History of Wright County Minnesota, CHAPTER XXIV CHURCHES AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES-- Pages 819-825, 830, 831, 834, 835, 838-839 ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Rebecca B Frank ========================================================================= Clearwater, Silver Creek and Corinna Excerpts from : Curtiss-Wedge, Franklin. History of Wright County Minnesota. Volume II. Chicago: H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. 1915. Call Number:977.6C94h CHAPTER XXIV CHURCHES AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES Page 819 - 820 Official church records filed with the county officers begin with March 25, 1856, the first record being one concerning the Congregational Church and Society of Monticello. The second concerned the Methodist Episcopal society of Monticello and was file April 28, 1857. The names of several of the pioneer clergymen in the county appear in the early county records, several of them filling their ordination papers iwth the clerk of court in order that they might be qualified to perform marriages. In 1856 Samuel T. Creighton (Methodist), Richard Walker and E. H. Whitney appear as regularly ordained ministers. In 1857 are found he names of Samuel T. Sterritt (Methodist), Marcus Hicks (Presbyterian), John H. Hughes and Noah Lathrop. In the later fifties and early sixties appear the names of Ruben H. Weeks (Baptist), William N. Darnell (Methodist), Abiel H. Abbott (Methodist), F. B. Moulton (Free Will Baptist), Barclay Blain, William Crawford (Congregationalist), Alfred Welch (Methodist), George B. Payson, John Mens (Methodist), W. B. Dada (Congregationalist), Henry Schnitkin and David Brooks. Page 821 - 824 Methodist Episcopal Church of Clearwater. In 1855 there was no Methodist preacher stationed at Clearwater, St. Cloud, Fair Haven or Maine Prairie. Rev. Samuel T. Creighton was stationed at Monticello. In December , 1855, he held services at the home of - Dow, two miles from the present village of Clearwater. January 8and 9, 1858, Rev. S. T. Sterrett, presiding elder of the Monticello District, presided at the quarterly conference at Orino, and assigned Rev. Levi Gleason to the Clearwater charge. Rev. Gleason and Rev. Sterrett made their first visit to Clearwater on January 9, 1858, the day that the Orono conference closed. They stayed over night at the home of Eli B. King, at a place then called Neenah, some seven miles northwest of Clearwater. Later Rev. Sterrett returned to Monticello and Rev. Gleason, with headquarters at Mr. King's remained to inspire an interest in the hearts of the people. On the morning of January 23, 1858, Rev. Gleason preached at the Fremont schoohouse on the banks of the Clearwater river, about one mile and a half form Clearwater village. In the afternoon he preached in a building in Clearwater village, owned by Frank Morrison, but used as a schoolhouse. This was the first Methodist sermon preached in the village of Stillwater (Clearwater). A class was organized with James Lee as Leader. The first stewards were B. T. Lyons and Joseph Pratt. The other members were Rebecca Lee, Eliza Pratt and Lydia Lyons, who joined by letter, and Martha Pratt and William Long, who were afterward received on probation. This was known as the Fremont class of the Clearwater charge. A class was also organized at Maine Prairie in connection with this work. Mrs. Caldwell, of Maine Prairie at he log house of Daniel Spaulding, about March 6 or 7, 1858, with Presiding Elder Sterrett in the chair. May 9, of the same year, a class was organized at Neenah, with Eli B. King as leader. The Minnesota Annual Conference was held this year at St. Paul, in April and during hat session on April 15, Rev. Gleason was appointed to the Sauk Rapids and Clearwater Circuit. Aside form the work at Clearwater he preached at Maine Prairie, Fremont, Neenah, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Watab, and Winnebago Praire. The above facts are gleaned by the Rev. F. J. Bryand from the note of the Rev. Levi Gleason himself. No further historical notes are given in te church records until 1877. The pastoral record shows the following appointments: 1858-59, Levi Gleason; August, 1860- October, 1861, Barley Blain; 1861-62, S. T. Sterrett; 1862-63, T. N. Berlin; 1863-64, Levi Gleason; 1864-65, Moses S. Harriman; 1866-67, C. T. Barkuloo; 1867-69, W. W. Rork; 1869-71, Levi Gleason; 1871-72, A. H. Abbott; 1872-73, C. F Garvin (charge placed in St. Paul district); 1873-75, C. F. Garvin (charge placed in St. Cloud district); 1875-77, Noah Lathrop; 1877-79, M. B. Smith; 1879-80, J. A. Henry; 1880-83, Leland P. Smith (present church built during this pastorate); 1883-84, W. M. Wright; 1884-85, O. Burnett; 1885-86, D. S. Smith; 1886-88, E. S. Gardiner; 1888-90, D. S. Wigstead; 1890-91, John Doran; 1891-92, C. G. Valentine, supplied for seven months; 1892, W. J. Heapes (supplied a few weeks); October, 1892-93, James Thompson; 1895-97, W. H. Barkuloo (supply); 1897-99, J. W. Mower; 1899-1901, S. Fairbanks; 1901-02, F. W. Peterson; January 10, 1903 - October, 1903, J. A. Lewis; October 1903-1904, George E. Reeder' 1904-05, Jesse Underwood; 1905-07, Howard Robinson; 1907-09, J. L. Parish; 1909-11, W. G. Follensbee; 1911-13, F. A. Turner; 1913 to the present time, F. J. Bryan. The charge is now in the Litchfield district of the Northern Minnesota Conference, which was formed from the Minnesota Conference in 1894. The present church edifice was built during the pastorate of the Rev. Leland P. Smith, the contract work being done by Simon H. Marvin, who has been with the church through all these years, and these years, and has maintained a steady interest in its welfare. The church property is worth about $3,500. The Rev. L.P. Smith was appointed some years since to the post of Chaplain of the Soldiers Home at Minneapolis, where he still continues in active service. The Rev. G. G. Valentine, one of the best known pastors in Minneapolis, began his ministerial career on this charge. Rev. James Thompson, while pastor here , sought the hand of one of Clearwater's young ladies, Ethel Trafton, and they were married in 1894. Mr. Thompson passed away in February, 1905, while residing in Larrimore, North Dakota. His family removed to this town, and are among the most effective workers in the church. His children, Earle, Ethel, Grace and Helen, are a credit to their parents and to the Methodist training they have received. During the past year the church was given a thorough renovation, a new organ was purchased, the heating system rebuilt and the Board of Trustees are about to install a new lighting plant. The present pastor was appointed at the Annual Conference of 1913, when the charge was united with the Clear Lake charge. The Silver Creek appointment, which has been a part of this charge for many years, has recently been supplied from the Monticello charge. The Rev. F. J. Bryan came here from International Falls, and has served also at Long Prairie and Hawley in this conference. The present board of trustees are: S. H. Marvin John Mitchell Hamlin Lyons Claude Jones George Stokes Wm. Lee M. D. Boddy The stewards are (not including those on the trustee board): B. F. Lyons Mesdames: Peter Leme S. H. Ponsford Ethel Thompson Diantha Fish Misses Me Barrett and Marian Ponsford The Sunday school is in a prosperous condition, having gained in numbers and interest during the past year, under the superintendency of Mrs. John Mitchell. There is also a helpful Epworth League with Eula B. Bryan as president; Ethel Thompson, secretary; and Donald Kirke, treasurer. I. G. Humpries, licensed local preacher, has been doing effective work. Recently the pastor and Mr. Humphries have taken up work and have regular appointments at the McClelland school, about four miles south of the village. A class was organized there some years ago, but had lapsed. IN more recent times the point had been supplied by the Rev. Paul Winter, of the Congregational church. But lately they had given up the work, and the people had requested that the Methodist give them service. The pastor would not be able to do this as the charge is at present constituted, without the aid of the local preacher. This is one of the advantages of the Methodist system. Pages 824-825 Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Southside. This church, of much importance in the early annals of the county, was located on section 24, about tow and a half miles northwest of Annandale. Service were held at an early date in the homes the settlers, those of John and Lorenzo Doble being mentioned as often used for that purpose, and Rev. Bartley Balin, of Clearwater, sometimes preaching. Services were also held in the home of N. J. Robinson. Church was organized and service were more regularly held in a log schoolhouse eat of Pleasant Lake near the farm of Wm. Ponsford, then owned by John Townsend. In 1858, Levi Gleason, later well known throughout the state, preached some in this woods country. Mr. Gleason married that year to a daughter of Joseph Pratt, a resident of this vicinity. It is said the first Quarterly Conference meeting was held in this neighborhood by Rev. David Brooks, who was later well known among Methodist as Father Brooks. Mr. Gleason was again pastor in 1863. He was drafted and served as chaplain in the army. During the war and Indian troubles there was probably local preaching here. Rev. M. S. Harriman, living on a farm on the north banks of Pleasant lake, conducted many a service. He it was, with others, who erected "Fort Skedaddle: on the south shores of Pleasant lake as a means of protection against the Indians. In 1865 and 1866, C. T. Baruloo, of Clearwater Circuit, preached in the log schoolhouse east of Pleasant lake. W. T. Rorke was pastor in 1867. In 1868, Rev. Rorke, of Clearwater, a very able Methodist preacher, organized a church society in a log building near William Ponsford's present farm. Meetings were held there about two years, after which they wer held in the Prospect schoolhouse near John Kurz's residence until Grace church was built. In 1868, Corrinna, was made a special charge and supplied by Thaddeus S. Woodworth. M. S. Harriman was appointed in 1869 as supply, and held it for two years. Changes int eh district following this date, Corinna was not occupied except by such local preachers as lived in the vicinity. The next regular pastor was one Rev. Flint, whom the veteran, Rev. Noah Lathrop, gravely tells us was obliged to desist for want of support, or in other words, was "starved out." In 1874, M. S. Harriman was supply. In 1875-76, Noah Lathrop, pastor on the Clearwater circuit, came into the neighborhood of Corinna and preached in the little log schoolhouse on Sunday evenings, once in two weeks, after holding services at 10:30 a. m. on Maine Prairie and 3 p.m. in Fair Haven. In 1877, Corinna was in the Maine Prairie circuit, supplied by W. P. Fenlason. During the winter Grace church was started in building. Charles Dally, a pioneer settler, donated two acres of the northwest corner of section 24 for a cemetery and building site for the new church. Among the names familiarly connected with this church in early days are those of Levi Dakin, John and Lorenzo Dakin, M. S. Harriman, Ira Wingett, Charles Dally and son, Nathan, and Abram Rudolph, the latter widely known throughout the county as an ardent temperance worker, who died about 1903 at the good old age of 88 years. In later years other names became closely identified with the Grace church work -the Rudolphs, P. S., Andrew, and George, the Peter Larsens, L.H. Webster, Frank Geary, L. H. Niles, Charles Bartlett, the Wingetts, Ransoms, Me. E. Willet, Butlers, W. H. Towle, Floris Partridge. C. W. Harvey, the Fraleys, J. F. Lee and many others not recalled by the present historian. Following as pastors came A. Matson and Wm. Brown and J. N. McDonald. In 1884 and 1885 A. Ringer supplied. Later as pastors came George Kindred and W. H. Wilson, who built the church at Annandale. In 1889, the Annandale circuit was formed and Rev. Noah Lathrop appointed pastor. Grace church being in connection with it. Mr. Lathrop says that Grace church at this time had thirty in full membership and eighteen probationers. Following Mr. Lathrop came Rev. Frank Higgins, later known to the state and nation, and abroad as the "Lumber Jacks' Sky Pilot." At the close of Mr. Higgins' first hear the circuit was changed and Grace church joined with Fair Haven and Kimball. The pastors on the charge later were Rev. F. Dark, Rev. Thomas Archer, John W. Powell, all young men of excellent promise who afterward became prominent in state religious circles. In 1894 Grace church was agin joined with Annandale Rev. G. E. Pickard being pastor. Successive pastors were same as those of Annandale, viz: W. H. Barkuloo, 1897-98; Roderick Murray, 1898-1900; a. L. Fisher. 1900-02; Henry Nobbs, 1902-1904; A. C. Spencer, 1904-1905; F. W. Hill, 1905-1909; Jas. M. Burns, 1909, present time. The membership of Grace church having been greatly depleted by death and removals, the few remaining members decided to make Annandale their home church, which was done in the third year of Rev. J.M. Burns pastorate. By vote of the Quarterly Conference in 1913, it was decided to dispose of the old Grace church building, which was done by sale in 1914. Page 830-831 Methodist Episcopal Church of Silver Creek. The Methodists were presented with a church in the early days. P. A. Locke, of Lexington, Mass., made a bequest of $500 to the town of Silver Creek on condition that the town supervisors should erect a church at a cost of $1000, that the Methodists should always use it, and that the Methodist trustees should keep it repaired and insured. The bequest was accepted and church erected on section 5. The conditions were not kept and the building fell into disuse. Page 834 -835 The Zion German Methodist Episcopal Church, of Clearwater. The Clearwater Mission of the German Methodist Episcopal Church had its beginning in 1866, when Rev. G. Bower, a missionary preacher, held his first services at the home of C. A. Wiegand. He remained a year, as did likewise Rev. William Pagenhart,. And also Rev. Mr. Fedler. It was the Rev Fedler that started to collect money for a parsonage. His successor, Rev. N. Neymer, succeeded to raising sufficient funds, and in 1872 the parsonage was built in section 28, in the township of Clearwater. A congregation of some twelve or fifteen persons was gathered, among whom may be mentioned Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Weigand, Mr. and Mrs. M. Ranson, Mr. and Mrs. P Mist, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Kurtz, and H. Evens. The next pastor, the Rev. C. Trum, was the first to occupy the parsonage. His wife died there about a year later. Rev. L. Thoele was the next pastor. During his pastorate the church was erected in section 9, Corinna township. The church was dedicated July 19, 1874, the services being in charge of the presiding elder, Rev. F. Cupp. At these services one child, William Wesley Wiegand, was baptized, and one couple, Charles Able and Mrs. Scholts, were married. At the quarterly conference it was decided to call the church the German Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The building itself was 24 by 36 feet, and was erected at a cost of $1000. A good Sunday school was started with some twenty or thirty scholars, and with Henry Evens as superintendent. This Sunday school has brought about splendid results. Two of the scholars, Rev. E. Christ and Rev. P. Kunley, have become ministers of the gospel. The pastor to follow Rev. L. Thoele was Rev. G. Hiller. Then came Rev. William Trager. During his pastorate he was married and planned to move into the parsonage. But one day when he returned from visiting another appointment, he found the parsonage upside down in the road, and the smashed furniture scattered all about. A cyclone had swept over the spot. But there were willing hands and g enerous pocket books, and the house was soon up again with a new kitchen added. The next pastors were Rev. A. Kringle, Rev. J. Hepp and Rev. A. Pike. The latter was married while serving this church. Then came Rev. F. Brunkan. The next pastor was Rev. G. Fritze. During his pastorate the church was remodeled. A steeple was built, the entrance placed in the base of the steeple, and the capacity of the church increased to eighty persons. In those days the church was usually well filled. The net pastors were: Rev. C. Bublitze, Rev. William Krinke, Rev. J. G. Steffes, Rev. H. Knuff, Rev. Mr. Beerman, and Rev. William Konig. Rev. Konig was the last , as some of the members had moved away, many of the pioneers had died, and many of the younger ones had gone over to the English church. Among the prominent members of the church may be mentioned: M. Ransom, F. Teatz, Mrs. G. Fetters, J. Shyer, Sr., L. Wiegand, L. Isensee, C. Carley and others. H. A. Wiegand, from whom the editors secured the material for this article, was also an influential and useful member of the church, the parsonage being located just across from his residence. The land for this parsonage was presented by C. A. Wiegand. Both parsonage and land have now been sold. The land for the church was given by Mrs. K. Miller. The church was recently sold by the district superintendent, and is now used for a county store. It still stands on the original site. CONGREGATIONAL. Page 838 - 839 There are three Congregational churches in Wright County, located at Monticello, Clearwater and Hasty. First Congregational Chrch of Clearwater. April 20, 1859, a few people, by previous arrangement, met in Clearwater for the purpose of forming a Congregational Church. Rev. Charles Secoun, of St. Anthony, was chosen moderator, and L. B. Holman, scribe. Letters of dismissal and recommendations from evangelical churches were presented by the following persons: Abel Kent, Mrs. Abel Kent, Nahum Walker, Mrs. Mary A. Gibbs, Lyman B. Holman, Mrs. Lyman B. Holman. These letters were read and accepted by vote. Articles of faith and covenant were adopted and after a few remarks the moderator extended the right had of fellowship and declared the church regularly organized under the name of The First Congregational Church of Clearwater, Minn. IN the fall of 1859 and winter of 1860, Rev. royal Twichell, of Anoka, Minn., preached occasionally, and by him was the plan formed of building a church. The lot upon which the church stands was donated by Frank Morrison, then a resident of this place. The posts upon which the foundation were laid were given by the aged Luther Laughton. The timber for the foundation was given by W. W. Webster. Before the summer was gone the building was enclosed and temporary seats installed and services held. Before the building of the church meetings were held in a hall over the store occupied by Gibbs & Whitney, which had been fitted up for school and religious services. On May 1, 1861, the church was formally dedicated. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. A. K. Packard, of Anoka; text, James 1:18. In the fall of 1862, the Indians became troublesome and families were forced to leave their homes, especially those who were on the frontier. As Clearwater was located on the bank of the Mississippi it was considered a safe place by those beyond the "Big Woods." But even here the Indian scouts came. It was deemed advisable to fortify some place in case of an attack. As the church was the largest and, form its location, most desirable, a plank fortification was raised as high as the eaves with loop holes. Many families from beyond the village and Corinna here found a lodging place. Provisions were gathered and thing made ready, but no attack came. For months the fortifications remained. Church services were held regularly and to one not understanding the reason would have caused a smile to see the people going in one by one through the small opening left for entrance. In 1863 the project of securing a bell was set on foot and after some time a bell was bought of McNeely Bell Foundry fo $450. This bell is still heard every Sunday as well as through the week. Rev. William Crawford, from Anoka College, was the first pastor. He was called April, 1861, and severed his connection May 11, 1862. Rev. W. B. Dada came as pastor November 2, 1862, remaining five years. May 2, 1868, Rev. J. D. G. Stearns became pastor and labored for eight years. November 2, 1876, Rev. Nelson Clark became pastor and served for one year. May 5,1878, Rev. P. S. Smith was called and remained until July 11, 1881. August 11, 1881, Rev. O. P. Champlin was called and remained two years. May 1, 1884, Rev. G. W. Sargent was called and served until 1890. Since then the following reverend gentlemen have served: U. G. Rich, June, 1890-1891 Sidney Stone, September, 1891, September 1892 E. A. Woods, October, 1892,-1893 E. E. Day (student), June, 1894, for three months G. E. Middleton, September, 1894, for six months J. L. Jones, June 1895-1898 E. E. Day (student), June 1898, for three months A. E. Barnes, October 1898, May 1900 R. Watt, August, 1901, September 1902 A. Davies, September, 1902 June, 1904 C. M. Stevens, October , 1904, October, 1905 Horatio C. Payne, January, 1906, August, 1907 Paul Winter, October, 1908, October 1914 George M. Griffiths, January, 1915, to the present time. A parsonage was purchased June 26, 1879. (By Mrs. C. M. Finch, Church Clerk.)