Full Text of "75 Years of Sully County History, 1883 - 1958", pages 67-92

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Musical Life In Onida

	The first pianist and church organist was Miss Minnie Agar, but 
unfortunately her talents were not long enjoyed, as she passed away suddenly at 
an early age. She was succeeded as organist by Miss Matie Porter. Onida was 
always proud of its choir from the very earliest days and the little village was 
fortunate in having a goodly number of musical people among the early settlers. 
The Lillibridges, Agars, Garners, Lillys, Weyands, Barbers and others brought 
Onida a great wealth of musical and dramatic talent from the East.

	As early as 1885, on December 22, to be exact, a two-act drama, entitled, 
"Among the Breakers," was presented by the Onida Dramatic Company. The cast 
included Henry Edgerton, Dr. E. J. Laughlen, Miss Lizzie Wales, C. H. Agar, C. 
W. Holmes, Joe A. Meloon, Miss Minnie Agar, Miss Elva Griffith and Mr. and Mrs. 
Frank Brigham. Piano music was furnished by Miss Agar and Mrs. Brigham between 
acts.

	Possibly no other individual had a greater influence than Professor S. W. 
Gates, who came here from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He conducted singing schools, 
directed the choir and became "Onida's Patron Saint of Music." A church choir 
was always maintained and provided entertainment at special programs on 
Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Old Settlers' Day and other occasions.

	Professor W. H. Reed organized the first band and it progressed rapidly 
under his instruction. Mr. Reed also developed the Goddard orchestra from the 
very musical family of Thomas Goddard, who moved to Onida in the late eighties. 
Bert Lilly took over the Onida band in December, 1889, with Irvin Sargent, John 
Cole, D. M. Anderson, Ed Shepherd, A. A. Faust, C. R. Garner and John Garner as 
members, and by June of the following year, Onida had the best cornet band in 
the state for size. The band boys received new uniforms in October, 1892. Onida 
also boasted a dancing club during the nineties.


[photo - Onida Church Choir. Pictured back row, left to right - Mrs. Julia 
Gropengieser, Elsie (Brooking) Brown, Victoria (Brooking) Johnson, Millie 
(Nelson) Johnson, Mark Kimmel and E. E. Brooking, Sr. Front row, left to right-
C. R. Garner, Mrs. Dean (wife of Rev. Dean), a granddaughter of Dr. Pease and 
Ethel (Jordan) Samuels, organist.


	Mrs. C. R. Garner was the church organist during the 1890's and early 
1900's. Both she and Mr. Garner presented organ and instrumental numbers which 
were enjoyed by the community.

	In 1904 the Rev. C. L. Cone organized a singing school which was held in 
the Methodist Church. Mr. Cone was an excellent musician, both vocal and 
instrumental, and a fine instructor.

	On July 26, 1911, a concert was given in the Dunlap Hall by Miss Kathryn 
Marso and Miss Murial Swanson. The young ladies had just graduated from the 
Chicago Musical College. Miss Marso played the violin and sang the vocal 
numbers, and Miss Swanson, the piano solos and readings, besides being 
accompanist.

	Another singing school was organized in 1917, with the Rev. Bullock as 
director. He was also elected president of the group; Miss Howland, vice 
president, and Albert Schriever, secretary and treasurer. In the middle and late 
twenties a well known and talented group of youthful musicians, known as Keck's 
Kornet Kids, brought fame and honor to Sully County. Th group made a trip to 
Chicago for a personal appearance, and was very much in demand for out-of-town 
entertainment, as well as in Onida. Mr. Keck also conducted an adult band for a 
number of years.

	Alice and Earl Haverly, graduates of Onida High School, provided musical 
entertainment for the community. Alice was pianist during her high school career 
and later received a degree in music at Carleton college. She taught music in 
Onida and also in Murdo, South Dakota.

	Mrs. W. B. Spears and Mrs. Earl Hardwick have both been responsible for a 
good deal of music in Onida, having been pianists for church, organizations and 
accompanied many singing groups and soloists. Mrs. Spears also gave private 
piano lessons. Others contributing their musical talents were Mrs. Grace Frahm, 
who directed and accompanied several minstrel shows, Mrs. Minnie Zimmer, Mrs. 
John Sutton, Glenn Hughes, Wendell West, Roy Teets and his two sons, "Rusty" and 
Roy, Jr.


[photo - Onida Band in 1892. Pictured, left to right, Newton Garner, Frank 
Porter, Bert Lilly, C. R. Garner, Ed Gates, Sam Lilly, Harlan Porter, Claude 
Garner, C. F. (Cal) Barber, Ed Shepherd and Charles Gates.]


[photo - Keck's Kornet Kids. A band composed of young boys, directed by M. R. 
Keck. Popular musical organization during the late 20's.]


[photo - Clarinet Quarlette in 1940. Pictured, left to right, Margaret Fern 
Spears, Cathy Spears, Marge Durrstein, and Bernice Hardwick.


	Mrs. Helen Croes Trythall taught grade school music and directed high 
school chorus groups. Her ability to teach music to children did much to 
interest many young people to participate in local music groups.

	Dorothy Lister Patterson, a native of Onida, started her musical career 
with Mrs. Will Spencer and graduated from Yankton College with a major in music. 
She continued her studies at MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis and has 
attended summer music school at Estes Park, Colorado, together with her 
daughter, Heather, who is also a talented musician. Mrs. Patterson is head of 
the music department in the Watertown city schools and also teaches piano and 
organ.

	Sylvia Adams Schenk, a graduate of Onida High School, is also an 
accomplished musician and gave much of her time and talent to musical activities 
while she lived in Onida. She studied music at Yankton College, was Grand 
Organist for Eastern Star and teaches both organ and piano. She married Floyd 
Schenk, of Yankton, South Dakota, where they presently reside. They have one 
daughter, Janet.


[photo - Sylvia (Adams) Schenk]


	Another native of Onida, recognized in the field of fine arts, is Bernice 
Hardwick Lincoln, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hardwick, who began her musical 
career at the age of six, when she was a piano pupil of Mrs. Addie Williamson 
and later of Sylvia Adams Schenk. She was pianist of the Presbyterian Church for 
many years and when she was not available her mother very capably took over. 
Bernice also excelled on the clarinet and appeared many times as soloist, in a 
clarinet quartette and girls sextette. She attended Summer High School Band 
camps during her four years at Onida High and went to the National Music Contest 
the years she was a junior and senior. In the field of dramatics she won first 
place in the State Speech Contest and participated in the High School National 
Speech Contest held at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1941. Her speech director was 
Margaret Burell. Bernice graduated from Cornell College in 1945, and was 
presented in a clarinet recital during her senior year there. Following her 
graduation she taught school in Denver and Madison, Wisconsin. She was married 
in June, 1945, to Robert S. Lincoln, of Rockford, Illinois, and they now live in 
Palo Alto, California. They have three children, David, nine; Ann, seven, and 
Barbara, who is six.


[photo - Bernice (Hardwick) Lincoln]


	Another talented musician is Virginia Fosness Cook, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. L. A. Fosness, who started her musical career at the early age of five 
under Mrs. Will Spencer. She studied piano all during her 12 years of school in 
Onida and four years in college. She was pianist for Onida High Sehool for four 
years and church pianist for three years. During college vacations she gave 
piano lessons, was piano instructor at Yankton College one summer and gave 
private lessons at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Pasadena, California. In August, 
1946, she was presented in a piano recital at the Governor's Mansion, Pierre, 
sponsored by Governor and Mrs. M. Q. Sharpe and Mr. and Mrs. N. F. Nelson. Then 
in 1948, she was presented by Yankton College in her Junior Piano Recital and 
the following year when she was a senior at the University of South Dakota, she 
presented a recital at Slagle Auditorium. She is married to Charles W. Cook, of 
Yankton, and the now live in San Diego, California. They have three children, 
Jennifer Lea, age four; William, two, and Amy Alen, six months old.

	Norma Stockstad, now Mrs. Darrell Harer, of Potter County, contributed to 
the high school musical activities and was accompanist for chorus and glee club 
groups. She was presented in a piano recital by her instructor, Mrs. Nelson, 
during her senior year in high school.

	Mrs. Maynard Knox has given generously of her musical talents since she 
was a high school student and is still accompanying local and high school 
singing groups and soloists. She was organist for Eastern Star for 15 years and 
is presently pianist at the Presbyterian Church. Her son, Parker, a junior at 
Huron Cole was pianist for Onida High School for four years and is pianist at 
church during college vacations.

	Onida can rightfully boast a goodly number of vocal soloists at the 
present time including Betty Rivenes Hyde, Mrs Helen Weischedel, Mrs. Grace 
Williams, Mrs. Joan Goosen, Mrs. Nancy Westland and Mrs. Arlene Donahue, who is 
music instructor in the Onida Public Schools.

	The most recent musicians to come to Onida are Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rom, 
who have already in the few months they have lived here, given generously of 
their musical talents to the local schools, churches and community activities. 
Mr. Rom is the Onida School's band director.


[photo - Girls' Sextette in 1941. Pictured, left to right-Bernice Hardwick, 
Cathy Spears, Mary Gross, Marge Durrstein, Jean Haverly, Eva Marie Serbousek and 
Helen (Croes) Trythall, director.]


[photo - Virgina (Fosness) Cook]


Golden Rule Days

Seventy-five Years of the Three R's in Onida

	One of the many projects undertaken in the new Village of Onida was to 
provide education for the children.

	During the winter of 1883-84, a school board was elected with Frank 
Brigham and Charles Agar as two of the members. After bonds were voted for a 
schoolhouse, a 24x36 foot building, with an additional vestibule, was erected 
approximately on the site of the present City Auditorium.

	Miss Emma Jeffers, formerly from the state of New York, was hired as the 
teacher at a salary of $20.00 a month. She made her home with her uncle and 
aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lillibridge.

	On a beautiful Monday morning in April, 1884, the school bell rang for the 
first time in Onida. About 8:30 a.m., there appeared at the schoolhouse Charles 
and Gertrude Everts, Ed and Ida Shepherd, Millie (C. R.) Garner, Calla Lilly, 
Grace Brigham, John, Earl and George Starks and Reno Livingstone. Before the end 
of the term, Chauncy Blake entered school for a few weeks.

	Most of the textbooks used that first term were those that parents and 
friends had brought with them from the East. Later a regular set of textbooks 
was purchased. Slates were used instead of scratch paper and small sponges were 
much in demand to clean the slates.

	Mrs. H. E. Kimmel taught Latin and French in her home during those early 
years. Many young people took advantage of this private instruction and 
progressed rapidly under Mrs. Kimmel's tutorage.


[photo - Mrs. H. E. Kimmel, an early pioneer who taught Latin and French in her 
home prior to high school days in Onida. She was lovingly known as "Mamma" 
Kimmel.]


[photo - First School in Onida, fall of 1885. Back row, left to right-Ida 
Shepherd, Calla Lilly, Ella Toomey, DeEette Lillibridge, Mrs. Alice Taylor, 
Nellie Page, Gertie Everts, John Toomey, Newton Garner, Millard Hyde, Calvin 
Barber, Charles Everts, Ernest Sieler, Glen Lillibridge and Millie Garner. 
Middle row-Jessie Agar, Sieler girl, Grace Brigham, Bill Mallick and Cora Clark. 
Front row-Sieler girl, Everts, Earl Funston, Nellie Norton, George Fred Sieler, 
Newton Garner, Ed Toomey, Willie Parrish and Albert Toomey.]


	In 1899, the school board met to consider a site for another school 
building, as Onida's school age children had outgrown their first schoolhouse. 
Three appraisers were appointed by County Superintendent Minnie A. Porter, with 
the result that two acres of land were purchased for $100.00 adjoining the 
original schoolhouse to the east. In a short time a small building was moved on 
this land and served as a schoolhouse for the first four grades with the upper 
grades remaining in the original building.

	The first eighth grade class to graduate with commencement activities was 
on June 12, 1902. County Superintendent Emma Nelson (Lister) started this custom 
during her term of office. The graduating students were Raymond Lytle, Lulu 
Porter, Elizabeth Nixon, Robert McMacken, George Bunch, Addie Hamlink, Martha 
Backhouse, Hulda Hall and Verne Johnston.

	1903, the school board adopted the four-year high school course of study 
and made plans to establish high school classes the following year. However, 
this objective was not achieved until 1918.

	During T. L. Mitchell's term as county superintendent in 1909, Onida voted 
to become an independent school district. Mr. Mitchell assumed the duties of 
principal and taught several high school subjects to a few students.

	Miss Jessie Livingstone taught grades one through four during the 1911 
school term with 76 pupils registered. Prof. L. A. Royal was principal at that 
time and taught grades five through nine. These classes were held upstairs in 
the Johnson Haverly building as they had outgrown the old school building. High 
school students outside the district paid $2.00 a month tuition, payable in 
advance.


[photo - Grade School Building, 1912]


	On June 20, 1911, Onida voters passed a bond issue in the amount of 
$7,500.00 for a new four-room brick building to be constructed on lots purchased 
in the Cole Addition. E. E. Brooking was clerk of the school board at that time. 
The new two-story brick schoolhouse with full basement was completed the 
following year. 


[photo - Grade School Pupils, 1909. Back row, left to right-Nina Dawson, Mary 
Holmes, unidentified, Ralph Lister, Duane Lilly, Ralph Byrum, Glen Lilly and 
unidentified. Middle row-Clyde Lilly Mary Sedgewick, Greta Brubough, Miss 
Blanche Nelson (teacher), Clarissa Knight, Jessie Sedgewick and unidentified. 
Front row-Minnie Wagner, Melitta Osterkamp, Bill Wagner, LaVere Hyde, Ralph 
Wagner, Vera Dawson.]


[photo - Grade School Students, 1915. Miss Blanche Nelson, teacher. Back row, 
left to right -Gladys (Serbousek) Youngberg, Julia (Barber) Doner, Cecil 
(Kleinschmidt) Ludwig, Marian (Glessner) Goranson, Margaret (Johnson) Mateer, 
Dormel O'Donnell, Alice (Haverly) Gillies, Marjorie Brown, Pauline (Ludwig) 
Stewart, Thora Hardwick and Audrey (Garner) Halloran. Front row-Connie Hyde, 
Harry Rumrill, Guy Phares, unidentified, Kenneth Brown, Robert Johnson, Ralph 
Phares, Ralph Morris, Clarence Ludwig, Myron Brown and Ralph Quimby.]


[photo - Onida High School Students in 1915. Back row, left to right --George 
Fisher, Prof. E. J. Gustafson, Ford Cole and Ralph Byrum. Front row - Adeline 
(McArthur) Reynolds, Clarissa (Knight) Hardwick, Lillie (Sheffer) Koll, Lissa 
(Haverly) Howard, Anna (Temmey) Markey and Lona (Yung) Warne.]


There were two large rooms on each floor and two rooms in the basement. On 
October 28, classes moved into the new building with Professor Mitchell as 
principal, Miss Nannie Green, Miss Edith Chenhall and Miss Stella Pope. There 
were eight students enrolled in high school at that time. Anna Temmey had the 
distinction of being the first student to graduate from the twelfth grade of 
Onida High School. Being the only member of the class of 1916, she received her 
diploma without formality.

	Prof. J. M. Arneson served as principal in 1916, and after two years of 
progressive work, established the school on the three-year accredited list. The 
following year, Prof. C. W. Gruver completed the task and in July, of that year, 
Onida High School became a four-year accredited school. Ellen Pierce was the 
first graduate under the four-year accreditment. She is now Mrs. Harold Fuller, 
of Huron, and is a sister of Robert Pierce, Mrs. Ralph Phares and Mrs. Fern 
Currier.

	By 1918, basketball for both boys and girls was well organized. Axel 
Peterson was the boys' coach and Miss Elva Walker was the girls' coach and also 
music instructor. Teachers that year included Professor Gruver, Mrs. S. B. Cook, 
Miss Walker, Miss Aster Davis (Spears), Miss Blanche Nelson and Miss Bess 
Gropengieser. From November until January 12, the following year, schools were 
closed because of the seriousness of the influenza epidemic.

	In the fall of 1919, Onida Township and the City of Onida voted to be one 
district and thus became Onida Independent District No. 1, as it is today. The 
board of education also established the position of superintendent of the Onida 
school, and Prof. F. I. Satterlee became the first superintendent of the local 
school. The compulsory school attendance law became effective that year and many 
problems developed in an effort to enforce the new regulation. Literary and 
debating societies were formed in high school with Ross McConnell and Elsie 
Byrum as presidents. Other officers were Mildred Youngberg, Grace Brooking, 
Gladys Cox, Herbert Byrum, Alice Jordan, Mae Youngberg, Elezer Byrum and Mildred 
Miller.

	Professor Satterlee came to Onida in 1920 and directed the destiny of the 
schools for five years. During his administration, the local schools developed 
rapidly and achieved high standards equal to many larger and older school 
systems. Superintendent Satterlee was responsible for developing the athletic 
program and started the first football team that played competitive games. The 
first 11-man game was played at Pierre on October 7, 1920, with C. J. Crandall 
as coach. The score was 50 to 0 in favor of the hosts.

	Athletics continued to be an important activity throughout the years and 
Onida can well be proud of its athletes and the trophies and plaques displayed 
the high school. Marlyn Goldhammer is the present football and basketball coach 
as well as instructor in social science. Ronald Lawrence has been hired as 
assistant coach and will teach freshman English, mathematics and general 
science. Jack Donahue, as principal of the Onida schools and instructor in 
science an mathematics, is also the track coach.

	During 1921, oratory, declamation and debate were developed. The first 
debate team included Beth Knox, Raymond Doyle, Marjorie Brown, Wright McConnell, 
Alice Youngberg and Glenwood Robinson. The subject was "Immigration." In 
November of that year, Professor and Mrs. Jeffers arrived and organized a school 
and community band and orchestra. The first concert was presented on December 
29, 1921. Music has since become an important part of the Onida schools. 
Penmanship, taught by Miss Katie Heitland, was also introduced in the school 
system at that time.

	In 1923, a $50,000 bond issue was voted to construct a new high school 
which is now the large central building of the school plant.


[photo - High School Building in 1923.]


	The first electric clock was installed as a gift from the graduating class 
of 1924. Manual training, agriculture and home economics were added to the 
curriculum that year. On December 26, an alumni association was formed with 
Theodore McGuire as president and Pauline Ludwig, secretary and treasurer.

	That same year a delegation of students represented Onida for the first 
time at the music contest held in Brookings. Onida had the distinction of 
presenting the only chorus in the state "B" classification, receiving a first 
rating. Miss Mildred Pfeiffer was the music instructor at that time. First place 
ratings were awarded to Earl Haverly, bass solo, and Dorothy Lister. reed 
section. Other ratings were given to Miss Lister, alto solo; Cecil Kleinschmidt, 
bass horn and soprano solo; Harold McGinnis, violin, and Glenn Hughes, tenor 
solo. Two loving cups and several medals and ribbons were proudly displayed 
trophies earned at that first musical venture.

	Onida High School received the charter of admittance to the North Central 
Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges in April, 1926, and is still rated 
among the best high schools in the Northwest, Graduates are accepted without 
examination by any of the colleges or universities recognized by the North 
Central Association.

	Many new activities and enterprises were entered into during the year 
1926. Tennis became a new sport with students making their own courts; magazine 
subscriptions were sold to increase the activity fund; a victrola was added to 
the music department, and the school became a member of the National Athletic 
Scholarship Society.

Pictures of high school graduates were published in the Watchman for the first 
time in 1929.

	On April 28, 1930, the stage curtains in the high school assembly caught 
fire due to a short circuit, and the building possibly might have been lost, but 
for the quick thinking of Judge M. H. Quimby, who saw the fire and immediately 
called the fire department.

	Since 1930, a Citizenship Award has been presented to the outstanding high 
school senior or seniors. This award is based on extra-curricular activities, 
loyalty, leadership and scholarship, and is considered to be one of the greatest 
honors of the school. Those who have received this award since its introduction 
to the present time are Dorothy Brown, 1930; Sylvia Adams, 1931; Edythe 
McMacken, 1932; Francis Wiedenman, 1933; Edwin Johnson, 1934; Patricia Nelson, 
1935; Faith Bauman, 1936; LeRoy Kellogg, 1937; Pauline Brown, 1938; John Bauman, 
1939; Margaret Fern Spears, 1940; Bernice Hardwick, 1941; Doyle Zimmer, Lois 
Shaw and Amos Wipf, 1942; Jack Nelson, Eva Marie Serbousek and Marguerite 
Kottke, 1943; Millard Seaman, 1944; Norma Bandy and Virgina Fosness, 1945; Joyce 
Walter, 1946; David Ridinger, 1947; John Sutton, Jr., 1948; William Jordan, 
1949; Beverly Wilcox, 1950; Howard Yeager, 1951; Jerome Yackley, 1952; Ron.qld 
Lawrence, 1953; Newell Ludwig and Lila Blaisdell, 1954; Larry Rupkalvis, 1955; 
Parker Knox, 1956; Dennis Pullman, 1957 and Richard Olson, 1958.


[photo - High School Junior Class in 1926. Pictured back row, left to right-
Beatrice Brooking, Gladys Wilcox, Gladys Moore, Mildred Glessner, Dorothy 
(Quimby) Kambak, Velma (Foster) Thompson, Mildred (Bandy) Starbuck, Miss Wise 
(teacher), Margaret (McConnachie) Knox, Ruth (Brown) Lumley, Opal Telford, 
Beatrice (Hertel) Howard, Hazel (Sorenson) Ludwig, Vivian Johnson, Barbara 
Pullman and Elsie (Schriever) Tunnell. Front row -Walter Nelson, Homer Bensley, 
Maynard Hart, Matt Glanzer, Irvin Maloney, James Norfolk, Orville Hyde, Preston 
Starbuck and Ben Johnson.]

	The first authentic Homecoming Day, featuring a Ki-Yi Princess, was 
inaugurated in 1931. Alma Glessner was chosen the first Ki-Yi Princess.

	Supt. E. B. Coacher came to Onida in 1932 and remained here for nine 
years, during which time many changes and improvements were made in the school 
curriculum. Mr. Coacher is now secretary to the South Dakota Board of Regents.

	A full commercial department was added during Mr. Coacher's first year as 
superintendent, which included typewriting, shorthand, bookkeeping, business 
arithmetic and business English. Earl Guyman is the present commercial 
instructor.

	Walter Green organized a school band in 1934 and was its director for four 
years. He gave free instruction on any instrument, which was an inducement to 
many students to become members of the band. Raymond Rom is the present band 
instructor and he also gives free instruction on all instruments. He conducts 
two bands, junior and senior, and a high school orchestra. Onida also has an 
outstanding rhythm band composed of the first and second grade students, 
directed by Mrs. Ora Otey and Mrs. Mildred Main. The young band members are 
dressed in uniform costumes and have made several public appearances.

	A Smith-Hughes Agriculture Department was added in 1936. Ray Larson was 
the first instructor and it was he who was instrumental in starting a Future 
Farmers of America Club in 1937 for boys in the agricultural classes. This 
organization is still very active. James Crandall is the present Ag instructor 
and advisor of the F. F. A. Club. Onida High School dairy judging team won the 
state championship in 1938 and placed twelfth in the national contest held in 
Kansas City, Missouri, The team was compose of Maynard Green, Gordon Walker, 
Merlin Cottrill and David Hull. Gilbert Foth was the instructor at that time.

	The first annual was published in the spring of 1939. Elizabeth Grimes, of 
Sioux Falls, acted as advisor. Marion Rodman was editor-in-chief and Bob Clair 
business manager, both being assisted other members of the class of 1939. The 
name "Warrior" was suggested by Wendell West as a title for the annual, which 
won the approval of the students, and has remained as such to date. Ivan Koch is 
the annual advisor at the present time, as well as instructor in English, Latin, 
speech and dramatics.

	The next decade were difficult years in all schools, due to the effects of 
World War II and postwar adjustments. It was a task to find qualified teachers 
to fill the many vacancies. Classes were cut many moved away to work in war 
plants and numerous junior and senior boys went into army service.

	Supt. W. K. Bartlett came to Onida in 1949 and directed the band and 
chorus groups, in addition to his administrtive duties. A girls' trio, composed 
of Shirley Westphal, Grace Haverly and Jean Main won a superior and took part in 
the Grand Concert at the District Music Contest held in Mobridge. In the spring 
of 1949, Onida sent two students to Senior Day at the State University.


[photo - Senior Class in 1936. Pictured back row, left to right - Clarence 
Anderson, Charles Serbousek, James Yackley, Ellis Pierce, William Glessner, 
Levaun Shoup, Helen Mae Doyle, Eleanor Haverly and, Iris Telford. Front row, 
left to right-Tom Melody, Richard Johnson, Faith Bauman, Ednamae Thomas and Cleo 
Eller.]


	The average cost per teacher in a 12 year school system in 1950 was 
$3,576.00 and $225.00 cost per student. Funds for operating were obtained by a 
56 to 72 per cent taxation, the balance of which was acquired by tuition, state 
and federal aid and county apportionment of state funds.


[photo - Fifth and Sixth Grades in 1949. Pictured back row, left to right - 
Maynard Rilling, Melvin Waldner, Richard Byrum, Lyle Sutton, Ruth Sheets, Betty 
Morrison, Carolyn Porter, ,Mark Hyde, BennaBee Rawstern, Helen Phares, Verna 
Wakefield, Phyllis Balaberda and Maryanne Schumaker. Middle row - Mrs. Aho 
(teacher), Shirley Wargo, Nancy Merrill, La Vonne Rilling, Penny Cruthoff, Gerry 
Ripley, Donna Edge, Judy Stewart, Lyle Chase, Alice Sutton, Marjorie Hantke, 
Parker Knox, Betty Ludwig and Clarabelle Seaman. Front row - Helen Brandt, 
Frances Edge, Keith Ludwig, Kenneth Sutton, James Glassmaker, Lyman Chase, John 
Hall and Eldon Rawstern.


	Onida won four excellent ratings in vocal solos at the Mobridge District 
Music Contest in 1951. Receiving these ratings Were Betty Rivenes, Thelma 
Sutton, David Minder and Dwight McGuire. The boys' and girls' glee clubs, chorus 
and sextette also received excellent ratings at that contest. Mrs. Jack Donahue 
was the music instructor at that time and is, at the present time, instructing 
soloists and musical groups in the Onida schools.


[photo - Fourth and Fifth Grades in 1952. Pictured back row, left to right - 
LaNita Sweany, Maxine Drew, Bonnie Becker , Carol Woods, Lillian Mikkelsen, 
Ellen Johnson and Mrs. Elva Jordan, teacher. Middle row-Charles Hank, Larry 
Taylor, David Ganfield, Patty Cruthoff, Sharon Hyde, Carol Rilling and Billy 
Cass. Front row - Van Stewart, Donald Hughart, Joe Day, Norma Rilling and Peggy 
Kennedy.]


[photo - Freshmen Initiation in 1953]


	Supt. S. M. Stockdale came here in 1953, leaving in the spring of 1956. 
The schools were becoming crowded about that time and the grade building showed 
signs of dangerous decaying conditions. It was also impossible to adequately 
heat the grade school basement gymnasium. Also, the City Auditorium, which had 
been rented by the Onida Independent School District for a number of years for 
basketball and other school activities, prove to be inadequate both in floor 
space and seating.

	It became evident that Onida was in dire need of improved school 
facilities and it was then that plans were discuss for the construction of new 
grade school classrooms and a gymnasium large enough to accommodate the athletic 
program and other activities.


[photo - Junior High Basketball Boys and Cheerleaders in 1956. Pictured back 
row, left to right - John Knox, Joe Day, Jim Thompson, Bob Zebroski, Billy 
Donahue, Bob Kinder, Marvin Chenoweth, David Burge, Charles Hank and Jerry 
Zebroski. Third row - Coach Kenneth Sutton, Harry Thomas, Van Stewart, Jim 
Terbush, Jim Boren, Joe Serbousek, Gary Swanson, Frank Sack and Ronald Bartels. 
Second row - Craig Hilton, John Becker, Gary Chase, Tom Merrill, Larry Terbush, 
Keith Palmer, Sam Jarnigan, Ray Sutton and W. H. Evans. Front row - Judy Hank, 
Shirley Ripley, Julie Becker and Maxine Erp, cheerleaders.]


	In seeking a replacement to fill superintendency, the school board decided 
to try and find a person trained and interested in school plant construction, as 
well as a successful administrator. They were fortunate in finding such a man 
Joe N. Greenan, of Huron, former superintendent at Artesian, South Dakota.

	Superintendent Greenan immediately accepted his responsibilities and his 
first step was to plan a new grade school and select its location. He formulated 
a tentative plan and presented it to the school board. He then called in 
qualified engineers to thoroughly inspect the old grade 


school building. A previous examination of that building was made in 1955, and 
it was reported then that the interior supports were depreciating and there was 
a serious settling of the building. All mass movements were restricted and 
running and jumping were prohibited. The second survey confirmed those facts and 
that repair of the building would be extremely costly. Therefore, it was decided 
to build, if possible.


[photo - New Auditorium-Gymnasium and Shop in 1958]


	Mr. Greenan then made the necessary plans to present the facts to the 
citizens of Onida. Those facts were conveyed to the community through editorials 
in the local newspaper, talks at service clubs and personal contacts by members 
of a Citizens Committee.

	Thus the voters of Onida decided the issue by going to the polls on 
February 7, 1957, and passing by a comfortable margin a $250,000 bond issue for 
an expansion and replacement program. This was the third major advancement by 
Onida School District No. 1 toward always maintaining the best schools possible 
for its children.

	The school board proceeded to carry out plans for the construction of a 
new grade school building with six modern classrooms and an auditorium-
gymnasium. As a result the students of 1958 enjoyed new and modern facilities. 
The auditorium-gymnasium has a 1200 seating capacity and facilities for 
agricultural needs, shower rooms, hot lunch and band and chorus practices.


[photo - Supt. Joe N Greenan]


[photo - New Grade School Building in 1958]


	The hot lunch program has become very popular and operates at the peak of 
efficiency in its new quarters with Mrs. Minnie Schlenker and Mrs. Hazel Phares 
in charge of preparing and serving the noon lunch.

	The citizens of Onida and of the surrounding area can be proud to have 
their children receive their elementary education from one of the most up-to-
date and immaculate schools in the Northwest. Winfred Fox and Darold Kuhns, as 
custodians, are responsible for the cleanliness, upkeep and minor repairs of the 
school plant, both inside and outside.

	The old grade building was demolished and some day new homes will be built 
in that beautiful area.

	A lighted sports field is being planned and when completed will add a 
great deal to home events throughout the summer and early fall. The Onida 
Jaycees sponsored a fund drive to make this lighted sports field possible. The 
grounds surrounding the athletic field and new buildings are in the process of 
being landscaped and in a few years will be one of the outstanding beauty spots 
in the City of Onida. - M. S.


Portrayed Leading Figure

	Mrs. Catherine S. Bien portrayed a leading figure in an authentic replica 
of President George Washington's birthday ball in 1797, which was recreated in 
the 43rd renewal of the Washington and Lee University's annual fancy dress baall 
on February 18, 1949, in Lexington, Virginia. Escorted by her husband, William 
D. Bien, Mrs. Bien led the lavish pageantry of the largest social event of the 
southern collegiate year. A graduate of Onida High School and of Northern State 
Teachers College, Aberdeen, she is the former Catherine Spears, daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. W. B. Spears.


	On February 19, 1892, the Onida schools gave an art exhibition to raise 
funds for a state educational exhibit at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.


	The Onida graduating class of 1948 held a five year reunion in July of 
1953. 


[photo - School Board Members in 1958. Pictured, left to right - Roy Kimbell, 
Burl Corcoran, President James Young, Wayne Nelson, Mrs. John Sutton, Supt. Joe 
N. Greenan and Mrs. Maynard Knox, clerk.]


The Onida Churches

First Methodist Episcopal Church


[photo - Interior Methodist Church, Built in 1956]


	The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Onida was incorporated under the 
laws of South Dakota in March of 1893. 

	The Articles of Incorporation and the charter bear the names of S. W. 
Gates, Wallace Lilly, J. H. Miller, H. E. Tagg and H. W. Ruckle. Later the name 
of C. K. Mallock appeared on legal papers. He was the grandfather of Mrs. 
Clifford Thompson.

	A warranty deed shows that Lots 13 and 14, Block 4, Original Town of 
Onida, were given by C. H. Agar, grandfather of M. C. and Russell Hyde, both 
residents of Onida at the present time. Those lots and the building, which was 
erected during the next few years, now belong to the Open Bible Church.

	In September, 1913, a trustees' report bears the names of Ben Nelson, T. 
L. Mitchell and H. W. Ruckle, treasurer. The church property valuation was given 
as $1,800. In 1919, a fund was willed to the Methodist Church from the Charles 
Warncke estate.

	Because the small membership could no longer support a pastor, services 
were discontinued, and in October, 1920, the pews were sold to the Mennonite 
Church, east of Onida. The building was used for a time for school purposes 
until the present grade school was completed and following that it was used as a 
Community building for many years; however, the lots were retained by the 
church. During the years that the church was inactive, M. R. Brown, Wm. Ruckle 
and Pauline McGuire acted as a Board of Trustees to care for church funds and 
property. Others who served in this capacity from time to time were W. H. Parkin 
and Walter Parkin.

	In 1942, under the leadership of Chester Merrill and Guy Howard, the 
church was reorganized. The following year the present lots were purchased and 
the church building was bought from the Presbyterian Board in Huron and moved 
from Blunt. It was opened for the first service on Easter Sunday, 1945, with the 
Rev. Arthur Gugin, pastor.

	The first wedding held in the church was on July 25, 1945, when Deloris 
Merrill and Burl Corcoran were married.

	A beautiful bronze cross and matching candlesticks were presented to the 
church in 1948 by Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Westphal. The gift was a memorial to their 
son, Eugene Westphal, who gave his life in the service of his country during 
World War II. With the regular pastor, Rev. Earl Butz, in charge, an appropriate 
service of dedication was held at the church on Sunday evening, October 31. 
During the service Mrs. Westphal lighted the first tapers used in the 
candlesticks.

	The church was continuously improved and cherished until it was destroyed 
by fire on November 27, 1955. With the money received from insurance and the 
sacrificial gifts of the members, the new brick building was erected and 
consecrated in October of 1956. The indebtedness on the new structure has been 
paid in full.

	Pastors who have served since 1942 are Rev. Arthur Gugin, Rev. Earl Butz, 
Rev. Rudolph Krafts, Rev. James Gering, Rev. V. L. McVey, Rev. Robert Frescoln, 
and the present pastor, Rev. Harris Halstead.

	A new parsonage was built on lots adjoining the church edifice in 1958, 
and Mr. and Mrs. Harris Halstead and family moved into it shortly after its 
completion. A consecration service and open house were held at a later date.

	Many members of the Methodist Youth Fellowship attend the Lake Poinsett 
Methodist camp every year. John Schaeffer, Mrs. Harvey Main and Mrs. L. S. 
(Arlene) Thompson are directing the music of the junior and senior choirs. - E. 
M.


[photo - First Methodist Episcopal Church]


Saint Pius Catholic Church

	The history of the beginnings of Catholicism in Sully County must 
ultimately be linked up with those men of hardy stock, the pioneer Missionaries 
and Catholics of then Dakota Territory. It was a known fact that there were 
Catholic families scattered about this part of the territory, who for reasons of 
their own braved the frontier life. Among their many privations and hardships 
was the public practice of their faith, as there was no Catholic church nor 
priest.

	From time to time these people would be visited by the itinerant 
Missionaries. One of the first recorded visits was on by Father Pierre De Smet 
in October 1840. Father De Smet was returning from a perilous journey over the 
Rocky Mountains, and while sailing down the Missouri River, stopped at Fort 
Pierre. From that time until 1868, Father De Smet, filled with love of his 
priesthood and his Divine Master, and his people, both Indian and white, 
returned many times to minister to them. His usual stopping place was Fort 
Sully. About this time another devoted Missionary, Father Ravoux from St. Paul, 
Minn., visited Fort Pierre, and said Mass for the Catholic Indians and white 
settlers. This was in the summer of 1842. Still another Missionary to come to 
Fort Pierre was Father Hoeken. In June of 1850, at the request of the Catholic 
settlers, he came to minister to them, to marry, baptize and encourage. When the 
Missionaries came, they made their headquarters at the settlements they found 
along the river banks, and sent out word to the surrounding territory for the 
Catholic people to come. We can well imagine the joy in the hearts of these 
sturdy pioneers when they heard the news that a priest had come to say Mass, to 
marry and baptize.


[photo - Saint Pius Catholic Church]


	The pioneer priests who ministered in Sully County came from Pierre in the 
early years. The first Mass was said in Pierre in April, 1881, by Father C. 
Toner in the J. D. Hilger residence. The next year in answer to the request of 
the Catholic people in Pierre, Bishop Martin Marty O.S.B., Bishop of Dakota 
Territory, sent Father Bernard Bunning. Mass was celebrated in a store until a 
church was erected in July 1883. Father Bunning's parish consisted of Pierre and 
the counties of Hughes, Sully, Stanley, with parts of Hyde, Hand, and Beadle 
Counties, an area of 6,699 square miles. With the growth of the church in the 
towns of these counties one by one they received their own priest, and were cut 
off from Pierre.

	The church in Sully county, however, continued to rely upon the 
ministrations of the priests from Pierre. Among the number of priests who came 
to minister to the Catholics of Sully County was Father John J. O'Neil. This was 
about 1900. It is recorded that the priests came about four times a year to 
shepherd the scattered flock in those early years. Father F. E. Stenzel, pastor 
of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 1904, did the same as Father O'Neil. Mass was 
said in the residence of G. Gasperich, A Station, Sully County and the residence 
of M. Keeley, A Station: Sully County. Among others were the Doerr residence, 
and the Paul Pitlick residence. Later Father Harrington, from Gettysburg, came 
to Onida once a month and said Mass at the Temmey residence. About this time 
there was a settlement of Catholics living around Agar, and Mass was said in the 
Agar hall owned by Ed Ryan.

	The Catholics living around Agar were attached to the church in 
Gettysburg, with Father Brian O'Malley as pastor. A small church was completed 
in Agar in 1920. Father Brian O'Malley labored in Gettysburg for eight years 
building a church and rectory there, and serving the people in Agar. He was 
followed in 1928, by Father Edward O'Connor. He in turn was followed in a few 
years by Father Patrick Ryan. Father Ryan was replaced due to poor health by 
Father M. J. Enright, who was killed by a calf jumping in front of his car. Upon 
the death of Father Enright the Gettysburg and Agar parishes received Father 
Peter P. Meyers, a native son of Potter County, as pastor in 1931. He remained 
for 14 years, and was succeeded by Father E. Kosters. He in turn was followed by 
the present pastor of Gettysburg, Father Francis Dillon.

	About this time Holy Rosary Church in Agar was becoming too small to 
accommodate all the Catholic families. The number of families in Onida too was 
growing. They came from Onida every Sunday, driving nine miles to the Agar 
Church. In 1952, Father Dillon enlarged the Agar Church, making it twice as 
long. The addition helped to solve the problem for awhile.

	At the time of the new addition to the Agar Church, the Catholics in Onida 
began seriously to consider the possibility of obtaining a church of their own. 
In May of 1954, Father Dillon requested from Bishop Brady, a priest to take over 
Onida and Agar, as he could not handle Gettysburg and the newly established 
Radar Air Base. Bishop Brady gave Father Dillon permission to buy property for 
the purpose of establishing a parish in Onida. On July 20, 1954, the Frank 
Johnson house and adjoining lots were purchased for a rectory and church site. 
Bishop Brady promised to send a priest immediately, but due to deaths in the 
Diocese of Sioux Falls of some senior priests, he was unable to send a priest as 
soon as promised.

	On June 20, 1957, word was received that the Onida Catholics would no 
longer belong to Gettysburg as a mission, but would have a new pastor who would 
reside in Onida. On that day it became a reality, when in filial obedience to 
his Bishop, and with much wonderment, Father Lawrence Marbach arrived in Onida 
to begin the task of building a church and organizing the parish as well as 
administering the churches in Agar and Blunt. Father Marbach lived in the newly 
purchased rectory in Onida, and said Mass on Sunday in Agar for the Catholic 
families of Agar and Onida. Mass was also said in the Mission Church in Blunt.

	Meanwhile the feasibility of a new church in Onida was studied, but with 
high building costs, it remained a problem what should be done, although a 
church was needed desperately. Father Marbach heard that a new Catholic Church 
had been built in Herreid, S. Dak., 85 miles north of Onida, and the church was 
large and in good repair. Upon seeing the structure, and with the permission of 
Bishop Lambert A. Hoch, Bishop of Sioux Falls, plans were made to move the 
church to Onida. This was done. A basement and foundation were constructed which 
was to serve as a parish hall. The former Herreid Catholic Church was moved to 
Onida shortly after the Holidays in 1958, and placed on the newly constructed 
foundation. Then began the task of making the building into a suitable House of 
God. Into it went the local artisans, and in due time it did indeed become a 
suitable House of God. The dream of 30 years of some of the old-timers had 
become a reality-Onida for the first time had a Catholic Church. Mass was 
celebrated for the first time in the Church of St. Pius X early in the spring, 
by Father Lawrence Marbach, and fittingly enough for the first time with the 
whole parish present on Holy Thursday.

	The Catholic families in Onida in having a church of their own have grown 
up and become of age and can face the future unafraid, for they kept the faith 
when it was not easy to do so. In this they shared a common bond with Father De 
Smet, Father Ravoux and those countless pioneer priests and people who made many 
sacrifices and endured many hardships for the faith, for they knew they carried 
their treasure in a fragile vessel. The Catholic families in Onida can be 
justifiably proud of what they have accomplished in a few short years. For many 
of them, however, the sacrifice have been many and great, proving once again 
that the missionary and pioneer spirit that made our country great is with us 
still. May it never be lost. - L. M.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
(Missouri Synod)

	"If we only had a Lutheran Church in Onida." How often these word repeated 
by those who traveled to "St. John's" in Agar-the only Lutheran Church in the 
county.

	The Mission Board of the South Dakota District had considered and surveyed 
Onida as a possible site for a Mission Station. Neighboring pastors of the 
Missouri Synod canvassed the surrounding area of Onida and the prospects seemed 
good. No definite steps were taken, although the topic had been considered and 
discussed.

	The Onida people, who attended St. John's Lutheran Church of Agar, 
suggested to members of the congregation that they wished to conduct services on 
an experimental basis. The first service was held July 8, 1951, in the basement 
of the Onida City Auditorium at 8:00 a. m. Thirty-five people were present. 
Sunday School was also held following the services.

	When the members of the Onida Methodist Church heard that the Lutherans 
held their first service in the auditoium, they offered them the use of their 
building for a rental fee of ten dollars a month. Lutherans gladly and promptly 
accepted the offer and services were conducted in the Methodist Church up to the 
very day that Holy Cross congregation dedicated its own church. Services were 
held at 8:00 a.m. so as not to interfere with the Methodist time and the 
Lutheran pastor could take charge of his duties in St. John's Church of Agar and 
Emmanuel of Gettysburg.

	After two months of "experimental services," the Holy Cross Lutheran 
Church was formally organized on September 14, 1951. Present at that meeting 
were Ray Bartels, Henry Becker, Ralph Becker, Harold Birdsall, Elton Eller, 
Alvin Heien, A. Kass, John Neu, Hollie Olson, Vern Palmer and Les Swanson, who 
were the charter members. A constitution was drawn up by a committee and 
accepted at the time, and the following were elected as the first officers of 
the congregation: Elders: Henry Becker, Ralph Becker, and Hollie Olson; 
Trustees: John Neu, chairman; Elton Eller, vice chairman; Les Swanson, 
secretary, and. A. Kass, treasurer: Board of Education: Ray Bartels and Ralph 
Shoup.


[photo - Holy Cross Lutheran Church]


	Sunday School was held regularly each Sunday after services and the 
following were the first regular teachers: Les Swanson, superintendent; Mrs. A. 
Kass, Mrs. Ralph Becker, Mrs. Henry Becker, Mrs. Hollie Olson and Mr. and Mrs. 
John Neu.

	There were eight members in the senior class, who became the first 
confirmands of the Holy Cross Lutheran Sunday School. After two years of 
Saturday instruction the first group of young people confirmed in July, 1953, 
were Bonnie Becker, Rodney Becker, Vivian Becker, Ellen Johnson, David Merrill, 
Richard Olson, Donna Palmer and Karen Rivenes. In the fall of 1953, this class 
of young people became the nucleus of a Junior Bible class. By the summer of 
1954, the enrollment had increased to 14 young people. One member of that 
original class is still attending Bible Class today.

After the formal organization of the church, the women who were members of the 
Holy Cross congregation met at the home of Mrs. A. Kass, January 18, 1952. A 
decision was made at this meeting to organize a Ladies Aid. Charter members were 
LaVon Becker, Katie Becker, Nada Birdsall, Helen Anderson, Gloria Eller, Lillian 
Fosness, Pauline Gill, Caroline Hull, Evie Heien, Blanche Kass, Amanda Lawrence, 
Alvera Merrill, Chester Neumann, Phyllis Neu, Irene Olson, Ethel Palmer, Emelia 
Rivenes, Edith Rivenes, Opal Rivenes and Irene Swanson. The first officers were 
LaVon Becker, chairman; Irene Swanson, vice chairman; Phyllis Neu, secretary, 
and Amanda Lawrence, treasurer.

	The Holy Cross Ladies Aid has been an active group in its congregation, 
for it was through its efforts that the altar was dressed and furniture and 
equipment added to the church basement.

	Less than a year had passed from the time the first services were held 
that a building program began to be formulated. News reached the congregation 
that an old Congregational Church building, between Lebanon and Tolstoy could be 
purchased. A group of men including Rev. Brack investigated this building, which 
was unused.

	The building with its equipment was purchased for $1,700 on January 27, 
1954. A building committee, including John Neu, Ray Bartels, Les Swanson and 
Orville Rivenes, was instrumental in bringing the dreams and hopes of a Lutheran 
Church in Onida to a successful reality.

	In the fall of 1954 the building was moved into Onida and placed on the 
present foundation. Finally, what seemed to be an almost insurmountable task was 
actually completed with minor unfinished areas. Holy Cross congregation rejoiced 
on Dedication Day, March 13, 1955. Pastor 0. D. Brack, who had served the Onida 
congregation from the beginning, had charge of the dedication services. In the 
afternoon Festival Services were held with the Rev. Karl Lassanske of Lebanon 
giving the sermon.

	Shortly after Dedication Day, Rev. Brack left the Agar-Onida parish to 
serve in the Lynwood Lutheran Church of Lynwood, California, where he had 
accepted a call.

	The first baptismal service was performed in May, 1955. Gene, the son of 
Howard and Helen Weischedel, was baptized by Rev. Eberbach.

	The first church wedding ceremony was held the first Sunday in June. 
Marilyn Larsen of Sioux Falls, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. HansLarsen of Onida and 
Walter W. Grimes of Hot Springs, son of Alvin Grimes, were married by Rev. 
Eberbach.

	In August, 1955, the Rev. Frederick Skov of Elmhurst, New York, was 
installed as pastor of the Agar-Onida parish. Rev. Skov served until January of 
1958. Again Onida was without its own pastor until Rev. Theodore Klees accepted 
a call and was installed the following August.

	The first group of 35 members on July 8, 1951, has now grown to 112 
members. The congregation has three active organizations, a large young people's 
group (Walther League), Voting Body and the Ladies Aid, affiliated with the L. 
W. M. L. - I. O.

Emmanuel Mennonite Church

	In the late teens, when the dark clouds of World War I were just lifting, 
a group of hardy German farmers with their families moved from Hutchinson and 
Beadle Counties to Sully County to try their hand at farming further west. They 
were men and women with strong religious convictions. They were not afraid to 
take their stand for God, and could say with the Apostle Paul, "I am not ashamed 
of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone 
that believeth."


[photo - Emmanuel Mennonite Church]


	They had a burning desire to get together for united worship. Without a 
church building and with little time and limited finances, they decided they 
must meet in some other building. It was in the spring of 1919 that they started 
regular worship in a Buffalo Township schoolhouse that was situated at the 
corner just south of the Tony Schmitgen farm. The first worship service was held 
by Rev. J. M. Tschetter of Carpenter, South Dakota. Jacob Entz, Sr., was 
superintendent of the Sunday School at that time. During the months that 
followed, various ones preached with much of this ministry being carried on by 
the laymen from the congregation. Among these was Jacob S. G. Hofer, who brought 
many stirring messages from the Word of God. Mr. Hofer was the first deacon to 
be ordained for life into this vital capacity of the church, and it was through 
his deep spiritual vision that church was started.

	About a year after the services were begun in the Buffalo schoolhouse the 
group moved their services to a schoolhouse two miles south of the Noah Fritz 
farm. This location was not too suitable, for it was rather low ground, and 
whenever rain came it developed almost into a quagmire of mud. To keep their 
neatly dressed families from becoming muddied up, the fathers drove their horse-
drawn wagons and buggies right up alongside porch of the schoolhouse. No weather 
was too severe for church to be held, for if cars could not be used, horse-drawn 
wagons and buggies were put back into service.

	The first baptismal service was held at the dam in the pasture of Jacob S. 
G. Hofer in the fall of 1920. In the years that followed a baptismal service was 
held almost every year with many radiant Christians joining the ranks of the 
church, where they could worship the Lord together in one united body. 

	It was in the fall of 1921 that the congregation decided to build their 
own church building. Under the able carpentering supervision of Jacob S. G. 
Hofer and the energetic help of church members, the simple frame structure was 
built on its present location six miles east of Onida. This was the permanent 
beginning of the Emmanuel Mennonite Church, under the K. M. B. Conference.

	Under the musical leadership of such men as Jacob S. G. Hofer, Jacob D. 
Goosen, and Jacob A. Tschetter, the congregation was led in beautiful singing, 
while a choir, quartets, trios, and other groups were organized to bring special 
numbers that added real inspiration to the worship services.

	The first young man from the church to be married was Joe Pollman of 
Blunt.

	The youth work was not negelected, for almost immediately after the church 
was started the Christian Endeavor was organized. This has continued to be an 
active young people's work in presenting well-planned and deeply spiritual 
monthly programs. Along with Christian Endeavor groups from other churches in 
the Conference, they have maintained an open missionary vision in helping with 
mission projects both at home and abroad.

	The first regular pastor to serve the church was the Rev. D. J. S. Mendel. 
He came from Kansas to serve the Lord for 15 years as the faithful, deeply 
devoted shepherd of the Emmanuel Church. It was in 1935 that he resigned and 
moved to Doland. Then there followed a period of five years in which there was 
no regular pastor. Rev. Simon Unruh served for six months during that time. 
Otherwise the church was served by laymen and visiting speakers. Some of the 
laymen who brought messages were Jacob S. G. Hofer, S. S. Glanzer, Gottlieb 
Miller, and others. Some of the outside speakers were Rev. John Tschetter and 
Rev. J. M. Tschetter, both from near Huron, and Martin McGuire from Onida. Mr. 
McGuire filled the pulpit quite regularly during the years of 1938 and 1939 
until a regular pastor was secured.

	It was in August of 1936 that a rather serious incident happened to the 
church building. After a hot summer afternoon dark clouds rolled up from the 
west that carried in their turbulent mass a sinister funnel-shaped cloud. It 
darted out from its dark rolling curtain, picked up the church, and spun it an 
exact quarter turn so that the front of the church was facing south instead of 
west. It required a great deal more time and effort by man to turn the church 
around and place it back on its foundation than for the tornado to turn it 
gingerly about.

	In the spring of 1940 the Rev. Edwin F. Walter, who had shortly before 
graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, accepted the call to the 
Emmanuel Church. Rev. and Mrs. Walter lovingly and untiringly served their Lord 
and His people for 13 years. This church with its wide field of service 
presented a real challenge to them. One of the first changes to be made to serve 
more effectively a wider group of people was to swing from German-speaking to 
English-speaking services. During those 13 years that followed the membership 
grew from 44 to 113.

	The church, especially under the leadership and preaching of Rev. Walter, 
developed a real missionary vision for giving and going. Earlier years had seen 
several folk - Joe E. Wipf, Dorothy Kleinsasser Erickson, and Abe Becker - go 
into full-time service for the Lord; but during the 13 years of Rev. Walter's 
ministry, six young folk were sent out to the foreign mission field. They 
included Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lomheim to Brazil, Helen D. Vetter to Nigeria, Africa, 
Alice Wipf Ontjes to Jamaica, and Rev. and Mrs. Merle Bloom to Southern 
Rhodesia, Africa.

	The missionary vision struck fire under the ladies of the church. Mrs. 
Walter invited members to come to her home in October of 1941 for the purpose of 
discussing a missionary society. Eight of the ladies came. On January 21, 1942, 
the official organizational meeting was held. The Good Deed Circle was chosen 
for a name, officers were elected, and five resolutions made to guide the ladies 
in their work. As time progressed, more time was spent in working with the 
hands, such as making quilts, rolling bandages, and other projects. The ladies 
held a program once a year to acquaint the church with what they were doing, and 
an offering was taken at that time to help them with their missionary work. By 
the end of 1958, the active members had grown to 26.

	On August 9, 1953, a farewell service was given in the Onida Auditorium in 
honor of Rev. and Mrs. Walter, who accepted a call in Hutchinson, Kansas.

	Again the congregation was faced with the need of calling a pastor. The 
Lord wonderfully undertook for them in sending Rev. and Mrs. Eli L. Hofer of St. 
Paul, Minnesota. On August 30, 1953, a lovely welcoming service was held in the 
church for Rev. and Mrs. Hofer. Again the church was blessed with a consecrated, 
loving, and deeply spiritual couple who was concerned about the salvation of 
souls and the spiritual growth of believers. For five years they faithfully 
served this parish with many new members being added to the church. In the early 
summer of 1958 the congregation was shocked by the announcement of Rev. Hofer 
that they felt the Lord would have them give up their ministry at Emmanuel 
Church and return to St. Paul, Minnesota. Under the earnest plea of the people 
they consented to stay until the close of 1958. Then on December 28 a farewell 
service was held at the church in their honor.

	Once again the Emmanuel Church faced the problem of calling a pastor. They 
have earnestly sought the Lord's leading and the Council has made many contacts, 
but as this history goes to press, no pastor has yet been secured. - D. V.

Open Bible Standard Church

	The Open Bible Standard Church dates back to 1938, when Violet Le La Cheur 
held meetings in the building which had formerly been the old M. E. Church and 
at that time was owned by the Ladies Social Circle of Onida.

	In the fall of 1945 the building was purchased from the Social Circle, and 
the Church was organized. Rev. Billie Willard, who was pastor of the Pierre Open 
Bible Church, came to Onida every Sunday afternoon for about a year to hold 
services until Lyle Schuler became the first fulltime pastor in August of 1946. 
Sunday School was organized at that time, and also a Ladies' Missionary Society. 
A full basement was constructed under the church.

	Rev. Schuler was succeeded by Rev. Frank Barnhart. At this time the church 
was remodeled considerably, and class rooms added to the basement.

	From then on to the present time pastors served in the following order 
Rev. Glen Duncan, Rev. Philip Bennett, Rev. Don Smith, Rev. Earl Jones, Rev. 
Clarence Le La Cheur, Rev. Charles Ridinger, who is pastor at the time of 
writing in April of 1959.

	During the year of 1958-59, considable remodeling was again done - two 
rooms were added to the parsonage, new seats, interior decorating, and a new 
pulpit in the church.

	The Missionary Society is still active, meetings being held once a month. 
- A. J.


[photo - Open Bible Standard Church]


First Presbyterian Church

	The first religious service in Onida was held at the Onida Hotel on May 
27, 1883, with 42 people present, including the minister and the babies. Mrs. 
Brigham played the organ in the lobby of the hotel, and the Rev. N. H. Axtell 
from the Methodist Church in Kankahee, Illinois, preached the sermon.

	The following Sunday, the Rev. William G. Poor conducted the service with 
77 people in attendance. A Sunday School was organized following the service 
with Wallace Lilly chosen as superintendent. Five classes were formed with the 
following teachers: Rev. Poor, young men's class; J. M. Moore, Bible class; Mrs. 
Brigham, ladies' class; Mrs. Lilly, young girls' class, and Mrs. Allen Starke, 
young boys' class.

	In the spring of 1884, when the Onida schoolhouse was completed, church 
services were conducted in the school building for several years. The 
schoolhouse stood about where the Frank Erp Filling Station is now located. 
Ministers from various denominations conducted the services for several years, 
as there was no formal church organization until 1889.

	On October 27, 1889, Dr. H. P. Carson, Synodical Missionary of the 
Presbyterian Church, came to Onida in response to a petition presented to the 
Presbytery of Central Dakota, requesting the organization of a Presbyterian 
Church in Onida. The Rev. T. J. Gray was empowered by the Presbytery to organize 
the church. He invited Elder William C. Grier of the Presbyterian Church of 
Blunt, and the Rev. Carson to assist. These three men met with the congregation 
in the schoolhouse and at this meeting the First Presbyterian Church of Onida, 
Sully County, Dakota Territory, was organized. Elders for the newly organized 
church were Levans Livingstone, Edward Barber and Nathan Porter. The Onida and 
Blunt churches shared the same pastor.

	In 1897, the Rev. J. P. Williamson, who had graduated that year from the 
Theological Seminary of Princeton University, began his ministry in Onida and 
remained here about three years. Arrangements were made in 1898 to meet in the 
Baptist Church. In 1900, Rev. Williamson and his wife, Addie, left Onida to take 
over the pastorate at Kimball, South Dakota.

	From 1900 to 1916, the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches operated on a 
federated basis, with Presbyterian and Methodist ministers alternating every two 
years. Several Baptist families had moved into the area and the services of a 
Baptist minister had been procured, so the Presbyterians and Methodists held 
their services in the Methodist Church, which is today the Open Bible Church. 
Besides morning and evening services, there were Sunday School, Missionary 
Societies, Young Peoples meeting and mid-week prayer services.

	Both churches had their choirs and the church program was quite complete, 
but Mrs. Edward Barber thought there should be something more for the children. 
So with the help of Minnie Livingstone and several teenage girls, she 
inaugurated a program in 1922 far ahead of its time in scope and effectiveness. 
Steps were taken to organize a Young People's Society and more than 30 
enthusiastic young people attended the first meeting. There was no restriction 
on creed and the children loved it. They listened to Bible stories, learned 
Bible verses, sang songs, played games and made hand work. Officers of this 
group were Wright McConnell, president; Marjorie Brown, vice president; Margaret 
Johnson, secretary, and Anna M. Courtney, treasurer. The little red chairs used 
in the Presbyterian Church today were purchased for this group and financed by 
candy sales and ice cream socials. Nobody had heard of a church budget in those 
days.


[photo - Onida Women's Missionary Society About 1900. Pictured back row, left to 
right-Mrs. M. B. Knight, Jessie Livingstone, Mrs. Edward Barber, Mrs. Eldridge 
Garner and Mrs. J. N. Garner. Middle row, left to right-Mrs. Haakon Persson, 
Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Livingston and Mrs. H. E. Kimmel. Foreground-Minnie Porter.]


	From October 1911, to November 1913, the Rev. Williamson worked here 
again, and from 1913 to 1915, the church was served by a Methodist minister, the 
Rev. George Quayle, an uncle of Earl Hardwick. By 1914, the Baptists had given 
up, this time for good, and some time later the Presbyterians started having 
services in their building. The Methodist organization also disbanded and the 
Social Circle purchased the Methodist building for $500.00 for a Primary Sunday 
School and Community building.

	Rev. William Bullock and his family moved to Onida in 1916, and served the 
church for two years, followed by the Rev. S. Brise Cook from 1918 until 1922.

	A Women's Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church was organized in 
January, 1921, which was an outgrowth of an increased interest in missionary 
study among the ladies. Officers elected were Mrs. E. E. Brooking, president; 
Mrs. C. H. Gall, vice president; Mrs. C. D. Jack, secretary; Mrs. W. W. Warner, 
treasurer, and Mrs. S. B. Cook, secretary of literature and missionary classes.

	The Rev. F. W. Thompson served the church from 1922 until 1927. A manse 
was purchased in 1923. The Rev. J. P. Williamson commenced work here again in 
June of 1927 and continued to serve the church for 10 years until he retired 
from the ministry in June, 1937. In that year, the Rev. George Clarke, a 
bachelor from Ireland, took up his duties as pastor and served four years. 
During the summer of 1941, Rollyn Morison, a student from McCormick Seminary, 
served as minister. The Rev. and Mrs. Brough came the fall of 1942, and were 
here two years.

	The Rev. Edwin Walter, who was minister of the Mennonite Church, six miles 
east of town, agreed to take over the preaching services until such time a 
regular pastor could be obtained. He served until May, 1946, when the Rev. and 
Mrs. Denley Ganfield came. The manse, which had been rented for several years, 
was vacated for a short time and during that time was repaired and redecorated.

	Almost immediately a church building program was launched. An unused 
Presbyterian church building from Hitchcock was purchased and moved onto a lot 
on lower Main Street. The old Baptist church building was cut in half and moved 
on the same lot, one-half becoming the present annex and the other half the 
choir room. The building committe was composed of Frank Johnson, Ergo Hull and 
Luther Nelson. Much work remained yet to be done when services were resumed in 
the fall of 1947. Wanda Mauree Day was the first bride to be married in the new 
church.

	Impressive dedication services were held on March 30, 1948, in connection 
with Presbytery which met there the following day. Following a church supper, 
Dr. George F. McDougall, president of Huron College, presided at the ceremonies. 
The Rev. Joseph Andrew, of Miller, delivered the sermon, and several ministers 
of Huron Presbytery participated in the services. Music was furnished by the 
church choir with Mrs. Earl Hardwick as pianist. Soloists were Mrs. Minnie 
Zimnier and Miss Grace Haverly.


[photo - Social Circle About 1912. Pictured back row, left to right - Mrs. J. N. 
Garner, Mrs. J. P. Williamson, Mrs. D. W. Hyde, Minnie Livingstone, Mrs. R. J. 
Courtney, Mrs. P. Kendall, Mrs Edward Barber, Mrs. Robert Garner, Mrs. Bert 
Lilly, Mrs. L. Livingstone and Mrs. C. R. Garner. Middle row - Grace Spencer and 
Audrey Garner. Front row, left to right - Danforth Williamson, Alice Jordan and 
Elva Hyde.]


[photo - First presbyterian Church and new manse to the left.]



	In 1948, a beautiful stained glass window was installed in the east wall 
of the church as a memorial of Jesse P. Williamson. Some time later two smaller 
windows were installed, one on either side of the Williamson window. They were 
purchased with money donated as memorials and dedicated to those early pioneers 
who labored unceasingly to establish and maintain a church. Leo A. Temmey, 
prominent lawyer of Huron and son of a pioneer family in Sully County, was the 
speaker when they were dedicated. Since then three other stained glass windows 
have replaced the old ones on the north wall. These are personal memorials with 
the names of the individuals inscribed.

	Rev. Ganfield left in 1952, and the church was without a minister for 
several months. However, the congregation was fortunate in obtaining the 
services of Rev. L. Hume Ward, of the Miller church, who consented to conduct 
services in Onida on Sunday evenings. This he did from 1952 until 1954, and 
during that time the membership of the church increased from 133 to 190.

	Then the Rev. Sylvan K. Williams, of Philip, received a call from the 
church and he and his wife, Laura, and daughter, Judy, came here for about three 
years, when they received a call from the Presbyterian Church in Lead where they 
are at the present time. During the time that the Williams were in Onida, many 
improvements were made, the most important being the new manse. Open house was 
held on February 27, 1955. Also, an annex was built in the basement of the 
church and a new furnace installed. The membership increased from 190 to 247 
during that time.

	The present minister is the Rev. Charles Ray Freuden, of Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. He and his wife, Joyce, and young son, Carl, are now very much at 
home in Onida. The membership at the close of 1958 was 270.

	The Missionary Society and the Young Women's Guild united and the church 
now has an organized Association and five Circles, with a memberhip of about 70.

	In 1954, the General Assembly of the church met in Los Angeles, 
California, and at that time Elder Luther Nelson represented the church and 
Presbytery. In June of that year, Mrs. Luther Nelson represented the church at 
the National Presbyterian Women's Convention held at Purdue University in 
Indianapolis, Indiana. Again in 1958, Mrs. Henry Smith and Mrs. John Sutton, 
Sr., attended the convention as delegates from the Onida church. In 1956, John 
Sutton, Jr., was delegated to attend the National Council of Presbyterian Men 
held in Chicago, and upon his return he, with the assistance of Rev. Williams, 
organized a Men's Club.

	Each summer the church sends a good percentage of its young people to 
church camps. A Bible school is held each spring shortly after school closes, 
with the minister's wife, several adult teachers and young girls carrying out 
the school's planned curriculum.

	The music department of the church has always been very active and for the 
past several years Mrs. Maynard Knox and son, Parker, have provided the music 
for church services. The church also has two choirs, the adult choir directed by 
Mrs. Jack Donahue, and the junior choir directed by Mrs. Freuden.

	The 1958 officers are Earl Baxter and John Sutton, Sr., elders; Harold 
Currier and Albin Stahl, trustees, and Mrs. Earl Kinder and Mrs. Preston 
Starbuck, deacons.


ONIDA'S MOST BELOVED MINISTER

Dr. Jesse P. Williamson

	Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Williamson, whose lives are closely identified with the 
development and life of the First Presbyterian Church of Onida, have a definite 
place in the history of Sully County.

	Jesse P. Williamson was born at Greenwood, South Dakota, on March 19, 1872 
and passed away on November 22, 1941. His father, Rev. John P. Williamson, had 
come to South Dakota as a missionary with the Indians when they were banished in 
1863, and spent the rest of his life in missionary work with them.

	Jesse P. Williamson Jesse attended school near Greenwood, entering Pierre 
University in 1884. They found it difficult to classify this boy of 12 whose 
education had been so thorough in some fields and so sketchy in others. The 
later attended Yankton College, graduating in 1891. Somewhat later he attended 
the Theological Seminary of Princeton University, graduating in 1897. His first 
pastorate was Onida, which he served from November 1, 1897 to April 1, 1900, 
when he went to Kimball. In June of 1900, he was married to Addie Jordan, oldest 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Q. Jordan, pioneers of Onida and Sully County.

	In 1911 they returned to serve the Federated Church of Onida for two 
years. A daughter, Lois, was born during this time. She and an older brother, 
Danforth, were their only children.

	In 1913 the family followed him to Santee, Nebraska, where he became 
superintendent of the theological department of the Indian Training School of 
that place. He resigned this position in the fall of 1917 to carry on his 
father's work, the elder Williamson having died. Later he became General 
Superintendent of the Indian work for the Presbyterian Church.

	In 1927 the Williamsons returned to Onida. Rev. Williamson served as 
pastor of the Onida Community Church until January 1937, when he retired from 
the ministry. Both of the Williamsons were musical and they showed their talents 
generously. Mrs. Williamson's frail health sometimes curtailed her activities, 
but her courageous spirit was an inspiration to all who came in contact with 
her. Sorrow came into the home with the death of daughter Lois. Honors came, too 
Yankton College conferred on Dr. Williamson the honorary title of Doctor of 
Divinity as part of their commencement services in June of 1934. Huron College 
offered him the same honor, but he modestly declined to accept the second 
honorary degree.

	From 1937 until his death in 1941, Dr. Williamson served the county as 
clerk of courts. Ill health plagued him for several years and he suffered much 
from nervous disorder, brought on by hardening of the arteries. Death came at 
Yankton in November of 1941. His funeral was a memorable occasion. Dignitaries 
from Huron College, old family friends such as the Riggs, church officials from 
all over the state, and local friends filled the church to capacity and 
overflowed into the street where they sat in their cars during the service. The 
following is taken from the obituary in the November 22, 1941, issue of the 
Onida Watchman: "No man could have served a church more faithfully than did Dr. 
Williamson. His time and his energy were at the disposal of any who needed them. 
More than one older person has been cared for in the Williamson home, and more 
than one young senior has received help. There are in Sully County hundreds of 
people who remember with gratitude and appreciation the kindly services of Dr. 
Williamson. When death came into a home, he was never too occupied to go into 
the bereaved home and offer what comfort and help he was able to, whether that 
family's name appeared on his church roll or not."

	Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Williamson were invited as special guests at a 
Centennial celebration at LacQuiParle, Minnesota. In 1835, Dr. Williamson's 
grandparents landed there as the first white missionaries to the Sioux Indians. 
Closely connected with the Williamson family as benefactors to the Sioux were 
the Riggs families of Pierre and Oahe on the Missouri River. Dr. Riggs, Sr., and 
Dr. Williamson were the last survivors of the missionary children born in 
LacQuiParle. They were invited by the Presbyterian Missionary Society of 
Minnesota.