USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > Beloit > Past made present : the first fifty years of the First Presbyterian Church and congregation of Beloit, Wisconsin together with a history of Presbyterianism in our state up to the year 1900 > Part 6
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The Devotional, Lookout, Social, Missionary and Floral Committees attend to their respective lines of duty, and give frequent reports of work done. The Society's finances have been ably cared for, and the records of May 12th, 1898, show that the young people enjoyed a banquet, while the cash outlay was but 65 cents. The more enduring side of their financial abilities is shown by the new furnace which was put in when the Society was but a year old; in the hymn books we have placed at the disposal of the church services, in the liberal subscription toward building the new chapel, and the present effort to place a magnificent piano in it. The wide influ- ence of the Society can hardly be believed if one had not access to the re- cords. Former members are now filling professors' chairs in Beloit College, University of Chicago and University of Nebraska. We have had a number graduate from Yale. We have members as far west as San Francisco, as far east as Boston, as far north as Dakota, and as far south as Texas, and we have had members across the ocean. Quite a number of former Endeavor- ers are now filling pulpits regularly. We were well represented in the Span- ish war, and are still represented in the regular army. A large percentage of our present church membership are or have been members of our Endea- vor Society, and a much larger proportion of our future church members will be recruited from the Christian Endeavor camp.
The angel of death has dealt very kindly with us, and so far as I can learn there has been but one loss among our members, and who of us would have been more ready to go, or more willing to have gone than our sunny- hearted Bessie Clark? May her memory never depart ; may she still repeat with us our benediction : "The Lord watch between thee and me while we are absent one from another."
L. WALDO THOMPSON.
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What the Young People hope to Do.
The history of the Christian Endeavor movement ought to make us feel that God is leader of our host. He has cominissioned us, the youth of the land, to take up the burden of responsibility when our fathers shall have laid it down. We hope to meet this obligation by loyal service to Christ, by supporting our pastor in his efforts to bring souls into the Kingdom, by faithful attendance at our Endeavor prayer meetings and all the regular Sunday and mid-week services of our church, by our labors in the Sunday School, and by pure, noble, Christian lives before our fellow men.
We recognize that the present call of duty for us is a call to thus pre- pare for the higher and greater duties of the future. With our faces ever toward that future our attitude should always be one of hope, trust, faith. Those who have large faith may hope to accomplish large results. We all believe that this is the attitude of the young people of our church.
CHAUNCEY W. WATT.
monday Evening, march 20, H. D. 1899.
At the meeting in the church on Monday evening Elder E. C. Helm presided. The regular choir, Miss Lilian Wherry, soprano; Miss Fanny Thompson, alto; E. C. Kepple, base, and Mr. Thomas, tenor; assisted by Miss Peavey, alto; Miss Pearne Peake, Methodist, soprano, and William R. Wheeler, a leading tenor of the First Congregational choir, gave a superior service of song.
ERNEST C. HELM, M. D. ELDER, 1892-1899.
Dr. Helm remarked: "On the platform to-night are seated three of the charter members, all who are left to us. From two of them you will hear this evening, but the third, L. Beman Clark, as diffident as he is good, cannot be induced to speak. Nearly fifty years ago, though only a boy then, he helped erect this building and was its first sexton and usher. The first speaker, one who needs no introduction to this audience, 0 is David Merrill."
Early Recollections by the Only Surviving Charter member of the Society.
The first settlers were mostly New England Congregationlists, who maintained their fidelity to their church, schools, morals and politics. The agreement made in 1840 by the first settlers of the territory was that the Congregationlists and Presbyterians would unite in church organization, in places where one strong church would be better than two weak ones, draw- ing aid from one missionary society. (See Appendix. Stephen Peet. )
The First Congregational Church was strong and the few Presbyterians joined and for several years all went smoothly and prosperously under the beloved pastor, Dexter Clary. He was an earnest, logical, scriptural, half extempore speaker-that is the heads of discourse written, illustrations and
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argument extempore. About 1847 some stubborn cases of church discipline occurred that called the entire church together to settle, which was con- tinued for several sessions and became very tedious, and some began to inquire if there were not a less expensive and more efficient way for church dis- cipline. A. D. Culbert and John M. Daniels, who were Presby- terians, showed a more excellent way by the Presbyterian polity of having the elders try cases and report to the congregation. Many became convinced that the Presbyterian method was the best, and after talking up the matter held a meeting in Benjamin Brown's brick house, where the Brown block now stands, for consultation. At the first meeting there was no action but to prepare a regular call for a meeting to prepare a petition to the legislature for a charter for the First Presbyterian So- DAVID MERRILL. ELDER, '64-65 and 1872-1879. ciety of Beloit. The meeting was called, and B. Brown, H. Burchard, J. M. Daniels, A. J. Battin, D. Merrill, A. D. Culbert, Charles Peck, Henry Mears, T. L. Wright, Dr. A. Clark, Chester Clark, J. P. Houston, met and organized by electing a chairman and D. Merrill secretary .. Action was soon taken to organize the church and it becomes a matter of record. Mr. Burchard and family had soured on Mr. Clary because he said in a temperance meeting in the school house at the corner of School and Prospect streets, led by Hughes of England, that Brother Bur- chard went to the bar at the Beloit House kept by Bicknell, and called for a glass of brandy. Mr. Burchard explained that it was a medicine he had used many years for a certain complaint; by this rebuke however, his zeal was stimulated to have a new church and pastor. He had a large family of boys and girls, who felt keenly that cut at the temperance meeting and were earnest for another MRS. DAVID MERRILL. church.
I had conducted the music in the First Cong. Church from 1842 to
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the organization of the Presbyterian Church, with a choir varying from 25 to 40, loyal and harmonious. I had then charge of the music in the Pres- byterian Church front the organization to a year and a half after meetings were first held in the Aunt Jane Moore school house on Race street, that is, until the church was built. The choir varied from twelve to twenty with- out instruments save bass viol, until the church was built. We then had an organ played by Mr. Fassett. As I call to mind those events I find all the charter members of the society excepting myself, have passed their last mile-post and gone to rest. A few names, on the church roll at its organiza- tion, can respond to the call. Among them I recall Dr. E. N. and Beman Clark. As the young live in the future, so the aged live in the past, and I was deeply impressed with that thought on receiving news a few days ago of the death of a sister-in-law in Massachusetts, 88 years old-the last of a family of eleven children, while I alone remain of her husband's and my father's family of thirteen children of which I was the seventh. Five boys and one girl older, and five boys and one girl younger than myself. Of the two families, of twenty-four children, a mysterious Providence has enabled me to see them all drop out, one by one, while I stand waiting the summons. DAVID MERRILL (Aged 86 years. )
Mr. Merrill then spoke ex- tempore for a few moments with deep emotion, after which Dr. Helm remarked : "The simple eloquence of this aged brother has brought vividly to our minds the courage, energy and God- fearing character of those hardy pioneers of fifty years ago. My earliest recollec- tions are of this church. Seven of my relatives were numbered among its foun- ders ; my parents were mar- ried in the old Race street school house (see p. 53), and my mother united with this church during the first year of its existence. The name of the first pastor, Alfred JOHN E. HOUSTON. ELDER, 1881-1899. Eddy, has long been a house- hold word with us for his father's farm joined that of Grandfather Clark. While a boy he used to bring his slate to grandfather's house and with my mother and her seven brothers gathered around the long table, work out his sums. Mother always called him her eighth brother.
We will now hear from that worthy Elder, John E. Houston."
The Old Time Eldership.
"Of the band of stalwart men, twenty-five in number, who comprised
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the charter members of this church, seventeen at least were amply qualified for the office of Ruling Elder. The eight whom we exclude were principally deficient in age only. So when three were chosen it need not be mentioned they were choice material. "And the lot fell upon " Horatio Burchard, an austere man and dignified- one of our oldest members, having three sons and four daughters, grown to manhood and womanhood; among the first to pass from our band to the home on high. Lived for a time on Race street, on Pleasant and Prospect streets, on lot now occupied by the African M. E. Church. Afterward, about the time of building the church he removed to his farm, the Fen- ton place, a mile and a half north on the River roa d.
With bated breath, and gent- ly, lovingly, reverently, would we speak the second name on the list-Dr. Asahel Clark. Ele- ASAHEL CLARK, M. D. ELDER, 1849-1863; 1867-'68. gant in personality, quiet and reserved in manner, uncompro- mising in character, the perfect gentleman, the sincere friend, always kind to all, the 'true Elder,' his memory is commemorated by the window at the North side of the pulpit; only the crown should be in place of the cross, for surely the crown is his. The 'Beloved Physician,' we re- joice in his memory. He died Oct. 13, 1888.
AARON WATSON. ELDER, 1851-1861.
AARON DAVENPORT. ELDER, 1859-1862.
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John M. Daniels, a good man, a mechanic, honest and true but of less impressive characteristics. He lived corner of Race and Prospect streets.
These three comprised the first board of elders. In 1850 John Fisher was chosen to the Eldership-merchant, located between Broad and Race streets on Turtle street, on the West side of the street about where John Martin's store is now (216 State street). A good business man, excellent church man, carried his religion into his business and practiced business methods in church matters. We respect his memory.
Also in 1850 Charles Peck, father of our Brother A. R. Peck. Faithful and honest, true and modest; a good mechanic and farmer. A specimen of his architectural skill is evidenced by our first beautiful spire which was built by himself, and Elder R. P. Crane. (See pages 36 and 105.)
Dr. S. Pearl Lathrop was added to the Eldership in 1851. Professor in Beloit College. His presence in church and session gave us great encouragement and con- fidence. A grand young man -- strong in faith and vigorous in mind. But God took him soon from us, having for him a higher mission. Mrs. Lathrop still lives with her daughter, Mrs. Wm. H. Wheeler, in Chi- cago.
Also in 1851, Deacon Jos. Wadsworth was added to the Eldership; 1851-1870. A faith- ful old christian, eloquent in prayer. He was on very famil- iar terms with his God. The history of our prayer meeting would be very incomplete with- out mention of his part in it.
Aaron Watson also exalted to Eldership in 1851, served 1851- 1861. One of the best men on earth. God's faithful servant. We all respected, honored and BENJAMIN BROWN. 1803-1890. ELDER, 1855-1861. loved Deacon Watson. Five sons and three daughters. Mr. E. S. Watson of this city is the youngest son, and Mrs. Rev. S. P. Wilder of Delavan, Wis., second daughter.
With Deacon Watson we will for convenience and to save time classify Elder Harvey Graves, 1856, and Aaron Davenport, 1859. Kindred spirits, and physically alike; tall, slender, bent by years and toil, all farmers, intellectual, grand men, the impress of whose lives will long live in this church, and the remembrance of whom is a benediction. God's own roy- alty. We exult in their memory.
(Mr. Aaron Davenport was born in Williamstown, Vt. Oct. 24th, 1806, and died May 20th, 1888, at Racine, Wis. Mrs. Harriet E. Davenport was
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born at West Lebanon, N. H., March 17th, 1809, and died at Racine, Wis. Jan. 27th, 1886. They came to Beloit from Milan, Ohio in 1856. )
Augustine J. Battin, 1852-1861 Deacon Battin. Impulsive, imperative, frank, jovial, happy old friend, "grand old gentleman," stamped on every feature and action. (See page 47. )
And his twin spirit, Benjamin Brown, 1855-1861. Were ever two more congenial souls joined in church work and council- such personalities, in size, form and digni- fied bearing, stately, magnificent men. God's stamp of royalty on him. Note them walk the street, arm in arm, a pair of jolly jokers with all their dignity. When joined by their pastor and warm personal friend, Rev. Alfred Eddy, the trio is complete, a sight to banish despondency. (See page 78.)
Of Mr. Brown personally we desire to say that his liberality was commendable. In business he was methodical and accurate, ELDER E. S. PADGETT. DIED 1867. often to such an extent as to render him un popular with some; but we know of his benefactions somewhat. They were made with such heartiness that they carried a double blessing with them. He was church treasurer two years, 1850, 1851, and may properly be called the builder of our first church.
Benjamin Young, 1861. E. S. Padgett, 1865. Twins again. Gen- tlemen in fact, courtly in bearing, saintly in their lives-mentioned by one as the " beloved disciples," and we now think of them leaning on Jesus' bosom and asking ques- tions so confidingly, and with the two we would also class our hon- ored Elder Otis Manchester, 1865. The pure-hearted, sincere, modest, saintly friend and brother. All of them careful business men, mer- chants here, saints in the presence of God.
And what shall we more say ? For the time would fail us to tell of Elders Woodward, Humphrey, Ho- bart, Baldwin, Adams, Cochran, Collins, Crane and Harvey, who through faith subdued kingdom (of error), wrought righteousness, even obtained promises, out of ELDER WILLIAM COCHRAN. SERVED 1860-1869. weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight that they might obtain a better resurrection. Happy are we at this jubilee season for the vital connection joining us with this glori-
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fied band. Like the strong cable that connects the ship and priceless cargo with the anchor safely cast, our fathers, Elders A. P. Waterman, and Dr. E. N. Clark, are still with us. And we would here publicly honor these grand men who, at this time, seemingly have come down to us from a former generation. We exult in you, our fathers; no word of calumny assails your clean records. Respected, beloved by all who know you; for- give us if we ever seemingly or in fact fail to render the honor so richly your due. We do prize your wise and safe counsels, wayward tho' we some- times seem. All honor to our living Senior Elders.
We would also here mention our other father not actively associated with us at this time, past Elder Rufus Clark, at this present time lingering between our church here and the new Jerusalem, the perfect church on high (died April 11th, 1899); and David Merrill (David the sweet musi- cian), the only living original member of our society, and one of the re- maining charter members of our church, present to·night. We honor you our beloved fathers.
We would pause for a moment here to honor the memory of our be- loved brothers recently removed from us.
In minutes of Session under date of Oct 21, 1889 appears the following :
" With humble submis- sion to the dispensation of God's holy providence, the Session records the death of one of its mem- bers, Elder Fred Messer, ELDER FRED. MESSER. 1882-1889. D. OCT. 4. who departed this life on Friday, the 4th inst., in the 40th year of his age. We feel constrained to record his marked integ- rity and consistency in church labors, permeated throughout with courage- ous faith rare in one so young."
Fred. Messer, born in our midst, the busy man, day and night he worked to advance the interests of the Beloit Iron Works, at the head of which he stood, and still the records witness his faithfulness to his church.
Though his arduous labors were wearing his life out-always faithful, true and loyal. We honor thy memory.
Similar resolutions were spread on record under date of July 5, 1896, relative to the decease of our dearly beloved brother Dr. Albert Thompson, which occurred June 30, 1896. True, constant, conscientious christian. Always ready with hopeful, cheering words in time of discouragement and
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despondency; ready to strengthen the weak or warn the erring. Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord. "Sorrow en- dureth for the night, but joy cometh in the morning." His words the last night of intense physical suffering. But his spirit was exultant. Oh, glo- rious man, we love your memory.
Sunday, October 22nd, 1898, the last Sessional record is made by our revered brother, Elder John A. Holmes, our wise counsellor-he was taken to his heavenly home. His faithful work as clerk of Session and church, since July 12th, 1879, is shown by over 175 pages of record, carefully kept. He was our legal adviser in church matters always keeping us in "order." We respect his memory.
" Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God."
JOHN E. HOUSTON.
Supplementary Paper on the Eldership.
S. Pearl· Lathrop, the son of a hard working farmer, was born in Shel- bourne, Vermont, Sept. 20, 1816; re- ceived the degree of M. D. in 1843; became professor of chemistry and natural science in Beloit College, 1849, and of the same department at the University of Wisconsin in the Spring of 1854, and died of typhoid fever on Christmas day of that year at Madison, Wis. Beginning practice as a physician, he soon found that his special natural gifts were those of a teacher. His own college, Middle- bury, Vt., called him to fill for awhile the place left vacant by the death of the distinguished professor, Charles B. PROF. S. PEARL LATHROP, M. D. Adams. He also served on the geo- logical survey of his state and then for several years was principal of the Female Seminary at Middlebury, Vt.
Coming to the village of Beloit in 1849, he and his wife, Martha H., joined our Presbyterian church April 6, 1850. He was elected Elder for one year January 6th, 1851, and on January 5th, 1852, was re-elected for three years more.
In Beloit College he was both teacher of natural science and at the same time head of the Normal department. During the last two years of his life he was also associate editor of the Wisconsin and Iowa Farmer, and at the time of his death was President of the Rock County Agricultural So- ciety. His valuable collections of minerals and plants are in the cabinet of Beloit College.
From earliest childhood Mr. Lathrop had been taught by his parents
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industry, sound morality and pure religion, and his life bore corresponding fruit.
To Rev. Mr. Eddy and the many friends in Beloit he was a brother, greatly beloved, and during his short five weeks' illness the fervent prayers of this church were offered for him, almost without ceasing.
In a letter to Mrs. L. dated Dec. 11th, 1854, Dr. Eddy describes how fervently at the church prayer meeting in their upper room Dr. Asahel Clark, Deacon Taylor, Benj. Brown, John Fisher and others prayed for the recovery of Brother Lathrop as one endeared to them, and added : "Tell him that we all love him and shall not cease to pray for him."
Rev. Alfred Eddy preached his funeral sermon at Madison Dec. 27th, 1854, but the remains were brought to Beloit and buried here. The funeral sermon then given by Prest. A. L. Chapin was published in the Wisconsin Farmer for February, 1855.
Besides his wife he left three children, Nellie and John, who have since died, and Mary, Mrs. Wm. H. Wheeler, of 296, 66th Place, South Chicago, with whom Mrs. Lathrop now makes her home.
Albert Thompson, M. D., was born at Alden, N. Y., May 11th, 1840, and united with the Pres- byterian church of Law- rence, Il1., July 3d, 1858. He was an Elder and the Clerk of Session in that church from Dec. 1862, until May, 1886, when he graduated from Bennett Medical College and took permanent residence at Beloit, Wisconsin.
June 5th, 1861, he mar- ried Miss Lydia A. Dut- ton. In the First Pres- byterian church of Beloit, where his family are yet members, he served as Elder from 1890 until his death, June 30th, 1896.
His oldest daughter, Nora, Mrs. Marcus E. Hoard, died February 18, ELDER ALBERT THOMPSON, M. D. 1897. Besides his wife, one of our active missionary workers, he has left us three sons and a daughter, L. Waldo, recently our S. S. Supt., now church treasurer and a member of Session; Elmer, Ira F., a medical student, and Miss Fannie Elida, the alto member of our quartette, church choir.
John Anderson Holmes was the great grandson of Elder Abraham Holmes, who came from N. Ireland to Londonderry, Rockingham county. New Hampshire, in 1719, and was born at that place March 9th, 1819. He
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ELDER JOHN A. HOLMES
received his education at Blan- chard Academy, Pembroke, N. H., and during youth practiced farming and surveying. In 1844. he married Miss Deborah Rolfe of the town of Concord, N. H., lived at Fisherville in that town from 1861, to 1874 and then moved to Beloit, Wis. With his wife he was received into our church Jan. 2d, 1875. He became a member of the Session in 1878, its clerk in 1879, and continued in that office until his death here Nov. 9th, 1898. He was also for seven years treasurer of this church.
His wife having died April 6th, 1882, and childless, he married in Feb. 1883, Miss Clara E. Sleeper of Boston, Mass. She also died at Beloit (Jan. 3d, 1896) leaving him three child- ren, Sarah, John and George.
In 1854 Mr. Holmes was one of the supervisors of Londonderry, and in 1855 tax collector there. At Fisherville, where he conducted a hardware business and built a block of stores, he was alderman and assessor and, from 1872 to 1873, was a member of the N H. House of Representatives. Coming to Beloit in 1874 he was soon made city and deputy county sur- veyor. His work in that direction, as well as in the many other forms of his service to society, was noticeable for accuracy and reliability. He was frequently called on to administer estates and be the guardian of children (twenty-four in all) and towards the end of his life wrote, "I am not con- scious that I have ever defrauded any one or lost a dollar belonging to others."
On the organization of the Beloit Savings Bank in 1881 Mr. Holmes was made its secretary and treasurer and himself provided the desk which con- stituted its first office furniture and is still preserved. In times of business depression his thorough, well-known honesty proved a solid bulwark for that institution, which he served eleven years, and where now the amount of deposits has reached the sum of about one and a half million dollars. Deposits now are $431,000.
John A. Holmes was an honest man, a modest, faithful Christian, and during all his life a very useful citizen. After only two days illness, in his eightieth year, he quietly and peacefully passed away.
Wm. H. Beach, who left our Session on his removal to Milwaukee in 1894, was born in Seneca Falls, Seneca County, N. Y. Oct. 8th, 1835, and educated at that town and at Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., class of 1860. He was principal of the High School at Dubuque, Iowa from 1867 to 1875, when he came to Beloit, Sept. 1st, and occupied the same position
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here for nine years. From 1884 to 1891 he was principal of the High School and superintendent of schools for the city of Madison, Wis., and in the latter year became head of the department of history and civics at the High School in Milwaukee, Wis. This position he still occupies in the East Side High School of which, for several different periods, he has been the acting principal. He was first elected an Elder in 1866 by the Presby- terian church at Seneca Falls, N. Y. Dec. 26th, 1867, he married Miss Sarah M. Peterson of Canoga, N. Y. He has served as Elder of the First Presbyterian church of Dubuque, Iowa, 1868-1872, and the Second church of that city 1872-1877; the First Presbyterian church of Beloit, Wis., 1877- 1884, Madison, Wis., 1884-1892, and this church again, 1892-1894. He was elected an Elder at Calvary church, Milwaukee, 1895, but declined and in 1898 was made an Elder of Immanuel Presbyterian, Milwaukee, his present church home. In 1879 he was president of the Wis. Teachers' Association.
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