USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 113
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the first resident pastor. Rev. Warnagiris was followed in 1885 by Rev. Tomaszewski, under whose supervision the first brick school house was erected at a cost of $3,000. This building was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Flash, September, 1886. In March, 1888, Rev. Tomaszewski was succeeded by Rev. R. L. Guzowski. In 1889 the parsonage, which was occupied as a priest house until 1915, was erected. After an interregnum of eight months, during which A. A. Kroll of North Creek looked after the spiritual affairs of the parish. Rev. Babinski took charge of the administration on Sept. 2, 1890. During his pastorate a new beautiful church, 56 by 131 feet, at a cost of $25,000, was erected. The building was begun in 1895 and com- pleted in 1896, being dedicated on October 3 by Rt. Rev. J. Schwebach. Rev. Babinski remained until 1901, when he was transferred and under- took the work of establishing a new Polish parish in Superior, Wis. This reverend pastor, who will long be remembered for his affability, zeal and efficiency, died some five years ago. His remains are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Winona, Minn., according to his special request. In September, 1901, Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, took charge of the parish. Under his wise administration the following buildings were erected and extensive improvements made: In 1903 a new school house at a cost of $11,000. In 1908 a large addition to the church at a cost of $18,000. This addition makes St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church the largest in the diocese of La Crosse, and gives it a seating capacity of 1,200. In the same year the interior of the church was beautifully frescoed at a cost of $2,200. Many improvements were made on the exterior of the buildings and on other parts of the grounds. In 1915 the new palatial residence was erected at a cost of $15,000. The erection of a new parsonage became all the more necessary and imperative since, on account of the large amount of work due to the size of the parish, room had to be made for an assistant to the pastor. April 7, 1917, Rev. James Bercezinski assumed his duties as assistant.
The parish today numbers 425 families or 2,100 souls. The increase in membership has been most phenomenal, evidently due to two factors, namely : the large number of immigrants and the large size of their families. While there has been within the last ten years no further immigration, still the parish continues to flourish and increase, which must be explained as due to the large number of children in each family. The Polish people have as yet not begun to practice race suicide. If the immigrants of other nationalities had followed their example we would not find them dying out, and we could add one-third to the population of the United States.
The school is attended by 225 children. This does not, however, repre- sent the total number of children. If all the children could be enrolled the number would be between six and seven hundred. On account of dis- tances many children are obliged to attend the nearby public schools. These come to the parochial school at a later period, but then not longer than for two years. The school is in charge of one lay teacher, who also is the parish organist, and four sisters. The sisters' motherhouse is at Stevens Point, Wis., they are designated as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph. The societies of the parish are SS. Peter and Paul, Holy Cross, Holy Rosary,
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St. Augustine and the Children of Mary. All these societies enjoy a large and active membership.
The site of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church is very beautifully located on a slight elevation overlooking to the south and west the village and lake of Elk Creek, and to the north and east rich and fertile farming districts. On the parish grounds are situated not only the church building, but a portion is set aside and laid out for cemetery purposes, and the rest is converted into a shady park. The church can be seen from a distance, and its heaven-ward towering steeple and massive dimensions make an impres- sive appearance. The structure is gothic in style. The interior, with its vaulted ceiling, rich frescoing and beautiful altars and statutes, makes a dignified and pleasing impression. It must certainly be an edifying and inspiring scene to see this large edifice on any Sunday morn filled to its capacity with people in silent reverence kneeling before their God or with blended voices chanting His praises. The people of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Parish must be congratulated upon the sacrifices they have made for their parish. These sacrifices speak volumes for their faith and generosity, as well as for their diligence and thrift.
Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born in the year 1860 in Yawiszowica, Galicia, Austria, where he received his early training. He continued his studies at the College Zywice, and the College Wadowice. Philosophy and theology he studied at Rome. In 1885 he came to America and on June 24, 1886, was ordained at St. Francis' Seminary, St. Francis, Wis. For two months he was assistant at Marshfield. Then he became pastor of the parish at Paniatowski, Wis. On July 1, 1898, he became pastor at Pine Creek, where he made great improvements on the church property. Rev. A. W. Gara is a man of great zeal and energy and of much ability, of minute exactness and a strong and firm character. His work at St. Peter's and St. Paul's alone will ever make him known as a "builder" and successful pastor.
St. Mary's Parish, Galesville, Wisconsin.
The Catholics of the village of Galesville for many years had no serv- ices, being obliged to go either to Ettrick or Trempealeau for spiritual ministration. From 1890 to 1904 mass was offered occasionally by the pastor from Ettrick in the Czepull hall. In 1904 Rev. O'Connor, pastor from Ettrick, superintended the erection of a beautiful church at a cost of $5,000. The site was donated by Capt. A. A. Arnold and is located on the east side of Galesville. Rev. Keegan, Rev. Enis and Rev. Colling, dur- ing their pastorate of two years, resided at Galesville and attended to Ettrick and Trempealeau. The parish of Galesville not owning a priest house and not showing any sign of being financially fit to erect one in the near future, the ecclesiastical authorities became cognizant of the imprac- ticability of maintaining a residence at Galesville, and the coming of Rev. McGinnity re-established the pastor's residence at Ettrick. When Rev. Buschelmann established his residence at Trempealeau, Galesville became a mission of the former place. Galesville now has 44 Catholic families.
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A Court of C. O. F., to which also members of St. Bartholomew's and of St. Bridget's belong, is maintained. The parishes of St. Bartholomew, St. Bridget and St. Mary are rather small in number, but they are located in the heart of a great and rich agricultural district, and no doubt under prudent, vigilant and consistent supervision will spring up like mush- rooms, but unlike mushrooms become strong and firm and a source of pride to the community, contributors to moral uplift and powerful factors in expelling the miasma of irreligion and bigotry. Bigotry, we find, thrives in localities but sparsely settled by Catholics, because it is there possible to misrepresent the church and the lives of her children.
St. Bartholomew's Parish, Trempealeau, Wisconsin.
On the east bank of the Mississippi, the father of waters, and at the foot of the historic Trempealeau mount, twelve blocks west from the busi- ness center of the village of Trempealeau, stands St. Bartholomew's Church.
The early Catholic settlers in this section were few in number. In the sixties they received spiritual ministration from the pastors of St. Mary's Church, La Crosse. It is related that Rev. Marcoe came twice a year carrying the sacred vestments and other paraphernalia, and offered the sacrifice of the mass in the house of Antrim Grignon, where all the Catholics of the vicinity, having received information of the priest's com- ing, gathered. In 1872 fifteen families erected the present church at a cost of about $3,000, completing the same in 1873. The site was donated by the Grignon family. Since they were too few to support a resident priest, St. Bartholomew's Congregation was, until 1914, a mission, attended to from Ettrick. On Nov. 1, 1914, Rev. Joseph Buschelmann was trans- ferred from Ettrick to Trempealeau as first pastor thereof. The house of Mrs. Taylor was bought at a price of $1,400. It is located two blocks east of the church and was suitably furnished into a pastor's residence. When the church was erected there were but fifteen families, now there are fifty-one. On account of the smallness of the parish and its limited revenue St. Bartholomew's is not able to insure the pastor's support, hence Rev. Buschelmann was given Galesville as a mission, thus affording also assist- ance to the latter place. There now being good train service between Trempealeau and Galesville the ministration of both places no longer offers the hardships of former days, when the distance from Ettrick to Trem- pealeau or from Galesville to Trempealeau had to be made by vehicle over a poor stretch of road often in most unfavorable weather. The present arrangement of having a resident pastor in Trempealeau and one in Ettrick seems to have solved the difficulty which confronted the pioneer priests and which made work so arduous. St. Bartholomew's has an altar society of sixty active members. The parish made great progress since the arrival of Rev. Buschelmann, and just at present is enjoying a lively boom. More than ten prosperous families came from Iowa and settled in this locality and others are following. In view of these features the parish has a bright future before it. Rev. Buschelmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Feb.
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15, 1884. He finished his classical course of studies in the famous Canisius College of Buffalo, N. Y., conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. His seminary course he completed at St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, N. Y., where he was ordained in 1911. His first charge was Ettrick, whence he attended to Trempealeau as a mission until in 1914, when he established his residence here. He is a young man of good ability, zealous, active, public spirited and of a happy and jovial disposition. He has won the hearts of many, who believe that his future career will be bright and fruitful.
St. Stanislaus' Parish, Arcadia, Wisconsin.
The youngest of Catholic parishes in the county-the Benjamin of the family and the second Catholic parish in the village of Arcadia-is St. Stanislaus' Congregation. It was organized in the fall of 1910. Prior to this date the members belonged mostly to St. Michael's Church at North Creek. After fire had destroyed the school house of St. Michael's parish in the spring of 1910 about one-half the members favored changing the church locality from North Creek to Arcadia Village. Being opposed in this move by the other faction at North Creek they seceded and obtained permission to organize a separate Polish parish. Instrumental in this move and at the same time hard workers for the parish were John Soppa, Sr., Mike Sabotta, J. J. Korpal and Andrew Stachowski. The first two were also the first trustees. During the summer of 1910 a site was pro- cured from the Hon. John C. Gaveney for $700. This site is located on the hill one-half mile east from Main street. Plans were made for a church by J. G. Schneider. The end of this year saw the completion of the church building and on July 4, 1911, it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach, bishop of La Crosse. The church cost $18,000. At that time the parish did not have a resident priest, and in all their building operations and col- lections of funds they proceeded without the advice or assistance of any pastor. Yet the Rev. John Rayski, who was pastor of North Creek, attended to their spiritual wants and held services after the new church was com- pleted every second Sunday. In 1912 they erected the parsonage at a cost of $2,500, and Rev. Ignatius Orlig was appointed as first resident pastor. In 1914 they erected a school house at a cost of $8,000. This was dedicated Oct. 25, 1914. In September Rev. Orlig left and was followed by Rev. Francis Barszczak, the present pastor. In September 1915 the school was opened and placed in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph from Stevens Point. The present enrollment is about 100 pupils. The present membership of the parish numbers about 500 souls or ninety families. The societies of the parish are as follows: The Rosary Society, St. Stanislaus' Society and the Polish Union. The total value of St. Stanislaus' Church is about $30,000. The parishioners have brought great sacrifices and showed intense interest in the progress of the same. Because they are so strongly united soon this will be numbered among the leading parishes of the county.
The present pastor was born in Galicia, Austria. His early education he received in Przemysl, Austria, and his theological course he finished at
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
St. Francis Seminary, St. Francis, Wis., where he was ordained in February, 1913. His first charge was at Stanley, Wis., whence he was transferred to Arcadia. He is a zealous and active man and of good and regular habits.
The aggregate wealth of the Catholic church property of Trempealeau County is approximately $260,000. The work that the Catholics of Trem- pealeau County have done for the good of the cause they have espoused is not merely evident from the establishment of parishes and schools within the county, but the fact that many children of the past generation who have received their early training in faith and religion here have moved to the western states and have there helped to organize new parishes must not be overlooked. The writer is acquainted with five or six parishes whose membership consists mostly of former Trempealeau County folks. Also the fact that the Catholics of Trempealeau County have made great con- tributions to the upbuilding of La Crosse diocesan institutions, e. g., the orphan asylum, cathedral and seminary aid, must not be overlooked. At present the contributions to outside funds from the Catholics of Trem- pealeau County amount to over $2,000 annually. Lastly the number of young men who have embraced the priesthood, or who are preparing for the same, and the number of young ladies who have joined religious com- munities and who are engaged in school work speaks well for the religious spirit of our Catholics. There have come forth five priests, eight semi- narians and forty-six nuns. The Catholics of this county have also fur- nished in 1917 forty-four volunteers to the army and about twenty-five or thirty drafted men. A good proof that patriotic spirit runs true and high.
The children of the noble, self-sacrificing pioneers constitute the pres- ent generation, like their forefathers they are physically strong and hardy ; socially, industrious, thrifty and neighborly ; intellectually, well versed in the three Rs, and that not only in their mother tongue, but also in the language of the country; morally, God-fearing and law-abiding citizens.
CHAPTER XX.
OTHER CHURCHES.
In addition to the Norwegian Lutheran churches in Trempealeau County there are five other Lutheran churches, four German and one Swedish. There are also in the county churches of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational and Protestant Episcopal faith. There is one independent church.
An effort has been made to gather the histories of these churches, but in many instances the pastors have failed to furnish the desired information.
German Evangelical Lutheran.
There are five German Evangelical Lutheran congregations in Trem- pealeau, four of which have church edifices. Two are at Arcadia, St. John's and St. John's Christ. One is in Hale Township. One is in the Tamarack Valley. The congregation at Galesville worships in the Swedish Lutheran church.
Swedish Lutheran.
There is one Swedish Lutheran church in the county, located at Gales- ville.
Evangelical Association. (By Albert Hess.)
Arcadia Circuit of the Evangelical Association is composed of four local organizations located as follows: Independence, Tamarack, Cortland and Arcadia. This circuit has been supplied regularly with pastors since the early sixties, but the earliest records now in existence date back only to 1871, and even some of those since that date are incomplete. In speak- ing today with older settlers we are informed that the Rev. Israel Kuder was the first pastor who in pioneer days occasionally preached at these various settlements in connection with the Buffalo County settlements of Fountain City, Montana, Alma and Scotch Prairie, now known as Anchor- age. The earlier pastor, Rev. Jacob Seder, probably did not visit Trem- pealeau County. The pastors who were stationed here since 1878 follow in order. Sometimes the field was supplied with two pastors, an elder and a probationer. In this case usually both Trempealeau and Buffalo County congregations were served, with the elder living at Montana and the younger preacher at Arcadia. Arcadia being the central congregation, it follows that the parsonage is located here. The first parsonage was pur- chased about the year 1883. In the year 1909 a modern parsonage was built on the same lot the old one had occupied. The present pastor is B. O.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Maschmann, who has served the congregation since May 1, 1914. The ministers on the Arcadia circuit were as follows: R. F. Habermann, May 1, 1878 to 1881; M. C. Werner, 1881 to May, 1885; H. Best, 1885 to 1886; H. Clement, 1886 to 1889; H. Brockhaus, 1889 to 1890; F. Ausmann and F. G. Hack, 1893 to 1895; F. Ausmann and W. Koten, 1895 to 1896; J. J. Stuempfig and W. J. Hillmann, 1896 to 1897 ; J. J. Stuempfig and H. P. Jor- don, 1897 to 1900.
Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association .- The first church was a small edifice erected on River street in Arcadia about the year 1878, which was moved in 1883 to a site west of the Trempealeau River, on what is now designated as Main street in West Arcadia. A new church was erected in the year 1903 at the cost of $6,000, and a new parsonage, at a cost of $3,500, was built in the year 1909. Both church and parsonage are of modern design and are equipped with electric lighting and hot air heating system. The property valuation of the church is $6,500 and the parsonage $4,000. The auxiliary organizations of this church are a Sunday school, Young People's Alliance, Junior Alliance and a Woman's Missionary and Aid Society. The trustees and officers of this congregation are: Julius Senty, president; Albert Hess, secretary; Jacob Hotz, treasurer; J. J. Schramm and J. P. Runkel, trustees. The present membership is 94. The original members of this congregation when first organized were: A. F. Hensel, John Durisch, H. Klug, P. A. Koenig, J. F. Koenig, Leonard Schneller and Jacob Hotz.
Emanuel's Church of the Evangelical Association of the Arcadia Cir- cuit is located in section 15, range 9, township 20, and was formerly known as the "Home" church, and later named "Cortland." Early services were held in the homes of the old settlers at first. In 1868 a church was built, the first members being A. F. Hensel, William Kiekhoefer, William Garbe, Martin Joos, August Garbe, Ludwig Hensel, Friederich Kiekhoefer and John Miller. The first record we have of the Emanuel's church is dated Novem- ber, 1871. The church was remodeled in 1910. Home and Cortland con- gregation has always been served by the pastors of the Arcadia circuit. The present officers of this congregation are: H. F. Ulbrech, president ; Walter Kiekhoefer, secretary; William Miller, treasurer; William Rohleder and Frank Kiekhoefer, trustees. The present membership is 50; the prop- erty valuation, $2,200. This congregation has a Sunday school as an auxiliary organization.
Zion Church of the Evangelical Association, known as the Tamarack church, is located in section 15, range 10, township 19, known as German Valley. Services were first held in the residences of the early settlers as far back as 1885. A church was erected in 1903. The early members were E. Bockenhauer, Charles Klein, Charles Wier, Gottlieb Schultz and William Yarchow. A Sunday school is conducted in connection. The property valuation is $600; membership, 11.
Independence Congregation of the Evangelical Association was organ- ized about the same time as the Arcadia congregation. Services were held in the residences of the members until the year 1880, when a union church was built by the members in connection with the members of the Methodist
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Episcopal congregation, both organizations using this edifice alternately to the present date. Among the first members of the Independence branch were John Sprecher, Emil Graul, Henry Schaefer, William Steiner, John Steiner, William Runkel, Jacob Klavadetcher and John Martins. This congregation also conducts a Sunday school and has a Junior Alliance. The present membership is 35. Officers: John Sprecher, president; Emil Graul, secretary ; John Steiner, treasurer.
Congregational.
There are two Congregational churches in the county, one located at Osseo and one at Trempealeau.
The First Congregational Church of Osseo. At the time of the first organized Christian efforts in Osseo, in 1868, at the time of this writing (1904) thirty-six years ago, Osseo was a village not incorporated and so small that one stranger in seeking the place drove to the principal hotel and inquired how far it was to Osseo. V. W. Campbell was the proprietor and carried the mail between Augusta and Osseo. There was no railroad communication in existence for Osseo at that time, nor for about twenty years after. In front of the present hotel on the south side of the business street was an open square, where the circus held forth, ball games were played and the Fourth of July sports were witnessed. The town hall was then the school house of one department. It occupied the site of the later school building and like the antiquated personage was pushed aside to give place to the more pretentious structure. In its belfry hung a cracked bell not so melodious as the one which now calls the urchin to his task, but serving the purpose for which it swung quite as well. There were no walks then in any section of Osseo. In the section west from the depot bridge there were no buildings. We can scarcely imagine what this section would be without the depot, elevators, lumber yard, the flat and the cottage near. In 1882 or 1883 the residences of Frank York, of Dr. E. A. Olson and Mrs. Julie Shores were built, also the beginning of the Central House, the large store building of Field Bros., which was burned in 1891, and the first portion of the school building. The population then numbered about 150.
Such was Osseo when thirty-six years ago Samuel Thompson came here, took for a homestead the land later owned by Bert Wilson and built the house later burned. Through his efforts a Congregational congrega- tion was organized. Some preferred the Methodists, some the Presbyterian and still others the Friends or Quakers, but the Congregationalists were in the majority and effected their organization. After a very few years this pastor moved away, some members followed his example and some died, until none were left to carry on the work. At that time the Congre- gational Association was caring for a great territory in Northern and Central Wisconsin, for the most part as needy as Osseo, and was in con- sequence of this financially embarassed. These facts resulted in Osseo having no religious service for some time. Then the Methodists took up the work. We have been able to learn of but two pastors of that denomina- tion holding service here-a Rev. Massee and later Rev. Conway. This
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latter denomination was in quite the same circumstances that the first was, not having enough ministers to supply their needs, so Osseo was again left without spiritual guidance.
It is now more than a quarter of a century since the Congregational Association of the Eau Claire district asked Rev. J. S. Norris, then pastor of the Mondovi church, to visit Osseo Village. On reaching our little town he says: "I was directed to the home of Samuel and Sarah Cox, as being the best Christians in the place." This good brother and sister implored Rev. Norris to visit them occasionally and to send them a pastor. Both he promised to do. Being acquainted with Rev. M. McPhail of Moline, Ill., he believed, and rightly, that he was the man for the place. Accordingly through the influence of this good man the father of Christian work in Osseo came to our needy village. H was minister in every sense of the word. He could sing as well as speak the Master's message. He acted efficiently as church clerk or convention delegate. He not only superin- tended, but took the principal part in the building of the church and par- sonage, acting as carpenter, mason and painter. He was sympathetic. Of him it might be said, "He rejoiced with those who did rejoice and wept with those who wept." Although at times the burden seemed great, yet he was untiring in his efforts to consummate the work God had given him.
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