History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 92

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998

USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 92

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).

In 1880, under the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Wells, the church building was eleared of debt, the ladies' society assuming $750. They have since paid about half this amount. The society under its present pastor, Rev. Henry Sewell, is full of life, strong and growing. As stated, the first pastor of the society was Rev. Alpha Warren. Rev. J. Harrington and Rev. J. M. Walker served after him up to the year 1852. Next in order were Revs. Hendrickson and Robinson: Rev. A. C. Huntley, 1860-64: Rev. W. H. Sampson. 1861-62: Rev. R. C. Parsons, 1862- 64: Rev. R. H. Stinchfield, 1864-65 and Rev. E. W. Kirkham, 1865-68. The latter, a Welshman in nationality, was so natural. pathetie and gifted, both in utterance and conduct, that he made a lasting impression upon every one with whom he came in contact. He had been transferred from Cincinnati, and remained with the society three years. At last, worn out with labor, he died at Winona, in 1871, having retired from the ministry on account of broken health. From 1868 to 1871, Rev. A. C. Manwell had charge of the society-which experienced a remarkable revival under the influence of Mrs. Van Cott. Following came Rev. C. N. Stowers, 1871- 74 ; Rev. O. J. Cowles, 1874-75 : Rev. H. C. Tilton. 1875-76; Rev. C. N. Stowers and Rev. A. A. Reed, 1876-77 ; Rev. G. W. Wells, 1877-80 ; Rev. Henry Sewell, 1880-81. Connected with the church. under the latter's ministrations, are the ladies'

603

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

societies for charitable and missionary work, and a large and prosperous Sunday school. It numbers 140 and is superintended by H. P. Goodman. There is also a fine Bible class and a Young People's Assembly, which meets at 6 o'clock every Sabbath evening for Bible study and religions exercises.

Whitewater has been the seat of the General Conference three years-in 1859, Bishop Ames presiding; 1873, Bishop Merrill; 1881, Bishop Foss.

First Congregational Church .- Although first established under a Presbyterian form of government, the organization which merged into the First Congregational Church, of White- water, was the pioneer religious society of the county. On the 3d of July, 1840, at the resi- dence of Deacon Prosper Cravath, in Lima, the following persons assembled to form "The Presbyterian Church of Whitewater:" Deacon Prosper Cravath, Deacon Zerah Hull, Justus Carpenter, Levi Kinney, James Hull, Meriam Cravath, Ada Kinney, Laura Cravath (Smith), Emily Cravath (Salisbury), Sophronia Cravath, Wealthy A. Carpenter, Jenny Williams, Roxy Hull, Harriet Hull and Maria Cravath. The by-laws for the organization of the society were prepared by Prosper Cravath, and were so satisfactory that they were in demand for some years by various bands of Christians throughout the State, who desired to form societies but did not see their way clear as to the preliminaries. These first members joined by letter, and the first sermon to the small but enthusiastic band was preached soon after. Services were held during the year preceding the concentration of the society in the village, at the houses of Messrs. Cra- vath, Johnson, Carpenter and Kinney. In June, 1841, the congregation began to worship in the old log schoolhouse, near Mrs. Tripp's subsequent residence.

Sometimes the members would prefer an open-air meeting under the old trees before the door; or they might choose O. A. Weed's wagon-shop, on Main street, or Judge Pike's or Sid- ney Workman's house. Rev. Daniel Smith, their first minister, began his services in the fall of 1839, before the formation of the regular society. Being a missionary of the Presbyterian Church, he could give but one-third of his time to the society at Whitewater. But that portion he gave cheerfully and faithfully. In June, 1841, he was succeeded by Rev. Seth Smalley, who preached one of the first sermons in the village of Whitewater under some oak trees where now stands the Methodist Church. Leaving the ministry to engage in agriculture, Mr. Smalley was succeeded the next year by Rev. H. F. Case, of Canton, Conn. With the Baptists, who had formed a society in 1842, the Presbyterians held their services in the upper story of Mr. Weed's wagon-shop. In November, 1843, the Congregationalists of Whitewater organized a society and united with the Presbyterian Church to form the society now known as the First Congregational Church. Twenty-six signed the constitution. Justus Carpenter and W. B. Johnson had been authorized to build a church, if sufficiently encouraged. A one-story frame building, 26x36 feet, ten feet high under the eaves, had accordingly been erected on the lot where now stands the magnificent edifice of the society. Its cost was $467, and all the slips were sold except four, the subscriptions mostly being paid in "labor performed." When com- pleted, it was found that the society had no legal existence; hence, the formation of the new organization to whom the building was deeded. Dr. Tripp donated the land for the site. Fol- lowing the close of Mr. Case's labors, in 1844, came Rev. M. P. Kinney, of Homer, N. Y. At the commencement of his ministry, which lasted nine years, a purely Congregational mode of government was adopted. In 1850, another and more commodious church edifice was completed. In 1854, the pulpit having been irregularly supplied during the preceding year, Rev. William A. Baldwin began his ministry. He was succeeded, in September, 1858, by Rev. E. G. Miner, of Geneva, formerly of Dr. Adams' Church, Boston. Mr. Miner was pastor several years; came here in September, 1858, and left July, 1866. In the summer of 1866, he received a call to Beloit College, and was succeeded, in October, by Rev. T. G. Colton. In 1871, an elegant building was erected on the site of the old church at a cost of $18,000. Three years thereafter. in the autumn of 1874, Mr. Colton resigned his pastorate, and was succeeded by Rev. B. D. Conklin, who remained until July I, 1880, when the present incumbent, Rev. E. P. Salmon as- sumed the charge. Previously, however, on February 9, 1880, the church edifice was entirely destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $25,000 upon the society. Upon this property was an in- surance of about $16,000. Immediate steps were taken to rebuild, and a magnificent structure is now nearly completed, on Church street. Its cost, with site, will be over $22,000. The

604

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

membership of the society is over two hundred. The Congregational Church is one of the strongest and most prosperous in Whitewater.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church .- In the fall of 1841, Father R. Cadle, founder of the Cadle Homes, which have accomplished so much good throughout the State, came to Whitewater and held services in the log schoolhouse which stood on the present site of the park. Several at- tempts, during the next ten years were made to organize a society, none of which proved suc- cessful. Dr. James Tripp and his wife. Rosepha Ann, had donated land for the erection of a church, on the present site, corner of Church and Center streets. At length, in March, 1852, an organization was effected. Dr. Tripp died in 1844, but his good and energetic wife con- tinned her useful connection with the church until February 2, 1881, when, in her seventy- ninth year, she was called by death to the church universal. It is safe to say that no ono who ever lived in Whitewater was more generally respected. Her funeral was largely attended, Bishop Welles officiating, assisted by Rev. S. D. Stearns, present pastor of the church. As stated, an organization was effected in 1852, by Mrs. Tripp, Mr. and Mrs. George Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Z. Mead, Mr. and Mrs. Hoppin and others. Rev. L. R. Humphrey, who had been officiating every fifth Sunday since October, 1851, became the regular pastor of the society upon the consecration of the little wooden church building by the Bishop, Right Rev. J. Kemper, April 22. 1852. Mr. Humphrey resigned on account of injuries received in a railroad accident in 1861. From 1862 to 1864, the pulpit was variously supplied, but in April of the latter year, Rev. H. W. Spalding, of Janesville, was called to the charge, but resigned, in January, 1865, and was succeeded by Rev. John McNamara, late Chaplain of the First Wisconsin Infantry. The year 1867 saw the church building renovated, greatly improved and free of debt. Mrs. Flavia White presented the society with a fine $500 bell, whose mellow metal still forms a part of the present musical instrument. Mr. McNamara resigned July 1, 1868, being succeeded by Rev. W. E. Walker. The parsonage was refitted during this year, but, unfortunately, in Feb- ruary, 1869, when every outlook seemed so prosperous, the church building was destroyed by fire and all its contents burned. except a valuable communion set. Three days after the fire- February 20-a meeting was held by leading church members, and it was resolved to rebuild at a minimum cost of $10,000. Services were held in the district schoolhouse until July 1, 1869, when the corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop Kemper. On November 3, it was opened for worship by the celebration of the Holy Communion, the sermon being preached by Rev. H. W. Beers, D. D., Dean of the Milwaukee Convocation.

Having been cleared of debt, the building was consecrated on Easter of the year 1873. The edifice is a gem of solid English setting, gray stone without and tasteful wood finish within. Its cost, when completed, with the rectory, amounted to over $20,000. Rev. C. J. Hendley became the pastor of St. Luke's Church in 1870, remaining one year. Temporary supplies filled out the next year, but in 1872, Rev. Erastus B. Smith assumed the pastorate, which he retained until May, 1873. In September of that year, Rev. R. D. Stearns, present pastor, took charge of the society, which is now one of the leading religious forces in Whitewater. It numbers sixty communicants. In 1879, occurred the death of another pillar of the church-Judge S. A. White. In 1880. his mother donated an expensive and richly toned memorial organ. The society, in short, is free of debt, and rich in heart, mind and estate.

St. Patrick's Church (Catholic) .- In the fall of 1851, the Catholics of the village selected the lot which is now ocenpied, and an edifice was erected in 1852-53. The society now consists of about 900 members. Connected with it is also a flourishing school of 80 members; also a total abstinence society, which has done a power of good. The property consists of a large piece of land, in a fine location, on which are the church, school, sisters' and priest's houses. The present priest in charge is Rev. Father J. Fitzgibbon.

The first priest who visited Whitewater was Very Rev. Martin Kundig, Vicar General of the diocese. No church then existed in Whitewater, and Father Kundig celebrated mass, bap- tized children, etc., in the houses of a few Catholics, who had settled among the bluffs south- east of the village. He commenced the erection of the church, which was completed before the coming of Rev. Father James M. Doyle, of Waukesha, in 1853. For nearly four years, he continued his visits to Whitewater, once in two weeks. It was under his pastorate that the

605

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

, present parochial residence was built. The first resident pastor was Rev. R. Dunphy, who became pastor in 1857, and remained in charge of the congregation for about twelve years. Many improvements were made in his time; the new church was built and partly paid for. It cost about $11,000. Rev. Father T. Kirwan was the next pastor, who remained about one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Father H. F. Fairbanks, who continued pastor for about eleven years. Under his charge, the remaining debts were paid, schoolhouse erected, Sisters' house built and other improvements made, amounting in all (payments of debts and for im- provements) to abont $12,000, besides current expenses. He was succeeded by Father George L. Willard, and he in turn by Rev. Father James Fitzgibbon, late pastor of East Troy, Wal- worth Co. Very Rev. Father Kundig died in Milwaukee in the Cathedral Honse, and Rev. Father Doyle in St. Mary's Hospital, Milwaukee. Rev. Father Dunphy is at present in Ireland in poor health. Rev. Father Kirwan died in Kenosha. 'Rev. Father Fairbanks is pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Milwaukee, and Rev. Father Willard is in Yankton, Dak.

Immanuel Church (Evangelicat Association) .- The first work of this association began in the year 1856 in the town of Cold Spring, Rev. John Meier preaching in the district school- house near Henry Cooper's. That gentleman and Rev. John Hammetter held regular services at the same place, also visiting Whitewater the same year. Among the first attendants at these meetings were Victor Egloff and family. In 1869, the church building on Janesville street was erected, being dedicated October 17 of that year, Rev. B. D. Beyers, of Illinois, preaching the sermon. The cost, with parsonage, was about $3,400. In 1865, the missions of Cold Spring and Whitewater were united, the two joining together in the erection of the Immanuel Church building. The pastors of the charge have been: Rev. G. Miller, 1857-58; Rev. C. A. Schnake, 1859-60; Rev. W. F. Schneider, 1861-62: Joseph Harlacher, 1863-64; Rev. J. G. Eslinger, 1865; Rev. John Mieer, 1866-67: Rev. J. M. Hammetter and Rev. Tobias Rabus, 1868; Bev. William Huelster, 1869: Rev. C. F. Zimmermann, 1870-71; Rev. John Dietrich, 1872: Rev. F. William Pfefferkorn, 1873-75; Rev. Schneider, 1876-78: Rev. L. Strobel, 1879-80; Rev. J. Kahl. ISSI. The present parsonage was built during Mr. Strobel's admin- istration. £ The membership of the society is at present between thirty and forty-that is exclusive of the members residing in Cold Spring.

First Universalist Church .- In February, 1868, a conference of Universalists was held in the Congregational Church to see what could be done toward establishing a society here. Ser- mons were preached by Bev. Sumner Ellis. of Milwaukee, Dr. A. C. Barry, of Racine, and others. The feeling seemed so encouraging that subscription papers were put in circulation. Rev. B. F. Rogers was engaged as pastor, a constitution for the government of the society having been presented by him. J. H. Cushing and F. J. Starin and adopted. On May 15. a meeting was called to take into consideration the propriety of building a church structure. Over $4,000 had already been subscribed. The lot on Center street was purchased. and. on September 10 of that year. the corner-stone of the fine church was laid. Dr. Barry delivering the sermon. The basement was fitted up for use, and the society had a home. The dedicatory ceremonies occurred July 14, 1869, Rev. S. H. Tuttle, of Minneapolis, preaching the sermon. When completed, the total cost of the building was $10,000. On October 17, 1871, Rev. Jud- son Fisher took charge of the society, Mr. Rogers having resigned during the previous month. He filled an engagement of four years until January 1, 1876. Services were suspended until April. 1877, when Rev. B. F. Rogers was recalled, and continued with the society until the latter part of 1879. In March, 1881, there having been an interval of over a year during which the church was without a pastor, Rev. H. Slade assumed the charge.

First. Baptist Church was organized in the summer of 1842, with sixteen members. Elder A. B. Winchell was soon after engaged as its first pastor. For the first eight years, meetings were held in Mr. Weed's carriage-shop and other places that could be obtained. A church was built and dedicated in 1850. The society now numbers abont fifty members, but has no settled pastor, Rev. P. W. Mills supplying the pulpit.

There is also a Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church on the East side, Rev. O. L. Han- son, pastor. The building was erected in October, 1873, at a cost of $1.400. The small so- cieity of Free Methodists have no pastor: Services are occasionally held by Rev. Henry Lewell.

606

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

SOCIETIES.

Whitewater Lecture Association .- In the fall of 1857, a library association was formed in Whitewater to cultivate popular taste. M. Paris McLauthlin, President. This organization continued to be in favor for a number of years, being especially upheld with enthusiasm in 1858 and 1859. The Whitewater Lyceum succeeded it, and numbers of other like organiza- tions have borne witness to the elevated standard of Whitewater society. The Whitewater Lecture Association is the latest and the best of these socieities, its objects being, as stated in the constitution, "the furnishing of financial and moral support to lecture courses and other agencies for the promotion of intelligence, good taste and rational enjoyment among the people of Whitewater and vicinity." Its members must be stockholders to the extent of one or more shares. The meeting for the formation of the association was called at the residence of J. S. Partridge, November 12, 1877, when the constitution was adopted and T. D. Weeks elected President; Albert Salisbury, Secretary, and George W. Esterly, Treasurer. There has been no change in officers, except that Joseph H. Cushing now acts as Treasurer. Since the estab- lishment of the lecture courses, none but the best talent-musical and literary-has been en- gaged. Such names as Wendell Phillips, Prof. Richard A. Proctor, Benjamin F. Taylor, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Eliza Cady Stanton, Paul du Chaillu, " Bob " Burdette, Gen. Kilpatrick, Helen Potter, Olive Logan, Litta Concert Company, Remenyi Concert Company, etc., etc., which have appeared upon them indicate the taste which is being " pandered" to. The lecture association is a great success, and every man, woman and child in Whitewater will subscribe to that declaration.

St. John's Lodge, No. 57, A., F. & A. M .- The hall of this society is located in Central Block. Date of dispensation Angust 29, 1853; charter granted June 15, 1855. The first officers of the lodge were as follows: G. G. Williams, W. M .; J. W. Maynard. S. W .; Milton Rowley, J. W .; J. S. Partridge, Secretary. Present officers: J. W. Roberts, W. M .; D. W. Fowler, S. W .; H. Stauss, J. W. ; W. G. Schultz, Secretary; J. T. Smith, Treasurer. The membership is sixty-six.

Watworth County Encampment, I. O. O. F., was organized December 7, 1865, with the . following charter members: Seymour Lewis, Oscar Smith, A. S. MeCutehin, G. C. Rowed, E. F. Donnelly, A. H. Laurence and H. Johnson; R. H. Hotchkiss, Grand Patriarch, and L. B. Hills, Grand Scribe.

Halcyon Lodge, No. 15, I. O. O. F., was organized by Grand Master Sam Ryan January 20. 1870, as the continuation of an old society by that name formed in 1848, but which had dis- banded. The charter members were: John T. Smith, R. M. Beach. George Dann. R. O'Conner and J. L. Pratt. It has just refitted a beautiful little hall over Mr. Crosby's dry goods store. Its members, which number ninety-six. meet Tuesday nights. Present officers: H. Crail, N. G .; William Fish, V. G .; O. L. Giesey, R. S. : G. C. Rowed, Per. S .; W. E. Spooner. Treas- urer.

Whitewater Lodge, No. 39, A. O. U. I .- Organized August 22, 1878, with twenty-six charter members. Its first officers were: A. S. MeCutchin, P. M. W .: J. H. Rockfeller, M. W. : William Smith, G. F .: L. Sykes. O .: Lee Stillman, Recorder; O. F. Farrer, Financier; A. McCutchin, Receiver; D. E. Barnes, G .; E. Colbert, I. W .; N. B. Burtch, O. W. Present officers: E. N. Congar, P. M. W .; Albert Salisbury, M. W .; E. D. Geer, G. F .; W. J. Mc- Intyre. O .; Gorge H. Johnson, Financier; C. M. Brown, Receiver; Harry D. Bell, Recorder; C. F. Burrell, G. W; George W. Coburn, I. W; Andrew Seholl, O. W. The ledge is in a flourishing condition, occupying an elegant hall, nearly furnished and free of debt. Its present membership is 122.

The people of Whitewater commenced to agitate the temperance question at a very early day, and have continued in that course ever since. One of the first organizations was that formed November 28, 1847-Rev. M. P. Kinney, President; E. Wakeley, Vice President; F. F. Fuller, Secretary; membership, 167-93 men and 74 women. Eleven years from that period, it is recorded by one who follows these matters with a keen eye: "Of the men, only seven have openly and frequently violated their pledge, and, of the youth who signed, all but two are temperate and respected citizens."

Ever since then lodges have been springing up. some of the most recent organizations being

607

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

active-Division, No. 131, Sons of Temperance and Crystal Fountain Lodge, No. 37; the latter was organized in October, 1880, and has a membership of over fifty-Rev. H. Sewell, W. C .; Mrs. Boltz, W. V., and E. Lawrence, Secretary. The stirring temperance revival under Dr. Tracy, in December of that year, resulted in the formation of a strong union-900 members and a Band of Hope.

The Custer Rifles is a military company organized July 7, 1877. Its present membership is sixty-five, and its officers are as follows: Captain, J. E. Bassett; First Lieutenant, J. D. Ho- gan; Second Lieutenant, J. Rogers.

The Whitewater Brass Band was organized in the fall of 1874. It consists of twelve mem- bers, Joseph Hall, leader.

BUSINESS TOPICS.

In preceding pages, the business of Whitewater has been brought up to the building of its first mill and its first store. In the succeeding fall after the Bosworth store was built, Joseph and Benjamin Stanton purchased the good will of the proprietor, with his goods, and erected a frame building. I. U. Wheeler, with his sons Egbert and William, came in October, the latter building a blacksmith-shop and turning out steel plows. Patrick McLaughlin also opened a tailor shop. The next important addition to the business of the village was the brickyard which William Wood established on Dann's Addition, in the spring of 1841. He burned 40,000 brick in his first kiln. Thomas K. Le Barron, a young man just of age, from Boston, bought out the Stantons in September; Philander Peck had a store build for him by that industrious mechanic, Mr. Powers, and others came to settle and help build up the young community. In the spring of 1842, Charles E. Curtice. then without the title " Captain," appeared as a new-comer, and went into the grocery business. In the fall of 1842, R. O'Connor became a respected resident of the village. He died in December, ISS1. In the spring of 1843, O. A. Weed's wagon-shop was completed, and thereafter for years all struggling religious societies made its upper part a place of refuge. In the fall, Sheldon C. Hall, Henry C. Leffingwell and a host swarmed into the village. L. A. Winchester showed his form in the streets of Whitewater-rather, over a blacksmith's forge-in the spring of 1844. He had erected a shop on Tripp's Addition, Lot 3, Block 1. By summer, he had worked up so good a business that he took Joseph Rogers into partnership with him. Harvests had been good for several seasons, immigration was on the increase and many commenced to be attracted hitherward from other points in the county. Among others, Deacon William Potts moved in from Geneva. In the spring and summer of 1845, Dr. Rice, E. Wakeley (a lawyer) and J. L. Pratt, afterward the well-known wagon-maker and brave soldier, settled in Whitewater and became noteworthy additions. In the winter of this year, there came from York State two warm friends and men who made their mark-San- ger Marsh and J. S. Partridge. They opened up with a stock of general merchandise. In 1847, George G. Williams bought some land of Norman Pratt, in Section 8, and went into the pottery business, while Rufus Cheney, of Milwaukee, became a fixture of Whitewater, going into partnership with S. C. Hall to build up a general trade. By 1850, a list of its prominent busi- ness houses and professional men presented the following appearance: General merchants, Peck, Keep & Co., S. C. Hall & Co., Marsh & Partridge, Rufus Cheney, Jr., Levi Powers, R. O'Connor; groceries, Caswell & Curtice, D. Giddings, Robert Campbell; saddle and harness-makers, J. Witting, Worm & Schenhart; tailors, P. Mclaughlin, R. McBeath. A. Sentenn and J. Bon- nell; Drs. Clark and Rice, Lee & Warne; lawyers, E. Wakeley. E. Brown and P. Cravath. In March of the next year, Messrs. Peek, Keep & Co. sold out to P. H. Brady. J. J. Starin and D. S. Cook, leaving for larger fields in Chicago. At this time, the population of the village was be- tween 700 and 800, but when the railroad was completed the next year, a depot erected. Edward Barber appointed agent, and all the signs were in preparation for prosperity and growth. why, prosperity and growth came. In June, 1852, Mr. Peck's body was brought back here for inter- ment. He had left for larger fields than either Whitewater or Chicago. The same year, Will iam De Wolf, who had been a resident of La Grange for over ten years, started out in his suc- cessful business career by going into partnership with Mr. Winchester in the manufacture of plows. They employed seven men the first year, and their "power" was one horse. The second year they put in a small portable engine, at which piece of recklessness many of their friends shook their heads, predicting ruin. In March, 1853, the old Tripp Mill was purchased

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.

History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 92

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 998

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998