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 52
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ST. JOHN'S, SPARTA.
About thirty-seven years ago a few German Lutherans drove to the town of Ridgeville for the purpose of listening to a Lutheran sermon and partaking of the Lord's Supper according to the institution of the Lutheran church. The pastor at Ridgeville was at that time the Rev. A. F. Siegler. Ile kindly invited them to his house and inquired about the religious outlook in Sparta. He subsequently
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came to Sparta at his earliest convenience, collected the seat- tered Lutherans, preached to them, and administered the sacra- ments. Divine services were held in private houses at irregular intervals For many years, until the Rev. Siegler asked the Sparta Lutherans to Jook for the service of some other pastor who could supply them oftener.
The next minister who was called upon to preach the Lord Jesus Christ and administer the sacraments was Rev. Henry C. Dagefoerde, the first laborer commissioned to America by Pastor Ludwig Harms, founder and sont of the Hermannsburg Foreign Missionary Society. He was stationed at Barre Mills, LaCrosse county, and preached the gospel to this people until he accepted a pastorate in Bloomfield, Wis .. in the fall of 1877.
After the resignation of Rev. Dagefoerde the Rev. Lonis E. Junker. pastor of Christ Lutheran church. at Burr Oak, prom- ised to preach the word every third Sunday. During his circum- spective pastorship, in 1880, Sparta Lutherans organized themselves into a congregation, calling themselves "St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church." The following persons consti- tuted the organization : August Schlaver. Sr., August Niemasch, Peter Boelke. Michael Lueck, Julius Dellmann, Godfrey Gantke. Julius Meseur. August Jahnke. Julius Pollack. Of these Peter Boelke. Michael Eneck, Julius Pollock and August JJahnke are still members of the church. Immediately after the organization steps were taken to erect a house of worship on a parcel of land located on Main street. This frame building served the congre- gation for twenty-two years until it was supplanted by a more substantial structure.
After the removal of Rev. Junker the charge was entrusted to the care of Rev. Phillip Sprengling. a graduate from the Theo- logical seminary in Milwaukee. He was ordained for the minis- try in May, 1882. at Burr Oak, the Rev. P. Lange officiating. After five years of untiring and conscientious discharge of duty he was called to lika. town of Centerville, Manitowoc county, where he is still laboring with marked success.
When this charge was vacated by the resignation of Rev. Sprengling the Lutherans of Sparta thought it more expedient to unite with the congregation at Tomah. In 1887 the Rev. John Jenny, whose parents were members of the Swiss colony coming to New Glarus, Green county, Wisconsin. in 1845, entered the field.
Rev. Jenny was succeeded by the Rev. G. E. Bergemann, who received his theological training from Prof. Dr. Adhoenecke, the
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foremost instructor of dogmaties in America. He severed his connection with this congregation when he accepted a more prominent pastorate at Fond du Lac, Wis., serving the Wisconsin synod as vice-president since 1907 and as president since 1909.
The subsequent herald of the cross was Rev. JJohn G. Glaeser, visitor of the Southwestern district of the Mississippi confer- ence. Ile came from St. Paul's church in the town of Berlin, Marathon county, and was installed at Tomah on January 11, 1900.
At the suggestion of Rev. Glaeser Mr. II. W. Schmeling was called to be pastor of the German Lutheran Hock at Sparta. Ilo was ordained to the office of the ministry July 7. 1901. The necessity for a more spacious place of worship soon became more and more apparent. In January, 1902, active measures were taken for a new church edifice. A lot was procured on JJefferson avenue and L street. Mr. Parkimon furnished plans and speci- fications. The contract was let to Ernest Schmalz and Gustav Friske. Work on the projected church. 84x40x20, spire 109 feet, was commenced early in spring and the corner stone was laid with becoming ceremonies May 4, 1902. On this occasion a ser- mon was preached by Rev. Rich. Siegler, of Barre Mills. No- vember 9. 1902. dedication was held. Rev. G. E. Bergemann. Fond du Lac, Wis., proclaimed the gospel in the forenoon, Rev. J. G. Glaeser. Tomah, Wis., conducted the afternoon's service, and Rev. J. Jenny, Milwaukee, Wis., delivered an English address in the evening. In 1905 the congregation celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organization by arranging special services for the 3rd of September, the Revs. F. A. Siegler and P. Schroeder officiating. A bell weighing 1.302 pounds was
bought from the famous Meneely Company. Troy, N. Y., and in- stalled on the same occasion. A commodious and convenient parsonage was purchased in 1907. Following the custom of the Lutheran church, a parochial school was established in 1903, the pastor, Rev. Schmeling, condneting the same for five years. In 1908 Miss Edith Steinke was employed. Miss Ella Lorenz will take her place in September, 1912. The average attendance has been from forty to fifty pupils.
The present congregation consists of 94 families, 350 com- municants, and 490 sonls. The present officers of the church are : Pastor, Rev. H. W. Schmeling : president, Michael Lneck : secre- tary, Henry Hoppmann : treasurer, Hugo Protz: school director, Louis Luebeke: teacher. Ella Lorenz: organist. Amelia Jahnke.
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The whole value of the church puroperty approximates $1,600. Regular English preaching is given once a month.
ST. JACOB'S, NORWALK.
St. Jacob's is an outgrowth of St. John's, at Ridgeville, the mother church of eight congregations in Monroe county. In 1875 some of its members living in the veinity of Norwalk were inclined to think that the time had approached to hold services in a somewhat closer proximity to their homes. Accordingly they asked the Rev. A. F. Siegler, pastor at Ridgeville since 1871, to hold religions services in the village of Norwalk. Soon after- wards Rev. Siegler came here and began to labor with intentions to establish a preaching post. The first meetings were conducted in the old school house and at Roof's hall. Rev. Siegler remained with this society two years.
Ile was succeeded on his departure by the Rev. Erdman A. Pankow, at one time professor of ancient languages in Concordia college. Concordia, Mo. During his time the congregation wor- shiped fortnightly in a wagon shop. September 18. 1881. the Rev. Pankow, by reason of continued ill health, was compelled to tender his resignation. much to the regret of his parishioners.
The third ineumbent was the Rev. Andrew Schroedel, late president of the Minnesota synod, who was called immediately after his predecessor's resignation, assuming his position in De- cember, 1881. Under his skillful guidance. January 30. 1882. the permanent organization of the society was effected with nine members. The names of those who participated were: Jacob Sehele. Gustav Prechel, William Schedler. Christian Drawer. Julius Mittelstaedt. John Arndt. William Schulz. J. Gurske. At the same time they were incorporated under the prevailing laws of the state, naming themselves "Evangelical Lutheran St. Ja- cob's Church." The first trustees were: President, William Schedler; secretary, Gottlieb Jahnke: treasurer. Jacob Schuele. A congregational constitution was adopted and signed by the voting members. February 12. 1881, the first church house. 24x36, for which provisions had been made during Rev. Pankow's term, was completed and fitly dedicated. the local pastor per- forming the dedicatory aet, and the Rev. J. Badke. from Dorset Ridge, assisting. The Lutherans of Norwalk may. therefore. justly aserihe to themselves the honor of erecting the first house of worship in the village. Rev. Schroedel supplied this church until October. 1889, when he accepted a professorship in the Northwestern University, Watertown, Wis.
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The next pastor, serving with great earnestness from 1890- 1899, was the Rev. Christian F. C. Koehler, who previously had been serving congregations at East Farmington and Osceola, Wis. The first confirmation took place during his ministry on April 5, 1891. In June, 1891, this congregation was received as an integral part of the Wisconsin synod, the only German Lutheran church body represented in Monroe county. Mr. John Koeninger was the first delegate to synod convened at St. John's Lutheran church, Milwaukee, June 18-25, 1891. A Sunday school was established and placed under the management of Mr. JJacob Schuele and Mrs. J. Koeninger. The Rev. Koehler continued to perform his duty in the midst of this congregation until he was forced to resign on account of a severe abdominal disease. Ile occupied the pulpit for the last time at Burr Oak, on the occasion of a mission festival, his death taking place four days later, October 11, 1900, at the parsonage of Rev. Phil von Rohr. Winona. Minn.
After Prof. John P. Koehler, instructor of church history and new testament exegesis in the theological seminary of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Wisconsin Synod in Milwaukee, had acted as supply for nearly a whole year, the Rev. George Washington Albrecht was appointed to the charge, his installation occurring on the 30th of July. 1891. Ile officiated in that capacity until it was decided by the congregation to become an independent charge. October 21, 1906.
December 3, 1906, Pastor E. Mayerhoff, who resides at Wonewoc, Wis., since his retirement from active work on account of infirmities of age. was called as vicar. Hle labored with this people until the Rev. Otto Engel, the present inembent, was extended a call.
The Rev. Engel, a graduate of Concordia college and the sem- inary in Milwaukee, accepted the call after mature deliberation. and was ordained to the office of the ministry by Rev. Maverhoff. August 18. 1907. thus becoming the first resident minister of any denomination at Norwalk. Shortly after his arrival an ex- cellent parsonage was erected at a cost of about $2.000. A full parochial school was opened in the fall of the same year, the pastor acting as teacher four years. The congregation having grown in the meantime, in the fall of 1909 it was decided to build a new house of worship. The building committee consisted of Eduard Bergmann, Robert Graewin and Rudolf Martin. Plans and specifications were furnished by Schick & Roth. LaCrosse architects. The contract was let to J. A. Heilmann on the 15th
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of February, 1910, for $6,280. Five thousand and twenty-six dol- lars were raised by the pastor to carry on the work. The corner stone was laid May 29, 1910. The services were participated in by Rev. J. G. Glaeser, Tomah, Wis., and Rev. C. W. Siegler, Bangor, Wis. The new church was completed in October. It is a fine brick structure, 34x60, beautiful and churchly in all ap- pointments, calculated to comfortably seat 250 persons. The dedication services were heldl October 23, Prof. J. P. Koehler, Milwaukee, Wis .; Rev. E. A. Pankow, Caledonia, Minn .. and Rov. A. C. Stock. Ridgeville. Wis., preaching dedicatory sermons. In the construction of the new church an expenditure of about $10,000 was made. The motto had been: Everything new for the new church.
The congregation is composed of forty-five voting and eleven contributing members. The present officers of the society are: President, Robert Graewin : secretary. Gustav Janke: treasurer, Carl Hanisch ; elder. Soren Kastberg. A Sunday school is ably conducted by Mrs. Emma Hornung and Marie Koepeke. having an attendance of twenty-two scholars. Connected with the church there is a Ladies' Aid Society, consisting of twenty-five active members. The church property is estimated at $15.000. About twenty-six copies of the Gemeinde-Blatt and three copies of the Lutheran Witness are taken by the congregation. The salary paid to the pastor at present is $400. The congregation possesses its own cemetery. Norwalk Lutherans have one of the most beautiful, substantial and commodious church buildings in Monroe county. The basement of the church is utilized for school purposes.
ST. MATTHEW'S, TOWN OF LINCOLN.
The Lutheran families in the town of Lincoln were visited by the Revs. A. F. Siegler, E. A. Pankow, A. Schroedel. pastors of St. John's in the town of Ridgeville, at irregular intervals, public services being conducted in private residences. This was prior to 1880.
When the Rev. J. Jenny, formerly stationed at Iron Creek, near Menomonie, Wis., became the first resident Lutheran min- ister of Tomah, September 28. 1884. he was called upon to take charge of the mission in the town of Lincoln. Regular services were now held every three or four weeks in the school house on the Black River road, one and one-half miles north from Kirby.
On November 6. 1892, after Rev. Jenny had been appointed missionary of the mining district near Duluth, Minn., the Rev.
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G. E. Bergemann, since 1887 pastor of Trinity church at South Bay City. Mich., assumed full charge of his clerical duties at Tomah and town of Lincoln. December 16, 1894, a meeting was held by the members of the mission in the aforementioned school house immediately after service for the purpose of organizing a congregation. A constitution stating name, objeet and doctrinal position of the society was drafted and signed by the voting members present. December 26, 1894. The organization was completed by electing the following officers: President, Rev. G. E. Bergemann : secretary, Wm. Hoffmann ; treasurer, Wm. Kemp. The name "Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthew's Church of the Town of Lincoln, Monroe County, Wisconsin, " was unanimously selected.
A call to St. Peter's Lutheran church at Fond du Lac, Wis., ended the labors of Rev. Bergemann for this people. December, 1899. and the Rev. J. G. Glaeser was called from Naugart, Wis., entering upon his work January 14. 1900. Soon after his ar- rival a meeting was called to consider the question of building a church edifice. The congregation voted to purchase an acre of land from Henry Severloh, Sr .. located on Black river road, only a few rods distant from the school house which had served the congregation for many years. It was decided to erect a build- ing 26x40 feet, frame, with brick veneer. tower 52 feet high. The contract was awarded to E. A. Daher, of Tomah, early in the spring. In May the corner stone of the proposed building was laid with customary ceremonies, the local pastor delivering an appropriate and impressive address. July 1, 1900, the new church was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, the former pastors. Rev. J. Jenny and G. E. Bergemann. upon special invitation by the congregation, conducting the dedication serv- ices. The total cost was $1,600, there being nineteen members to contribute towards the elimination of the church debt which remained after the completion of the building. April 4. 1907. the congregation incorporated under the laws governing religious societies, the papers being filed at the Courthouse in Sparta. Col. 8, No. 223-224. The first board of trustees of six members were : Aug. Kemp, Fred Gehrke. Wm. Schroeder, Frank Hoffman, Her- man Gehrke and Wm. Kastens. In 1911 the congregation had the interior of the church covered with tasteful metal ceiling. at a cost of $225.
The membership is twenty-six voting, four contributing and about ninety communicant members. The present church of- ficers are : Pastor, J. G. Glaeser ; trustees, John Zahrte. August
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Kemp. August Birkholz; elders, Wm. Kastens, Herman Gehrke, W'm. Zimmermann.
FRIEDEN'S CHURCH, TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
The first minister of the gospel who administered the means of grace among the Lutheran families in the town of Little Falls. fourteen miles north of Sparta, was the Rev. Louis E. Junker, a self-sacrificing and devout Christian. He came from Burr Oak valley sixteen miles, where he had been located since 1878. and preached at irregular intervals in private residences and school houses. In the spring of 1882 Rev. Junker left this congrega- tion and went as pastor to Eitzen, Minn., closing his earthly pilgrimage December 5, 1910.
After the removal of Rev. Junker the administration of the sacraments ceased until, through the instrumentality of Mr. John Loesch. a staunch Lutheran who had served Rev. Junker as driver. the Rev. J. J. Meyer. an unpretending laborer in the Lord's vineyard, was called upon to look after the spiritual wel- fare of this people. Rev. Meyer resided at Burr Oak. and com- meneed to preach the Word every fourth week in 1890. conduct- ing divine worship with six families in district school house No. 6. the use of which was kindly and gratuitously granted to them by the school board. an offer which was accepted with gratitude: When the little flock was strengthened by the addition of a few families coming from Irish Valley and Pine Ilill. an organization was effected with sixteen male members in 1896. In the follow- ing year it was desired to erect a house of worship. Messrs. H. Parlow. Wm. Jahnke and Frank Zillmer were appointed as a building committee. The new frame church. 32x42. tower 50 feet. was appropriately dedicated October 24. 1897. the Rev. Meyer preaching. From 1882-1888 this preaching station was supplied with the Word of God by Rev. Phillip Sprengling. a graduate from the seminary at Milwaukee, who sat at the feet of Dr. A. L. Graebner, a recognized authority on the history of the Lutheran church in America.
He was succeeded by Rev. William Parisins, who was installed as pastor of Christ's church at Burr Oak, and of Frieden's church on the 16th of September. 1900. by the Rev. R. Siegler. Bat since the work at Burr Oak so occupied the time of Rev. Parisius that he could not look after the interests of this congregation as well as he would like to. he asked them to call upon some other neighboring minister.
By his recommendation. in the summer of 1902. the service of
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Rev. H. W. Schmeling, of Sparta, was secured. He preaches every alternate Sunday in the afternoon, conducting an English service immediately after the German every month.
The present congregation consists of 45 families, 160 com- municants and 240 souls. The church officers are: President, August Brandt; secretary, Albert Wegner; treasurer, JJohn IIanke. The Sunday school has a comparatively large enroll- ment. Summer school is held every year during July and August, religion and German reading and writing being the principal branches. The pastor resides at Sparta.
PORTLAND CHURCH, TOWN OF PORTLAND.
The first German settlers of the southwestern part of Monroe county, known as Portland Center, came from JJefferson county, and were members of the Lutheran church. In May, 1862, Ferdinand Perso, Carl Voelz and William Hanke entered this district. Christian Ilanke, August Savall and Frederic Breiten- feld came in close succession. Destitute of Lutheran preaching they resolved to send Mr. Christian Ilanke, a strict Lutheran, to Mormon Cooley in order to secure the services of Rev. Fred. Wm. IIass. In 1865 this pioneer-preacher made his first appearance, traveling the distance of twenty-four miles on foot. Thus these early Lutherans were privileged to hear the gospel from the lips of an old acquaintance, for some had known the Rev. Hass in Pomerania, Germany, where he labored as teacher in Alt-Sans- kow and Zuchen for over twenty years. He crossed the ocean in 1856, settling at Watertown, Wis., September 9, where, upon the advice of Phil. Wetzel, a teacher, a school was entrusted to his care by Rev. A. Wagner. October 1, 1858, he was made pastor of Bethany church and St. Michael's, near Hustisford, and through the instrumentality of Rev. G. Fachtmann he located at Mormon Cooley, town of Shelby (formerly town of Greenfield). July 9, 1862. Ile died, seventy-one years of age, June 14, 1890.
The next pastor was Rev. Henry C. Dagefoerde, who was in- fluenced by the powerful sermons of Pastor Ludwig Harms to enter the Hermannsburg Foreign Mission Institute at Hermanns- burg, Hanover, Germany, in his thirty-sixth year, and who en- joyed the reputation of having been an industrious laborer in Christ's vineyard until his death at Trumann, Minn., October 9, 1910. He took charge of this congregation when he was installed as pastor of St. John's Lutheran church at Barre Mills, LaCrosse county. popularly known as "Bostvick Valley church," May 11. 1873, coming from Leeds, Columbia county, where he served
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his first charge after his arrival in America, in 1869. Rev. Dage- foerde supplied this small band of Lutherans with the means of grace in the Portland Center school house until he took leave of his congregation at Barre Mills to labor at Bloomfield, Wis.
After the resignation of Rev. Dagefoerde the congregation secured the service of Rev. Peter H. Lange, who was born at Schluepke. near Hermansburg, Germany. August 28, 1843, and immigrated to the United States in 1872. settling at Peshtigo. Wis., where, October 6, he became pastor of a congregation that had lost church and parsonage in the great forest fires, October 6, 1872. Ile located at Barre Mills in December, 1877, and per- formed ministerial acts among these people until May. 1886. when he removed to Pipestone, Minn., to serve in the capacity of synodical missionary. During his stay, in 1878, a brick church, 20x30, was completed and dedicated, the neighboring ministers assisting. December 31. 1877. a constitution was drawn up and signed by the following members: C. A. Voelz, C. Hanke, Ferdinand Perso, August Savall. Martin Savall, Angust Ilochn. Carl Martin. The first regularly elected church officers were: Christian Hanke, Ferdinand Perso. C. A. Voelz. The death of Mr. Lange occurred March 22. 1900, at Weyanwega, Wisconsin.
The fourth incumbent was Rev. Richard Siegler, who pursned his collegiate studies at Northwestern University. Watertown, Wis .. and has now advanced to the position of field missionary. Ile took up his residence at Barre Mills, April 26, 1886. In 1890, when West Salem and Bangor were added to his care, the con- gregation was advised to call upon the service of Rev. F. Bred- low, pastor of Zion's Lutheran church at Elroy.
In a congregational meeting held November 30. 1890. a call was extended to Rev. Bredlow for one year. his salary being $75. He served this people as well as he could every third Sunday, traveling by rail to Melvina or Norwalk and then walking the rest of the distance to Portland Center. The Rev. F. Bredlow was born May 31, 1852, at Eichberg, near Kreuz. Province of Posen, Germany. Hle came to this country in 1881 and then ao- quired his training for the work of the ministry at the Lutheran theological seminary of the Wisconsin synod in Milwaukee. lo- cated in Eimmermann's park, on Thirteenth, between Vine street and Fond du Lac avenue. He finished his course in 1886 and has served congregations at Theresa, Dodge county: Tuckertown. Sauk county. and Elroy. Juneau county. Mr. Bredlow is now
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connected with the general council and serves congregations near Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada.
After the removal of Rev. Bredlow, the Rev. W. Parisius, who had recently arrived from the pro-seminary for America at Kropp, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, was placed in charge of this organization. He was introduced to his congregation at Elroy, August 27, 1893, by Rev. E. Mayerhoff, a superannuated minister of the Lutheran church, and drove to Portland via Kendall. Ontario, Cashton, a distance of about forty miles, once a month.
In 1895 this congregation came under the pastoral care of Rev. Theodor Hartwig, who located at Bangor as the first resi- dent minister of St. Paul's church, an offshoot from the Bost- vick Valley church, September 15, 1895. Rev. Hartwig obtained his education in the schools of the Lutheran church in Water- town and Milwaukee, is a contributor to the Theologische Quar- talschrift. a religious periodical, and read a doctrinal paper at the last convention of the Wisconsin synod, assembled at Mil- waukee, June 19-24, 1912.
When Rev. Hartwig took leave of this flock to follow a call to Naugat, Wis .. the Rev. William F. Rader. for twenty-one years pastor of St. John's, at Wauwatosa, Wis., was appointed to this charge, his installation taking place in the fall of 1904. He re- mained until 1908, when he was transferred to Prairie du Chien, Wis., the Rev. IT. Schmeling, of Sparta, in the meantime filling the pulpit.
The present pastor is the Rev. Carl W. Siegler, who minis- tered to St. John's church at Stanton. Neb., from October, 1900. to July, 1907, serving at the same time as recording secretary of the district synod of Nebraska, affiliated with the general synod of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and other states. He en- tered upon his duties in January, 1909.
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