The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 93

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Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082

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Knights of Honor .- Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 881, Knights of Honor, was organized October 9, 1876, by Deputy Supreme Dictator Tuples. The charter members were, IIenry But- terfield, Elihu Colman, W. N. Coleman, William D. Conklin, C. Chadbourne, E. D. Curtis, Dr. G. M. Dixon, Dr. A. II. Dorris, W. S. Finley, Dr. E. C. Gray, J. H. Hauser, Frank B. Hoskins, John Ileath, II. M. Kutchin, George W. Lusk, M. D. Moore, J. C. Perry, Alexander Stewart, Thomas J. Vaughn, J. A. Watrous, D. B. Wyatt, Rev. O. J. Cowles, Edward Colman, John K. Ross, C. K. Pier, Henry Shattuck and G. A. Knapp.

The first election, held at the time above mentioned, resulted in choosing the following officers : Past Dictator, J. H. Hauser ; Dictator, M. D. Mcore; Vice Dictator, George W. Lusk ; Assistant Dictator, Alexander Stewart ; Guide, Thomas J. Vaughn ; Reporter, John

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

Heath ; Financial Reporter, W. S. Finley ; Treasurer, J. C. Perry ; Guardian, Henry Butter- field ; Sentinel, W. N. Coleman ; Trustees, W. D. Conklin, George W. Lusk and A. H. Dorris.

The Order of Knights of Honor is a secret benevolent society, composed of a Supreme, Grand and Subordinate Lodges. It was established in June, 1873, by persons who felt that the various systems of relief to the families of deceased members, as adopted by other orders, were deficient in important respects, and who believed that an order established with the pur- pose of paying a death benefit as one of its main objects, would meet with approval and success.

The objects of the Order are stated briefly by the Supreme Lodge, as follows: 1st. To unite fraternally all acceptable white men of every profession, business or occupation. 2d. To give all moral and material aid in its power to members of the Order, by holding moral, instructive and scientific lectures, by encouraging each other in business, and by assisting one another to obtain employment. 3d. To establish a benefit fund, from which a sum not exceed- ing $2,000 shall be paid at the death of a member, to his family, or to be disposed of as he may direct. 4th. To establish a fund for the relief of siek or distressed members. Subordinate lodges are composed of members of good social and moral standing, who are admitted upon petition, by ballot, after passing a favorable medical examination. The petitioner must be a white, male person, between the ages of twenty-one and fifty-five.

The first meetings were held in the Knights of Pythias IIall, in Darling's Block, and were, continued there until June, 1878, when the Lodge rented a hall in the third floor of G. Kuenne's Block, which was dedicated publicly. The meetings are now held therein on the first and third Monday evenings of each month. This hall is handsomely furnished, and the Lodge, which numbers fifty-five members, has a large surplus in its treasury.

Its Dictators have been M. D. Moore, Elihu Colman, two terms ; Alexander Stewart, two terms ; C. Chadbourne and George W. Carter. Elections oeeur once in three months.

Economical Lodge, No. 2,021, K. of H .- This Lodge, the second in the city, was organized January 13, 1880, by Grand Dictator John HI. Hauser, of Fond du Lac, with the following charter members: A. G. Breitenstein, S. S. Bowers, Noel Bengley, N. B. Barker, B. Buch- holz, Ferd. Blankenburg, J. W. Marsh, C. E. Huber, W. B. McLean, W. D. Fuhrman, J. C. Fuhrman, A. J. Alley, D. C. Lang, J. H. Lang, Charles Hartman, W. B. Rae, S. W. Scher- merhorn, J. II. McNeel, Jacob Frank, Robert Powerie, F. A. Jones, Charles Youmans, C. N. Galland, Frank Wallace, George B. Koerner and Charles Schuler. The first election of officers was held on the same evening, and resulted as follows : Dictator, S. S. Bowers; Past Dictator, J. II. MeNeel ; Vice Dictator, J. W. Marsh ; Assistant Dictator, A. G. Breitenstein ; Reporter, WV. B. Rac; Financial Reporter, Noel Bengley ; Treasurer, B. Buchholz ; Guide, S. W. Schermerhorn ; Guardian, Ferd. Blankenburg; Sentinel, W. D. Fuhrman : Chaplain, N. B. Barker. This Lodge meets every two weeks in Knights of Ilonor Hall, in Kuenne's Block, on Tuesday evenings.

Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 55, A. O. U. W .- Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 55, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was instituted by Dr. W. A. Gordon, of Oshkosh, Deputy Grand Master Workman, February 4, 1879, with the following charter members : Elihu Colman, George W. Carter, D. P. Frame, E. B. Beeson, George MI. Pier, A. Lindow, B. F. De Voe. Dorlon Mihills, W. J. Austin, George C. Aldrich, E. F. Ford, F. M. Givens, J. H. Hauser. Robert A. Wilson, James A. Spence, G. L. Benjamin, A. II. Richardson, J. A. Markle, H. G. Hanson, C. K. Carter, George W. Yancy, I. L. Hunt, G. D. Danks, S. L. Brasted, George H. Patty, Charles Wilson. G. S. Cryne, Theodore Treleven, F. J. Rose, R. F. Sexmith, F. A. Brasted, A. G. Coffman, II. M. Kutchin and D. G. Allen. The first officers were : Past Master Workman, Elihu Colman ; Master Workman, George W. Carter, General Foreman, D). P. Frame; Recorder, F. M. Givens; Financier. E. F. Ford; Receiver, E. B. Beeson ; Guide. G. M. Pier ; Inside Watchman, W. J. Austin : Outside Watchman, Dorlon Mihills; Medical Examiner, E. B. Beeson.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

The purpose of the organization is to secure benefits to its members during sickness, and $2,000 to the heirs of any member in case of death. The fees for membership, which are $5 for the first degree, and $2 each for the two following degrees, remain in the treasury of the Lodge to be expended for charitable purposes. The beneficiary fund of $2,000 is paid to the heirs of the deceased immediately after death, the Lodge furnishing its own proof. The organ- ization now contains forty-two members, who meet in Knights of Protection Hall, in Keunne's Block, on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Royal Arcanum .- The " Royal Arcanum" is an offshoot of the " Knights of Honor." The objects and aims are substantially the same. It was organized in Massachusetts, in 1877. by men prominent in the Knights of Honor, and has since spread over all the Northern States. It does not take in the Southern States, or any regions liable to epidemics. It is a secret order, its objects being social and beneficent. The Order gives to the widow or heirs of every leceased member the sum of $3,000.

A Council was organized in Fond du Lac, December 7, 1878, with George P. Lee as Regent, and forty-three charter members. The Council holds its sessions, twice each month, in Knights of Honor Hall, in Kenne's Block, and is in a very prosperous condition, having fifty-five members.

The following is a list of the charter members : Elihu Colman, J. II. Hauser, A. H. Dorris, J. L. Thwing, A. L. Moore, D. B. Curtis, Benjamin Wild, L. A. Bishop, George P. Lee, W. W. Wild, G. N. Mihills, John Heath, C. W. Scaver, A. De Land, H. Altpass, C. P. Congden, M. L. Norman, D. C. Lang, J. H. Lang, H. R. Allen, W. F. Kent, W. D. Conklin, J. C. Waterbury, M. Hobbs, Newell Nightingale, Dorlon Mihills, George M. Pier, S. G. Leland. S. R. Emerson, C. Chadbourne, P. B. Ilaber, Alexander Stewart, C. W. Flower, George W. Carter, James T. Greene. U. D. Mihills, H. B. Lange, B. B. Spencer, Ed. Lange, E. H. Jones. J. B. Wade, George Patty, J. G. Smith.

The present officers are : Elihu Colman, R .; J. T. Greene, V. R .; George P. Lee, P. R .; II. R. Allen, C .; C. Chadbourne, Sec .; S. G. Leland, C .; W. F. Kent. T .; A. D. Parker, G .; M. L. Norman, Chap .; George M. Pier, W .; C. W. Mihills, S .; George P. Lee, Benjamin Wild and C. K. Pier, Trustees.

Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, Knights of Pythias .- This Lodge was instituted September 17. 1875, with the following charter members : Jesse Beckley, Charles Marks, C. L. Alling, John C. Bishop, C. W. Barnes, Richard Murphy, Charles H. Hawes, H. Clay Wills, John W. Dillon, Edward F. Riem. It meets every Friday night at Castle Hall, in Darling's Block, corner of First and Main streets. The object of this Lodge is friendship, charity and benevolence. There is connected with it a "section of the K. P. Endowment Rank, No. 41," the object of which is to afford members of the Order a safe and reliable life insurance at a very small cost. The insurance is divided into two classes of $1,000 and $2,000 respectively, and any member passing the required examination may enter one or both classes and be assessed in each class as deaths occur. The section now numbers thirty-eight members, with a total insurance of $96,000. The officers of this section are: Byron Town, President : E. F. Riem, Vice President ; C. HI. Hawes, Secretary and Treasurer. The total membership of this Lodge is ninety-three ; the Order is in a prosperous condition, and is growing rapidly. The Grand Chancellor of the State, Howard M. Kutchin, resides at Fond du Lac, and is a member of this lodge. The officers, since the organization of this Lodge, are as follows : For the term commencing September 17, 1875, Jesse Beckley, P. C .; Charles Marks, C. C. ; C. L. Alling, V. C. ; J. C. Bishop, P. ; Edward F. Riem, M. A. ; John Dillon, M. F. ; C. W. Barnes, M. E. ; C. H. Hawes, K. of R. and S. ; 11. C. Wills, I. G. : R. Murphy, O. G. For the term beginning January 1, 1876 : Charles Marks, P. C .; C. L. Alling, C. C. ; H. M. Kutehin, V. C. ; N. S. Gilson, P. ; F. B. Hoskins, K. of R. and S. ; J. A. Merryman, M. F. ; D. Y. Sabin, M. E. ; W. H. Tousley, M. A. These officers were re-elected July 1, 1876.

January 1, 1877-C. L. Alling, P. C .; John C. Bishop, C. C .; N. S. Gilson, V. C ; C. A. Galloway, P. ; George L. Arnold, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Ilenry, M. F. ; J. C. Wedge,

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

M. E. ; Edward F. Riem, M. A. July 1, 1877, these officers were re-elected. January 1, 1878 -N. S. Gilson, P. C .; C. A. Galloway, C. C .; J. A. Merryman, V. C. ; Thomas Bryant, P. ; C. J. Hunter, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; C. H. Hawes, M. A. ; George W. Church, I. G. ; William Reynolds, O. G. July 1, 1878-C. A. Galloway, P. C. ; J. A. Merryman, C. C .; Thomas Bryant, V. C. ; Edward F. Riem, P .; George H. Lusk, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; C. H. Hawes, M. A. ; C. W. Church. Jr., I. G. ; William Reynolds, O. G. January 1, 1879-J. A. Merryman, P. C. : Edward F. Riem, C. C .; H. C. Wills, V. C. ; C. H. Hawes, P .; Joseph D. Radford, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; Edward Kent, M. A. ; R. Wilkins, I. G .: W. Reynolds, O. G. July 1, 1879-E. F. Riem, P. C .; H. C. Wills, C. C .; C. D. Otis, V. C. : E. C. Gray, P. ; J. D. Radford, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; Edward Kent, M. A .; R. Wilkins, I. G .; P. G. Dick, O. G.

Excelsior Temple of Honor, No. 8 .- Wisconsin is famous for the great number and infin- ence of her temples and Templars, and Excelsior Temple, No. 8, of Fond du Lac, being the father of this branch of temperance work, has a good claim to an elaborate history. This brief sketch was furnished for this work by one of the charter members, and but mildly describes the immense work done by the Temple, and the beneficial results of its endeavors to spread the Order into other localities and States. Excelsior Temple of Honor. No. 8, was organized on the 14th of January, 1873, with about twenty charter members. During its first year it lost more mem- bers than it gained, but, late in February, 1874, it commenced to grow. This was after the members had decided to ignore the counsel and instruction of an old-fogy element. During that year nearly two hundred were initiated. The number of the Temple, "No. 8," would indicate that there were seven other temples in the State, but there were not. At the time Excelsior commenced work (in 1874) there was but one other temple in Wisconsin, and it was doing little or nothing ; so it may be said that Excelsior was the only live Temple in the State at that time. The good work of the Temple in reforming men-not initiating boys and girls-during the year 1874, attracted the attention of the press, pulpit and people. The first call for the Order, after its establishment in Fond du Lac, came from Oshkosh, when forty of the members went over and organized No. 9. A few weeks later, an equal number, with many from Oshkosh, took the Order to Appleton. The first regular session of the re-organized Grand Temple, met in Fond du Lae in June, 1875, when Dr. W. A. Gordon, of Oshkosh, was chosen Grand Worthy Templar, J. A. Watrons, of Fond du Lac, Grand Worthy Vice Templar, and August Lindow, of Fond du Lac. Grand Worthy Recorder. In September, 1875, Dr. Gordon resigned, and J. A. Watrous succeeded him, and has held the office ever since, having been unanimously re-elected on four occasions. When he came into office there were twelve temples, nine of which he had assisted in organizing. Now there are 225 temples in Wisconsin, and new ones are being added every month. Among the members are thousands of as good and prominent men as the State affords. The Order was introduced to Nebraska and Minnesota, through the Wisconsin Chief Templar, and there are now in Nebraska about fifty temples. There are hundreds of men in Fond du Lae, who have been educated to lives of sobriety through Excelsior Temple of Honor. It may be said that the Order, as it exists in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota, sprang from Excel- sior Temple. The following-named persons have been Worthy Chief Templars of this lodge : August Lindow, H. Clay Wills, J. A. Watrous, two terms ; W. H. Bowe, George M. Benedict, Alexander White, two terms ; D. B. Bailey, Charles M. Green, three terms : Reuben Wilkins and Joseph Crippen. The meetings of the Temple are held every Tuesday evening in Sewell's Block, next to the First National Bank, and are well attended.

The Druids .- The Fond du Lac Division of the Order of Druids was organized April 18, 1875, with the following charter members: Henry Stoldt, F. Kromme, Fred Weyer, Nick Jacoby, H. Abel, P. Breister, F. Abel, George Zacher}, John Steltzer, William Bischoff, Henry Hartman and J. W. Gerhardt. The object of the Order is benevolence. At the death of any member the heirs receive $800, and during sickness $5 per week. Meetings are held every Thursday evening in Bischoff's building. The officers are: N. A., Henry Stoldt ; V. A.,

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HISTORY OF -FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

George Zacherl ; Secretary, Zettler; Treasurer, F. Kromme; Conductor, F. Weyer; I. G., F. Abel; O. G., P. Briester. This organization consists of twenty-six members.

Fond du Lac Lodge, No 410, I. O. G. T .- This lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was instituted January 21, 1878, with the following charter members: W. H. Brown, Grace Chesbro, C. A. Morrison, Miss M. T. Reed, Frankie Shannon, Jesse Beckley, Emma F. Dalhem. Mrs. S. R. Mathews, Nellie Roblee, May Stewart, Sarah Bryant, Linda Hibbard, Mrs. T. W. Martin, W. J. Stewart, Ida E. Van Norder, Laura Bryant, Edwin Lange, Mary Martin, Sarah Stewart, J. A. Watrous, Alice M. Blodgett, M. C. Martin, Mary Palmer, Emma Stewart, Miss J. Ward, Ida M. Blodgett, Nathan Main, J. W. Reynolds, S. C. Sayles, Emma Ward, Lillie Bryant, Mrs. J. L. Main, Ella Raymond, John Shannon, G. W. Yancy, H. J. Stewart. The first officers were: W. C. T., W. H. Brown; W. V. T., Miss J. Ward ; W. C., N. Main : W. R. S., G. W. Yancy ; W. T., Laura Bryant; W. M., J. W. Reynolds ; P. W. C. T., W. J. Stewart. The present membership numbers seventy-seven, with the following officers : W. C. T., N. Main ; W. V. T., Jennie Gould; W. C., J. W. Aldrich ; W. R. S .. J. S. Lake; W. T., Mrs. S. Morrison ; W. M., Charles Gould. Meetings are held once each week.

CHURCHES.

There are eighteen church edifices in the city of Fond du Lac, and three buildings either owned or rented for missions. They are all singularly prosperous, with perhaps two excep- tions, and pushing their work with vigor.

Division Street M. E. Church .- The strongest of the many Methodist Episcopal organi- zations in Fond du Lac County is the Division Street Church, in the city of Fond du Lac. It. claims for itself, and has good evidence in proof, to be the very foundation, the pioneer of all religious organizations in Fond du Lac. The first sermon ever preached in the city was at the house of Dr. Mason C. Darling, a log structure, located where Darling's Block now stands, on the 17th of November, 1839, by Rev. Jesse Halsted, now of Rockford, Ill. The whole county then did not contain 300 people. After 1839, there were no regular services until 1843, when Rev. II. S. Brunson was appointed to take charge of the " Fond du Lac Circuit," then including a vast amount of sparsely settled territory ; but exhorters and itinerant ministers had preached and held services at different private houses, so the few Methodists who composed the first church felt that they had maintained a very profitable though inexpensive organization. Rev. Brunson immediately formed a class, as it was termed, composed of Charles Olmsted and Sarah B., his wife : D. C. Brooks and Eliza Ann, his wife ; Norman Pier and Sarah, his wife ; Mrs. Parsons (mother of Frank and Henry Parsons), and Francis McCarty. All of these. except Norman Pier and Mr. MeCartey, are still living. The meeting which resulted in forming this class was held in the house owned and occupied by Edward Pier, situated where HI. R. Skinner now owns a house, two miles south of the city. Services were held regularly after the class was formed, in private houses, until the erection of a schoolhouse in 1843, on Main street, about where May's Block now stands. This schoolhouse was used for religious worship, although soon after moved to Fifth street, until it burned, December 12, 1848, when the Court Ilouse, being completed, was used for church services.

In 1844. Rev. Joseph Lewis was appointed to the Fond du Lac Circuit, and was succeeded the next year by Rev. Morgan L. Noble, who was in great demand at all weddings. In 1847. Rev. H. R. Colman, now a resident of Fond du Lac, was appointed Pastor, continuing two years. An unusual amount of work, to which was added great exposure, fastened a throat dis- ease upon Mr. Colman which compelled him to retire from the ministry, and from which he never has recovered. He made the first move toward building a church edifice, which resulted in the erection of a wooden building on the corner of Marr and Third streets. Mr. Colman's salary for these two years was $400, of which he gave one-fourth to build the new church of. which they were so much in need.

In 1849, while the church edifice was building, Rev. Henry Reqna was appointed to the " circuit," remaining one year. His successor was Rev. J. S. Prescott, who was a great worker.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

He remained two years, and succeeded in finishing the building on the corner of Marr and Third streets, and erecting another on Arndt street. The Marr Street Church was dedicated in 1852, by Bishop Ames, and the one on Arndt street by Rev. W. G. Miller. [The balance of the his- tory of Arndt Street Church will be found under the title of " Cotton Street Church."] What was called the " eireuit " was then abandoned, and Rev. Ezra Tucker " stationed " at Marr street, where he preached one year, being followed by Rev. E. S. Grumley. IIe remained, doing a good work during two years, and, in 1855, was succeeded by Rev. T. T. Kutchin. Being a man of great mental and oratorieal powers, Mr. Kutchin stirred the people and filled the church to overflowing. In 1856, Mr. Kutchin withdrew to form a Free Methodist church- Rev. Cyrus Seammon taking his place-and quite a number followed him. They soon after returned. In 1857, Rev. A. P. Allen was appointed Pastor, and remained one year. Ile was followed by Rev. H. B. Crandall, under whom the organization suffered seriously from an important church trial, which at one time threatened to divide the organization. In 1859, came the Rev. J. T. Hollister as Pastor, who remained two years.

In 1801, the Wisconsin Conference of the M. E. Church was held in this church, Bishop Baker presiding, at which Rev. W. Lattin was appointed to succeed Mr. Hollister as Pastor. In 1863, Rev. John T. Woodhead was made Pastor, and the church was in a thriving condition. The building was getting too small for the swelling congregations, and, on July 25, 1865, Spencer Hall, on Division street, was purchased, together with the site, for $5,000, and soon after dedicated and occupied. The other builling was sold to the German Evangelical Breth- ren, and is now owned and occupied by them on the old site. The Arndt street organization came back to the parent church in 1860, helped purchase Spencer Hall. and, in 1866, under Mr. Woodhead and his successor, Rev. O. J. Cowles, began to rebuild it; but later that year, they returned again to Arndt street, about fifty strong, weakening the old church society. In the spring of 1866, Spencer Hall was raised; a tower erected, and a commodious and airy basement built under it. The new building, which is II0x55 feet, with the auditorium of the larg- est capacity in the city, was dedicated by T. M Eddy, D. D., of Chicago, May 5, 1867. Its total cost at that time, including site, was $20,000. Although of wood, and a modest white structure in outward appearance, the inside is light, high, comfortable and beautiful-by many pronounced one of the pleasantest churches in the State. It will comfortably seat 900 persons. The basement contains a lecture-room 50x50 feet; three large and pleasant classrooms, and a kitchen. It is completely equipped for festivals, suppers and preparing refreshments for any church entertainments.

In 1868, while Rev. H. C. Tilton was Pastor, the Free-Will Baptists formed a society, taking most of their members from the Division Street Church, as it was now called. These decimations, with hard times, checked progress, but only temporarily, as in February, 1869, a splendid bell, the finest toned and largest in the city, was hung in the tower, and money was expended for other improvements. In 1874, the orchestra was built, the auditorium was fres- coed, and stained windows put in, and in 1875, a splended pipe organ built by Johnson & Sons, and costing $3,000. was put in. Mr. Tilton remained three years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. C. Haddock, in 1871; Rev. W. W. Case, in 1873; Rev. O. J. Cowles, in 1875; Rev. S. N. Griffith, in 1877, and Rev. S. Halsey, the present Pastor, in October, 1879. During Mr. Griffith's pastorate there was some dissatisfaction in the church, because he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits-buying land and horses and putting them to use-but it was nothing serious. although diminishing the church revenues.

The organization is now strong and entirely harmonious. with about 300 members and a debt of $2.000. A Sabbath school was organized almost as early as the church itself (its first meetings being jointly with the Congregationalists), which has been successfully maintained ever since. Rev. Tracy Bingham was the first Superintendent, in 1846. James L. Thwing is the present Superintendent. The first Board of Trustees was composed of D. C. Brooks and two others, but their names are not left on record, nor recollected by the surviving members. The truth is, one member was about as much a trustee as another-all acted together for the

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

common good. The present Board of Trustees is thus constituted : M. D. Moore, Chairman ; Judge N. C. Giffin, Charles Ileth, Capt. J. H. Hauser, Dr. A. H. Dorris, Thomas W. Spence. G. W. Sexmith, Elihu Colman and A. 11. Hall.

In 1867, the Young Men's Christian Association of the Division Street M. E. Church opened a mission Sunday school, at the Grant Street Schoolhouse. It was continued by them about four years, when it was turned over to the Sunday-School Board of the church, by whom it has since been managed. The school is held every Sunday in Ingram's Hall, corner of Main and Ninth streets, and is largely attended, there being no other Sunday school in that vicinity.

Cotton Street Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1850, having some means left after finish- ing the edifice on the corner of Marr and Third streets, and as there were a number of Meth- odist people in what was then, as now, called Lower Town, a small mission house or chapel was erected on Arndt street, on the site now occupied by the residence of Mr. W. Wilkie. This building now stands across the river in the Sixth Ward, and is owned and occupied by the Pres- byterians with a mission or Sunday school. The original intention of the Marr street Meth- odists. as appears from unwritten history, was to furnish the Lower Town Methodists a place for holding class meetings and Sunday schools, rather than for regular services of a permanent organization, as Lower Town was growing very rapidly, the principal mills and factories being located in that quarter. The first action taken toward building a church edifice on Arndt street, was at a meeting of the Marr Street Church officers, held at the residence of J. J. Driggs, on the 15th day of July, 1850, and which was presided over by Rev. J. S. Prescott. It was then resolved to build a church on Arndt street, and Mr. Prescott was constituted a committee to let the contract as soon as possible, "and collect the come-atable funds and materials." The money on hand and the lumber donated enabled the building to be rapidly pushed to such a state of completion as would make it fit for occupancy. In 1852, the Trustees of the Marr Street Church had a meeting and authorized the building to be entirely finished, and at its dedi- cation, which occurred in October, 1852, under Rev. W. G. Miller, to take collections and sub- scriptions to pay for it, "provided, that it should not cost above $125 more than is now on hand." The Wisconsin Conference, in session at Marr street about the time of dedication, appointed Rev. M. Himebaugh, an earnest, hardworking Pennsylvanian, to the Arndt Street Station. He was its first Pastor, and remained one year. In 1853, Rev. W. Spell was appointed to succeed him, remaining two years. In 1855, Rev. J. C. Robbins, a great worker, took charge of the church and immediately began a revival, which resulted in liberal accessions to the society. Ile was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. T. C. Golden. who took charge just as Lower Town began to decline by reason of the business portion of the city mov- ing farther southward and the great decrease of lake commerce, consequent upon the new rail- road to Oshkosh and other points. . These changes caused many church members to remove, and made others unable to give as liberally as before, and before the end of his first year the society was not self supporting, and he resigned. What there was left of his church thereafter attended services at Marr street until 1859, when the Conference sent Rev. H. R. Colman, now of Bay View, and brother of Hon. Elihu Colman, of Colman, Carter & Kent, to revive the society. Hle preached one year, at the end of which. in 1860, the society joined with the Marr street organization, and remained with it until the fall of 1866, when, a desire being expressed for a separation and re-organization, Rev. M. D. Warner was appointed Pastor. Under his energetic administration the church membership increased to such an extent that the edifice was incapable of accommodating those who attended his services. In the spring of 1867, therefore, the old building was sold to J. S. McDonald and others, of the Presbyterian Church, being moved by them over the river, as before mentioned, and the present snug, durable and comely structure commenced. The mill men and manufacturers took unusual interest in the erection of the building, which is located on the corner of Cotton and Juneau streets, and to them the society is largely indebted for their fine edifice. It was completed in 1868, and dedicated and occupied in the same year. It is an exceedingly well-built brick structure, with tower, pleasant audi- torium above and basement below, containing lecture-room, two classrooms and a prayer-room.

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The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 93

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1082

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082