The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 102

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 102

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The high-school curriculum, in addition to furnishing a thorough English education, is designed by the law as a preparatory course for the State University. Graduates passing the necessary examination are entitled at once and at all times to free tuition in all the colleges of the State University.

The following pupils gradnated on the 27th of June, 1879 : Angie Turner, Mattie Por- ter, Annie L. Loomis, Phoebe Wallace, Mary R. Southmayd, Charles M. Davis and Walter II. Waterhouse. The exercises were held at the Methodist Church, the interest manifested and the number of persons present being fully as great as on a similar occasion in 1878. The pro- gramme was as follows :

Prayer ; Music ; Salutatory, by Charles E. Davies ; Essay-" No Pains, no Gains," by Angie Turner ; Music ; Essay-" Out of the Harbor," by Annie L. Loomis ; Essay-" Haste Rhymes with Waste," by Walter H. Waterhouse ; Music ; Essay-" What the Types Tell," Mattie E. Porter ; Music ; Essay-" What Biography Teaches," by Phobe Wallace ; Essay-

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

" The Unseen Battlefield," by Mary R. Southmayd ; Music ; Essay-" The Stability of a Re- public the Intelligence of its People," by Charles M. Davies ; Valedictory-by Mattie E. Por- ter ; Music ; Conferring Diplomas ; Music.

It is a noteworthy fact that there are less changes in the staff of teachers in the Columbus schools than in those of most other cities of the State. The acknowledged wisdom of this con- dition of things is shown in the marked evenness in the attendance of pupils and their rapid progress. In 1878, the board of instructors was composed as follows : George M. Bowen, Principal ; Martha Dean, grammar school; Katie Jones, fourth intermediate; Celia Wilson, third intermediate; Anna Quickenden, second intermediate ; Belle Merriam, first intermediate ; Matie Williams, second primary ; Hattie Chamberlain, first primary. Since then the only changes made have been these: In the grammar department, Miss Martha Dean was suc- ceeded by Len. C. Mead, who, upon adopting the profession of a physician and entering Rush Medical College in Chicago, was followed in the school by Miss Kate Bailey. She resigned in April last, and William E. Ritter is now teaching. In the fourth intermediate department, Miss Katie Jones was succeeded, in 1878, by Miss Corrie Morse. Miss Hattie Chamberlain, of the first primary department, relinquished her class to Belle Pederson in 1879. Miss Pederson was soon succeeded by Miss Helen St. John.

Since the organization of the graded-school system, the Board of Education has been com- posed of the following gentlemen : The first board consisted of John Quincy Adams (Pres- ident), James T. Lewis and E. E. Chapin, with S. O. Burrington as Superintendent. The Board of 1875 was substantially the same. In July, 1876, C. L. Dering was appointed to the vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of Mr. Lewis. In 1877, Mr. Adams was made School Superintendent, D. C. Davies being appointed. to fill the vacancy in the board. Mr. Chapin was appointed as President. In July, 1878, H. A. Leuders succeeded Mr. Chapin on the board, D. C. Davies became President, and F. C. Eldred School Superintendent. In 1879, E. S. Griswold was appointed on the board in place of C. L. Dering. Mr. Davies is still acting as President ; G. M. Bowen, the Principal of the schools, was inade Superintendent, and fills that office to the present time.

Columbus Collegiate Institute .- In March, 1855, an act of incorporation was secured for the establishment in Columbus of a collegiate institute. The incorporators were J. T. Lewis, J. Q. Adams, R. W. Earll, E. P. Silsbee, Chester W. Dean, Joseph S. Manning, William C. Spencer, W. W. Drake, W. A. Niles, John A. Elliott and Cyrus E. Rosenkrans. The objects of the corporation were to provide for "the education, the mental and moral discipline and instruction in literature, sciences and arts of youth of both sexes." It was provided that "no political or religious opinion shall be required as a qualification of membership, and no student shall be required to attend worship with any particular denomination."

In pursuance of the act the Board of Trustees met at the Congregational Church on the 10th of April, 1855, and organized for business. The Rev. Mr. Rosenkrans was made Presi- dent of the institute, and in anticipation of securing in the near future a more substantial structure, Block 15 in West Columbus was purchased and a small building erected thereon. In the fall, a school was opened with Miss Martha Brigham (now Mrs. William Hazelton) and Miss Mary L. Pomeroy (now Mrs. Polly) as teachers, which lasted about two years. Upon the completion of the present high-school building and the failure to get sufficient subscriptions, the institute suspended, and the teachers found employment in the public schools. It is said that Columbus at one time had fair prospects of securing the institution now located at Ripon, it having been the intention of the founders of the Collegiate Institute to make it what the enter- prising citizens of Ripon have made their college.

There is now in Columbus no educational institution conducted by private enterprise, but several attempts have been made to establish schools and academies of more or less importance. In 1850, an act passed the Legislature chartering the Columbus Academy, but no action was taken under the grant. In 1854, Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans erected a building afterward occupied as a residence by M. Ingalls. It was designed to make this the basis of a seminary of some extent.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Circumstances, however, were not fortuitous, and the undertaking was sustained during a few months only. Among the teachers of this school were Miss Mary Pomeroy and Misses Mary and Martha Brigham. In 1859, the store now owned and occupied by the Dodge Brothers was built by A. G. Cook on the site where is now the calaboose; it was used as a schoolhouse for a year or more. Here taught Miss Achsah Huyck, afterward the wife of Rev. Mr. Phillips. There have been other and more recent movements toward the building-up of private institutions of learning, some of them looking toward extensive results, but they have made no progress.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

Columbus is truly " a city of churches." No city in the State has a larger number in pro- portion to population, and few of the same size has so many.

The Congregationalist and the Presbyterians .- The local relations of these denominations have been such as to make the writing of separate history of each without repetition one of the impossibilities. The original organization was perfected January 26, 1850, under the Congre- gational form of government, the Rev. A. Montgomery being chosen Chairman of the Council, and J. Q. Adams, Clerk. Letters from different churches were presented by James Campbell, Mrs. Julia Campbell, Richard Stratton, Mrs. Polly Stratton, Emily Stratton, Mrs. Asenath Stratton, Mrs. Helen S. Rosenkrans, Ellen Hagerman, Maria Hagerman and Mrs. Hay- den, which were read and these persons were constituted a church. The church became a mem- ber of the Madison District Convention within a week from the date of its organization, and R. Stratton was sent as the first delegate. In August, 1852, it was voted to change the relations of the church from the Madison District to the Fox River Presbytery, and in November follow- ing the Presbyterian form of government was adopted, three Elders of that faith being chosen. Thus matters progressed until a majority of the church members withdrew, and organized a separate Presbyterian society in 1866. On the 29th of January of that year, the remaining members of the Presbyterian Church resumed the original name and form of organization, and officers chosen to correspond with the change.

It will now be necessary to return to an account of the first temporal work of the church. The Congregational Society of Columbus having been incorporated in September, 1850, Lewis Ludington, proprietor of the original village plat of Columbus, deeded to the said society that year the land at the corner of Mill street and Broadway, upon which a house of worship was erected. The certificate of organization was signed by James Campbell and William E. Led- yard. H. S. Haskell, James Campbell and B. M. Benedict were elected Trustees at the first meeting.

The house erected at that early day was sufficiently large to meet the wants of the place at that time, but as the village grew in size and the country around became settled, better accommodations became necessary. The deficiency was provided for in 1864, when an addition of twenty feet was built to the rear of the original edifice, and other important repairs were made. The structure was being occupied in 1866, when the division occurred.

Recourse was then had to necessary legal measures, and the seceding fold at once organ- ized themselves into a separate society. A place of worship and supplies for the pulpit were secured without delay. A Sabbath school was gathered, and afternoon services were held in the Baptist Church. Among those who served as supplies were the Revs. B. G. Riley, Mr. Post and Mr. Southwart. In July, 1866, the Rev. E. F. Fish became the stated supply, and the regular sessions were resumed. In the mean time, a lot was purchased on Broadway, and materials gathered for the erection of a church edifice. The society continued to accept the favors of the Baptists until September, 1867, when their new church was finished and dedicated to the cause. The structure cost about $5,000, and holds an important place among the many handsome buildings of that character in Columbus. Mr. Fish served as Pastor for two years. After his retirement, the pulpit was supplied for a time by the Rev. Mr. Patten, the venerable Kanouse, and others. The Rev. W. A. Hendrickson commenced his labors with the church in June, 1869, and remained until 1876.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

In the mean time, the Congregationalists were "pursuing the even tenor of their way." The record of this church shows the names of the following Pastors: Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans, ten years ; the Rev. T. C. Melvin, four years ; the Rev. L. M. Gates, one year ; the Rev. A. L. P. Loomis, one year ; the Rev. E. P. Salmon, eighteen months ; the Rev. M. W. Reed, eighteen months ; the Rev. J. G. Schaeffer, nine months; the Rev. H. A. Miner, two years and four months. This brings the history of the church down to 1874, when we find a proposition from the Presbyterians, dated early in September of that year, looking toward a re-union of the two churches. The proposition is couched in becoming and Christian-like language, as follows : " The undersigned, members of the Presbyterian Church and society of Columbus, believing there are now too many separate church organizations within the limits of this city, in view whereof those who agree as to such things are essential, ought to make an effort to consolidate their organizations, and, believing that the time has come to make such effort, do cordially con- sent to the following as a basis for consolidation of the said Presbyterian with the Congregational Church of the same place : When each of said churches shall have assumed and taken the name of the Olivet Church of Columbus, and shall have formally assented to a proposition for consoli- dation with the other, the two churches shall thereupon become united and consolidated into one church, to be thenceforward known and designated as the Olivet Church of Columbus, and shall be ecclesiastically connected with the Presbyterian and Congregational General Convention of Wisconsin. It was signed on the part of the Presbyterians by the following persons : F. G. Randall, E. G. Stitt, E. D. Kanouse, Jay Jennings, D. C. Davies, Dora Davies, G. W. Hazel- ton, F. Huggins, O. Anderson, T. H: McConnell, H. D. James, Mrs. Jane Silsbee, J. F. Shad- duck, S. Hutchinson, A. S. Bath, I. G. McCafferty, Mrs. Adam McConnell, Rebecca H. Mettler, Emma J. McConnell, M. L. Hazelton, Delia L. Square, Mary C. Manning, Fannie Randall, Caroline Stitt, Mattie Stitt, Mrs. O. Anderson, Ida M. Jennings, Mrs. E. Bissell, Katie Bissell, Mrs. H. L. Rosenkrans, Mercy I. Hazelton, Harriett T. Hazelton, James H. Rosenkrans, Hellen Rosenkrans, Sarah Kanouse, H. C. Randall and A. Randall.

A similar paper was circulated and generally signed by the Congregational Church and society as follows : Alfred Topliff, J. Q. Adams, R. W. Chadbourn, E. E. Chapin, Milford Loomis, James Webster, W. A. Polley, M. L. Polley, Catherine E. Chadbourn, Sarah Ches- brough, Fannie E. Dean, Eunice Dean, Martha Dean, Grace Dean, Mrs. G. C. Butterfield, Mrs. E. B. Chapin, Mrs. M. J. Newcomb, F: W. Hart, H. Loomis, C. A. Loomis, M. Loomis, R. W. Earll, Charles H. Hall, B. F. Cooper, Theron Dodd, Mrs. L. I. Adams, S. W. Chadbourn, Mrs. S. W. Chadbourn, Lucius Randall, C. Baker, Mrs. P. B. Richmond, Mrs. C. M. Smith, Mary Benedict, Mrs. M. H. Parker, M. Smith, Mrs. J. D. Waterhouse, P. B. Richmond, L. G. Crosswell and Martha McConnell.

Resolutions were subsequently adopted by both denominations accepting the terms set forth in the basis of the proposed re-union, and on September 17, 1874, the two bodies held a joint meeting and perfected their organization by electing the following officers : For Deacons, E. G. Stitt, James Webster, J. A. Bowen, J. Q. Adams, Dr. E. D. Kanouse and Milford Loomis ; for Church Clerk, H. Loomis ; for Church Treasurer, F. G. Randall. On the 5th of October, the Olivet society was organized according to law, and the following persons elected as Trustees : E. D. Kanouse, L. Fuller, F. G. Randall, James Webster, Nelson Sawyer and E. G. Stitt.

The Congregationalists disposed of their church property to W. A. Thompson, and the old edifice is now in use as an agricultural warehouse. A lease, signed by G. W. Hazleton, E. G. Stitt, F. G. Randall, Jacob Smith, J. S. Manning and J. M. G. Price, was then drawn, setting forth that " In consideration of the premises and of one dollar to us in hand paid, the receipt of which is confessed, we do hereby let and lease to the Olivet Church society of Columbus the church edifice and premises on which the same stands, heretofore known and designated as the Presbyterian church property, located on Broadway, in the city of Columbus, county of Colum- bia, for the term of one year from the 1st day of May, 1876, necessary repairs to be made, if any are required, by the said Olivet Church society." In pursuance with the foregoing, E. G. Stitt, G. W. Hazelton, J. S. Manning, Jacob Smith and J. M. G. Price, Trustees of the

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Presbyterian Church society, made application to the court for an order to convey the Presbyterian Church property to Olivet society. To this a remonstrance was presented, signed by A. S. Eckert, C. S. McFadyen, D. J. Evans, Elizabeth Evans, Ann Evans, Frank Evans, Frank Johnson, J. E. Nelson, Mrs. O. Anderson, Mrs. L. G. McCafferty, Lurenda Drake, B. A. Car- penter, W. W. Drake and Helen Drake. Owing to the remonstrance, the court declined to issue the order applied for.

On July 15, notice was served on the Trustees of Olivet Church to the effect that the First Presbyterian Church society had by unanimous vote resumed the entire control of their church edifice and other property belonging to said Presbyterian Church society, and would exercise the same from and after that date. This notice was dated July 8, 1876, and signed by B. A. Car- penter, F. G. Randall, C. S. McFayden and W. W. Drake, Trustees. On Friday, July 21, the Olivet society was locked out of the church building, and since that date the two societies have worshiped in separate quarters. The Presbyterians continued to occupy the church whose doors had been closed against their Congregational brethren. Mr. Hendrickson was suc- ceeded by the Rev. E. P. Clisbee, who supplied the pulpit about nine months. In November, 1876, the Rev. J. B. Andrews took charge end remained one year, being succeeded by the Rev. E. Smith Barnes, who occupied the pulpit until November, 1879. Since then it has been sup- plied by E. D. Kanouse and others. The present Elders of the church are Jacob Smith, A. S. Eckert and E. D. Kanouse ; Trustees, W. W. Drake, Erastus Bowen and Messrs. Kanouse, Smith and Eckert. The membership is given at forty-two.

Olivet society (the Congregationalists) immediately proceeded to erect a church edifice. Three lots were purchased at the corner of Spring and Prairie streets, and by the 24th of December, 1876, the work had so far advanced that services were held in the basement, the present lecture-room. The entire cost was $8,800. The structure was completed early in 1877. It is a fine building-a credit to Columbus, and a substantial monument to the enterprise of its founders. The Rev. Moritz E. Eversz, the present Pastor, came to Columbus in July, 1876, a short time before the memorable division between the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians. The present officers of the church are : Trustees-Lucius Fuller, J. Q. Adams, James Webster, P. B. Richmond, Milford Loomis and D. C. Davies ; Deacons-J. Q. Adams, Milford Loomis, B. F. Cooper, James Webster, H. Loomis and P. B. Richmond. The membership is given at ninety.

The Rev. M. Rosencrans, the founder of the Congregational Church in Columbus, and the first permanent minister in the place, dicd in 1860. He came hither as a missionary, and was widely respected for his many excellencics of character. For years he was the leading spirit in educational and religious interests, and he filled the Congregational pulpit until 1858, when, his health failing, he resigned. The regard his congregation, and the people of Columbus gen- erally, had for him, was exhibited in a series of touching resolutions, adopted by them October 11, 1858, on the occasion of his resignation, as follows :

Resolved, That it is with unmingled feelings of regret we accept his decision to resign the charge of pastor over this church and society ; that by this act we have lost in him a man of great piety, a supporter of good works, a zealous laborer in llis service, a truc and faithful minister-one who has brought light out of darkness in building up this church, which, while it redounds to the glory of Him who rules and masters all, is a lasting monument to his usefulness in the village of Columbus.

Resolved, That he has our heartfelt thanks for the great good he has done in this place, and that he has the united prayer of all, that his health may soon be so improved that he may go on in the good work in the vineyard of the Lord, until a ripe old age shall close his ministerial labors.

The English Methodists .- The first Methodist meetings in the vicinity of Columbus, and doubtless in Columbia County, were held in 1845 at what is now Fountain Prairie, which was included in a circuit comprising Waterloo, Aztalan and possibly Watertown. The Revs. Gallop and Wood, the latter as assistant, were in charge. Their successors were the Revs. Jones and Martin, who were the first to preach in Columbus, mectings being held in a wagon-shop. Then came the Rev. N. S. Green, with a Mr. Randall as assistant, and they, it is said, organized the society in Columbus. Their successors were the Revs. Mr. Brown and Mr. Fancher, and the

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Revs. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Stevens. About this date, the Columbus society was separated from the other points on the circuit. Since then, the following ministers have filled the pulpit : Revs. Chester, Palmer, Ford, Drew, Grumley, Sims, Blackburn, Bosworth, Reynolds, Car- penter, Sewell, Jones, Evans and the incumbent, R. W. Bosworth, who is here for the second time. The first church edifice was built in 1858-59, and was dedicated in February of the latter year by the Rev. H. C. Tilton. It stood near the present site of the foundry, and was purchased in 1872 or 1873, and has since been converted into a hall for theatrical repre- sentations. In the Spring of 1872, work was commenced on the new church and it was completed that fall under the supervision of J. P. Miller and L. W. Chase. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. C. H. Fowler, that event taking place October 26, 1873. The cost of the building was $18,906.10. There is now a debt upon it of some $2,000. The present Trustees of the church are J. P. Miller, H. Waterhouse, J. W. Leffingwell, A. Trow- bridge, J. Whiting, D. D. Kelsey, B. Yule, E. Federly, R. P. Williams. The membership is about one hundred.

The Welsh Methodists .- In 1845, half a dozen Welsh families, just from Wales, settled in the town of Elba, in Dodge County. There, on the first Sunday after their arrival, they planted the seeds of Calvinism in the then sparsely populated wilderness, holding religious ser- vices in a wagon-box. Accessions to the little colony were made from time to time, and the Rev. Hugh Jones was among those who came in 1845. A log church was erected during the following winter, and Mr. Jones presided over the congregation until his death, in 1854. In 1866, J. J. Roberts, a young divine who had assisted . Mr. Jones since 1846, and, upon the latter's death, became his successor, took spiritual charge of a meager congregation of his Welsh brethren in Columbus. Meetings were held over the store of Uriah Davies, on Broadway. In 1868, a frame church edifice was erected, at the corner of Church and Mill streets, at a cost of $2,200, including the building lot. The Rev. Mr. Roberts has supplied the pulpit ever since the organization. He preaches, also, in Salem Church, town of Calamus, and Bethel Church, in the town of Elba, Dodge County. The present officers of the Columbus society are : Dea- cons-Benjamin Hughes, John Davies, R. R. Roberts and Uriah Davies; Trustees-R. R. Roberts, William E. Williams and William J. Edwards. There are forty-five members in the society, which is free from debt and in a prosperous condition. The collections in the three folds under Mr. Roberts' charge amount to about $600 per annum, $400 of which is applied to the salary of the minister, the remainder being about equally divided for the support of home missions and the Bible Society. It is a notable fact the Welsh Methodists frequently contribute larger sums, annually, to the support of the Bible Society than all other denominations in the State together.

German Methodists .-- In 1852, the Rev. Charles Kluckkorn came to Columbus, then a missionary point, to preach the Gospel in the German tongue, from a Methodist standpoint. He held occasional services for one year, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Schaefer, who remained about the same length of time. In 1855, the Rev. John Westerfield took charge, and during his incumbency the Columbus German Methodists were separated from their Bara- boo brethren for church purposes, and an independent society was organized. During that year, $213 was raised for ministerial support. The first Trustees of the new society were Louis Kenzel, John Miller, J. Battels, J. Fuhrman and Fr. Topp. In 1866, a church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,185.96, and in 1874, a new house of worship was erected, which cost $5,312.22. Mr. Westerfield's successors have been the Revs. Jacob Haas, Charles Buehner, R. Brueck, F. Conrad (who died here), H. Wegner, H. Eberhardt, J. Rinder, Christian Wenz, with George Achenback as assistant, F. Gotschalk, Christian Wenz again, J. Schaefer, F. Kluckkorn, brother of Charles, and E. Fitzner, the present incumbent. The value of church property, including parsonage, is given at $8,400. The Trustees are George Link, Charles Link, Christian Link, F. Wendt, John Lange, John Miller, William Thiede and Christian Moll ; Stewards-Charles Colonius, C. Moll, L. Pietzner, F. Fuhrman and E. Meyer. The member- ship is 244.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The Baptist Church .- Preliminary steps were first taken to organize a Baptist Church on the 28th of May, 1853, and at a council which convened on the 21st of September following, fourteen names were recorded, as follows; Rev. D. D. Reed, W. S. Read, Morgan Evans, Lucius Warner, Calvin Read, L. B. Read and sisters Emily Read, M. C. Read, Sarah A. Warner, M. A. White, Ann Evans, Mary Read, Caroline Read and Eliza Borden. Rev. D. D. Read was chosen Pastor at the same meeting. Covenant meetings were held in private houses and public services in a hall over Cooper's store. In March, 1863, the first steps were taken toward building a church edifice, Messrs. A. Sawyer, William Lewis, L. Warner, H. Vincent, A. B. Good- rich and H. Seffens being appointed as a building committec. The structure-an imposing brick at the corner of Broadway and Harrison streets, costing something over $4,000-was completed in the fall of 1864, and dedicated the following spring. The whole number of names on the church book is 165. Forty-two persons have been baptized since the church was organized. Of this number of baptisms the Rev. L. Bath performed twenty-five. The Pastors since the time of Mr. Drake have been the Revs. Mr. Coffin, Mr. Wade, S. Jones, L. Bath, Mr. Eldridge, J. V. Stratton, R. J. Langridge, W. A. Cain and S. Gorman. At the close of Mr. Eldridge's pas- torate, the church was supplied during a few months by the Rev. P. McLeod. During a vacancy which occurred after his departure, services were conducted by L. Bath, E. Butterfield and A. B. Goodrich. Rev. J. McDonald served the church as supply for several months. The principal Deacons have been Brethren Hoppin, Starks, A. Sawyer and Comstock ; Clerks, Brethren D. D. Reed, Starks, Seffens and M. W. Sawyer, the latter being the present Clerk. The present officers of the church and society are: Trustees-E. P. Waldo, I. Merriam, M. Starkweather, V. Irons and W. H. Myers; Deacon-M. D. Comstock ; Treasurer-M. W. Saw- yer. The membership is thirty-five.

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The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 102

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104