History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 114

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 114

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).

Rev. McPhail arrived in Osseo probably in the early part of 1878. On July 16, 1878, the committee appointed by the Chippewa Convention met at Osseo and formally organized a church consisting of the following mem- bers: Rev. M. McPhail, Samuel Cox, Sarah Cox, John Cox, Rhoda Cox, William Henry, Elizabeth Henry, Geo. F. Newell, Sr., Walter Newell, Sarah Shores, Storm Zhee, Maria Zhee, Horatio M. Tracey, Sarah Elsom, Thomas Love. Wm. K. Levis, Sr., Mary E. Levis, Joseph W. Jaquish, Geo. Colburn, Harriet Colburn and Mary Lovesee. All services were held at that time in the school house. A little melodian was the only instrument procurable. Mrs. F. N. Thomas was organist. Mrs. S. Field, Geo. F. Newell, Sr., and J. W. Jaquish were prominent in the choir. Zoe Shepard, Nettie Tracey, Emma Linderman, Lizzie Field, Bert Cox, Mr. Marson and wife, Curt Van Housen and Ed Olson were also helpers in this line. Rev. McPhail was the janitor, and often he and his son went into the woods near by to gather fuel, carrying it in their arms or on their shoulders to the school house. This was an added burden to both mind and body. In speaking of burdens we are reminded of the burdens borne by the dear wife who by the greatest economy made it possible for the family to exist on three hundred dollars a year. Had it not been for her sacrifices, her devotion, her unfaltering faith even Rev. McPhail could not have carried on this great work. Regular services were held in Tracey Valley and in South Valley.

About March 1, 1879, work on the parsonage was begun. This work progressed but slowly, probably because financial matters were not easily adjusted, and most of the work being done by the pastor had of necessity to be interrupted by pastoral duties. May 1 of the same year the record tells of the donation of a communion set from the La Crosse church. The pastor's family reached Osseo Aug. 20, 1879, but even then the parsonage was not entirely finished, much of the minor work, as painting and plas-

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tering, being done afterward. May 12, 1879, a lot was bought of S. Field for $25, on which to erect a church.

Nov. 21, 1879, a committee consisting of John Cox, Thomas Newman and Wm. Henry was appointed, which succeeded in raising the church indebtedness by subscription. Sept. 4, 1880, a church building committee was appointed consisting of five members, Rev. McPhail, Wm. Henry, F. N. Thomas, Horace Field and Elias Gay. About the same time Messrs. Gay, Hyslop, Henry and McPhail were appointed a committee to visit the Hixton church for the purpose of devising plans for the new church. The foundation wall had been laid in June previous to these arrangements. September 14 a bee was made to haul the lumber from Humbird. A great many in and around the village helped in this.

On Sept. 30, 1880, the erection of a house of worship was commenced. Much of the work on the edifice was by Rev. McPhail and his son George. E. Hyslop was also prominent in the work. In fact nearly every one helped, contributing labor or talent unsparingly.

The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1882, making their first financial efforts the donation of paint for the building. Much credit is due this society for their help in a financial way, not only paying a good por- tion of pastors' salaries, but repairing or refitting parsonage or church whenever or however necessity required.

In April or May, 1883, the church received $412 from the American Congregational Union to finish paying the church debt. This debt being removed, June 17, 1883, the finished house was dedicated.

On Jan. 1, 1893, a bell, which was the gift of the King's Daughters, was dedicated. This was purchased by direct effort of this society at a cost of $225, the last of the amount being raised by circulating a subscription paper. Nearly ten years later in December, 1902, a window to the memory of the late Pastor McPhail was placed in the church. This was purchased and placed by a subscription under the direction of Mrs. Mary Fox at an entire cost of $72.75.

The pastors of the church have been: Rev. McPhail, 1880-86; Rev. Pinkerton, 1887-88 ; Rev. Sparrow, 1889; Rev. W. M. Betts, 1890; Rev. W. C. Haire, 1891; Rev. D. H. Richie, 1892; Rev. G. H. Marsh, 1894; Rev. John DeCow, 1896; Rev. John Evans, 1897-98; Rev. John Evans, 1899; Rev. Luther Spears, 1901; Rev. Otto J. Scheibe, 1903-04.

In the years which have passed since the above article was written in 1904 many changes have taken place. New streets have been opened, many beautiful new residences erected and improvements so numerous made in our little village that space will not permit the mention of all. One, aside from the church and its properties, should not be omitted, is the erec- tion of as fine a new school building as can be found in a long travel. There is established a four years' high school course, with excellent equipment for domestic science, manual training and gymnasium. Such a school would be a credit to a city many times the size of Osseo. The old school building has been purchased by the village to be fitted up for city hall, offices and library. The public library is also a recent addition to our progress. The Osseo Study Club, with a membership of sixteen ladies, established this,

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paying one hundred dollars at its foundation. The village has taken it over and at present it contains 900 volumes. In 1916 over 4,000 volumes were taken for reading. At present-1917-the periodicals on the maga- zine table are Review of Reviews, Literary Digest, Musician, Popular Mechanics and Good Housekeeping.

Our church has progressed most perceptibly since 1904. The pastors since that date have been: Rev. A. S. Newcomb, 1905-06; Rev. Morton, a supply for three months; Rev. C. S. Johnson, 1907-09; Rev. F. E. Hall, 1911-12; Rev. C. S. Johnson, 1912-14; Rev. Harry Milford, 1914 to the present.

In 1908 the church was remodeled at an approximate cost of $1,500, making a greater seating capacity and providing a pastor's study, church parlors, kitchen and dining room. In 1916 the parsonage was sold and a new modern bungalow erected, a parsonage of which the church is justly proud .- (By Harriet Campbell Schultz.)

The Congregational Church of Independence, not now in existence, was organized in June, 1879, at Taylor's Hall, under the direction of the Rev. J. H. Pollock, with twelve members. The congregation was long since dissolved.

Presbyterian Churches.

There are three Presbyterian churches in Trempealeau County, the Presbyterian Church of Whitehall, incorporated Feb. 14, 1893; the Pres- byterian Church of Pleasant Valley, incorporated May 20, 1893, and the Presbyterian Church of Galesville, incorporated Feb. 17, 1896. The Pres- byterian Church of Independence was incorporated Nov. 20, 1879, but is not now in existence.

The First Presbyterian Church of Galesville was organized with 23 members, Sept. 17, by D. C. Lyon and Henry Day, from the presbytery of Winnebago. The roll of officers and members was as follows: Brice Mars and John McMillan, Jr. (elders), Franklin Gilbert (elder-elect), Mrs. Julia A. Gilbert, Mrs. Gertrude Gale, Mrs. Nancy Young, Mrs. Janet Mars, Robert Cance, Mrs. Christian Cance, Mrs. Mary Cance, Mrs. Martha Purves, William Dick, Mrs. Rosina Dick, Mrs. Jane Harris, George W. Stearns, Mrs. Maria Stearns, Mrs. Ann McMillan, Andrew Gatherer, Mrs. Sophia Gatherer, Mrs. Mary Faulds, John McMillan, Sr., Mrs. Isabella McMillan and Mrs. Mary Bibby. On Dec. 10 following Mr. Lyon, of the Committee of Presbytery, received by certificate John Cance, Mrs. John Cance, Alex Cance and James Hardie, and on profession of their faith Mrs. Maria Mars, Wm. Thomas, John Bibby, Richard Bibby and Mrs. Mary Bibby. Since it is known that these persons were prevented from joining at the earlier date by sickness, delay of their expected letter, or other accident, they are given a place among the charter members.

On Sept. 5, 1859, the Board of Domestic Missions, at Mr. Lyon's request, formally commissioner Sheldon Jackson for "La Crescent, Hokah and vicinity in Minnesota." Mr. Jackson interpreted "vicinity" to mean as far as he could reach. In fact he was already searching out the land. On

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horseback, and often on foot, he was fording streams, climbing hills, pene- trating valleys, opening every school house, telling the Gospel story by every fireside. Did he find a little group of Presbyterians, he organized them into a church and set them to work. He soon had preaching stations in 13 counties in Minnesota, and in Chippewa, Eau Claire, Jackson, Trem- pealeau and La Crosse Counties in Wisconsin,-a parish of 13,000 square miles and a salary of $300 a year. (See Stewart's Life of Sheldon Jackson.)

There is record to show that Mr. Lyon and Sheldon Jackson supplied the Galesville church alternately on the second Sabbath of the month for several months, probably till the arrival of the first pastor, the Rev. John Frothingham. This young minister was from the presbytery of Albany. He had refused flattering calls from eastern congregations and had chosen the career of a home missionary in a frontier town under the influence of his boyhood friend and neighbor, Sheldon Jackson. Galesville was on the frontier in 1860. The houses were lighted by tallow candles and the streets not at all. There were but three span of horses in the town, and the nearest approach to a carriage, excepting the doctor's rig, was one two-seated spring wagon ; but said wagon, which was painted red, did free service and was even used for a hearse. There was but one mail a week. It went out on Friday to La Crosse, the nearest railway point, and came in on Satur- day. Everyone worked hard and life was rude, but it was not altogether without refining influences. A newspaper had been established by Mr. S. S. Luce, and a lyceum organized, while Galesville University-now Gale Col- lege-was in its second year. The people were intelligent, some of them college-bred, and there were few whose mother tongue was not the English language. If all were not godly by profession and in practice they were at least God-fearing-respecting God's book, God's day and God's minister. The one man in the village who talked infidelity and habitually worked on Sunday was regarded with abhorrence by his fellow townsmen. There had been a Union Sunday school, but the offer of a library to a Presbyterian school and no other led Mr. Frothingham to organize one June 7, 1863. He was superintendent of this school till he left the place. It was organized in the little old school house, but the church building was already under way. At the county fair in October of this year the ladies served dinners and earned $75,000 for the building fund. The building moved slowly, how- ever, for lack of means, and was not completed and ready for dedication till Jan. 1, 1865. It was a very plain structure-that old church-but every dollar of the $1,200 that went into it represented hard work and much self-sacrifice. It was fitting, therefore, that the minister's corn-crib should furnish material for the belfry, as the crowning act of self-denial. The pews were rented at first, but the arrangement proved unsatisfactory and was abandoned after the second year. In 1866 a church was organized at North Bend, and the McMillan, Bibby, Faulds and Gatherer families, 12 members in all, withdrew to cast in their lot there. In 1868 the Froth- inghams removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Four months later Mr. Froth- ingham was laid to rest in Cedar Rapids.

Dec. 10, 1868, one month after Mr. Frothingham's removal, Rev. Henry R. Wilson became the minister. Mr. Wilson left us in April, 1871, to take a

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position in the office with his father, who was secretary of the Board of Church Erection. The next minister, the Rev. Samuel Brown, came fresh from the University of Belfast.

The next pastor was Rev. J. C. de Bruyn Kops. While he was pastor the choir was removed to a platform at the right of the pulpit, and the old walnut desk used by Mr. Frothingham was replaced with the pulpit now in use, designed and made by Rev. Kops. During this ministery the first Woman's Missionary Society was organized and the Sabbath school put in a flourishing condition under the leadership of Dr. J. R. Branch.

The presbytery having accepted the custody of Gale College in 1877, it became necessary to have a minister who would do some work in the class- room. Accordingly Mr. Kops resigned and the Rev. John Moore was called. Mr. Moore came as pastor and as the professor of Belles Lettres in the college. He resigned in September, 1880, to accept a call to Ripon, Wis. Mr. Moore died in 1888 and his wife followed him two years later.

Mr. Moore's successor, Rev. J. Irwin Smith, D. D., began his ministry here in April, 1881. He became financial agent of the college and entered with ardor into the work of gathering funds both before and after the fire; later he became college president and took charge of some classes-all this time filling his pulpit regularly and doing much pastoral work. Dr. Smith resigned the next year, but no one being found to fill the vacancy he sup- plied the pulpit without compensation when his other duties permitted until he severed his connection with the college in 1888 and removed to Toledo, Iowa. He died in Cedar Rapids, March 16, 1908, at the age of eighty-two.

It was September, 1889, when the Rev. John L. Gage entered upon his ministry here. During the vacancy of nearly two years several leading members had removed from the place and the organized work of the church had languished. The Y. P. S. C. E. was now reorganized and another Woman's Missionary Society was started. Early in 1890 a series of union evangelistic meetings was held under the leadership of a "Band" from Minneapolis, and the town was stirred from center to circumference. After these meetings Mr. Gage received 22 members, the largest number ever added to one communion. Dr. Smith had taken in 15 March 21, 1886, and, after the Kennedy tent meetings, Mr. Winder received 14, Sept. 16. 1894. After a stay of two years Mr. Gage removed to Iowa, where Mr. Gage is still in the work, although on the retired list. Mrs. Gage died four years ago.

The Rev. Joseph M. Winder, who succeeded Mr. Gage, was stated supply and pastor from September, 1891, to February, 1897. During this time the parsonage was bought and refitted and the new church was built.

It was May, 1898, more than 14 months after Mr. Winder left us, before Rev. T. C. Hill came. The pulpit had been supplied a part of the time by the Rev. G. James Jones of the college. Mr. Hill resigned in April, 1905. The Rev. J. M. McKnight was here for a time, but he felt unequal to the work of so extensive a field. The outlook was gloomy until Rev. N. F. Chapman was sent. In less than two years the Neillsville church, desiring an energetic young man of the evangelistie type, gave Mr. Chap- man a call, and he left us in October, 1907. The pulpit was vacant six months before our next pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Thomas, was secured.

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He resigned in October, 1916, and in April, 1917, was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Norman K. Tully.

(Note .- An elaborate booklet, issued Sept. 19-20, 1909, at the time of the celebration of the semi-centennial, is a valuable contribution to the social and economic, as well as religious, history of an old Wisconsin com- munity, and contains many interesting pen pictures of men and events and conditions during the fifty years that it covers.)

Methodist Episcopal.

There are seven Methodist Episcopal churches in the county, located at Whitehall, Independence, Arcadia, Trempealeau, Osseo, Centerville and Eleva. The church at Galesville is vacant. The church in Hale Township, incorporated March 4, 1892, is no longer in existence.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Arcadia. The organization of this society was perfected in 1857, under the auspices of an itinerant minister of the Wesleyan faith, with Collins Bishop, Anna Bishop, Narcissa Robert- son and Rhoda Shelley as the constituent members. Services were con- ducted at the residences of members until an increase in the members of the congregation required more extensive quarters, when the school house was secured and appropriated to their uses. This was continued until 1876 when preparation looking to the erection of a house of worship, meanwhile in progress, took shape, and resulted in the building of the present edifice, which was completed during that year at a cost of $5,000. It is of frame, of a quaint Elizabethan order of architecture, handsomely finished, and with accommodations for a congregation of 500 persons.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Independence was organized about 1877, and met in Taylor's Hall at intervals for prayer and worship. In 1880 a Union church was built with the people of the Evangelical Association faith.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Trempealeau was organized in 1856 by H. M. Hays, with the Goodhue, Payne and Kribbs families as the original members. The first church was built in 1857.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Galesville was organized at an early day, and until 1875 the congregation worshiped in the court house and school house. In that year a church was built.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Whitehall. Services of the Methodist faith were held at the homes of pioneers as early as 1856. The Methodist Society at Whitehall was organized in 1867. For several years services were held in the school houses by pastors from the Arcadia charge. In 1873, at the time that the G. B. & W. R. R. passed through what is now Whitehall Village, then only a grain field, D. W. Wade secured a lot from the railroad company for the site of the M. E. church. He drew up a sub- scription paper to secure money for building the church, and he succeeded in getting $1,000 in money and work. Mr. Wade wrote to the presiding elder of the La Crosse district for a pastor. Rev. J. E. Webster was obtained, and he took up the work of securing further subscriptions. Another $1,000 was subscribed in money and labor. The work was com-

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menced early in 1874. During that summer the building of the church had so far progressed that it was opened for services during the winter of 1874-1875. It was later completed in the summer of 1875.

In December, 1874, Mr. Wade and family went east to New York and New Jersey, his former home states. While there he visited Methodist Episcopal book rooms and purchased a fine pulpit Bible and hymn book. The church being a mission church, having raised a small sum of money toward purchasing books for the Sunday school library, the committee was allowed dollar for dollar and forty per cent off on all books. The committee also secured a large Sunday school map of Palestine and a framed motto: "God Bless Our Sunday School." The church was dedicated Aug. 29, 1875, Rev. J. E. Webster being the first pastor. The Bible and hymn book were formally presented at that time, and used in the dedication service.

During the pastorate of Rev. F. E. Lewis the church was moved from its first location to its present site, and later during the pastorate of the Rev. Chalfant, a basement and many other improvements were added. The pastors have been: J. E. Webster, J. B. Richardson, William Galloway, E. J. Bickle, F. W. Straw, E. T. Briggs, G. D. Brown, A. M. Lumkins, H. A. Snyder, G. F. Cowling, G. Limkuhlr, W. H. Cheneweth, J. T. Bryan, C. G. Gaman, W. E. Doughty, F. E. Lewis, L. N. Wooley, J. E. Boyer, J. G. Haigh, Edwin Tench, William Cook, Harry Philpot, Arthur Chalfant, David Levin, E. D. Upson.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Centerville is served by the pastor from Trempealeau, services being held every Sunday.

Baptist.

There are two Baptist churches in the county one at Whitehall and one at Blair. For some years the Baptist Society was active in Arcadia, and a frame church edifice was erected. It was afterward used as a Peoples church.

The Baptist Association at Trempealeau was instituted in 1857 by the Rev. J. M. Winn, with 23 members. Until 1866 services were conducted in the school house and at a hall on Front street. In that year a church was erected. The society is not now in existence.

The Whitehall Baptist Church was first known as the First Baptist Church of Preston. It was organized July 4, 1858, and began life with eight constituent members. In 1860 the membership was 20. The field covered by the membership of this church extended from Hixton in Jackson County to Glencoe in Buffalo County, a distance of 40 miles up and down Trem- pealeau Valley. In 1864 the church was admitted to the La Crosse Valley Association. Jan. 9, 1866, the name of the church was changed to that of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln. The first church building was erected at old Whitehall in 1870, at a cost of $1,100, and was sold in 1875 to the Scandinavian people for $300. The present building was erected the same year at a cost of $1,600 and was dedicated Jan. 12, 1876, free of debt. At this time the church adopted its present name. The first Baptist min- ister to preach in this locality was the Rev. Mr. Bunnell of Trempealeau Village. He preached a few sermons in the home of Deacon Alvah Wood

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in the winter of 1857-85. In 1858 the church was organized and the fol- lowing brethren have served as pastors consecutively : Revs. Thomas Slade, S. S. Tucker, G. P. Dissmore, Calvin E. Fisher, G. P. Dissmore, E. D. Barbour, F. S. Witler, H. G. Carroll, G. P. Dissmore, L. J. Sawyer,

Catchpole, D. I. Coon, N. L. Sweet, N. K. Larson, A. B. Cannady, C. O. Booth, W. D. Wells, Samuel Batchelor, J. J. Enge, Madison Reynolds and G. N. Doody. Says Mrs. Mary Wood: "Pastor Dissmore has been with us longest. He has proved his words by an honest, upright life, winning the respect of the community and the affection of the church, who felt the comfort of his presence and counsel. Pastor N. L. Sweet was the sower sowing beside all waters, up the coulies, down the valleys, always feeling the stress of the work, appreciated by the church, disparaging himself, ever reaching out toward more effective service." The present parsonage was purchased of N. K. Larson August 1, 1911. .

Protestant Episcopal.

There is one church of this denomination in Trempealeau County, which is located in Osseo.

St. Elizabeth's Church and Parish .- The first service of this congre- gation was held in the York Inn parlors, Osseo, in the summer of 1911, W. F. Hood, Jr., then in deacon's orders, being the priest in Charge. The first baptismal service was held St. John's Day at eight o'clock p. m. in Carson's Hall, with the Rev. P. H. Linley of Eau Claire as the priest in charge. On May 7, 1912, Bishop Webb of the Milwaukee diocese confirmed the following class of thirteen: Mrs. L. H. Field, Mrs. G. I. Thew, Mrs. B. F. York, Mrs. W. S. Gilpin, Misses Florence Roberts of Superior, Ruth Esbenson, Alice Thew, Myle and Beatrice Gilpin, Doris Jones, Clara Zhe, Keith Jones and Silby Gilpin. Mrs. Crane and Mrs. Nettie Jones were already communicants of the church. The different priests in charge since the beginning of the mission have been Archdeacon W. F. Hood, Rev. P. H. Linley and Missionary Priest Rev. W. Wolfe. The first baptism after the mission was started was that of Ruth Hanson, the service being held in Carson's Hall. The first baptism in the Mission House was that of Mary Louise Vincent of St. Paul. The first wedding in the parish was that of Ruth I. Jones to H. J. Vincent of St. Paul, W. F. Hood officiating. The funerals have been those of Mrs. G. O. Linderman and Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Gates, Archdeacon Hood officiating, and Mrs. F. York, with the Rev. P. H. Linley of Eau Claire in charge. St. Elizabeth's Guild has held two very successful bazaars and given one home talent play. A portion of each year they took up the work of the Woman's Auxiliary and pursued a mission study course, with the subject of "Japan Advancing," "Social Aspect of Foreign Missions," and "Conquest of the Continent," and derived much benefit from the work. The officers of the Guild are: Mrs. A. G. Cox, president ; Mrs. W. S. Gilpin, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Nettie Jones, educational secretary and missionary treasurer; Mrs. Crane, parish treasurer. Of those who have officiated in charge of the parish as deacon or priest, Archdeacon Hood is now chaplain of the Third Regiment, now

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(Sept. 17, 1917) stationed at Camp Douglas; Rev. P. H. Linley is chaplain of the drafted regiment now in training at Rockford, and Rev. W. Wolfe is archdeacon and rector of the church at Lancaster, Wis .- (By Mrs. Net- tie F. Jones.)

Independent.

The church of God in Christ was incorporated at Eleva, May 5, 1909, and holds regular meetings, but has no church edifice.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 114

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318