CHAPTERS HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY - Ralph Plumb, 1904
I.    Descriptive …………………………………………………………1
II.   The Indians …………………………………………………………8
III.  Early Settlement …………………………………………16 
IV.   Growth and Foreign Immigration ……32
V.    Means of Communication …………………………42
VI.   Marine ……………………………………………………………………55
VII.  Railroads ……………………………………………………………85 
VIII. Military ……………………………………………………………112   
IX.   Politics ……………………………………………………………133
X.    Village and City Government …………167
XI.   Churches ……………………………………………………………183
XII.  Societies and Organizations …………227
XIII. Education …………………………………………………………243
XIV.  The Press …………………………………………………………255
XV.   The Professions …………………………………………278
XVI.  Banks and Banking  …………………………………281
XVII  Business and Industry …………………………288
      Errata and additions………………………………316
Appendixes ……………………293(A), 294(B), 300(C), 313(D)
Index

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CHAPTER XI.
CHURCHES.
 
 Church life is an essential feature in the growth of every community.  The stories 
of the struggles of a small but faithful congregation in the early years of 
existence is always interesting and there is often an element of the heroic in it.  
Manitowoc county has a past in this respect that will bear comparison with any 
similarly situated community and the growth of its spiritual interests has been 
from the beginning marked and rapid.  An attempt is made in the following pages 
to describe the onward progress made by each denomination represented in the 
county.
  
EPISCOPAL.
 
 As the oldest in point of continuous existence as an organized society the history
of St. James Episcopal Church first demands attention.  The Episcopals were early 
in the missionary field in Wisconsin and the efforts of Bishop Kemper will live in 
remembrance as long as that of the record of the state itself.  One of his ablest 
coadjutors was Richard F. Cadle, who came to Wisconsin as missionary on the Oneida 
Reservation in 1834.  In the latter thirties, probably in 1839, he visited the 
Rapids settlement and held what was the first Protestant service in the county. In 
his report submitted in February 1842 he speaks of a second visit as follows:  "On

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the evening of Tuesday, December 7th (1841) I preached to a congregation of about 
sixty persons in a private house at Manitowoc Rapids, the county seat of Manitowoc 
county and situated on a river of the same name, three miles from its mouth.  At 
the settlement where I officiated the population amounts to about sixty persons and
at the mouth of the river the population is represented to be about three fourths 
of that number.  Previous to this visit there had been no religious services at 
Manitowoc Rapids for the period of about a year and a half."
 Eight years passed with an occasional visit by a missionary, among them two or 
three by Rev. Melancthon Hoyt in 1844.  In February 1848 Bishop Kemper was making 
a tour of the Wisconsin parishes under his charge, being accompanied by a young 
Swede, Reverend Gustavus Unonius, then a recent graduate and the first of Nashotah 
Seminary.  Upon reaching Sheboygan two members of the church, residing in Manitowoc 
arrived with the request that the bishop visit Manitowoc.  This was impossible for
him to do, so Reverend Unonius was dispatched and held divine services.  On the 
next day, February 28th, the resident members of the church met and organized a 
parish, naming it S. James Mission.  The meeting took place at the home of Lemuel 
House, Colonel T. A. H. Edwards, the lighthouse keeper and Alden Clark, a merchant, 
being chosen wardens.  It was decided to call Reverend Unonius to the parish and he 
accepted, assuming his duties on April 20th. At that time there were six families 
in the parish or twenty-seven communicants in all, including Lemuel House, E. H. 
Ellis, Richard Steele, Alden Clark, S. H. Sherwood and Colonel Edwards and the 
average congregation numbered about forty or fifty souls.  The meetings were held 
in the upper rooms of a house, the lower part of which was occupied by the pastor 
and his family.  Reverend Unonius remained in charge of the parish for a year, 
until April 1849, when he resigned and left for Chicago, where he organized a 
Swedish church.  Born in Finland August 10, 1810 he came to America in 1845, going 
direct to Wisconsin and settling at Pine Lake.  After several years of ser-
 
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vice at Chicago he returned to his native land in 1858 and was rewarded by a gift 
of 3000 kroner from the Swedish government in recognition of services rendered his 
countrymen in America.  He also held office in the customs service until 1888 when 
he retired on a pension and is now (1902) living on a farm near Stockholm, beloved 
by all.  In 1862 he published in the Swedish language a book entitled 
"Reminiscenses, Seventy Years in the Northwest of America," which contains many 
interesting references to Manitowoc.  It was a noticeable fact that the 
Scandinavians who came to the county and settled near the Rapids in 1848 and 1849 
at first united with the Episcopal church since the pastor was of their race, 
eight of the original parish being Norwegians.  As soon, however, as there were 
sufficient of them they separated and established a church of their own, the 
Lutheran, denomination.  During Reverend Unonius' term four members were gained by 
immigration and six lost by death.  By his resignation the church was left for some 
time without a rector as was also the Sheboygan mission, which he had attended. 
Said Bishop Kemper in his report in 1850:  "Reverend Unonius was in the county 
about a year ago and is remembered with much respect.  When invited to a larger 
sphere of action and particularly among his own countrymen I readily consented to 
his departure from Wisconsin, notwithstanding that this diocese had peculiar claims 
upon his services.  No one as yet succeeds him and yet Manitowoc and its 
neighborhood present a scene of much usefulness to a self-sacrificing and laborious 
minister of the Gospel."
 During the interim the Rapids communicants managed to keep up occasional services 
and a regular Sunday school but it was not until June 23 1851, the date of the 
appointment of Reverend G. P. Shetky that much interest was manifested.  This 
clergyman was a very devout young man, fresh from his theological studies, being 
ordained at Manitowoc.  He was however full of ambition and his first aim was the 
building of a church.  In the summer of 1851 he visited the east to secure 
contributions and in a year $1074 had been raised with pledges of $295 in addition.  
Plans were made by 
 
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Architect R. A. Gilpin of Philadelphia for an edifice that would seat two hundred 
and fifty persons to cost about $1,500 and a hundred foot lot at the corner of 
North Ninth and Chicago streets was donated by Benjamin Jones.  The cornerstone 
was laid, all being in readiness, on November 24, 1851, R. Rev. Jackson Kemper, 
the missionary bishop officiating.  Several presents were made to the church by 
eastern friends, the communion service being donated by acquaintances of Rev. 
Shetky residing in Germantown, Pa., the copies of liturgy coming from Philadelphia 
and the font from a gentleman in Albany, N. Y.  In the meanwhile meetings were 
held by the congregation in the schoolhouse, the average attendance being about 
eighty and the communicants amounting to forty-three, while fifty children were in 
the Sunday school.  Once in two weeks Reverend Shetky made trips to Two Rivers and 
held services at that village, the first taking place on October 19, 1851, attended 
by fifteen persons.  The village of Rapids was visited at similar intervals, there 
being six communicants while Branch was the scene of monthly services. At a point 
fourteen miles west from Manitowoc there were seven Irish communicants who met 
occasionally to receive spiritual instruction from the minister, ten others usually 
attending, and there was a similar gathering occasionally in Meeme.  In speaking 
of these visits later Reverend Shetky remarks in his report:  "The impossible 
condition of the roads at this season obliged me to discontinue these monthly 
visits.  I have no horse, --am too poor to keep one and am therefore obliged to 
perform all these journeys afoot."  The strenuous life led by the young clergyman 
soon told upon his strength and, after a vacation, he returned only to resign 
April 1, 1853.  When he left a month or so later there were fifty-two communicants 
in his charge, twenty-eight of whom resided at Manitowoc.  The church in the 
meantime had been completed, M. Fellows being the contractor, and it was 
consecrated July 25, 1852 on the occasion of the festival of St. James.  Rev. 
Shetky at first moved to Memphis, Tenn., and later attained prominence as a pastor 
in South Bend, Ind., Bay City, Mich. and in Philadelphia.
 
 

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 Another short interim followed his resignation lasting until the arrival of Rev. 
George W. Thompson, in August 1853, he coming from Cincinnati to take up the work.  
At this time a mission was maintained at Robinson's settlement and the local 
church included thirty-three communicants.  His ministry, however, was short for 
in 1854, while nursing cholera patients he fell ill of the dread disease and died 
on October 14th, his body being interred at Evergreen. After two months he was 
succeeded by Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, who had been in Wisconsin as a missionary since 
the early forties.  A man of great energy he soon had the church in a very 
satisfactory condition and in the next year Bishop Kemper confirmed a class of 
eleven at Manitowoc and four at Two Rivers.  At the latter place there had been 
organized St. Paul's Congregation and the cornerstone of a church was laid on 
September 3 1856.  The first officers of the church were William Aldrich, senior 
warden; J. N. Fisher, junior warden: L. S. House, J. Teele and M. McDonald, 
vestrymen and services were held every Sunday afternoon.  At Manitowoc the 
worshippers at St. James soon paid off the $500 debts still outstanding and 
additions were made to their structure at a considerable cost.  During Rev. Hoyt's 
ministry the communicants increased to forty-three and the Sunday school remained 
prosperous.  In the latter part of 1858 he resigned, continuing his labors in other 
fields for many years, finally removing to Dakota Territory.  In April 1859 Rev. 
W. H. Cooper was sent to Manitowoc and remained until the following March, when he 
removed to Waukegan, Ill.  He, also, officiated at Two Rivers, where the church 
had been completed, so as to seat three hundred persons, the last of the debt 
incurred in its construction being paid off some four years later.
 The next clergyman to officiate was Reverend G. B. Engle, who came from Michigan 
in 1860.  In his ministry services were held at Clark's Mills for some time.  The 
great civil strife then broke out and Rev. Engle gave up his pastoral duties for a 
time to become chaplain in the Fourteenth Wisconsin, he being an ardent patriot.  
The war had a detrimental effect on the church life and St. Paul's congregation

P 188
 
at Two Rivers became so depleted that the church was sold on May 14, 1864 to the 
German Lutherans.  In that year also Manitowoc was taken off the mission list, it 
thereafter being obliged to be totally self-supporting.  In order to economize Rev. 
Engle, as he said in his report, sold his horse and discontinued his visits to 
Clark's Mills and soon after he resigned, moving to Indiana where he long resided. 
His successor, who took charge in January 1865, Rev. Lyman N. Freeman, came from 
Illinois and was most energetic.  There were in that year nine baptisms and the 
Sunday school was comprised of twenty-teachers and one hundred and thirty-seven 
scholars while there were three hundred persons in church connection.  His 
ministry was injured, however, by certain charges made against his conduct, which 
were brought up before the standing committee at its meeting at Janesville in 
November.  Investigations by Revs. Eastmann and Davis followed, as a result of 
which Rev. Freeman was cited to appear before the court of the diocese in June.  
This ecclesiastical trial, unique in character took place in the courthouse, Rev. 
Ashley of Milwaukee acting as president, there being besides four other judges.  
The accused was ably defended but was found guilty and withdrew from the ministry.  
He was followed by Rev. F. B. Dooley, formerly of the Michigan diocese, whose 
efforts were of a high order.  During his incumbency a rectory was built, a parish 
school established with over fifty scholars, which was maintained for some years 
and the attendance at church largely increased. Rev. Dooley returned to Michigan 
in January 1870 and after a month or so, in which Rev. Ward supplied the pulpit, 
Rev. E. Peake assumed charge, he however removing to Missouri within a year.  
Several months passed without a pastor, when Rev. F. R. Haff of the Missouri 
diocese was appointed to Manitowoc.  It was about this time that the church was 
called to mourn the loss of the venerable Bishop Kemper, whose relations with St. 
James had always been most amicable.  Reverend Haff removed to Green Bay in the 
spring of 1873 and since held a leading place among the Wisconsin clergy, 
officiating later at Trinity Church, Oshkosh.  His 
 
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successor was Rev. De Forest, who had that year been ordained and for three years 
he continued his ministry at Manitowoc.
 In  1874 St. James, which had hitherto been in the Milwaukee diocese was trans-
ferred to the new Fond du Lac diocese.  After Rev. De Forest's removal to Missouri 
the parish was placed under the guidance of Re. M. E. Averill of Green Bay, who 
remained until 1881. The church and Sunday school membership had somewhat decreased 
during the latter seventies but the church was fairly prosperous and a mission was 
maintained at Branch.  After Rev. Averill's service at St. James was completed, 
Rev. H. C. E. Costelle, who came from Albany, N. Y. took up the work.  He revived 
the Two Rivers mission and did much for the advancement of the church at Manitowoc 
as well.  During his ministry the Lydia E. Conroe bequest, comprising several 
acres of land in Manitowoc Rapids, was sold.  Rev. Costelle left for Arkansas in 
March 1883 and died several years later in Quincy, Ill.  Rev. H. T. Bray next 
assumed charge and remained until April 1886, being a man of fine scholarly 
attainments and an ardent worker.  His successor was Rev. David Laseron, during 
whose pastorate of three years missions were sustained at Branch and Two Rivers.  
In December 1887 Rev. B. Talbot Rogers was appointed to St. James.  By this time 
the parish numbered 250 souls and over 100 scholars were in the Sunday school.  
During the years of his ministry the number was vastly increased and the Two 
Rivers Mission was reorganized in 1901 with thirty members together with a Sunday 
school of about the same number.  Recognized, however, as a man of great ability 
and attainments he was offered and accepted in 1894, the position of warden of 
Grafton Hall at Fond du Lac, where he has since maintained a high reputation as an 
educator.  His successor was Rev. S. R. S. Gray, who came to St. James from the 
Milwaukee diocese on April 21 1895 and has since officiated.  It was his aim to 
see the congregation have a new church edifice and funds sufficient for the 
starting of the enterprise were forthcoming in 1901.  A site was chosen on the 
corner of North Eighth and State 
 
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streets and the cornerstone of the new structure was laid on August 14th, the 
services being conducted by Rt. Rev. Weller, bishop-coadjutor of the Fond du Lac 
diocese amidst appropriate and elaborate ceremonies.  The structure is of stone and 
cost in the neighborhood of $35,000.  St. James church is today as at the beginning 
the only church of the denomination in the county and has an increasing membership.  
Several guilds made up of the ladies of the church are doing active work.
 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL
 
  The early history of the Methodist Church in the west is one of struggle and in 
that struggle Manitowoc has played its part.  Owing to a rule long prevailing in 
the denomination that a pastor should not remain in one situation more than two 
years there was not the opportunity for any one of the long list of resident 
ministers to identify himself with the community in any very large degree yet 
there are many of them whose memory will long be cherished.  In 1837 Rev. Hiram W. 
Frink was appointed to a mission at Sheboygan which took in Sheboygan and Manitowoc 
counties and the villages of Brothertown and Stockbridge.  There is, however, no 
record or probability that he ever formed any classes in the county and the mission 
was discontinued after the panic of 1837.  In October 1843, however, Rev. David 
Lewis was assigned to the Manitowoc and Sheboygan mission and held services at the 
two places on alternate Sundays.  He had two stations in Manitowoc, four in 
Sheboygan and two in Washington county.  To reach these widely separated places 
Rev. Lewis was obliged to make long journeys on foot through the forest and often 
forded the Manitowoc river at Rapids when the feat was a dangerous one.  A class 
of eleven members were formed at Manitowoc, among whom were P. P. Smith.  The 
meetings were held in the upper story of B. Jones' warehouse in the summer while 
in the winter the congregation gathered at the home of Lighthouse Keeper Johnston, 
who was a Baptist.  In July 1844 Rev. Lewis was succeeded by Rev. Garret N. Hanson, 
and earnest young man, 
 
 
 
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just entering upon the profession.  After six years in Wisconsin he retired and 
died in 1856 at Fall River, Mass.  In 1845 he was followed at Manitowoc by Rev. 
Samuel W. Martin at the end of whose term the village was dropped from the 
conference rolls.
 In 1849 in company with Rev. Allen McIntosh Rev. Lewis was reappointed to 
Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties, services being held at the Rapids in the Court 
House and at Manitowoc and Two Rivers in the schoolhouses.  The next year Rev. 
Lewis alone was assigned Manitowoc County and he preached occasionally at 
Manitowoc Rapids, Two Rivers, Neshoto, Riley's and Mishicott, a small class being 
formed at Two Rivers.  The pastor boarded with Henry Edwards and with his own hands 
during the fall and winter erected a parsonage, working upon it when not engaged in 
pastoral duties.  Rev. Lewis was in later years the agent of the American Bible 
Society, then pastor at Fond du Lac and finally in 1874 retired, since residing in 
Sturgeon Bay.  Born in New Jersey November 25, 1815 he forms one of the striking 
examples of those hardy pioneer preachers whose heroism was only excelled by their 
practical piety.  His successor was Rev. R. W. Barnes, who led a most successful 
ministry, the church membership increasing from 13 to 35, the Sunday school 
attendance from 24 to 50 and a library of 250 volumes being accumulated.  Rev. 
Barnes was instrumental in securing funds for St. Paul's Church, a frame structure 
35 by 40 feet which was erected on North Seventh Street during the succeeding 
years.  He removed to Sheboygan Falls in 1853 and was succeeded by Rev. W. 
Sturgess, who remained a year and later officiated as pastor at various Wisconsin 
villages, being succeeded at Manitowoc by Rev. N. J. Alpin.  In his ministry the 
church was dedicated, Prof. Cook of Lawrence University delivering the address on 
that occasion, May 3, 1856.  Rev. Alpin was born in Batavia, N. Y. in 1821 and was 
ordained while at Manitowoc.  After forty years in the ministry he was super-
annuated, spending his last years in Waukesha.  Rev. William Rowbotham took charge 
of St. Paul's in 1856, being followed by Rev. A. C. Squier a year 

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later.  Rev. Rowbotham removed to Mellette, South Dakota when he retired while 
Rev. Squier died at Sturgeon Bay. 
 In 1859 Rev. C. C. Symes was assigned to Manitowoc by the conference, which met 
that year at St. Paul's, he having charge of Two Rivers also.  An Englishman by 
birth he was twenty two years old at the time and had been in America six years.  
After a year at Manitowoc he preached at Berlin, Lake Mills and Columbus and died 
at Manitowoc November 13, 1870.  For the following two years Rev. Rositer C. 
Parsons was the pastor, coming from Green Bay to assume his duties.  He was born 
in Georgetown, N. Y. May 30, 1817 and with his parents early moved to Ohio, where 
he attended Allegheny College and in 1854 came to Wisconsin, preaching at Port 
Washington, Milwaukee and, after his Manitowoc pastorate, at Whitewater, Lake 
Geneva, Spring Prairie, Menomonee Falls and East Troy, finally passing away at 
Lyons, Wis., July 27, 1887.  He had under his charge two churches, one built at 
Maple Grove some time during the later fifties and St. Paul's.  His successor was 
Rev. L. N. Wheeler, who also remained two years and under his able management the 
church grew rapidly.  Rev. S. S. Smith followed and the church formerly in the 
Fond du Lac was placed in the Appleton district.  Rev. Smith was in 1899 the pastor 
of the Zion Church near Oshkosh.  In 1867 Rev. Alexander C. Huntley assumed charge 
which he retained two years.  He was another New York man, having been born 
December 27, 1819 and moving to Ohio at the age of thirteen, entered the ministry 
in 1843.  He preached in New York until 1857 when he removed to Wisconsin and for 
twenty eight years labored at various places, dying at Fond du Lac at the age of 
sixty six years.  During the two years following the pulpit was filled by Rev. 
Loren L. Knox, a former Lawrence University professor, who had been in Wisconsin 
for ten years.  Rev. Knox later retired and has lived many years in Evanston, Ill.  
His successor at Manitowoc for two years was Rev. James Lavelle, who in 1873 was 
transferred to Ripon and the next year withdrew from the conference.  The wishes 
of the Manitowoc congregation were then gratified in the 
 
P 193
 
reappointment of Rev. L. N. Wheeler.  He occupies a unique place in the history of 
Methodism in Wisconsin.  Born in Waukesha June 28, 1839 he entered the ministry at 
the age of nineteen, his first charge being Two Rivers.  After his first Manitowoc 
ministry he was sent to China to take charge of the Foo Chow Mission, where he 
arrived after a long journey via Africa.  He was instrumental in starting The 
Missionary Record and in a few years returned to America, Manitowoc seeking and 
securing his valuable services.  Later he preached at Lake Mills and Janesville, 
became the presiding elder of the Fond du Lac district in 1879, returned to China 
for three years and then preached at Beaver Dam, Bay View, Evansville and Fort 
Atkinson.  In 1890 he went to China a third time in the interests of the American 
Bible Society and died at Shanghai April 9 1893.  He served as chaplain of the 
Fifty First Wisconsin during the Civil War and was the author of several works, 
among them "A Foreigner in China."
 Then came the ministry of Rev. Philo S. Bennett, also a leader in Methodism. Of 
New York birth he entered the ministry in 1837, coming to Milwaukee nine years 
later.  After securing and advanced degree at Beloit he was made presiding elder 
of the Appleton district, acted as financial agent of Lawrence University and 
preached at Racine, Waukesha, Grand Rapids, New London and other places.  He was 
a writer of power, having been a bitter opponent of slavery and in 1890 together 
with Rev. Lawson published the "History of Methodism in Wisconsin."  He died in 
Appleton after several years of retirement on April 5, 1895. The church membership 
of St. Paul's during his incumbency numbered sixty-six, but it was increased to 
seventy-two by his successor, Rev. J. W. Olmstead, who remained in Manitowoc two 
years.  In recent years Rev. Olmstead has acted as agent of the Children's Home 
Society.  In 1878 Rev. C. N. Stowers commenced a two years' pastorate, coming from 
Dakota Territory.  He was born in Maine in 1835 and came to Wisconsin at the age 
of thirty-three years, acting for some years as professor of Lawrence University.  
He died some years since in Minneapolis.  His successor, Rev. G. H. Moulton, who 
also remained 
 
P 194
 
but one year was a Canadian by birth and after his transfer from Manitowoc became 
the presiding elder of the Fond du Lac district, later removing to Nebraska.  He 
was followed by Rev. J. F. Tubbs for a year and then came Rev. H. Stone Richardson, 
another commanding figure in Wisconsin Methodism.  Born in New York on June 27, 
1827 he was early left upon his own resources and drifted to Albany, where he made
his way through the State Normal School.  For some years succeeding he traveled 
around the world, visiting Italy, Cuba, Texas and at one time being one of the 
Texas Rangers.  In 1849 he visited California as a gold seeker and led a life of 
adventure for several years on the Pacific coast, serving for a time in the 
legislature.  When the war broke out he enlisted as chaplain of a regiment and 
later became a major.  After the conflict was over he entered the ministry and 
held charges in many Wisconsin cities, retiring after a successful ministry at 
Oshkosh.  He passed away after a short illness February 9, 1899.
 The next Methodist pastor was Rev. J. D. Foote, a man of Connecticut birth and a 
graduate of Lawrence University.  He entered the field in 1858 and in 1860 was 
made a regent of the state university, later becoming the chaplain of the Fifteenth
Wisconsin.  After some years spent in Kansas and Texas he returned to Wisconsin in 
1883 and came to Manitowoc from Fort Howard.  Later he visited California for his 
health and died at San Diego July 29, 1899.  His successor at Manitowoc was Rev. J. 
Wills, who is still in the active ministry and it was during his incumbency that 
the church was repaired and rededicated September 5, 1886.  The conference then 
sent Rev. William Clark for a year, who later removed to Sharon, and was succeeded 
by Rev. A. L. Whitcomb, who in 1888 was transferred to Oshkosh. During that year 
the church was served by Revs. E.  B. Service, J. N. Funston and J. D. Cole.  By 
this time the membership had reached eighty and there were over one hundred children
in the Sunday school.  For two years following Rev. J. H. Tippet officiated as 
pastor, then for two years Rev. T. D. Williams acted as such, followed for a year 
by Rev. H. J. 
 
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Duecker and then by Rev. O. P. Christian for two years, Rev. C. F. McGaha for one 
year and Rev. J. E. Garrett for a year.  All of the last named six are still in 
the ministry in Wisconsin, except Rev. Duecker, transferred to the Southwest Kansas 
conference in 1896 and Rev. McGaha transferred to the East Ohio conference a year 
later.  In 1898 the present pastor, Rev. William Hooton, assumed his duties at 
Manitowoc and has been very successful in his ministry.  The church numbers about 
eighty members and a thriving Sunday school with one hundred and thirty pupils is 
an important adjunct as is also a ladies society.  An Epworth League was started 
in connection with the church and the convention of the Appleton district of the 
society was held in Manitowoc in June 1898.  The Woman's Missionary Society, in 
existence for seven years, is an active association and the district convention of 
the society was held in the city in May 1897.
 As said before missions were early established at various points in the county. In 
1858 Rev. L. N. Wheeler was sent to Two Rivers, and Gibson, being succeeded by Rev. 
Walter McFarlane in 1860, who also remained two years. By this time an $800 church 
had been erected at Gibson and two Sunday schools were maintained by the minister.  
Reverend McFarlane was an ardent worker born in 1819 in Glasgow, Scotland and 
entering the Wisconsin ministry in 1856.  After twenty years of pastoral service 
he retired and passed away at Evansville, Feb. 9, 1896.  During the war services at 
Two Rivers were discontinued and the Maple Grove charge, formerly dependent on 
Manitowoc, was combined with that of Gibson.  A. C. Elliot acted as supply in 1864 
but the congregation there grew smaller steadily and a few years later both were 
dropped from the conference list.  An effort was made in 1870 to revive the Two 
Rivers class by W. Rose, a local preacher but after a year or so the attempt was 
given up.  The Gibson church was again active in 1883 occasional services being 
held by Rev. H. Stone Richardson. The pulpit was later filled for several years by 
supplies, among them W. C. Morris, J. R. Joslyn, Alfred de Ford, F. Robertson and 
George A. Cooke.  In 1886 under the last named the conger-
 
P 196
 
gation numbered thirty members and a Sunday school of seventy-five scholars was 
maintained but soon after the church was finally discontinued.  Thus today St. 
Paul's is the sole English speaking Methodist church in the county.
 The Methodist church as always been expansive in character and thus it was not 
strange that an effort should early be made to establish its doctrines among the 
German immigrants who came to Wisconsin in such large numbers in the latter 
forties.  
Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties were made a working unit in this effort and as 
early as 1849 these two counties were on the Illinois Conference rolls although no 
regular pastor was sent to the region until 1851, when Rev. John Bischoff came to 
Manitowoc county and gathered together fourteen converts.  After his departure a 
year later Rev. H. Senn assumed charge, succeeded in 1854 by Rev. Frederick 
Kluckholm, the German Methodists in the two counties then being eighty-two in 
number.  It was Rev. Kluckholm who in reality was the founder of the church in the 
village of Manitowoc, the small building which for many years was used by the 
congregation being constructed in his pastorate.  In 1856 he was succeeded by Rev. 
H. Withorn.  By this time Sheboygan county had been taken from the circuit and 
efforts were made at the establishment of other churches in the county, notably 
in the town of Newton, a church being built there.  In 1858 Rev. S. Schilfsgard 
assumed charge of the village work while Rev. C. Schneider looked after the 
interests of the country congregations. Later however the circuit was consolidated, 
Rev. John Salzer serving for two years, Rev. John W. Roecker for two and Rev. F. 
Feistkorn and Rev. Richard Fickenscher for one year apiece, followed by Rev. C. 
Leiprandt's two year pastorate, commencing in 1865.  By this time the churches had 
been placed in the Chicago Conference and there were three congregations outside 
of the one in Manitowoc, having a large aggregate membership.  This led to a 
division of the county in 1867 into two charges, Manitowoc and Manitowoc circuit. 
In that year Rev. C. Stellner was assigned to the former and Rev. Henry Overbeck 
to the latter, Rev. Stellner remaining two years while 

P 197
 
the latter was succeeded by Rev. Conrad Eberhardt.  In 1869 Revs. Theodore Strauble 
and C. Eberhardt shared the duties, the former remaining two years but the latter 
being transferred elsewhere, leaving the circuit vacant for some time.
 In 1871 the work was assigned to Revs. J. J. Sandsmeier and Conrad Lampert, the 
former taking the city charge.  Rev. Lampert soon left, being succeeded by Rev. 
Michael Enzminger while the city church was put under the ministry of Rev. Carl F. 
Alert in 1873, he remaining three years.  Rev. Charles Rakow served two years 
(1874-1876) in the circuit after a year's interim being succeeded by Rev. E. 
Drescher, who also served two years.  In the meantime Rev. B. Becker had become 
pastor of the city church and remained such until 1879 when Rev. J. J. Keller 
succeeded him for a year.  By this time the circuit had diminished in size, only 
the Newton church being left with fifty members, while the Manitowoc church 
numbered seventy-five.  Rev. Peter Schaeffer had charge of the Newton church in 
1879 but in 1880 the two were combined, Rev. Charles Irwert assuming charge.  It 
was he, whose efforts brought about the construction of a new brick church home at 
the corner of South Ninth and Hamilton streets, the cornerstone of which was laid 
in July 1882.  His successors have been Revs. Anton Meixner (1883-1885), Ernst 
Fitzner (1885-1886), C. Roehl (1886-1891), A. F. Fuerstenau (1891-1895), J. F. 
Romoser (1895-1902) and Rev. J. F. Mueller the present pastor.  The conference of 
the church met at Manitowoc in 1885 and again in 1900.
 A Norwegian Methodist church was organized in Manitowoc in 1869, Rev. C. Jensen 
being chosen the first pastor.  The charge included a church at Sheboygan also and 
both were placed under the Northwest Norwegian Conference.  A small frame church 
was erected on North Sixth street and the membership was at first nineteen in 
number, gradually increasing as the years went by.  Rev. Jensen was succeeded by 
Rev. B. Johansen in 1872, who retained the charge for two years, his successor 
being Rev. Charles Omann, who remained for a like period.  In 1876 Rev. O. Wiersen 
was assigned to Manitowoc and Sheboygan, and was succeeded a 
 
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year later by Rev. Gustafsen, who in turn gave way to Rev. O. L. Hansen after a 
year's ministry.  Since 1880, however, there have been no regularly appointed 
ministers, occasional visits being made by itinerant evangelists.  Reverend 
Peterson of another denomination of faith occupied the pulpit for some time in 
1900.
 
PRESBYTERIAN.
 
 Among the churches in Manitowoc the First Presbyterian has always been prominent.
The history of the organization dates back to June 26, 1851 on which day the church 
was founded at the home of Frederick Borcherdt in the village of Manitowoc Rapids.  
The instigating spirit in the movement was Rev. William Herritt, who was sent to 
the county as a home missionary in August 1850.  Rev. Herritt was a graduate of 
Lane Seminary and had been licensed to preach a year before entering on his duties 
at Manitowoc.  His first efforts were at Two Rivers, where he established a 
Congregational Church the following January but later he broadened his work so that 
the Rapids organization assumed life.  The charter members were F. Borcherdt. Mrs. 
Wilhelmina Borcherdt, James and Isabella Patterson, Mrs. S. D. Herritt, M. E. Hall, 
Margaret Allen, Abigail Sherman, J. S. Reed, E. A. Sherman, D. M. Thomas, Moses 
Tufts and Misses Eliza and H. A. Tufts.  For a little over two years Rev. Herritt 
had charge, making a circuit of over twenty miles each Sabbath on foot at first, 
although later he purchased a horse.  Mrs. Herritt, who was an educated woman, 
later wrote a book containing the family's experience in Wisconsin entitled 
"A Keepsake," which contained many interesting facts concerning their life in the 
county.  The Herritts removed in 1853, the husband dying at Quincy, Ill., January 
19, 1867, being survived for many years by his wife, who made her home in Kansas 
City.  In 1852 the church was removed to Manitowoc and in the same year the 
Milwaukee Presbytery met in the latter village.  The church was connected with 
that body from the beginning.
 After meeting in the schoolhouse for some time it was decided that a church 
should be built. It was on the 30th of 
 
P 199
 
March 1854, at a meeting presided over by Frederick Borcherdt, that the matter 
was definitely settled.  Five trustees, since the organization perfected by Rev. 
Herritt had fallen into desuetude, were then chosen as follows:--Louis Sherman, 
James Patterson, Frederick Borcherdt, Hanson Rand and George Reed. On July 16, 1855
a contract was entered into by which arrangements were made for the construction of 
a building at the corner of North Ninth and Chicago streets, and it was not long 
before it was completed at a cost of $490, being know as "The Tabernacle."  The 
efforts of the Enterprise Ladies Society of the church provided furnishing for the 
new house of worship at a cost of $100 and the structure was duly dedicated in 
November.  In May Rev. Mead Holmes had been engaged at a salary of $600 a year and 
he entered upon his duties soon after.  An energetic worker he soon had the little 
congregation in a flourishing condition.  He paid particular attention to the 
Sunday school, later in life being a leader in this line and this important feature 
of church life was added in the same year.  After four years of ministry at 
Manitowoc Rev. Holmes resigned and was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Stanley, who had been 
in Wisconsin since 1856 and who had been for some time pastor of the congregational 
church at Two Rivers.  Rev. Holmes continued to reside at Manitowoc a number of 
years as a religious worker and writer, among his works being a volume entitled 
"A Soldier of the Cumberland," descriptive of his son's experiences in the war.  
Later the family moved to Rockford, Ill. where the venerable clergyman still 
resides.  Rev. Stanley was a man of great integrity and strong principle,-a sturdy 
advocate of liberty before the war, attracting much attention in the village by 
his sermons against slavery.
 Early in 1860 he removed to Milwaukee and was succeeded by Rev. John H. 
Dillingham, formerly of New York.  Three years later he was, in turn, followed 
by Rev. A. G. Beebe, who served the congregation ably until 1865 when Rev. W. J. 
Stoutenberg assumed charge.  In 1868 upon his removal to Michigan a new era was 
inaugurated by the calling of Rev. C. B. Stevens of Hancock, Mich.  An energetic 
  
P 200
 
and yet practical leader he decided that the church should immediately seek better 
and more commodious quarters, giving largely of his own means to see that end 
consummated.  In January a lot at the corner of North Eight and State streets was
purchased from Hiram McAllister for a consideration of $1500 and two years later 
the construction of the building began.  In the meantime the church had increased 
in membership and the Sunday school under the charge of O. R. Bacon reached a high 
standard.  The cornerstone of the First Church as it was called was laid on June 
21, 1870 with solemn ceremonies.  A parade, in which the Odd Fellows, Masons, Sons 
of Hermann and musical societies participated, was formed and when the site was 
reached President Louis Sherman opened the service.  Songs, prayers and the reading 
of a text by Rev. Wilson of Two Rivers followed; then E. B. Treat of the building 
committee read the figures giving the cost and dimensions of the structure and a 
brief response was made by J. D. Markham, representing the trustees.  The stone 
was then duly laid, taps of the trowel being administered by Mayor Peter Johnston, 
Rev. Stevens, Rev. Knox of the M. E. church, Rev. Windemuth of the German Reformed 
and H. A. Raine of the Masons.  In 1872 the structure, completed at the cost of 
$20,000 was ready for occupancy and for five years Rev. Stevens had the pleasure 
of preaching in the edifice, which his efforts had made possible.  Then, in 1877 
he resigned, being succeeded for three years by Rev. W. F. Cellars.  In 1880 a 
call was extended to Rev. J. M. Craig, a very able and eloquent clergyman of 
Scotch descent, liberal in opinions and learned in the classics.  During the next 
six years the church enjoyed great prosperity and it was with genuine regret that 
his flock received his resignation in July 1886, in order that he might accept a 
call to Holyoke, Mass.  
 After a few months interim the congregation called Rev. Guido Bossard, then a 
young man fresh from theological studies, whose scholarly attainments soon gained 
him general respect.  He was ordained February 7, 1887 and remained until September
1890 when he left for Oconto, later establishing himself at La Crosse. In 1889 the 
Milwaukee Presbytery 
 
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again met at Manitowoc.  At this time the elders of the church were E. K. Rand, 
H. F. Hubbard and W. Thombs, L. M. Sherman succeeding the last named later and 
C. F. Smalley being added in 1892.  Rev. O. H. Chapin of Delevan was called in 
1890 and was a most popular pastor during his four years of service.  In November 
1895 he resigned to accept a call to a Milwaukee church, his successor being Rev. 
Emmet Rankin, who served from February 1896 to July 1899.  Rev. Rankin was born 
in Paoli, Kansas in 1869 and graduated at the age of twenty from Parks College, 
Kansas City, later doing post graduate work at Princeton, besides pursuing 
theological studies at the McCormick Seminary in Chicago.  Three years after 
leaving Manitowoc he resigned from the ministry to assume the editorial chair of 
a leading agricultural paper.  The next pastor was Rev. Walter Johnston, who came 
from Ironwood, Mich., a man of great eloquence and power.  His ministry, however, 
was short as he accepted a call from Logansport, Indiana.  His successor, the 
present pastor, Rev. D. C. Jones assumed his duties in April 1901.  The church is 
largely attended and maintains a Sunday school.  A society of Christian Endeavor 
was organized in 1887 and for many years it has led a successful existence, the 
convention of the Winnebago district being held in the city in March 1898.  A 
Junior Endeavor is also an adjunct to the church as are also a ladies society and 
a young womans' guild.  Extensive improvements to the church edifice were made 
during the winter of 1902, and the Presbytery met there in the spring of 1903.
 On November 26, 1858 the First Presbyterian church of Eaton was organized, 
trustees being elected as follows:--J. M. Curtiss, J. Mott, G. Monroe, E. A. Brown 
and J. Tyler. This continued in existence for some time but during the war interest 
lagged and the services became infrequent.  In 1869 a Presbyterian church was 
established at Cato, the elders being S. D. Robinson, later succeeded by R. McNutt, 
N. Darling, D. Robinson and O. Davis.  No regular pastor served the church until 
1893 when Rev. A. Rederus was called from Sioux City, Iowa.  On May 19th two years 
later he revived 
 
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the Eaton church at Niles, M. Johnson and W. Tyler being chosen elders.  He 
continued to minister at both places until 1898 when he resigned, since which time 
the pulpits have been vacant.  The Hope Bohemian Presbyterian Church was started at 
Melnik in 1892 by Rev. Joseph Balcar, who was ordained at Manitowoc, but he left 
after two years service for Ely, Iowa, being succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. 
F. T. Bastel.  Occasional Presbyterian services in that language are held in 
Manitowoc also.
 
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
 
 The part played by the Roman Catholic church in Manitowoc county has always been 
a large one and in membership the congregations professing that faith far outnumber 
all others.  The parishes in the county are partly in the Milwaukee and partly in 
the Green Bay diocese, the latter having been founded in 1860 with the Manitowoc 
and Fox Rivers as the dividing lines.  Green Bay was the center of early activity 
along missionary lines in Wisconsin and thus it was that Rev. Joseph Brenner was 
sent to Manitowoc county in 1850.  An occasional visit from a Jesuit wanderer had 
been made before this time but it was not until Rev. Brenner's arrival that 
definite pastoral work began and perhaps no man better fitted could have been 
chosen for the work.  Energetic and zealous at the end of his four years of 
service he had established congregations at Manitowoc Rapids, Two Rivers, 
Cooperstown, Meeme, Maple Grove and French Creek, holding services and building 
churches in each of these place.  This was a wonderful accomplishment considering 
the circumstances,--the newness of the community and the poverty of the 
parishioners.  The congregation at the Rapids included for some years the members 
of the faith at Manitowoc, the latter being obliged to go to the county seat to 
attend services, a church being erected at the Rapids in 1852.  In the next year 
Father Brenner was called away from his duties and later left for the island of 
Java in the East Indies. A member of the Jesuit order the clergyman was forty-five
years of age when he came to Manitowoc, having for some years 
 
P 203
 
previous resided at Green Bay where he gained a reputation as a linquist and writer.
He died in the midst of his labors at Bombay, India in January 1885. His successor,
Rev. H. J. Nuyts had also been previously stationed at Green Bay and upon assuming 
charge decided that a church should be built at Manitowoc.  Accordingly the first 
St. Boniface, a frame structure 40 by 70 feet, was erected on a lot on Marshall 
street, it being capable of seating seven hundred people and soon after a small 
parsonage was built and a five acre burial site purchased at a point some distance
south of the city.  Rev. Nuyts continued in service at Manitowoc and Rapids for 
three years, when he left for Grant County, from where soon after he returned to 
his native Holland, dying at a ripe age.
 His successor was Rev. Michael Beittner, who came in 1856 and officiated for a 
year.  Father Beittner was of Bavarian birth and was ordained by Bishop Henni, 
officiating at New Coeln and Potosi before being sent to Manitowoc.  After serving 
as pastor at Brighton, Jefferson and Racine for a time he returned to Bavaria, 
where he died May 28, 1895.  From April to August 1857 Rev. Joseph Maly was the 
priest of St. Boniface.  He was born in Bohemia in 1828 and graduated from the 
Budweis Theological School at the age of twenty-eight, coming to America a year 
later.  After a short residence at Syracuse, N. Y. he came to Wisconsin and for 
many years was engaged in work in Manitowoc County and later in Kewaunee county.  
In the fullness of age he then retired to a farm in Dane County.  On August 23, 
1857 he was succeeded in Manitowoc by Rev. Mathew Gernbauer, who remained until 
July 1859, being followed a year by Rev. Max de Becke, both serving the Rapids 
church as well. During the earlier sixties Rev. J. M. Pfeiffer acted as priest, 
resigning to take a trip to Germany and dying at sea on his return voyage 
September 30, 1863.  During his absence Rev. E. A. Van Steenwyk of Two Rivers had 
officiated but the vacancy caused by the former's death was filled by the 
appointment of Rev. James Staehle, who remained in Manitowoc until 1868.  During 
the next ten years Rev. Joseph Fessler was 
 
P 204
 
the resident priest.  He was a German by birth and came to America in youth, 
studying at St. Francis Seminary.  He was largely instrumental in the foundation 
of the convent at Alverno and after leaving Manitowoc went west, dying at 
Beaverton, Oregon June 20, 1896.   On March 17, 1878 Rev. H. Jacobs assumed the 
duties of the parish and held the position until March three years later.  He was 
born in Germany in 1841, came to America at the age of nineteen and soon graduated 
from St. Francis.  After traveling in Europe he began his work in Fond du Lac 
County, where he returned to die after giving up his Manitowoc parish.  For three 
months Rev. George Fessler of Alverno filled the vacancy and in May Rev. W. J. Peil
the present incumbent assumed charge.  Born in Racine October 3, 1849 he was 
ordained after a course at St Francis, in 1872 and acted as assistant at St. 
Joseph's in Milwaukee for some months, later being stationed at Caledonia.  A man 
of indomitable energy he soon made his influence felt.  At his arrival there were 
one hundred families connected with the parish while at present there are about 
four times that number.  His first aim was the building of a church as the older 
structure was becoming too small.  The cornerstone of the new St. Boniface was laid
May 5, 1885 with due ceremony, addresses being delivered by Fathers Willmes and 
Cleary, while the consecration occurred Nov. 25, 1886, Bishop Heiss officiating. 
The total cost of the structure, which was 136 by 60 feet with a spire 136 feet 
high, was $30,000, the frescoing and other decorations being elaborate.  The old 
church was used as a school for a time, Father Fessler having started such an 
institution in his ministry.  An important adjunct to the church has been the St. 
Joseph Benevolent Society formed May 15, 1874.  The first officers were: President, 
T. Mohr; Vice President, Adam Bleser; Secretary, N. Gentgen; Treasurer, C. M. 
Peters.  It was incorporated two years later and celebrated its twenty-fifth 
anniversary in 1899, the event being attended by many thousands.  During its 
existence it has expended over $12,000 in benevolence.  Branches of the Catholic 
Knights, Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus are also connected 
with the church.  The pres-
 
P 205
 
ent constituency of the congregation is mainly German and Irish and the work has 
become so extensive that for several years it has been necessary to have an 
assistant, Rev. Mueller and Salbreiter having filled the position.
 Another of the oldest Catholic organizations of the county is St. Luke's at Two 
Rivers.  In 1851 R. M. Eberts and wife donated three lots in Block 51 to Bishop 
Henni for a church and accordingly Father Brenner established a mission on July 16, 
a frame structure being built to accommodate the worshippers.  A majority of these 
were French Canadians although many Germans and a few Irish were in the number,
necessitating representation of the various nationalities among the priests. After 
Father Brenner departed the following officiated:--Revs. W. De Yonge 1856-1857, 
Peter Menard 1857-1858, J. C. Perrodin 1858-1860, S. Senner 1860-1861, J. M. 
Pfeiffer 1861-1863, E. Van Steenwyk 1863-1864, Bonaventura de Goey 1864-1865, N. 
Hens 1866-1867, Jacob Gauche 1867-1870, J. F. Zawistowski 1870-1873, J. Gauche 
1873-1877, A. Bogacki 1877-1879.  The next pastor, Rev. George J. Veith, died 
suddenly October 1, 1881 while visiting in Green Bay and was succeeded by Rev. 
Mathias Welbes, who in 1891 was transferred to Kewaunee, being succeeded by Rev. 
J. A. Geissler. After two years Father Geissler departed and Rev. John G. Dries 
became pastor.  On March 16, 1898, however, he died and Rev. Geissler was recalled, 
having since served the congregation.  Father Dries was born in Luxemburg July 6, 
1852 and came to America at the age of thirty, some years after entering the 
priesthood and at first ministering to congregations in Brown and Kewaunee counties.
Father Geissler was born in Patterson, New Jersey April 4, 1854 and spent his 
early years at school in Belgium.  His place in the hearts of his parishioners is 
high and he has done much for their advancement, the church now numbering 370 
families.  The cornerstone of a new church was laid July 12, 1891 and the structure, 
a fine stone one costing $25,000 was dedicated in October the year following.  A 
benevolent society, taking the name of St. Joseph, was organized in 1872 and has 
done much good.  A branch of the Catholic Knights also exists. 
 
P 206
 
 Another of the original churches of the county is that, known as St. Patrick's, 
in the town of Maple Grove.  Fourteen Catholics met at the home B. S. Lorigan in 
1850 and formed a church, which was visited by first by Rev. Brenner.  A frame 
church was built and occasional services held by the priests in charge at Manitowoc
until 1861 when Rev. Sebastian was made a resident pastor.  He was a sincere 
patriot and did much towards filling Maple Grove's quota during the civil struggle.
His successor in 1865 was Rev. Eugene McGinnity now of Janesville and largely 
through his efforts the building of a new church was undertaken, the cornerstone 
being laid November 1, 1868, the structure when completed being 100 by 46 feet. 
The succeeding pastors having been Revs. James Mahoney 1868-1870, Andrew Seubert 
1870-1874, Louis Cornelius 1874-1875, C. Lemogie 1875-1879, Roman Schotter 
1879-1881, W. J. Rice 1881-1887, Conrad Seule 1887-1893 and the present pastor Rev. 
T. J. Ryan.  Father Ryan is of Irish birth and became a priest in 1884, ministering 
in Omro, Winneconne and Ripon for some time.  A branch of the C. K. W. is in 
existence in connection with St. Luke's. 
 A fourth church to be established by Father Brenner was St. James' at Cooperstown.
A building was erected in 1850, six years after the first permanent settlement in 
the township.  Until 1865 it was visited by Father Brenner of Manitowoc and Father 
Maly of Francis Creek but in that year Rev. Augustin Lang took up his duties at the 
parish, succeeded in two years by Rev. William Mahoney.  Rev. Eusebius Henzle, who 
came to the church in 1868, died February 20, 1870 and was succeeded by Rev. James 
Gauche now of DePere for three years.  A new church was erected in 1871, made 
possible by the energetic efforts of the building committee. From 1876 to 1884 Rev. 
August Rossochowitz, an exile from Germany officiated, being succeeded for a few 
months by Father Stirn of Francis Creek.  The later priests have been Revs. J. A. 
Duermeyer 1884-1887, John H. Holzknecht 1887-1892, F. X. Steinbrecher and F. W. 
Geier 1892, John D. Schwartzmeyer 1892-1895.  In 1895 Rev. G. J. Pellegrin assumed 
charge, a man of extraordinary attainments, of 
 
 
 
P 207
 
Belgian birth and a linguist of reputation.  Born in 1846 he came to America at the 
age of nineteen and is a graduate of St. Francis Seminary.  His successor was the 
present pastor, R. G. W. Geier.  The congregation was incorporated in 1883 and now 
numbers one hundred and twenty-five families.  Branch No. 101 C. K. W. is made up 
of members of St. James.
 Father Brenner also organized St. Ann's at Francis Creek, the first church being 
built by his successor, Rev. Joseph Maly.  Rev. F. X. Steinbrecher became the 
pastor in 1877 serving until 1885.  Later Rev. William H. De Haan, a native of 
Amsterdam, Holland assumed charge, removing to Aniwa in 1896 and being succeeded 
by Rev. Lakoney, who in turn gave way to the present priest, Rev. J. Vorlichek. 
The congregation numbers seventy families.
 St. Isidore's Church in the town of Meeme is another monument to the organizing 
ability of Father Brenner.  In the fall of 1850 a few religionists gathered at the 
home of John Maltilor and formed a church.  Henry Mulholland, Sr. donated a three 
acre plot upon which was constructed a chapel 50 by 30 feet, Bishop Henni naming 
it.  It was visited by priests from surrounding churches until 1862 when Rev. 
Lawrence Kenney took charge.  He induced his people to build a new structure, 
which was completed in 1864 and blessed by Bishop Henni on his memorable trip 
through the county that year when a total of 910 were confirmed at the various 
churches.  Rev. Kenney died while at St. Isadore's and was buried under the new 
church.  Rev. McGinnity of Maple Grove then looked after the parish for four years 
until the appointment of Rev. Thomas McDoneell who also died in the midst of his 
labors February 24, 1869.  After a vacancy of a year the following pastors 
officiated in the order named:--Revs. E. R. Goss 1870-1871, Dennis Tierney 
1871-1874, J. R. Briller 1878-1879, Thomas Corry 1879-1880, R. J. Roche 1880-1882, 
A. J. Gerhard 1882, J. J. Smith 1883-1885, E. E. Graves 1885-1886, E. F. Pitt 
1886-1890, M. B. Norton 1890-1894 and Rev. E. Henderson.  The church numbers 500 
families, largely of Irish descent.  Branch No. 68 C. K. W. was established at 
Meeme April 14, 1887.

P 208
 
 The next church to be established in the county was St. Joseph's at Kellnersville.  
In 1852 fifteen Bohemian families settled at that village,--originally all 
Catholics.  For six years they were attended by Rev. Joseph Maly of Francis Creek 
and a log church was built in the town of Cooperstown, dedicated to St. Wenceslaus, 
there being 150 families in the parish.  After various vicissitudes a dispute arose 
over the property and the church, led by Rev. Gideon Manazek, became schismatic, 
the pastor being suspended from the priesthood.  Reverend Manazek died in 1873 and 
was followed for four years by Reverend Sadimir Klacel, who continued the church in 
defiance of the diocesan authorities.  Reverend A. Cipin of Carlton at last brought 
about reconciliation and a new church was then built, one mile south of St. 
Wenceslaus and dedicated to St. Joseph.  Among the later priests have been Revs. 
Ignatz Lager, J. Maly, F. Privoznek, W. Koerner, J. Jiranek, A. Cipin, R. Lakomey 
and F. Just.  A division occurred during Rev. Koerner's ministry, several families 
withdrawing.  Reverend Just is a Bohemian by birth and came to America at an early 
age.  He also has a mission at Greenstreet under his charge. 
 In no community in the county has religious and secular life been more closely 
allied than at the village of St. Nazianz.  Rev. Ambrose Oschwald, a native of 
Baden, a man of high intellectual order with tastes tending somewhat toward 
asceticism, was responsible for the founding of a colony at that village, 
communistic and religious in character.  Gathering around him one hundred and 
fourteen of his followers, mainly from his parish in the old world, he set out for 
a new country in order that he might found a Utopia.  He arrived in Milwaukee in 
August 1854 and was there induced to purchase 3840 acres of land in the town of 
Eaton, paying $3.50 per acre.  Arriving at their new home on the 26th of the month 
the settlers set at work hewing down the wilderness and among the first structures 
built was a church, St. Gregory's.  A convent for the women was soon constructed 
and in 1864 a monastery of the Franciscan order was added.  The land was owned and 
worked in common and the whole domestic economy was 
 
P 209
 
under the guidance of Father Oschwald.  The later has been described as "intimate 
with the classics and history, learned in medicine and eloquent as a divine" and 
he was above all a consistent communist.  A common treasury was established and 
certain rules and regulations adopted for the government of all.  Father Oschwald 
was somewhat of an architect and his design of the settlement buildings were 
unique.The sisters' convent was a large three story building situated on main 
street, plastered on the outside and painted a delicate pink. One wing was used as 
a chapel, containing two galleries and was capable of seating a large number of 
persons.  The brothers' monastery was similar in construction and also contained a 
chapel.  Around the grounds were various" stations," boxes on posts containing 
representations of sacred scenes and upon the summit of a little hill was erected 
a small chapel, resembling and named after the famous Mount Loretto, the interior 
decorations being quite elaborate.  The first church soon became too small for the 
increasing number of the colonists and accordingly a larger one was built.  The 
parishioners themselves engaged in different occupations, some tending in the 
fields while others made articles of straw, shoes, fancy work and a certain kind 
of cheese that became immensely popular in the market.  All  prospered until Father 
Oschwald's death, which occurred on February 27, 1873, whereupon dissensions arose 
and many of the communal features were abandoned. The sarcophagus containing the 
remains of the dead priest still lies in the basement of the monastery always 
guarded by a lighted lamp.  Rev. P. A. Mutz was his successor, he having been 
ordained as one of the graduates of St. Francis some years before.  The present 
pastor is Rev. Diebl.  The village is still full of the old world atmosphere and 
religious influences are great.  A branch of the C. K. W., exists in connection 
with St. Gregory's. 
 Among the older churches of the county is that of the nativity at Tisch Mills.  
Founded by Rev. J. Maly it remained as a 
(The author desires to state that he owes the names and dates of the rural priests 
of the county to that admirable work, the Catholic Church in Wisconsin.)
 
P 210
 
mission connected with Carlton, Kewaunee county until 1893.  Among its pastors have 
been Revs. August Lang, A. Cipin, Joseph Kirpal, A. Vychodil and E. Kabat.  Since 
its separation from Carlton Revs. F. Shimonek, F. Windisch, F. Kolen and L. 
Ulauschek have had charge of the parish in the order named.  The church numbers 
150 families.
 In 1861 Father Schrauderbach of Sheboygan established St. Wendel's in the town of 
Centerville.  Rev. Keiber, a Bavarian, was the first resident priest, followed a 
year later by Rev. P. Stuecki of Sheboygan, who died Feb. 4 1863 and was buried 
near the church.  A log structure was erected at first, then a frame building in 
1864, which burned down thirty years later and was replaced by an elegant new 
church in 1895.  A mission at Centerville was established also in 1861 by Father 
Schrauderbach and another, St. Fidelis', in the town of Meeme by Father Korfhage 
in 1872, both of which have since been under the care of the priests of St. Wendel. 
The pastors since Rev. Stuecki's death have been:--Revs. J. Welter 1863-1864, 
Bernhard 1864, M. Weiss 1864-1865, A. F. Zuber 1865-1871, H. F. Korfhage 1871-1875, 
Thomas Breiker 1875-1877, C. Schilling 1877-1880, J. P. Van Treek 1880-1882, H. 
Helfstern 1882-1893, Rudolph Ollig 1893, William Dejalle 1893-1899, and W. Wolf, 
the present pastor.  About 100 families are under his charge. 
 St. Augustine's congregation in the town of Kossuth, made up of the settlers of 
Bohemian nationality who early came to the town, was started in 1862.  The church 
is attended by priests from Francis Creek and Kellnersville.  The congregation 
numbers about one hundred families.
 In 1865 Ira Clark gave two acres for a church site at Clark's Mills and upon it 
was built the Church of the Immaculate Conception.  Before 1865 occasional services 
had been held by priests from Maple Grove but it was not until that year that a 
priest was assigned the locality regularly, Father Fessler serving the congregation 
for some time.  Then for some years it was a mission of St. Nazianz and Maple Grove 
until 1875 when Rev. John Wernert was assigned the parish.  A brick structure, 75 
by 13 feet costing $4000, was then erect-

P 211
 
ed and a parsonage completed.  The succeeding pastors were Revs. Gerhard Hornish 
1878, Clement Lau 1878-1879, Joseph Rhode 1879-1885, John Holzknecht 1885-1887, 
J. A. Duermeyer 1887-1890, George Brenner 1890-1895, E. Kabat 1895-1899. The 
present pastor is Rev. Ulrich.  Branch No. 146 C. K. W. is located at Clark's 
Mills.
 The Church of the Assumption was built by the Bohemian residents of Reedsville in 
1866, there having been originally twenty-five families in the parish. It was first 
attended by priests from Francis Creek but in 1876 Rev. Julius Stroehlke assumed 
charge, being succeeded the next year by Rev. Maly for a few months, he in turn 
being followed by Rev. T. Spunor.  During the latter's pastorate the cornerstone of 
a new church was laid, it being completed by Rev. John Videnka, who died in the 
midst of his labors on May 29, 1885.  During the term of his successor, Rev. 
William Kraemer a branch of the Catholic Knights was established and a parochial 
school started and in 1896 Rev. Adelbert Cipin assumed charge. Rev. Cipin is a 
Bohemian by birth and entered the priesthood in 1873, serving at Ahnapee and 
Kellnersville before being transferred to Reedsville. Holy Trinity church at Kasson 
was established as a mission for the Assumption in 1875 and has since been so 
connected.
 A polish church, named St. Casimir's was established in 1868 at Northeim in the 
town of Newton.  Fire destroyed the first structure in 1880 but it was rebuilt and 
is now a substantial edifice.  The pastors of the congregation have been Revs. B.
Buwzynski 1868-1870, F. X. Kralczywski 1870-1871, P. Koncz 1872-1873, Alexander 
Michnowski 1873-1874, Simon Wieczorik 1874-1877, C. Goerik 1877-1878, R. A. 
Bukowski 1878-1879, J. Musulwicz 1879-1880, Aenitas Goch 1880-1881, George 
Fessler 1881-1882, Felix Ozechowski 1882-1884, J. Deilkicaworz 1885-1887, J. 
Horbacz  1887-1888, John Maczynski 1889-1891, Z. Luczycki 1891-1893, Henry 
Cichocki 1893 and the present pastor, Ignatz Paluch.
 St. Mary's Polish Church was organized at Manitowoc February 24 1870.  The frame 
building used formerly by the German Lutherans of the city was purchased three 
years

P 212
 
later and removed to "the Hill," being dedicated September 6 1874. The congregation
grew rapidly until now it embraces three hundred families.  In 1888 an orphan 
asylum was founded and placed under the care of the Polish Felician Sisters and it 
has since become an important benevolent institution.  In the same year it was 
decided to begin the construction of a new and costly church but after the 
foundation had been laid funds grew scarce and it was ten years before the 
structurecould be completed, the dedication ceremonies occurring October 1 1899. 
The list of pastors of the church is as follows:--Rev. F. X. Kralczywski 1872, 
Peter Koncz 1872-1873, A. Michnowski 1873-1874, Simon Wieczorik 1875-1876, Erasmus 
Bartkiewicz 1878, Joseph Musylwicz 1879-1882, Felix Orzcechorisk 1882-1884, Joseph 
Deiticwicz 1884, Ladislaus Zuczcki 1886-1890, C. Monczysk 1893, Henry Cichocki 
1893-1894.  As the chronology shows there have been frequent vacancies but a new 
era of prosperity was inaugurated upon the arrival of Rev. Wenceslaus Krzwonos, the 
new priest, on October 1 1896.  Born in Bouk, Galicia, September 28 1852 he was 
educated at Rycszow and at the age of twenty entered the Cracow Military Academy, 
later graduating and becoming a lieutenant in the Fortieth Austrian Infantry for 
four years, at the expiration of which time he came to America.  After entering a 
Benedictine Monastery in Missouri he was ordained a priest and served at St. 
Joseph, Missouri and later at South Chicago.  He left the church on account of 
factional troubles in April 1903.  There are connected with the church St. 
Adalbert's Society and the Holy Rosary Society, both large in membership.
 St. Michael's at Whitelaw or Pine Grove was established in 1872, a church being 
built a year later.  It was a mission of the Clark's Mills congregation until 1876 
when the first resident pastor, Rev. Godfrey Noever was transferred from the Rapids 
church, the latter at the time being discontinued and its congregation divided.  
Later Clark's Mills priests again had St. Michael's under their charge but Rev. 
Joseph Hemmer assumed the duties of priest at the place in 1896, be-

P 213
 
ing succeeded the next year by Rev. Joseph Mack.  A branch of the C. K. W. was 
organized at Whitelaw in July 1894.
 On November 9 1869 Rev. Joseph Fessler of Manitowoc induced four sisters to take 
the vows and steps were immediately taken towards the building of a convent at 
Alverno, the structure being completed in September of the following year.  Sister 
Odelia was the first mother superior and the number of sisters gradually grew until 
it reached twenty five or thirty.  To accommodate these and also the inhabitants of 
that part of the county St. Joseph's Church was constructed in 1874 and placed for 
a time under the care of Father Fessler of Manitowoc.  On his removal from the 
state in 1880 Rev. George Fessler assumed charge, which he retained until 1885 when 
on May 28th he died at the age of thirty seven.  During his pastorate, on September 
1, 1881, the convent burned, the loss being about $65,000 but by dint of great 
effort the structure was speedily rebuilt and continued its successful existence, 
many hundred young people receiving instruction. A chapel was built in 1890 to 
accommodate the sisters.  The successors of Father Fessler have been Revs. A. J. 
Gerhard 1885, I. P. Van Treck 1885-1887, H. Neihaus 1887-1888, P. H. Welbes 
1888-1890, M. Oberlinkels 1890-1892.  Rev. Norbert W. Dieninger assumed charge in 
1892.
 Among the churches later established was St. Peter's and Paul's at Kiel.  During 
several years it was a mission of St. Anna's in Sheboygan County but in 1892 Rev. 
G. Weisse was appointed, followed in 1896 by Rev. M. J. Schmitz, who had just 
graduated from St. Francis. 
 On May 10 1889 the Poles at Two Rivers, who were a part of the congregation of St. 
Luke's, separated and established Sacred heart Church.  Rev. F. Luczycki was the 
first priest, being succeeded by Revs. Chelkocki, Bozwiacki, Geruss, Podlicki, 
Mozejuski, Kubazeski and Pociecha.  A new church was erected by the congregation in 
1899.  A church at Mishicot which, since its foundation in 1866, had been connected 
with St. Luke's also separated in 1898, Rev. A. Bastian and Rev. P. St. Louis being 
the first priests.
 A Catholic hospital, named the Holy Family, was erected
 
P 214
 
in Manitowoc in the latter nineties at a great expense and forms one of the most 
important public institutions in the county, having been designated as a marine 
hospital by the United States Government.
 Sacred heart Congregation composed of English speaking Catholics was organized in 
1902 in Manitowoc under Father O'Leary's guidance.  The building formerly known as 
St. James' Episcopal was purchased but efforts were immediately put forth to secure 
a site for a larger church, land being purchased at the corner of State and North 
Seventh streets.
 
LUTHERAN
 
 Many of the first German settlers who came to Manitowoc County were members of 
the Lutheran denomination and it was only natural that efforts should early be made 
at the establishment of a church.  Thus it was that in the summer of 1851 the 
residents of the town of Newton formed a congregation, led by Rev. C. F. Goldammer, 
a man of great spiritual gifts who saw many years of useful ministration in 
Wisconsin.  A rough church was built and the worshippers, although few in number, 
took much interest in the enterprise.  Rev. Goldammer was not a man to limit his 
usefulness and as early as 1851 he came to Manitowoc every second week to hold 
services with a few families.  For years these gatherings took place in the old 
district school at the corner of South Seventh and Washington streets.  Finally on 
April 9, 1855 St. John's congregation was organized in the village with thirty 
families in church connection and it was decided to call Rev. Goldammer to the 
parish. He accepted and a church, parsonage and school were completed the following
year the latter being enlarged in 1859 to meet the growing demands.  The church 
was a frame structure 35 by 50 feet in dimensions, which was capable of seating 
about four hundred people.  In 1858 Rev. Goldammer left for Burlington, Wis. and 
Rev. Philip Koehler accepted the work and responsibility for the next nine years. 
In 1861 the congregation had a membership of ninety-one families; in 1865 the report
shows 184 families and 193 children in school attendance. By act of the legislature 
March 23, 1866 the congregation was incorporated and in the same year  
 
P 215
 
a new school was erected, which continued to do duty for twenty-five years until it 
was taken away to make room for the present structure.  Rev. Koehler left in 1867 
and was succeeded by Rev. M. Quehl.  It was during  his pastorate that, the old 
church proving utterly inadequate, it was decided to build a new brick structure.
The building was completed in 1873 at a cost of $16,000 and is one of the most 
commodious in the city.  By this time Rev. K. Huebner had taken up pastoral work in 
the city but after two years' service he gave way, in 1874, to Rev. G. Thiele, 
later of Milwaukee.  Rev. F. Pieper assumed charge in 1876, followed by Rev. R. 
Pieper in 1878.  Two years later the Synod of Minnesota and Wisconsin met at St. 
John's and the church was again chosen as the gathering place in 1894.  In February 
1891 Rev. Karl Machmueller, the present pastor, assumed charge and has assisted 
materially in the development of church life. The congregation numbers 435 families 
and there are 250 children in attendance at the school.  A thriving ladies' society 
is maintained in connection with the church. 
 As early as 1861 occasional Lutheran services were held in the village of Two 
Rivers but it was not until 1863 that St. John's Congregation was organized by Rev.
H. Barthels, a missionary pastor of the church.  In the same year "the little brown 
church" built and owned by the Episcopals was purchased from Bishop Kemper and was 
used as a place of worship by the new congregation.  Rev. Barthels remained until 
the latter part of 1865 and was succeeded by Rev. Braun and under his pastorate a 
parsonage was built.  In October 1869 Rev. Braun was succeeded by Rev. Zuberbier, 
who died in the midst of his activities in 1872, whereupon Rev. C. Jaeger assumed 
pastoral duties for six years, he now being a resident of Racine.  His successor 
was Rev. P. Lucas, who passed away at Two Rivers July 28, 1881, Rev. J. P. Koehler 
then taking up the work.  He remained seven years, at the end of which time he 
resigned to accept a position as professor in the Northwestern Theological Seminary 
at Watertown.  It was under his guidance that the congregation decided to build a 
new church edifice.  The building operations, how-
 
P  216
 
ever, were carried on by his successor, Rev. A. F. Siegler, the dedication taking 
place in 1889.  In September 1892 the present pastor, Rev. C. A. F. Doehler, 
assumed charge of the church and under his leadership it has prospered, numbering 
now about nine hundred communicants.  The school, started at the same time as the 
church, was for ten years under the care of the pastors but from that time on 
teachers were hired and the institution now numbers 160 scholars.  Two frame 
structures are utilized for school purposes, one of them being the old church.
 The Newton church, the oldest in the county led a very successful career, 
celebrating its golden anniversary in September 1901.  Among the pastors have been 
Revs. C. Wagner, E. Strube, A. Pieper and Christian Sicker.  In the town of 
Centerville two churches of the Lutheran denomination exist St. John's Congregation 
was organized in 1860 with forty members and a church was built the next year.  
Seven years later St. Peter's was organized and a church built.  One pastor has 
continued to serve both, the list being as follows:--Revs. M. Quehl 1862-1867, 
C. Dowidat 1869-1875, F. Pieper 1875-1877, J. Haase 1877-1883, C. Jaeger 1883-1887, 
P. Sprengling 1887.  St. John's numbers seventy-two members and St. Peter's forty-
six.  Among the other early churches was that established at Reedsville.  Rev. 
Goldammer held occasional services in the neighborhood during his Manitowoc 
pastorate and in the early sixties Revs. C. Gauschwitz and  C. Braun were sent to 
the parish, the latter leaving in 1865 to take up his duties in Two Rivers.  There 
were about twenty-five communicants at the time and under Rev. A. Kluge, who came 
in 1865, the congregation was increased and in 1869 St. Johannes and Jacobus Church 
was organized.  Rev. Kluge remained fifteen years and in 1879 a new church was 
erected, replacing the earlier one built twenty years before. Rev. A. Topel served 
as pastor for seven years, at the end of which time the present minister, Rev. 
Phillip Brenner, was called. A parochial school with seventy scholars is maintained.
In 1878 a church was established in the town of Gibson with C. Jaeger as pastor, 
he being succeeded by Rev. P. Kionka.

P 217
 
The Larrabee church dates from 1884, the pastors since that time having been Revs. 
H. Prohl 1884-1888, H. Bruss 1888-1890, and the present minister, H. Mueller.  
The same year also witnessed the beginning of a church at Rosecrans, served 
consecutively by Revs. A. W. Kubel and Christian Sieker. At Niles in the town of 
Eaton a church was started in 1893 by Rev. W. Schlei, who has since officiated as 
pastor and in the same year Rev. H. Zarwell began his ministrations at a church 
established at Rube, being transferred to the Liberty Church later, his successor 
being Rev. F. Weertz.  Rev. Schlei officiates at present, also, in a church built 
at Collins. 
 A mission church as existed for some years at Mishicott being served by Two Rivers 
ministers. Of late, however, Rev. Vater, a resident pastor, has had charge.
 Not only were there many German settlers of the Lutheran faith but a large number 
of the Scandinavian race as well.  In the latter forties many Norwegians settled in 
the towns of Liberty and Eaton and a few joined the Episcopal Church under Rev. 
Unonius.  However they soon became strong enough to form a society of their own at 
Gjerpen, which was one of the oldest Norwegian settlements in the state. The church 
was organized October 4, 1850 and Rev. H. A. Stueb was called as the first pastor.  
Rev. Stueb was born in Bergen, May 13, 1822 and came to America at the age of 
twenty-six and for many years was a leading figure in Wisconsin Lutheranism. After 
two years he was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Otteson, who was twenty-seven years old at 
the time, having come directly from Norway to his charge.  Within three years he 
had established congregations at Manitowoc, Liberty, Maple Grove and Valders, 
making the circuit of the churches at as close intervals as time would allow him.
Both Revs. Stueb and Otteson are still living and the former was present at the 
semi-centennial exercises held at Gjerpen in October 1900.  In 1864 a church, the 
largest then in existence in the county, was dedicated at Liberty.  The structure 
was 90 by 40 feet in dimensions and cost $4000, it being the scene of the Lutheran 
Synod two years later.  Rev. L. M. Biorn had by this time undertaken pastoral work 
in 

P 218
 
the county, having the five churches under his supervision. For years the Manitowoc 
society met in the district school but in 1865 the construction of a church at the 
corner of North Eighth and State streets was commenced.  When completed and ready 
for occupancy on Christmas day 1867 the building had cost $5000 and was capable of 
seating five hundred people, being 50 by 70 feet in dimensions.  It was rebuilt and 
greatly beautified in 1899. Rev. Biorn continued as pastor of the church until 
1879, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. C. F. Magelson.  In 1880 the Synod 
of the church met at Manitowoc.  In February 1893 Rev. J. A. Haugen assumed charge 
of the city congregation, remaining five years.  At the end of his pastorate the 
congregation was divided, those denoted as the Missourians retaining the old church 
and calling Rev. P. R. Thorsen as pastor while the Anti-Missourians formed a new 
organization under the name of St. Paul's.  This division, however, merely 
emphasized the separate organizations which had existed since 1874.  The original 
St. Paul's Congregation had been organized on February 24th of that year and had 
constructed a church at the corner of North Seventh and St. Clair streets although 
the same pastor preached in the two churches for many years.  In the fall of 1898 
a new brick church was constructed by the parish three blocks west of the old site 
at a cost of $10,000, being dedicated March 19, 1899.  Rev. E. T. Rogne of Austin, 
Minn. was called to the pastorate and the congregation has led a very harmonious 
existence.
 St. Paul's maintains a very successful branch of the Luther League, the Wisconsin 
convention of that organization being held in the city in the summer of 1901.  A 
branch of the Luther Alliance is an adjunct of the older church and active ladies' 
societies are connected with both.  A new Lutheran Church was erected at Valders 
during the fall of 1899, while the church at Gjerpen, which had been constructed 
in 1856 was thoroughly reconstructed in the same year at a cost of $10,000.  Rev. 
C. Alfson has for some years past had charge of the country congregations.

P 219
 
CONGREGATIONAL.
 
 When Rev. W. Herritt came to Manitowoc County in 1850 he set about establishing at 
Two Rivers a Congregational Church.  On January 27th of the next year the plans 
were consummated by the foundation of the First Church, which was attached to the 
Milwaukee district, later being transferred to the Winnebago district.  At first 
the congregation numbered but fourteen members although the average Sunday school 
attendance was about seventy.  After Rev. Herritt's removal D. Pinkerton acted as 
pastor until 1857, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Stanley.  Just before the 
latter's arrival a church had been erected, one of the oldest in the county now 
standing.  The pastor was called to Manitowoc a year after beginning his ministry 
and was succeeded by Rev. H. Pierpont, the father of Judge Pierpont, who increased 
the membership to nearly fifty and maintained a thriving Sunday school.  From 1860 
on, however, the church declined and having no pastor, finally passed out of 
existence.  Rev. Pierpont removed to New York and died at Rochester in 1871.  In 
1867 Rev. Charles W. Wilson, a missionary of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church 
of America arrived in Two Rivers and reestablished the congregation.  After ten 
years of faithful labor he passed away and Rev. Thomas G. Pearce was called, he 
again instituting Congregational forms.  The church membership at the time was but 
eleven.  In November 1877 he was succeeded by Rev. D. M. Wooley, who in turn gave 
way to Rev. Sidney B. Demarest in March two years later. Rev. Demarest was a native 
of New York and was fifty-five years of age at the time he assumed pastoral duties 
at Two Rivers.  He was a graduate of Western Reserve College and the Chicago 
Theological Seminary and officiated at several points in Wisconsin before his 
death, which occurred on August 14, 1887 at Waupaca.  His successor was Rev. David 
B. Spencer, Two Rivers being his first charge.  He was an energetic young man and 
in a few months had increased the membership to fifty but in June he left for 
Hartland and the church discontinued services for a number of years.
 
P 220
 
 In 1890, however, another effort was made, described in the Congregational Report 
as follows:--"At Two Rivers there was once a church but the life has gone out of it 
and its name removed from the names of the living.  There has been this year a new 
church organized on the spot out of Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists 
and Episcopalians under most happy auspices.  Complete harmony exists among the 
Christians.  They have sustained services five months, have called Rev. Alexander 
Chambers and will raise among themselves the larger part of his salary.  This is 
practically a new church and the only one in the English tongue in a population of 
3500 souls."  Rev. Chambers accepted the call and soon the church was a thriving 
one of thirty members.  He was succeeded by Rev. John N. Davidson, a local 
historian of some note, in 1893 and two years later a branch was started among the 
English residents of Two Creeks.  Rev. Davidson resigned in February 1901 to accept
a call from Dousman, Wis. and was succeeded by Rev. T. W. Cole, of Ivanhoe, Ill.  
The church today numbers about fifty members and a Sunday school of over one 
hundred pupils is maintained. A Christian Endeavor Society was established in 1893 
and later another in connection with the Two Creeks church.
 A Congregational church was established in Maple Grove in 1853 with fourteen 
members.  Rev. Israel C. Holmes, father of Rev. Mead Holmes, was the first regular 
pastor and soon had a thriving Sunday school established.  After about seven years, 
however, the services were discontinued and the congregation dissolved.
 
BAPTIST.
 
 Although the Baptist denomination has not played a very prominent part in 
Manitowoc county there have been several churches of the sect within its borders.
The only one in which the English language was used was established at School Hill 
in 1856 by Rev. Joseph Jeffreys.  Rev. Jeffreys was a Welshman by birth and was 
ordained in Wisconsin.  In his first report he said:--"This is an entirely new field 
 
P 221
 
among our Welsh people, settled in the forests along the lake shore" and told how 
"the Macedonian cry for help" had been sent to the Baptist convention of 1855. The 
pastor preached in Welsh at the morning and in English at the evening services but 
during the first year the congregation gained but one member. The minister remained
two years and then there was an interim of seventeen years, in which there were no 
regular services held with the exception of a short time in 1863 when Rev. P. Work 
officiated.  A new church was constructed in 1873 and two year's later Rev. H. A. 
Sears was sent to the parishes of School Hill and Plymouth, Sheboygan County.  He 
was born in Springfield, N. Y. in 1818 and had been in Wisconsin since 1843.  He 
died at Beaver Dam soon after leaving his pastoral duties in Manitowoc.  During his 
three years of ministry the congregation increased from thirty to fifty and a 
thriving Sunday school was established.  Rev. W. H. Whitelaw was the pastor in 1879 
and then there was a vacancy until 1881, when for three years Rev. A. T. Miller of 
Sheboygan Falls officiated on alternate Sabbaths, being succeeded by Rev. Edward 
Jones in 1884.  Rev. Jones died while engaged in his duties a year later and after 
an interim of three years Rev. J. Phillips assumed charge for some time.  In 1892 
Rev. Miller of Sheboygan Falls resumed his visits to the church, being succeeded 
in 1894 by Rev. A. Goodwin, in 1895 by Rev. S. W. Wiltshire of Sun Prairie and in 
1898 by Rev. Thomas Davis, services being held every fourth Sabbath.  The church at 
present numbers over thirty members and is situated in the Milwaukee district.
 A German Baptist church was established on South Seventh Street in the village of 
Manitowoc in 1866 by Rev. C. Kleppe, a missionary.  He held meetings at various 
points in the county but died at his work in 1867.  He was succeeded by Rev. 
Theodore Klinker, the church numbering then about fifty members and in 1872 Rev. 
R. Haab assumed charge, which he retained for two years, being followed by Rev. A. 
Freitag for a year.  After a vacancy of five years Rev. J. Miller of Watertown 
became the pastor and soon a Sunday school was started.  After four years he gave 
way to Rev. M. 
 
P 222
 
Schwendener of Kewaskum but the latter's stay was brief and a long vacancy ensued. 
Rev. Freitag established another German Baptist church in the town of Kossuth in 
1875, which soon grew to a membership of sixty.  It was served jointly with 
Manitowoc until 1887, when Rev. M. Schwendener assumed charge.  After a vacancy of 
five years Rev. G. Engelmann of Freedom, Wis. came to the church in 1892 but 
remained only a year.  In 1896 Rev. P. Hoffmann of LeRoy became the pastor and has 
since acted as such.
 
GERMAN REFORMED.
 
 The first attempt at the organization of a church of the German Reformed denomi-
nation in the county occurred in the town of Newton in 1851, at which time a church
was built, served for three years by Rev. Goldammer.  A church was also built at 
Centerville and the two were served by Revs. J. F. Kluge (1854-1858) and Chr. 
Schiller (1856-1862) but on March 10 1862 they separated.  The organization in 
Newton is known as the Reformed Salem Ebenezer Congregation and has been served by 
the following pastors:--Revs. J. Blaetgen 1863-1866, T. Grosshuesch 1867-1873, G. 
Zindler 1874-1879, W. Walenta 1879-1883, T. Grosshuesch 1883-1887 and D. W. Vriesen 
1887 on.  A new church building was erected in 1876.  The ministers of the 
Centerville church have been Revs. Jean Grab, F. Nullhorst, John Blaetgen, E. 
Scheidt, H. Schenk, W. Lienkaemper, E. W. C. Brueckner and R. A. Most.  In 1867 a 
church was built at Kiel,  Rev. Praikschatis being the first pastor.  He was 
succeeded by Rev. Schoeple, who in turn gave way in 1871 to L. W. Zenk.  For twenty
years the latter faithfully served the church and under his pastorate a new edifice
was erected in 1889.  His successor was the present pastor, Rev. John Roeck.
 The church in the city of Manitowoc dates from March 25, 1868, on which date the 
congregation was formed by twelve families.  The first preacher was Rev. Jacob 
Lotka, who remained but a few months.  During his pastorate a lot was purchased and 
a small frame church costing $800 was erected. Rev. Lotka's successors have been:
--Revs. George Windemuth 1869-1870, Paul Schoetke 1871, Henry Ruster-


 
P 223
 
holz 1872-1874, E. W. Henschen 1875-1880, G. Zindler 1881-1886, D. R. Huecker 
1886-1889, C. Bonekemper 1889-1891 and L. W. Zenk, the present pastor.  In 1889 it 
was deemed necessary to build a new church and a brick edifice costing $7000 was 
accordingly erected. The present membership is about 350. A mission was established
by Rev. E. W. Henschen at Branch in 1879 and a church built there, which is still 
in use.  The membership is about sixty.
 
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
 
 In 1856 Rev. William Siekoreik, a missionary of the Evangelical Association 
visited Two Rivers and succeeded in forming a nucleus, which on July 16, 1859 
became a duly organized congregation.  A church was built that year on Pine Street 
and Rev. Peter Held called to the pulpit, which he occupied for two years.  His 
successors during the sixties and early seventies were Rev. William F. Schneider, 
J. Banzhaf, J. H. Hammetter, E. Bockermuehl, L. G. Stoebel, W. Wittenweyler, 
J. Koch, G. Schwantes, D. Herb and F. Dite.  Rev. George Hun, the next pastor was 
succeeded by Rev. F. Huelster, under whose guidance a new church, 60 by 40 feet, 
was erected.  His successor was Rev. J. C. Runkel, who left for Milwaukee in May 
1885, being succeeded temporarily by Rev. Nickel and then permanently by Rev. M. 
Finger.  The latter left for Berlin in 1888 and then Rev. J. G. Kern took up the
work for two years, when Rev. Richard Eilert assumed charge.  After three years 
service he left and his place was taken by Rev. Droegkamp of Sister Bay and later 
by Rev. F. J. Siewert.  The present pastor, C. W. Schlueter has brought the 
congregation up to a large number, it now embracing 180 members.  Two churches of 
the denomination have been maintained for some years in the town of Cooperstown, 
they being attended by the resident pastors of Morrison, Brown County, Rev. A. 
Lutz being the present minister.  Another church at Reedsville, is a part of the 
Calumet parish and is administered at present by Rev. H. W. Lutz of that county.  
Meetings are occasionally held in Rockland and Eaton as well.

P 224
 
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
 
 Late in the eighties a mission of the German Evangelical Church was organized in 
the town of Meeme, Rev. J. Holzapfel of Mosel, Sheboygan County officiating.  This 
has been since maintained and is still a mission. On January 4, 1891 Rev. J. K. O. 
Ritzmann, now retired, organized the St. John's German Evangelical Church at 
Manitowoc.  The first pastor was Rev. Emil Albert, who left in the fall of 1893, 
accepting a call to a charge at Oshkosh where he still resides.  His successor was 
Rev. John Heinrich who remained until the summer of 1896.  For the succeeding two 
years the church was connected with other charges, being served successively by the 
pastors of Oshkosh and Brillion but this not proving practicable, the church again
received a pastor in the summer of 1898, Rev. M. Rosenfeld.  He remained until the 
fall of 1900, the present pastor, Rev. Carl Nagel, then in Ohio, taking up the work 
on November 1st of that year in answer to a call by the missionary board of the 
synod.  In 1901 the church building was moved to the corner of South Fifteenth and 
Marshall Streets and completely reconstructed.  The membership is rapidly growing. 
Another church of the synod is located at Reedsville, being under the charge of the 
Brillion pastor, Rev. E. J. Fleer.
 
JEWISH.
 
 During the later nineties the city of Manitowoc became the home of a goodly number 
of Jews, sufficient at last to warrant the holding of services.  After a few 
informal gatherings, on March 14, 1900, Ansha Polia Sadik Society was incorporated 
by I. Green, M. Stein, J. Sklute, M. Green, M. Phillips, M. Davidson, A. Schwartz, 
J. Phillips, D. Balkansky, S. Salicavitz, P. Schorney and J. Golden and regular 
meetings have since been held.  In 1902 a synagogue was built.
 
CHRISTIAN.
 
 During the winter of 1895-96 revival services were held by the Christian or 
Campbellite Church at Manitowoc.  An immersion of a number of the converts of the 
sect occurred 
 
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at the Little Manitowoc February 28, 1896 and since that time the members have met 
regularly at private homes, F. J. Ives acting as leader for a time.  During 1901 
Elder Stark of the church made frequent visits to the congregation.
 
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
 
 Interest in the doctrines of Christian Science was awakened in Manitowoc to a 
considerable degree in the decade of 1890-1900 and the result was the formation of 
a society in 1899.  A hall was rented and regular meetings have since been held.  
Miss Jerauld has officiated as local reader and outside speakers have frequently 
been secured.
 
MISCELLANEOUS.
 
 There have been in the county several societies doing Christian work along inter-
denominational lines, whose record is of interest.  Among the earliest of these was 
the Manitowoc Bible Society.  This was organized at Manitowoc Rapids at a meeting 
held in the courthouse February 18, 1849, its object being the distribution of 
copies of the Holy Book.  O. C. Hubbard was chosen its first president and E. H. 
Ellis its secretary and treasurer.  Its second meeting was held in the Manitowoc 
schoolhouse, among those present being Rev. D. Lewis and Rev. Herritt.  It has 
continued a useful existence ever since, many copies of the Bible being distributed.
In 1860, for instance, when B. B. Cary was the agent, 1197 were placed in the homes
of the county. Annual meetings are still held and C. F. Liebenow acts as the agent.
A similar society was organized in Two Rivers in 1873.
 Another important society was the Manitowoc County Sunday School Association.  A
preliminary meeting for the formation of this society was held at the Presbyterian 
Tabernacle on Tuesday June 24, 1861, which was opened by prayer by Rev. Mead 
Holmes. 
Rev. J. H. Dillingham was chosen permanent chairman and reports were received to 
the effect that there were forty Sunday schools, numbering 1500 scholars, a goodly 
proportion in a county which then had but 24,000 inhabitants all told.  Messrs. 
Carey, Groffman and Canright were chosen a committee on permanent organization 
 
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and the following were the officers first elected:--President, C. S. Canright; Vice 
President, George Groffmann; Secretary, Rev. Mead Holmes; Treasurer, H. A. Shove. 
A vigilance committee was appointed in each township and for some years annual 
meetings were held in June.  The organization, however, was but short lived.
 A branch of the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Manitowoc in 
February 1888 and led an active existence for some years, using the Jones Library 
rooms.  The first officers were:--President, Louis Sherman; Vice President, 
Gottfried Esch; Corresponding Secretary, Dr. J. T. Martin; Recording Secretary, 
Eugene C. Smalley; Treasurer, H. Esch, Jr.  The organization disbanded in the early
nineties.  A Sabbath Observance League in Manitowoc led an equally short career a 
little later.