work of his new field at once. The congregation bad voted December 31, 1899. to wipe out the entire indebtedness of the society the coming
552
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
year. It was accomplished. In the general meeting of December 27, 1900, the congregation decided to purchase a peal of two bells from Menerly Bell Foundry for $740.00. The money was raised within ten days by subscription by the members. The location of the school house along side the alley back of the church was unsatisfactory from every point of view. So the congrega- tion elected a committee to find a suitable location for their school. Of the several locations offered the congregation de- cided to purchase the lot, 50x150, north of the church property, owned by Mrs. A. Utecht, for $1,500.00. The dwelling on same was sold by the church for $500.00. It was planned to move the school building on the lot, to add a new part, 12x26, same height and form of architecture to building, and put a high basement under entire building (26x52) for class room purposes. The plan was realized and improvements made as planned, costing closely to $3,000.00, of which sum one-half was paid at once, the balance the year following. The teacher resigned in June. 1902. The school year 1902-1903 was filled by Theo. Kudert, a student of New Uhn Seminary for Teachers. In September, 1903, Teacher Emil Reim took charge of the congregation's parochial school. The school had by a vote of the members taken July 12, 1903. been made an institution of two class rooms. Mr. Reim was chosen as principal and teacher of the I room, and Miss Ella Birr taught the lower grades from 1903-1906. Miss Anna Wolff. 1906-1911. In September, 1911, Miss Frances Glaeser took charge of room !! of the school. Mr. Alex. Jaeger succeeded Mr. Rein, who vacated his position in June, 1908, accepting a call as principal to Hustisford, Wis. On January 1. 1912, the school register showed ninety-three scholars; fifty-one were in the first room, with Alex. Jaeger as teacher: forty-two in the lower grades, with Frances Glaeser as teacher.
The church membership had grown so that the building could no longer house the congregation. The question: What can be done to furnish more room for assemblies on the days of publie worship? became pressing. It was decided to have the architect firm of Schick & Roth look into the cost of remodeling and enlarging the church edifice if possible. Mr. Schick, looking over the ground. building, and inquiring how the congregation thought to accomplish an enlargement of their church, gave as his opinion that an addition suitably large could well be built. Sketches were drawn by the architects setting forth the inner and outward appearance of the remodeled building. August 16. 1908, it was voted by the congregation to call upon Schick &
553
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Roth, architects, to draw plans and specifications as sketches had shown. The plans drawn called for an addition 36x50, with sacristy and altar-niche of solid briek construction. The base- ment under addition to afford room for an assembly hall, furnace room and spacious closets. The old part to receive elevation of ceiling, new plaster and stucco work, etc. January 26. 1909, the bids for material and work of erection were opened and awarded to Mr. Peter Nelson, contractor and builder, of LaCrosse. The bid was $8,575.00. With the opening of spring work was com- menced, and no accident or misunderstanding of the parties concerned marring the progress of work, the building was com- pleted October 10, 1909. On that day the church was dedicated in proper manner. The former pastors. J. Jenny and G. E. Bergemann, were come to rejoice in the Lord with the congre- gation and preach the Word. The two young men in the ministry of the Lutheran church gone forth from the Tomah congrega- tion, the Revs. Arnold Schulz and Leo Kirst, were present and
spoke the Word of Truth to their home church members. The cost of the addition, remodelling of old part, new furniture, electric fixtures and heating plant amounted to $14,000.00, of which sum $11,000.00 was paid in by the members and friends on completion of improvements stated. In February. 1909, the congregation purchased the lot north of their property of Mrs. C'rabb for $1,800.00. The same year. 1909. the city of Tomah put in briek pavement on Superior avenue, causing St. Paul's Lutheran congregation an expense of $700.00 as its part of payment.
The church's property. located on Superior avenne, the beauty street of the city of Tomah. comprises five lots, each 50x150, a half block excepting the southeast corner lot. On the lots are to be found a two-room school house, the spacious church edifice having a seating capacity of 650, and a good-sized parson- age. Jannary 1, 1912, the following figures were given: 196 voting members. 623 communicant members, 1,035 souls.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.