TABLE OF CONTENTS How it Began Catholic Ghost Parishes in Manitowoc County Manitowoc Rapids...................3 Church in Noonan’s Corners.........6 Holy Trinity Church at Kasson......7 Acknowledgments for above..........8 St. Fidells of Spring Valley.......8 St. George, Centerville............9 St. Peter’s Newton................11 St. Wencel’s in Greenstreet.......12 Jewish and Protestant Baptists..........................15 Christlan/Campbellite.............17 Episcopal.........................19 Free Thinkers.....................20 Jewish............................23 Lutherans.........................23 Moravians.........................35 Presbyterians.....................36 Reformed..........................39 United Church of Christ...........42 United Methodist..................48 List of active churches, 1982.....59 Ghost Cemeteries of Man. Co.......63 Bibliography/Acknowledgments......76 About the authors.................79( Page 36 - Continued) The first Moravians in America settled in Savannah, GA in 1734 but moved to Pennsylvania six years later. Headquarters in the United States are at Beth- lehem, PA and Winston-Salem, N.C. In Wisconsin, according to an article, “Scandanavian Norwegians in Wiscon- sin” by Joseph Schaefer in Vol. 24 of Wisconsin Magazine of History, A.M, Iver- son came to the Milwaukee mission (about 1864). While at Ephraim in Door County (which has an active church today) during his first pastorate, he visited as regularly as possible the two stations, New Denmark in Brown County and Mishicot in Manitowoc County. Since no mention of this church could be found in any published histories of the county, it would seem no actual church was built and that meetings were held in homes. However, since a reference was made in the Schaefer article to this county, we are including this in our list of ghost congregations. PRESBYTERIAN Presbyterianism, according to Funk and Wagnall, in its modern form, was originated by the French Protestant theologian, John Calvin in Switzerland dur- ing the Reformation. The first Presbyterians in America were English, Scotch-Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Dutch, French and German settlers. Alexander Whitaker, emigrated to Virginia with members of his congregation in 1611 and organized the first Presbyterian congregation in America. MANITOWOC COUNTY A Presbyterian Church was organized June 26, 1851 at the home of Frederick Borchardt in Manitowoc Rapids. The First Presbyterian Church was built at the corner of North Ninth and Chicago streets and was known as the Tabernacle. In 1812 the present structure at North Eighth and State streets was completed. NILES CHURCH On November 26, 1858, the First Presbyterian Church of Eaton was organ- ized and according to Falge’s history, it continued for some time until interest lagged during the Civil War and services became infrequent. A Herald Times-Reporter article (Sept. 18, 1981), states services were held in the Eaton School district No. 1 Niles School. By 1865 interest lagged not to be revived until 1870 when the church structure, now in Pinecrest Historical Village was built. Again according to Falge, services were revived in 1895 by Rev. A. Rederus and he resigned in 1898 at which time the church was again vacant. A life-long resident of the area said when he was a boy he remembered Pres- byterian services being held in the morning and Evangelical services in the afternoon (the minister held services in Reedsville in the morning and at Gravesville in Calumet County in the evening) but no record was available to verify this. 36
The newspaper article states the congregation, in 1932, was again re-organized as the Niles Presbyterian Church under the Milwaukee Presbytery. The first full time minister was Dr. Arthur M. Krueger, who later became president of Mission House College, now Lakeland College, Sheboygan. Dr. Krueger’s salary was $25 a month. The last minister of the church was Attorney Richard Schmitz. In it, the Niles congregation asked the Presbytery to dissolve the congregation. Near the church, which was located in section 10 in Eaton township, is the J. 0. Tyler Cemetery. While some of the members of this now defunct congrega- tion were buried in this cemetery, it had no direct connection with the church. Most of those buried there are of English and German ancestry and included such names as Baldwin, Draheim, Francis, Franssens, Habermann, Head (Schuddekoph), Hornick, Huggins, Huntley, Jackson, Johnson, Kiesow, Krueger, Lawrence, Lex, Lyken, McMunn, Nielsen, Porter, Rickaby, Schmelter, Schumacher, Swenson, Tyler, Williams and Woodcock. The earliest stone found was dated “1856”. The Manitowoc County Historical Society purchased the building in 1968 for $300 and in 1977 it was moved to the historical village. Today it again echoes with activity as various activities from meetings, hymn song fests, to weddings are held there. CATO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Again according to Falge’s history, In 1869 a Presbyterian church was estab- lished at Cato. It had no regular pastor until 1893 when Rev. A. Rederus was called from Sioux City, Iowa. The church was vacant after 1898 when Rev. Rederus resigned. Numerous attempts were made to find additional information about this church. The secretary at First Presbyterian checked the archives of that church but could find no records of Cato. We know it was still standing in the 1930’s though by then its condition was badly deteriorated. It was demolished a few years later and only the cemetery remains. The cemetery is still used for infre- quent burials. 37
In the CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY SCHOOLS, it states the church stood on a lot adjoining the school building. “A lot was donated by Nelson Harris for a church which was built in the early 1860’s. The church records have been lost so much of its history is unknown but it is known that the Hemptons, Palmers, Davis’s, Morgans, Harris’s and Coopers were early members. Today (1948) the church and cemetery stand neglected and unused.” EVANGELICAL REFORMED BOHEMIAN BROTHERHOOD According to courthouse records dated Feb. 2, 1866, members of the Evan- gelical Reformed Bohemian Brotherhood met in a place of public worship in the town of Kossuth and included the names: “Wenzel Dvorak, Anton Ciziek and John Kastl”. Then again on August 17, 1868, at a meeting held at church near Joseph Chloupek, the trustees were listed as John Kasa, Anton Cizek, George Just and Josef Mares. Waclau Simonek was listed as president and Wencel Cizek, secretary. Frank Benes, in his CZECHS IN MANITOWOC COUNTY talks about the early years prior to the founding of the Melnik Presbyterian Church (at first known as Hope Presbyterian Church.) “The Presbyterian Church in Melnik had a predecessor in Kossuth at Francis Creek. On the ‘Stremsky’ Road there were an overwhelming number of Czech Evangelists. Most of them were from Melnik in Cechy. At first they assembled at Cizeks for worship as they had a larger room for such meetings. A number of Evangelical families came to this country from Ripa with S. Herman. In the year 1861 they joined with the evangelists from Kossuth and Gibson largely due to the efforts of Cizek, V. Simonek, Kasa and Just and they purchased some land for a cemetery. Up to that time they buried their dead in the forests or just anywhere in the fields. There is still a stone in Sykora’s field where a member of the family was buried. “In the center of the cemetery a very moderate church was built in the year 1864. H. Kurz, a professor of the German Reformed seminary of Sheboygan conducted the first service. He conducted only two services at the church and advertised in newspapers in Czechoslovakia for a pastor. “Although the congregation consisted of 50 families, they guaranteed to pay the pastor $400. No one accepted the offer. This was a considerable sac- 38
rifice at the time when people fought for their own existence. At the time Vac- lav Sestak assembled all the Evangelists, read from the Bible and conducted fun- eral services. Sestak came from Nezbuzel where he belonged to an Evangelical group. He urged the people to build a better church and this was completed in 1870. Again a search was made for a pastor. “This time the attempt was successful but it did not work out well as it be- came the cause for loss of church membership. J. Pesek of Praque read the ad- vertisement and immediately set out for America. He posed as a pastor. He was heartily welcomed. With his eloquence he fascinated the people to such a degree that they did not question his real life. However, after a year the reports of the church were terrible. “He was a faithless man and when the people discovered it, it was too late. The believers became unbelievers and only a handful remained. In the year 1887 Rev. A. Korbel joined, the group of believers was so small that it wasn’t practi- cal to continue there. He therefore moved to Plymouth were he became the preacher of three German groups and for two years, he visited Kossuth once a month. Jos. Jelinek, who studied theology, spent vacations in Kossuth and preached there during vacation periods. “In the year 1890, Rev, Jos, Balcar, a missionary of the Presbyterian church took over the duties. He attempted to organize a new group. The people did not believe what the church preached. When Rev. Balcar began to preach in the church the majority of the people did not allow it and closed the church. “Most of these people were very religious. Fifteen families, many of them Catholic, broke away from the non-believers because of Rev. Balcar’s persuas- ivness and under his guidance, met in private homes.” In an anniversary pamphlet of the Melnik Church, the following additional information was included on the Bohemian Brotherhood. “A group of people who called themselves the Evangelical Reformed Bohem- ian Brotherhood had been gathering at a building built in 1866 located at what we now know as the Kossuth cemetery. This building was torn down in 1926 but had served as a meeting place for many years. This Kossuth cemetery is just west of Highway 141 as you enter the northern part of Francis Creek and contained a dam, mill, blacksmith, brewery and several other buildings. This settlement located east of the highway near Wanek’s Hall was destroyed by a flash flood which washed away the dam about 1880. “In 1891 about sixteen families decided they wanted to have a regular church and separated themselves from the remainder of the group which wanted to be independent and have speakers from various places and have it more like a social club without church ties and beliefs.” In the year 1891, the Melnik Presbyterian Church and parsonage were built three miles from the Kossuth Church and it was opened in 1892 and remains an active church today. REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES According to Funk and Wagnall, the founders of the Reformed Church in the United States came to America from the Rhine provinces of Germany and many from the German Cantons of Switzerland in the early 18th century. The early Reformed Church followed the doctrine and policy of Huldreich Zwingli and John Calvin, though Calvin’s influence proved more powerful and on the Eurpoean(sic) continent the Reformed churches became generally known as Calvinistic churches. 39
The first Reformed congregations were located in Pennsylvania and adjacent colonies. In 1793 they adopted the name German Reformed Church, using the Heidelberg Cathechism as a confession of faith and a book of Instruction. In 1869 the church was renamed the Reformed Church in the United States. In 1934 it merged with the Evangelical Synod of North America as the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Excepted was a group of about 4,000 in 25 churches who in 1970 remained as churches having the former title. MANITOWOC COUNTY REFORMED CHURCH Most people residing in the Newton area near County Trunk C, are familiar with the Salem-Ebenezer Evangelical Reformed Church — or the “Rooster Church” as it is sometimes referred to. In 1979 this congregation celebrated its 125th anniversary. There is, however, another church of this denomination — St. John Ebenezer Reformed — which closed in 1950. The histories of the two churches are closely related and for this reason we are including both church histories to 1950. Much of this history was obtained from the one-hundredth anniversary book- let of the Salem Ebenezer Evangelical Reformed Church and a Herald Times- Reporter article, AprIl 16, 1979. The first pioneers of Reformed persuasion came to the town of Newton (Sec- tion 2 and 22) from the province of the lower Rhein in the years 1847-1849. Log cabins were built and land cleared. The settlers named their settlement Ebenezer, meaning “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”. They met in homes for prayer, song and reading of sermons from book and hymnals they brought with them. One day in 1848, J. F. Diederichs and Mr. Weihe were seeking some stray cattle in the dense woods and discovered the “Lipper” settlement, two miles to the south. This “Lipper” group was also Reformed and so a trail was cut so that “Christian fellowship could be fostered”. 40
The “Lipper” had arrived in Centerville about the same time as those Rhein- laenders at Newton and they too had named their settlement, Ebenezer. Now the two settlements worshipped together. Private homes became too small and so in 1850 a small log church (24 x 30) was built on the farm of W. Bierhaus. The Lutherans on the Green Bay Road were at this time being served by a pastor C. F. Goldammer who had been sent from the Langenberger Society. He offered his services to the Reformed people of Newton and Centerville. In February 1851 he consented to serve the Reformed “according to their cus- toms and using the Heidelberg Cathechism in instruction of youth.” He remain- ed there until 1854. Because most people walked to church, in 1854, solely for convenience sake, the “Lipper” built a small log church of their own south of the town line about a quarter mile east of the intersection. Fredrich Stockmeier and Ludwig Ober- goeke each donated a half acre of land for that purpose with the stipulation that it must remain a Reformed church forever. Both congregations organized in 1854 and adopted identical constitutions. Now there were two congregations but only one charge. On June 1, 1854, both congregations issued a joint call to candidate Joh. T. Kluge to become their pastor. On August 17, 1854 he was licensed, ordained and installed in the charge of the newly organized Sheboygan Classis (Salem-Ebenezer today is a member of the Eureka Classis of the Reformed Church in the United States). In 1855 a parsonage was built midway between the two churches in what is now the village of Newton. In the spring of 1862 work began on a new school house in the village of Newton. Then on October 17, 1862, with the approval of the Sheboygan Classis, the two congregations separated. In later years attempts were made to reunite them but it did not materialize. In order to distinguish the two congregations from each other, the Newton church accepted the name, Salem-Ebenezer, and the Centerville church adopted the name of St. John Ebenezer. In 1876 the Salem-Ebenezer congregation built a brick church. A year later St. John Ebenezer also constructed a brick structure. Both congregations placed a large metal rooster on the top of their church spire and as a result became known as the “Rooster Church”. The rooster is a symbol of watchfulness and refers to the denial of Peter. The St. John-Ebenezer congregation purchased a new cemetery in 1893. In the late 1800’s a pipe organ was purchased; a new barn was built near the parsonage in 1909 and in 1918 a new school house and a garage was built. In 1947 the parsonage was sold. The last annual meeting of the St. John-Ebenezer congregation was held De- cember 28, 1949; the school was sold January 7, 1950 and a final special meet- ing was held January 11, 1950. The last divine service was held January 8, 1950. In March, 1950, the church building was sold and the lot added to the ceme- tery. All money received for the property was set aside for perpetual care of the cemeteries. Most members of St. John-Ebenezer joined the Salem-Ebenezer congregation. 41
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST One of the youngest American churches is the United Church of Christ which was officially formed June 25, 1957 with the merger of the Evangelical and Re- formed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches of the United States. We will include here the early histories of each of these former denomina- tions and those few which are in fact defunct churches. The Rev. William A. Schultz, a former pastor of the First Reformed United Church of Christ, graciously supplied a copy of the brief history of the church. Published in February, 1976, it contains a wealth of historical background. Much of it will be included in this booklet on ghost churches. “The Evangelical and Reformed Church came into existence in 1934 as a un- ion of the Evangelical Synod of North America and the Reformed Church in the United States. (The First Reformed Church prior to 1934 was a member of the Reformed Church in the United States.) “Both of the merged denominations are Reformation churches in the sense that the sixteenth century Protestant movement gave them birth. The Reformed Church in the United States dates back to October 15, 1725 and the Evangelical Synod of North America to October 15, 1840. “By definition, the Reformed churches are those European churches which during the Reformation undertook to reform their faith and live, as they declar- ed ‘according to the Word of God’, under the leadership of such men as Martin Luther, Huldreich Zwingli, Martin Bucer, John Calvin, Heinrich Bullinger and John Oecolompadius. The movement first began in German-speaking Switzer- land and Germany. “Perhaps the men most closely associated with the Reformation were Luther, Zwingli and Calvin, who were contemporaries of each other. - - Only after 1529, over a serious controversy as to the nature of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, did the followers of Martin Luther become known as Lutherans and the Non-Lutheran Reformation bodies as the Reformed. . . “Though the term 'Calvinistic Churches' has become synonomous with the name ‘Reformed Churches’, John Calvin was not the original leader of this phase of Reformation. Rather he, coming after the first great leaders, took up their ideas, systematized them, adapted them and improved upon them. He is, therefore, the greatest figure in the history of the Reformed Churches though not all his distinctive ideas were adopted by all the Reformed Churches. “The spirit and aims of Zwingli and Calvin were combined in a booklet that has served as a summary of the teaching of the Reformed Church and a guide for instruction, the Heidelberg Cathechism... Through the influence of Elector Frederick III, the Reformed Church grew rapidly in the Palatinate (Heidelberg region) and soon found its way beyond Switzerland and Germany into Holland and Belgium... “A little cluster of Reformed people settled at a place called Falkner Swamp, some twenty miles northeast of Philadelphia. They asked a school teacher in their midst, Philip Boehm, to be their pastor. He was not an ordained minister, but agreed to serve. . . He held his first communion at Falkner Swamp on October 15, 1725 with about forty worshipers present. Boehm drew up a con- stitution and the Reformed Church in the United States was begun. He is pro- perly honored as the father of the Reformed Church in America. 42
“Over the succeeding years, as increasing number of German immigrants ar- rived in the United States, small congregations developed and grew in number. An early meeting in 1747 failed to bring together the German Reformed and Dutch Reformed groups and the young church decided to go on its own and separate from the Reformed Church of Holland. In 1793, there was held the first meeting of the Synod of the Reformed Church.” UCC IN MANITOWOC COUNTY BETHLEHEM - SCHLESWIG The Bethlehem Church, Evangelical and Reformed is located in the Town of Schleswig and its beginnings date to 1882. Organized in 1865, a log church was erected and the present frame structure was dedicated in 1913. ST. PETER - KIEL St. Peter was founded in 1864 as St. Peter Reformed Church and belonged to the Sheboygan Classis of the Reformed Church in the United States. In 1951 the name was changed to St. Peter United Church of Christ. The charter members of St. Peter worshipped in a schoolhouse until 1869 when a small frame church was built. According to the 1964 anniversary book- let, this church was used until 1889 when a brick and masonry church was built. The present church was built in 1937, The first church building now forms a portion of the warehouse of the Kiel Milling Company. FIRST REFORMED - MANITOWOC The First Reformed UCC Church history is also included in this booklet be- cause of its mergers and because of a number of major moves prior to construc- tion of the present church on Waldo Blvd. A minister of this church also organ- ized and served a now defunct mission church at Branch (this history will be included later). We again quote from the church history. “The first Lutheran Church in a German settlement was built at Newtonburg in 1850. One of the first pastors was Pastor Goldammer who regularly walked the distance from Newtonburg to Manitowoc every Tuesday to serve members of his faith in Manitowoc. The next year they purchased a horse for him. Services were held in the evening in a district schoolhouse located on the corner of Washington and Seventh Streets. In the spring of 1853, the little group purchased a lot on the corner of Marshall and South Eighth streets as a site for a future church building. In February, 1855, the Manitowoc church adopted a church constitution. A church building was dedicated in 1856 on the lot where the present First German Lutheran Church stands. “While this is not a history of the First German Lutheran Congregation, it is a part of the history of the First Reformed Church because the people who were later to establish the First Reformed Church attended the services at First German Lutheran. In 1855, when their constitution was adopted it was signed by seventy-one families. It is interesting to note that Reformed families were a part of the heritage of the First German Lutheran and even helped to build their church. 43
“The union of the two groups did not last. “On March 28, 1868, a meeting was held consisting of twelve men who consti- tuted the First or Hope Reformed Church of Manitowoc, Wis. . . On August 15, 1868, the congregation was incorporated. The first pastor, John Lotka, took over on May 18, 1868, and served until September of the same year. . . “In the year, 1868, the congregation bought the land for the church on the northeast corner of Ninth and Hancock streets. The purchase price was $400 and upon the land a wooden structure was built at a cost of $664.18. . . “The wooden church erected in 1868 served as the congregation’s meeting house until 1891 when a new church was erected on the same site at a cost, including furnishings, of $6,773. . . The original frame church was moved to several sites and eventually remodeled, serving as a residence until it was torn down in 1962 to become a parking lot for Sigman’s Store. . . “In 1961 approval was given to build the present church on Waldo Blvd. “The old church property was offered to the County in April of 1960. After first refusing a purchase, the County Board reconsidered and on Dec. 5, 1960, purchased the property for $75,000. As a point of interest, in June 1903, the County offered the congregation $5,000 for the property but the congregation would not sell. This was the time of the construction of the present courthouse. In 1973, the old church was razed and is now part of the parking lot in Court- house square.” BRANCH The First Reformed history also includes a brief history of a church once located at Branch. “In 1818 Pastor E. W. Henschen went to Branch and preach- ed in the school house. On February 28, 1879, this new little congregation took the name of Evangelical Bethany and later built their own church structure. It continued as a separate congregation until the 1930’s when it merged with the Manitowoc church (First Reformed).” Courthouse records supply the following: In a meeting of the German Re- formed Church of Branch held at the schoolhouse in Branch, April 28, 1884, W. Kiel, Sen., N. Breier, Chr., Klemme and P. Hermann were elected trustees. The church was located on River Road near the cemetery where a home now stands. The cemetery has no direct connection with the church. In THE STORY OF A CENTURY (1848-1948) booklet, it states “The Branch congregation voted to disband and affiliate with the Manitowoc Church on April 23, 1939. The church building was torn down, and the lumber used to build a residence.” EVANGELICAL BEGINNINGS The Evangelical Synod of North America was founded in 1840 at Gravois Settlement, Mo. by Missionaries from Basel, Switzerland and Wupertal, Germany. In early years, the denomination, according to Funk and Wagnall, was known as the Evangelical Union of the West. It became the Evangelical Synod of North America in 1877 after having united with the German Evangelical Church As- sociation of Ohio in 1858, the German United Evangelical Synod of the East in 1860, The Evangelical Synod of the Northwest in 1872, and the United Evangel- 44
ical Synod of the East in 1872. In 1934 the Evangelical Synod of North America merged with the Reformed Church in the United States to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church. MANITOWOC COUNTY EVANGELICALS In relating the beginnings of the Evangelical Synod in Manitowoc County, the early history of churches at Manitowoc, Reedsvile, Collins and the Town of Meeme should be included. One of these churches, the Friedens Gemeinde, as it was known, located at Collins was discontinued in the 1930’s. The church was torn down and the pre- sent building is now used as a town shop. It is located on the western edge of Collins near a cemetery. This cemetery is overgrown with wild grass. Only a half dozen bodies are still buried there — the rest having been moved to other cemeteries in the county. Holes left by removal of these bodies has made the acreage hazardous to cut. One area containing a family plot is kept trimmed by hand by a family relative living on a nearby farm. According to an account in the Krueger Family History, the United Church of Christ, Reedsvllle (which is an active church) and also known as the Friedens Gemeinde, was founded in 1895. The first services were held in the school and the pastor of Brillion served. In 1903, the pastor at Collins took over and changes in pastorate were quite frequent between Collins and Brillion serving Reedsville. In 1926 a new church (at Reedsville) was dedicated and it was called Friedens Reformed, as in 1925, the old church was destroyed by fire when lightning struck the building. In the HISTORY OF REEDSVILLE TO 1976 edited by Dorothy Zarnoth, the following information is contained. “In the late fall of 1895 the need for an Evangelical Church was felt in Reedsville. . . the first service was conducted at the local school house by Rev. P. Albert of Appleton.” On Jan. 30, 1896 a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a congre- gation. At this meeting it was decided to call the newly organized church “German-English Evangelical Friedens Church”. On April 6, 1896 plans were completed to have the church affilate with the Evangelical Synod of North America. Land was purchased and a church 34 x 64 feet was built and dedicated in Nov. 1896. 45
In 1903 the Rev August Fleer resigned as pastor. Then came Rev. Robert Grunwald and Rev. Carl Nagel. He was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Wittbracht who organized a new church at Collins. This church was named “St. Paul Church”. It was then decided to have the churches at Collins and Reedsville served by the same pastors and sever connections with the Brillion church. In June 1909 Rev. C. Oberdoerster was installed to serve the two churches. In 1915 the Reedsville church was again served by pastors of the Brillion church. On July 9, 1925 the Reedsville church was destroyed by fire and a new church was dedicated Oct. 10, 1926 (the present church). Pastors who served Collins and Reedsville according to the History of Reeds- ville included Rev. J. J. Merdorf and Rev. L. E. Berlepp. Brillion pastors includ- ed Rev. Hugo Weichelt, John Beger and Rev. Mr. Roesch. The Rev. William Leonhardt was pastor at the time of the fire. Then came Rev. G. Hahn, Paul Kasper, Rev. L Kielhorn and Rev. John 0. Siegle. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Siegle, the members of the Collins church expressed their desire to become members of the Reedsville church. The Col- lins church was then closed and the Reedsville church represented the union of the two churches. We are including the early history of two other active congregations, St. James UCC and St. John UCC, to show some of the beginning background of the Evangelical church in the county. MEEME According to “A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. JAMES’ CONGREGATION pub- llshed for its 100th anniversary, it stated: “The St. James United Church of Christ was organized as ‘Die Deutsche Evangelische St. Jakobi Gemeinde’ in the town of Meeme. . . by a group of German settlers who came to America in the late 1850’s. The organization took place in 1863 at the home of John H. Bohne. . . The small group of worshippers were first served by a Lutheran pastor, the Rev. H. Quehl, from Centerville. “The history of the congregation is tied very early with another congregation, St. Mark Church in the town of Mosel (Sheboygan County). In 1863 the St. Mark Congregation called its first resident pastor, the Rev. Casper Viehe. His provisions were a salary of $120 a year, each member pledged to give him 15 pounds of flour, one-half bushel of potatoes, one-half cord of firewood and what- ever needs might arise. He was also given the privilege to conduct services every two weeks at the Evangelical church in the town of Meeme. This was the begin- ning of a joint relationship, the Mosel-Meeme Charge which has been retained to this day. The first church, a small frame structure was built in 1868 on land donated by Mr. Bohne. In 1902 the present building was constructed on the same spot. ST. JOHN, MANITOWOC The St. John UCC is a relative newcomer, having been founded in 1891 as a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. The original 24 x 40 foot church was located on Marshall St. between 14th and 15th streets. It was later moved to the corner of 15th and Marshall streets where the present church is located and the first church building was sold. 46
CONGREGATIONAL/CHRISTIAN CHURCH The Christian Church originated in three religious dissenting movements, according to Funk and Wagnall. The first, led by James O’Kelly, a Methodist minister in 1792 withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church and in 1793 founded his first Christian church near Chapel Hill, N.C. A second movement initiated by Abner Jones and Elias Smith who broke from the Baptist Church and organized churches in Vermont and New Hampshire in 1901. The third was a group of Kentucky Presbyterian church ministers who formed a church in 1804 and called themselves Christians. These three groups eventually united as the Christian Church. Congregationalism was brought to America by the Pilgrims in 1620. They were the followers of an English clergyman, John Robinson. The first Congre- gational church in America was erected at Plymouth in Massachusetts. The National Council of the Congregational Churches of the United States met for the first time in 1871 at Oberlin, Ohio. In 1931, the National Council merged with the General Convention of the Christian Church to form the Gen- eral Council of the Congregational and Christian Churches. In 1941 they were known as the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches. In 1957 they merged with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ. GRACE CONGREGATIONAL - TWO RIVERS To better understand the beginnings of the Congregational denomination in Manitowoc County, we include the following early History of Grace Congre- gational UCC Church as stated in Falge’s history. “When Rev. W. Merritt came to Manitowoc County in 1850 he set about to establish a Congregational church at Two Rivers. On January 17 of the follow- ing year, plans were completed by the founding of the first church which was attached to the Milwaukee district but was later transferred to the Winnebago district. At first the congregation numbered about fourteen members. From 1860 on the church declines and having no pastor, it finally passed out of existence. “In 1861, Rev. Charles W. Wilson, a missionary of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of America arrived in Two Rivers and re-establlshed the congre- gation. After ten years of faithful service he passed away and Rev. Thomas G. Pearce was called, he again instituting Congregational forms.” In the 1880’s the church was discontinued again for a number of years. “In 1890, however, another effort was made, and is 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 har- mony exists among the Christians. They have sustained services five months, have called Rev. Alesander 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 language in a poputation of 3500 souls.’ “Rev. Chambers accepted the call and soon the church was in prosperous condition. . .His successor was Rev. John N. Davidson, who came in 1893 and two years later a branch was started among the English residents at Two Creeks.” 47
In 1906 plans were made to erect a new building and ground was broken in 1908. J. E. Hamilton, though not himself a member of the church, matched the funds raised by the members plus additional funds. Later the congregation voted to name the church Grace Congregational Church in honor of Hamilton’s deceas- ed daughter, Grace Hamilton Sweeney. This church is now part of the United Church of Christ and is an active church in the Two Rivers community. MAPLE GROVE A “Congregational church,” according to Falge, “was established in Maple Grove in 1858 wIth a membership of fourteen. Rev. Israel C. Holmes was the first regular pastor. After an existence of about seven years, services were discontinued and the congregation disolved.” UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The United Methodist Church is relatively new because of a 1968 merger. For this reason we will include the background of various active churches — Evangelical, United Brethren and Methodist - which gives the early beginnings of these various denominations in the county prior to the merger. There are a few ghost parishes in this group. UNITED BRETHREN The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, according to Funk and Wag- nall, began with Philip William Otterbein, German evangelist; Martin Boehm, a German Mennonite preacher and others in Pennsylvania and was formally organ- ized in 1800 in Frederick, Maryland. A language change from German to English took place early in the 19th centuty. The theology was Arminian; its beliefs were those of earlier Evangelical denominations. As a result of a disagreement over constitutional changes in 1889, a group broke away and took the name the United Brethren in Christ (Old Constitution). This group was not affected by later mergers. In 1946 the United Brethren in Christ merged with the Evangelical church to form the Evangelical United Bre- thren Church. EVANGELICAL The Evangelical Church was founded in 1803 by Jacob Albright. The mem- bers were known as Albrights and somewhat later as the Newly-Formed Metho- dist Conference. The official name was Evangelische Gemeinschaft (Evangelical Assoc.) The discipline was similar to, but more democratic than that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. German was used into the early 19th century. In 1894 a minority segment established a separate denomination, the United Evangelical Church — this due to doctrinal questions. In 1922 this group was reunited with the Evangelical Association and formed the Evangelical Church. A smaller denomination known as the Evangelical Congregational Church (since 1928) did not join in the reunion. 48
In 1946 the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren becoming the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Evangelical Church of North Amer- ica, made up of churches in the Pacific Northwest did not enter the new denom- ination. METHODISM Methodism dates back to 1729 and John Wesley and his brother, Charles, sons of an Anglican rector. Opposition from English clergy prevent the Wesleys from speaking in parish churches; consequently, according to Funk and Wagnall, Methodist meetings were often conducted in open fields. The name was derived from the methodical method used in practicing their Christian duties and church rituals. Methodist societies sprang up and in 1744 the first conference of Methodist workers was held. John Wesley never renounced his ties with the Church of England, but before his death he provided for the incorporation and legal con- tinuation of the new movement. In America, Methodist societies sprang up before the Revolutionary War. In 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formally organized, with the approv- al of Wesley, as separate from the English Methodist structure. The main leaders were two bishops, Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke. Methodism spread to the frontier through the use of itinerant preachers (cir- cuit riders) and revival meetings. The first serious schism in the Methodist Episcopal Church occurred in 1830 when a group of members who desired greater lay participation in church gov- ernment and a reduction in episcopal power withdrew and formed the Methodist Protestant Church. While this new denomination abolished the office of bishop and gave laymen an equal voice with clergymen in the management of church affairs, in doctrinal matters they maintained full agreement with the parent body. A major split occurred over the issue of slavery. A Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was formed. Agreement remained, however on doctrine and pol- icy with its northern counterpart. Efforts to reconcile the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church began as early as 1870 and was finally accomplished in 1939 with the merger into a single denomination known as The Methodist Church. At the time of the 1968 merger with the United Evangelical Brethren Church it became known as the United Methodist Church. METHODISM IN MANITOWOC COUNTY Circuit riders brought Methodism to Manitowoc County. Services were often held in log cabins until churches could be established. Because of the ties with churches which are still very active today, some of these early histories will be included as well as those which closed for economic reasons and mergers. Some early church records, according to Kitty Hobson, archivist and historical librarian of the Wisconsin Conference — United Methodist Church (located at Oshkosh), are spotty; others are well recorded. Records were not kept by county 49
but by the boundaries of circuits and charges. These boundaries were vague and frequently changed. The circuit rider’s life was not an easy one. In the “Journal of Solmon Steb- bins 1837 - 1838” (Vol. 9, Pg. 207 — Wisconsin Magazine of History) he talks about Rev. H. W. Frink, who was stationed in Sheboygan and together the two started on their journey to Manitowoc and Green Bay. While they traveled hard they failed in getting through so they camped in the woods “and enjoyed the privilege of sleeping upon the snow before a large fire while the full moon rode over us in her silver chariot through an unclouded sky.” They started out long before daybreak, the account states, and arrived in Manitowoc about 9 a.m. where they refreshed themselves for a few hours before traveling on another 20 miles before camping for the night. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH The early history of the Methodists as explained in Falge’s history, is one of struggle and in that struggle Manitowoc played its part. 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 that he formed any classes in the county and the mission was discontinued after the panic of 1837. In October 1843, Rev. David Lewis was assigned to the Manitowoc and She- boygan missions and held services at the two places on alternate Sundays. He had two stations in Manitowoc, four in Sheboygan and two in Washington County. A class of eleven members was formed at Manitowoc among whom were P. 0. Smith. Services were held in the upper story of the B. Jones warehouse in the sum- mer, while in the winter, services were held in the home of lighthouse keeper Johnston, who was a Baptist. In July, 1844, Rev. Lewis was succeeded by Rev. Garret N. Hanson, who was succeeded in 1845 by Rev. Samuel W. Martin. In 1849, in company with Rev. Allen McIntosh, Rev. Lewis was reappointed to Manitowoc and Sheboygan Coun- ties, services being held at the Rapids in the courthouse and at Manitowoc and Two Rivers in the school houses. The next year Rev. Lewis alone was assigned Manitowoc County and he preached occasionally at Manitowoc Rapids, Two Rivers, Neshoto, Riley’s and Mishicot, a small class being formed at Two Rivers. During the fall and winter Rev. Lewis erected a parsonage, working on the building when not engaged in his pastoral duties. He was succeeded by Rev. R. W. Barnes, who led a most successful ministry, the church membership increasing from thirteen to thirty-five. Rev. Barnes was instrumental in securing funds for the erection of St. Paul Church, a frame structure 35 x 40 feet which was erected on North Seventh Street. In 1853 he was succeeded by Rev. W. Sturgess, who remained a year. He was succeeded by Rev. N. J. Alpin. During his pastorate the new church was dedi- cated. Professor Cook, of Lawrence University delivered the address on May 3, 1856. In that year Rev. William Rowbotham took charge of St. Paul. He was followed by Rev. A. C. Squier who was succeeded by Rev. C. C. Symes, who in 1859 took charge of St. Paul and also had charge of the church at Two Rivers. He was followed by Rev. Rositer C. Parsons who had charge for two years. 50
He had under his charge two churches, one built at Maple Grove some time during the late 50’s and St. Paul. Rev. Parsons was succeeded in his work by Rev. L. N. Wheeler who remained two years. He was followed by Rev. S. S. Smith. During the latter’s pastorate, the church which had formerly been in the Fond du Lac district, was placed in the Appleton district. Missions were established early at various points in the county. In 1858, Rev. L. N. Wheeler was sent to Two Rivers and Gibson, while in 1870 he was succeeded by Rev. Walter McFarlane who remained for a similar period. By this time an $800 church had been erected at Gibson and two Sunday schools were maintained by the pastor. During the (Civil) war services at Two Rivers were discontinued and the Maple Grove charge, formerly dependent on Manitowoc, was combined with that at Gibson. A. C. Elliot acted as supply in 1864 but the congregation there grew smaller and a few years later both were dropped from the conference list. In 1870 an effort was made by W. Rose to revive the Two Rivers class, but the attempt was eventually given up. The Gibson church was again active in 1883, occasional services being held by Rev. H. Stone Richardson. For several years the pulpit was supplied by Rev. W. C. Morris, J. R. Josly, Alfred de Ford, F. Robertson and George A. Cook. There is a “ME” cemetery, near Tisch Mills, listed on an earlier map of the county. “In 1886, thc congregation numbered thirty members and a Sunday school of seventy-five was maintained but in time the services were discontinued and today (1912) St. Paul is the only English speaking Methodist church in the county.” (ENGLISH) ST. PAUL METHODIST - MANITOWOC The following additional information was included in THE STORY OF A CENTURY (1848 - 1948). “The honors of pioneer Methodism in our county belong to Rev. H. W. Frink who held the first Methodist services in Manitowoc on June 23, 1837. Missionaries held services from time to time in the homes of settlers as there were no public buildings at that time. Jacob Conroe offered his home as a place to worship during the times the missionary made his rounds. The small but attentive congregation looked forward to his quarterly visits as a time of great spiritual refreshing. “In 1850, Rev. Lewis was appointed the first full time Manitowoc pastor. There was no church or parsonage. After renting a dwelling for some months, Benjamin Jones donated a lot on Park Street, the present site of the St. Paul Methodist parsonage (1948). A small frame building was erected, largely by the minister himself and into which he moved in the spring of 1851. By the end of the next year the congregation boasted 35 members. “Funds to erect a church building were obtained in 1852-53 and a frame str- ucture was erected and dedicated on the present North Seventh Street site in 1855. The church building has been remodeled and enlarged several times since its erection. Since its first resident pastor, 52 ministers have headed the Manitowoc church (1837 - 1948). (Ed. note: St. Paul United Methodist Church is now located at 411 Reed Ave. The former church was sold to the Calvary Assembly of God Church.) 51
NORWEGIAN METHODIST CHURCH A Norwegian Methodist Church, according to Falge’s history, was organized in Manitowoc in 1869. Rev. C. Jensen was the first pastor. The charge included a church at Sheboygan and both were placed under the Northwest Norwegian Conference. A small frame church was built on North Sixth Street, membership at first being nineteen. Rev. Jenson was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. B. Johansen, who remained two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Omann, who remained a similar per- iod. In 1876 the church was in charge of Rev. 0. Wiersen, who also preached at Sheboygan. After a year his successor became Rev. Gustafsen, who in turn was followed by 0. L. Hansen. Since 1880 there has been no regular pastor, services being conducted by various pastors. Professor Robert Bjerke found the following information in Published min- utes of the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church located at Madison. “The Manitowoc congregation (now St. Paul’s) is first mentioned in the 1851 minutes. In 1857 there is also mentioned a congregation in ‘Michecott’. The 1858 minutes were not available, but in 1859 there were congregations in Maple Grove, Manitowoc, Two Rivers and Gibson. . . For awhile the Norwegian ‘missions’ were listed as a separate district in the minutes (late 1860’s) and at that time there was already a Norwegian Methodist congregation in Manitowoc. When it ceased to exist would be listed in the minutes of the Norwegian Danish Conference which are at Evanston, Illinois.” As far as is known no other local records were available. However, in the article written by Francis X. Murphy in a March 29, 1954 issue of the Herald Times, he speaks of the 1880 city directory which mentions a Norwegian Episcopal Church at 426 N. 6th. “It was moved by a Mr. Nooker to 1103 Huron St. and fitted out for a store.” Mr. Murphy did not list the date of its removal. GERMAN METHODISTS LIBERTY NEWTON MANITOWOC The following are excerpts from a history “HIGHLIGHTS OF WESLEY CHURCH” compiled by church historian, E. H. Houston, of Wesley United Church as part of their 125th anniversary celebration in 1975, and information supplied by Kitty Hobson of the Methodist archives at Oshkosh. According to archives records “Rev. Philip Lalk, preacher on the Sheboygan charge 1848-1850, visited the German settlement in the Town of Newton and preached regularly to a large audience in the public school house. The result of his work was that on July 15, 1850 twenty persons joined the new mission. “In 1850 Rev. Friedrich Kopp was the first appointed pastor of the Newton church. He extended his missionary activity to the City of Manitowoc. He work- ed for one year under the direction of the District Superintendent, Rev. Conrad Eisenmeuer. The work in Manitowoc increased during that year because of some people moving to this city, twenty members were accepted into the church. William Wernecke who had belonged to the first group of members joined the new charge moved to Manitowoc and became a great help and support of the con- gregation. He died Nov. 17, 1892.” The Wesley history states: “The first Quarterly Conference of Manitowoc County Missions, Wisconsin District of the Illinois Conference, was held in the Sachen settlement, Newton Township. (July 6, 1851.) 52
“Because of the influx of German immigrants to the lakeshore area, north of Sheboygan village, a German speaking mission was imperative. The Illinois Conference chose this location as a focal point with tentative plans in mind to increase the scope of their missions and churches northward. “The small first Conference was represented by C. Eisenmeuer as manager; F. Kopp, preacher (pro tem); Dietrich Sann, men’s choir; Gottfried Mund, class leader. John Bischoff was the regular preacher sent to Manitowoc County Missions in 1851. He stayed only one year. ." At the January 19, 1852 Conference meeting “a building committee was ap- pointed to inquire about a site on which to build a church in Newton Township. Gottfried Mund, Dietrich Sann and Frederick Folmer assumed the responsibil- ities. They proved to be able business men. . . six months later, July 17, 1852, their report to the Conference meeting shows — ‘a church will be built which the carpenter offered to do for $165. With this sum he has to find everything and furnish the chancel and chairs. Paying shall be half in October and the balance by New Year’s. In case the last half would not be paid by New Year’s, the car- penter is willing to take a note with 6% interest -‘.“ At the Oct. 21, 1854 Conference meeting held in Zion Church in Newton Township, a decision was reached to build a German-speaking Methodist church in Manitowoc. . .There was also an English speaking church (St. Paul) with over 50% German population - a German Methodist church was needed. A modest church 23 x 40 feet was decided upon. Lot 9, Block 286 on a par- cel on what is now South 9th Street was purchased from the Pickney estate. In January, 1855 the size of the building was reduced to 26 x 36 as an economy measure. It was completed by the spring of 1855. (Now south part of WG&R Furniture building) The Rev. Frank Kluckhohn was the first minister serving the Manitowoc church from the Zion church in Newton. His salary was set at $70 per year for the Manitowoc service. In 1865 an addition to the south wall and the raising of the whole structure to a two story building was suggested and approved. The lower portion was to be used as a day school and the second story as a chapel. This was completed in 1867. “From the beginning, the Manitowoc mission was connected to, and a part of, rural churches. With the school opening, the Manitowoc unit became a sta- tion, and Rev. C. Stellner was appointed teacher as well as minister. The arrangement was not to succeed. The combination was new and unique in the Conference, and not feasible. Because of the great improvements made in the public schools and because this type of combination was not easily available, the idea was dropped. At the same time a regular resident minister was appointed for the Manitowoc church and a parsonage provided.” The period 1880-1882 marked the demise of the Newton church. “While there had been a healthy growth in the Manitowoc station, the Newton charge showed a steady decline in membership. Many had moved from Town 18 for various reasons and with improvements in roads, others elected to attend the Manitowoc services. “Under the ministry of Rev. C. Rakow, in 1875, a new brick church was built to replace the old Zion church of Newton but even this expensive effort failed to increase the membership.” (The building was then used as the Town hall in Newton Township). 53
“In 1880, the Conference decided to unite the two charges in the Manitowoc church.” Land was purchased at the corner of 9th and Hamilton streets (lots 16 and 17, block 286) and a new church was completed in the late spring of 1882. In 1926, the religious society known as the German Methodist Episcopal Church in Manitowoc was changed to the Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Milwaukee District, Chicago Northwestern Conference. The present church building was constructed in 1972. TOWN OF LIBERTY The archives records include a reference to a mission of the Newton church started in the Town of Liberty. The following information was supplied by Melvin Schnell, who with his aunt, Mrs. Emma Schnell, was responsible in having a cemetery, known as the Schnell Family Cemetery, cleaned up and cared for by the township. As a young man, Schnell stayed with his aunt and uncle near this site of the Salem Methodist Church located in the N. E. quarter of the N. W. quarter, Sec- tion 14, Town 18, range 22, in Liberty township (corner of Nagel and Wehausen Roads. He recalls the foundation of the church building still stood near the cem- etery which at one time contained numerous markers and some 25 to 30 burials (only three markers remain). He also found the following information in courthouse records. On a deed recorded on Page 471, Volume M, an acre of land was purchased by the Salem Methodist Congregation from the Pautz family in 1856, The transfer was signed by William Utke, Gerhard Mueller and Gottfried Mund and this property was to be used as a cemetery. The congregation, he said, was disbanded in 1886 and members joined the Newton-Manitowoc church at Manitowoc. At the time the church closed, the land was sold to Adam Schnell with the understanding that he maintain the property as a cemetery and also keep a board fence around it. This property was owned by members of the Schnell family for many years and was kept up by each in turn. Then when a widow of the last Schnell to own the land sold the property to a real estate agent, he split up the farm into smaller portions. The cemetery was included in a 40 acre parcel without any stipulation as to its care, etc. 54
As a result the area became overgrown with lilac bushes, wild roses, etc. In July 1976, Marcus Nagel, present owner of the property, agreed to grant the Liberty Township the right to put in a right of way, a new fence and gate was built, and fill was hauled in to cover the lilac roots. EVANGELICAL BEGINNINGS Again we refer to material supplied by Kitty Hobson. “The roots of this con- gregation (Zion Evangelical Church, Rockland) in Manitowoc County, go back one year after the vifiage of Reedsville was platted in 1856. In the summer of 1857, Peter Held from the Two Rivers Mission came into this area west of the village of Reedsville. Here he found a new settler, a German, a devout Christ- ian, David Krueger and his family. Others were found and this place became a regular appointment. There was a revival meeting which brought many converts. William Horn and Christian Miller were the pastors. “On April 2, 1866, George Zellhoefer of Maple Grove Circuit of the Fond du Lac District organized the Emmanuel Church. Trustees were: John Reinke, Fred Otto and David Krueger. A church building was erected and the congrega- tion grew and continued for 90 years. In 1911 a division took place and be- cause of much discord the Wisconsin Conference of the Evangelical Church vot- ed that the church be closed in 1951. (The last pastor in 1950 was Rev. Merlin Hoeft and the annual report listed 37 members). “The Zion congregation of the Evangelical Church of Reedsville (Now Zion United Methodist Church and an active congregation) was organized by William Detert on May 8, 1912 wIth 117 members and by the end of the Conference year there were 250 members.” A frame church was dedicated in 1912. Since 1968 the ReedsvIlle and Lark congregations are served by the same minister. THE KRUEGER KIN AND RELATED FAMILIES book gives this additional material prior to the 1856 founding date of the Evangelical church at Rockland. “The first church of the Lutheran faith was a log structure just south of the Evangelical Rockland cemetery. The land was purchased from Fred Guse in• 1855. Brother Held met there with a Pomeranian immigrant by the Christian name of Zahn who wanted to be converted. Thus he formed an Evangelical congregation with strong and spirited prayer, this according to FRITSCH’S BUCH. An inflow of numerous landsettlers included the many Krueger fami- lies who were located there and later in Rantoul. 55
“The first pastor was installed 15 March 1856 and services were held until 1861, when some members seceded forming the nucleus for the Evangelical Lutheran St. John - St. James congregation which is still in Reedsville. The ones who remained formed the Rockland Evangelical Church which was in use until 1950. The Rockland church was part of the Calumet congregation and for a time was administered by Rev. Herman W. Lutz who came from Gravesville a- round 1902. The Gravesville M. E. Church was built in 1868. . .The Rev. Roberts was minister around 1879-1880. The church (at Gravesville) burned and it is said early records were destroyed at that time.” A long-time Town of Eaton resident recalled, how when he was a boy, a min- ister from the Gravesville church held Evangelical church services at Reedsville in the morning, then travel to the town of Eaton, where for a time services were held in the afternoon at the Niles Presbyterian Church; and then continue on to Gravesville for evening services. No published account of this church in Eaton has been found. MISHICOT — ROCKWOOD — TWO RIVERS The Zion United Methodist Church, Mishicot and the Emanuel United Meth- odist Church, Two Rivers (both active churches today and both began as Evan- gelical. When George Pfefferkorn, a son of the Mishicot congregation became a min- ister and he resided in Rockwood, he held services in Two Rivers, then on alter- nate Sunday afternoons at Mishicot and Rockwood (Kossuth township). How- ever a church was never established at Rockwood and instead services were held in private homes, this according to Mishicot historian Mrs. Frieda Mueller. At the time of the interview in 1977 with Mrs. Mueller she was 89 years old. She supplied material she translated from the German church records at Two Rivers as well other written material which is included In this history. The work of the Evangelical United Brethren Church had its beginning in the Mishicot community in 1856. It was through a man by the name of Philip Enders of Sheboygan who informed the Rev. W. Zickerick, then stationed at Sheboygan of the settlements on the Two Rivers and regions around Two Rivers. In the month of June 1856 the journey to Two Rivers was undertaken by the Rev. Zieckerick to visit Two Rivers and Mishicot. On that visit he made arrange- ments for services in four weeks in some of the homes that had been opened. Thus the work was begun in the community. 56
In 1859 the first church was erected in Two Rivers and shortly thereafter another church was built east of Mishicot on a plot of ground that was part of the Lensing farm in the town of Mishicot (2 miles east of Mishicot on County V). It was there the congregation worshipped and the work of the church was carried on in this community. The following was gleaned from courthouse records (vol. S - Page 228) when a warranty deed was issued from Elizabeth Ries and John Ries, her husband to Fredrick Reisland, Gottlieb Bernhard and Leo Rasch, trustees, for the consider- ation of $1 for property which commenced “after a certain post in S. E. Corner of S. E.1/4 S. E.1/4 32 x 21 x 24 thence due west 8 rods thence due north 20 rods thence due east 8 rods thence due south 20 rods to place of commencement containing one acre.” The following was also in courthouse records. “Meeting was held of full age males attached to Evangelical Association of North America residing in Town of Mishicott, March 16, 1859, Rev. Peter Held, preacher in charge, H. Reisland, president, John Rief, Secr., known as the German Evangelical Zion Church of the Evangelical Association of North America at Mishicott.” According to Mrs. Mueller’s records, Rev. William Zickerick was the first mis- sionary to come to Two Rivers and Mishicot in 1856 (there had been some cir- cuit riders prior to this). He was a captain in the Civil War and preached in Wisconsin. She stated that early records are all in German. All records before 1943 are at Two Rivers and since 1943 Mishicot records are at the Denmark church (they are now served by a minister from there.) The first child baptized at Mishicot was Albert Witte on January 19, 1863. First confirmation was that of Ella Matthies Bruhn and Mina Lensing. The last confirmation class in 1899 at the old church were John Bruhn, Elizabeth Bruhn, William Lensing, Emma Lensing and Fred Bernhardt. The first recorded burials were of John Bruhn in 1884 and Elizabeth Bruhn in 1886. However, Mrs. Muel- ler said, there were a few burials prior to this at the site of the former church property and the bodies were not moved and no markers remain. As far as she knew, no marriages were held at the old church since most were held in private homes — at least in her generation. Mrs. Mueller’s parents were married in Two Rivers in 1883. Johanna Mueller was the first congregation member to be buried at the nearby Saxonburg cemetery. The old church was sold and torn down in 1904. The following account relates to the building of the present church in Mishicot. “At a congregational meeting Nov. 28, 1901, it was decided to build a new church and the following committee was chosen: Otto Bernhardt, Chas. Mueller, August Lensing, Fred Bruhn and Fred Witte to make further study of the matter. According to reports there was a urgent reason for the decision to build a new church. The reason was this: During the winter of 1901 Evan- gelistic meetings were held and during that time the temperature never rose a- bove zero during the week. The building was cold at best, but during the cold spell, even when starting the heater at noon it did not make any appreciable difference. So after this these hardy pioneers decided they had had enough. Therefore the decision to build a new and warmer building. Dedication of this new building on its present spot (in Mishicot) was November, 1903.” Mrs. Mueller noted that seven families built the new church at a cost of $3500. She remembers a piano from the old church which was moved to the 57
Sunday school. She was also in the first confirmation class in the new Mishicot church. Ministers who served in the old church included: Rev. Peter Held, Rev. F, W. Schneider, Rev. Jacob Banchaff, Rev. J. M. Hammetter, Rev. E. Bockemuehl, Rev. W. Horn, Rev. L. Stroebel, Rev. P. Speich, Rev. W. Wittenwyler, Rev. C. Miller, Rev. J. Koch, Rev. G. Schwantes, Rev. D. Herb, Rev. F. Dite, Rev. C. Harm, Rev. H. Huelster, Rev. J. L. Runkel, Rev. A. H. Finger, Rev. J. G. Kern and Rev. R. Eilert, Rev. H. J. Droegkamp, Rev. W. Kolander, Rev. F. J. Sievert and Rev. C. W. Schlueter who was the pastor at the time the new church was built in Mishicot in 1901. Both the Mishicot and Two Rivers churches became part of the merger of the Evangelical and United Brethren Church and since 1968 continued as part of the United Methodist Church. COOPERSTOWN EVANGELICALS While checking courthouse records the following incorporations were found: The “East Cooperstown Society of the Evangelical Association of North Amer- ica met Feb. 1, 1870 for the purpose of incorporation.” Rev. George Harm (a Rev. Harm was also listed as a pastor of the Mishicot congregation), East Cooperstown Zion Church of the Evangelical Association of North America pastor and trustees were given as “Wm. Dobbert, F. P. Hase, and Christian Mueller.” Another entry included one where members met to “Incorporate the Society of the Evangelical Assoc. of North America, March 4, 1869. Rev. George Fel- hofer, Pres., John R. Weber, Sec., Society known as Cooperstown St. John Church of the Evangelical Association of North America. Trustees were John Kruger, Heinrich Schneider and John R. Weber.” There are two cemeteries near the county line known as the West Coopers- town and the East side Cooperstown cemeteries and neither have a church lo- cated on the property. It Is interesting to note, however, that trustees, Heinrich Schneider and John R. Weber are buried in the West Cooperstown Cemetery. No other information is available on these (two?) churches at this writing. FINAL NOTE From what could be ascertained from studying the early records, the United Brethren denomination did not become part of Manitowoc County history un- til its merger with Evangelicals. ONLY A BEGINNING While this history includes a number of churches which were short-lived, it also contains the beginnings of active churches flourishing in the county today. Their history and others now existing in the county are only beginning. Much more should be written of them by future historians. 58
1982-CHURCHES IN MANITOWOC COUNTY-1982 The list of Manitowoc County churches active in 1982 was gathered from county telephone directories and the church pages of the Herald Times-Reporter. ASSEMBLY OF GOD Calvary Assembly of God, 434 N. 7th St., Manitowoc BAPTIST Berean Baptist (Fundamental Fellowship with Wis. Assoc. of Regular Baptist Churches), Johnstone Drive, Manitowoc Twin Cities Baptist, 620 N. 10th St. Manitowoc First Baptist, 1017 Waldo Blvd., Manitowoc New Testament Baptist, 10th and Lowell, Two Rivers Community Baptist Church of T.R., (Independent Baptist) West Park St., Two Rivers CATHOLIC Holy Cross, Mishicot Holy Innocents, N. 14th and Waldo, Manitowoc Holy Redeemer, 3319 Tannery Rd., Two Rivers Holy Trinity, School Hill, R.1, Kiel Sacred Heart, N. 7th and State, Manitowoc Sacred Heart, 2200 Washington St., Two Rivers St. Ambrose, St. Nazianz St. Andrew, 1416 Grand Ave., Manitowoc St. Anne, Francis Creek St. Augustine, Reifs Mills St. Boniface, 10th and Marshall St., Manitowoc St. Casimir, 8109 Northeim Rd., Northeim St. Isidore, Osman, Hwy 42, R.1, Newton St. James, Cooperstown St. Joseph, Alverno, Hwy 151 and Alverno Rd., Mtwc. St. Joseph, Kellnersville St. Luke, 1816 Jefferson St., Two Rivers St. Mark, 11th and Webster Sts., Two Rivers St. Gregory, 212 Church St., St. Nazianz St. Mary, Clark Mills, R. 1, Cato St. Mary, 21st. and Marshall, Manitowoc St. Mary, Reedsville St. Mary, Tisch Mills St. Michael, Whitelaw St. Patrick, Maple Grove St. Paul, 24th and Wollmer, Manitowoc St. Peter and Paul, Kiel St. Wendel, Cleveland Also large chapels: Lax Chapel, Lax Chapel Rd. (annual celebration held July 4); Holy Family Convent; Holy Family Hospital; Silver Lake College; St. Mary Home; Loretto Chapel on Salvatorian Seminary grounds at St. Nazianz CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Christian Science Society, 1630-28th St., Two Rivers First Church of Christ Scientist, 620 Park St., Manitowoc Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) no address listed CHURCH OF CHRIST Churst of Christ, 1109 N. 17th St., Manitowoc COMMUNITY BIBLE Community Bible, 28th and Wollmer, Manitowoc COMMUNITY CHAPEL Community Chapel (Don R. Good) Route 2, Two Rivers EPISCOPAL St. James Episcopal, 434 N. 8th St., Manitowoc EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH Faith Evangelical Free Church, 1501 Rapids Rd., Manitowoc JEHOVAH WITNESSES Jehovah Witnesses, 2005 Johnston Dr., Manitowoc JEWISH Anshe Poale Zedek Synagogue, 435 N. 8th St., Manitowoc LUTHERAN Bethany Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 32nd and Meadow Ln., Manitowoc Calvary Ev. Lutheran (LCA), 1921 Adams St., Two Rivers Faith Lutheran (ALS), 255 Roosevelt, Valders First German Lutheran (WELS), 1033 S. 8th St., Manitowoc First Lutheran (ALC), 521 N. 8th St., Manitowoc Gloria Dei American Lutheran (ALC), 727 Sixth St., Kiel Good Shepherd Lutheran (Missouri), 3235 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers Grace Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 17th and Wisconsin, Manitowoc Grace Lutheran (P), Valders Immanuel Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 1033 S. 8th St., Manitowoc Our Savior Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 34 and Tannery Rd, Two Rivers Redeemer Lutheran (Missouri), 1712 Menasha Ave., Manitowoc Rockwood Lutheran (WELS), Rockwood St. John Ev. Lutheran (WELS), Maribel St. John Ev. Lutheran (WELS), Route 1, Mishicot St. John Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 7531 English Lk. Rd., Newtonburg St. John Ev. Lutheran (WELS), Two Creeks St. John Ev. Lutheran (WELS), E. Park and 17th St., Two Rivers St. John-St. James Ev. Lutheran (WELS) Reedsville St. John-St. Peter Ev. Lutheran (WELS), Cleveland St. Paul Lutheran (ALC), 2001 S. 10th St., Manitowoc St. Peter Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 325 Randolph, Mishicot Trinity Ev. Lutheran (WELS), 1924 Hwy 149, Louis Corners Trinity Ev. Lutheran (WELS), R.1, Manitowoc-Jct Madson and Wehausen Roads PENTECOST Apostolic Christian Tabernacle (Assoc. with UPCO) 930 S. 12th, Manitowoc PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian, Kiel First Presbyterian, 502 S. 8th St., Manitowoc Melnik Presbyterian, R.1, Whitelaw REFORMED Salem-Ebenezer Ev. Reformed, R.3, Manitowoc Cty C and Center Rd. SALVATION ARMY Salvation Army, 415 N. Sixth St., Manitowoc SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS Seventh Day Adventists, 1221 S. 13th St., Manitowoc SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Society of Friends (Quakers), no address listed, (just phone) UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Bethel/Bethlehem UCC, (Kiel) Lax Chapel Road First Reformed UCC, 3603 Waldo Blvd., Manitowoc Grace Congregational UCC, 2500 Washington, Two Rivers St. James UCC (Meeme), R. 1, Cleveland-Spring Valley St. John UCC, 1501 Marshall St., Manitowoc St. Peter UCC, Kiel United Church of Christ of Reedsville, Reedsville UNITED METHODIST Bethel United Methodist (Kiel), Meggers Rd. and Town Line Rd. Emanuel United Methodist, 1218 Madison St., Two Rivers St. Paul United Methodist, 411 Reed Avenue, Manitowoc Wesley United Methodist, 908 Hamilton St., Manitowoc Zion United Methodist, Mishicot Zion United Methodist, Reedsville 60
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MAP INDEX The numbers refer to the numbering of the map and of the text descriptions 1. Musson Group 2. Van Vleck Mounds 3. Smith Enclosure 4. Buell Mounds 5. Stolze Mounds 6. First Ward Cemetery and Corn Field 6a. Little Manitowoc Camp Site 7. County House Hill Camp Site 8. Indian Hill Camp Site 9. Indian Flats Planting Ground and Cemetery 10. Winke Garden Beds 11. Winke Burials 12. Braunel Cemetery 13. Wampum’s Grave 14. Wampum Monument 15. Cholera Graves 16. Thiebeau’s Cabin 17. Wampum’s Cabin 18. Pleuss Caches 18a. Hamernik Implement Cache 19. Cato mounds 20. Clarks Mills Camp Site 21. Quitos’ Camp Site 22. Erickson Camp Site 23. Quarry Group 24. Carroll Grave 24a. Haes Camp Site 25. Island Village Site 26. Mud Creek Camp Site 27. Mulcahy Caches 28 Branch River Camp Site 28a. Mangin Camp Site 28b Pfeffer Site 29. Site of Ware Murder 30. Reynolds’ Cache 31. Hagenow Cache 32. Na-na-bou-jous village 33. Hathaway Camp Site 34. Silver Creek Camp Site 35. Molasses Creek Camp Site 36. Neshoto Mounds 37. Two Creeks Village Site 38. Jean Vieau’s Landing 39. Chandelte’s Village 40. Jambo Creek Trading Post 41. Smith Planting Ground 42. Darius Peck Cemetery 43. Huletz Cemetery 44. Coopertown Village Site 45. Northeim Site 45a. Stuempges Lake Camp Site 46. Waaks Lake Camp Site 47. MIII Mound 48. Main Street Grave 49-50. Kiel Mounds 51. Solomon’s Village 52. Mensqua’s Village 52. Hartz Group and Village Site 54. Zahn Group 55. Gilbertson Group 56. Riedel Cemetery 57. Killsnake Cemetery 62
GHOST CEMETERIES OF MANITOWOC COUNTY by Marcie Baer A Noble race! but they are gone, With their old forest wide and deep, And we have built our homes upon Fields where their generations sleep. -William Cullen Bryant When I began assembling material on Protestant churches of Manitowoc County, I came across a booklet "INDIAN REMAINS IN MANITOWOC COUNTY” published by the Wisconsin Archeologist (Vol. 14, Dec. 1915). At the time I shoved it to the back of my mind with the thought this might be good material when I got back to working on the cemetery part of this book- let. This year I made a hurried trip to the library. The booklet I’d seen back in 1976, I discovered, yielded far more information than I had remembered and at this point took on much more meaning. The history of ghost cemeteries would not be complete unless those early Indian cemeteries are included. They are the first truly “ghost” cemeteries -- most of them unknown until bones were unearthed by white settlers erecting homes and churches. There are many others who were buried on farms or in long gone cemeteries and most records are totally gone since early death records did not have to be recorded at the courthouse. It is about these of which I will write. In order to explain the various burial sites (some were only storage mounds) we are including a map and index and condensing some of the material from the Archeologist report which refers to cemeteries. These will be given in sequence. The property owners mentioned were those who owned the land at the time the book was published in 1915. Today no traces remain of those burial grounds. The solitary mounds and mound groups in Manitowoc County was only a small number in comparison to those located in other counties of the state. There were 71 recorded Indian mounds which once existed in the county and at the forks of the Manitowoc River. Of these there are ten groups: Musson Group, Stolze Mounds, Van Vleck Mounds, Cato Mounds, Quarry Group, Two Rivers Mounds, Mill Mounds, Zahn Group, Forks (Gilvertson) Group and the Bartz Group. Forty-three were con- ical or oval shaped; nine linear and nineteen effigy shaped. Of the linears all but one, a cross-shaped earthwork, were straight-sided embankment-shaped and tapering mounds. Of the effigies, seventeen were mounds of the popular panther type, one represented a bird and one a turtle. Of the mounds, garden beds, cornfields, cemeteries, caches and other Indian remains described in the report, nearly all have now been obliterated in the process of the cultivation of the soil (this was in 1915), or have been ruthlessly destroyed by vandals, pseudo-scientists and relic hunters. In the early days the physicians of the county secured their office skeletons from some of the old burial places. 63
CITY OF MANITOWOC 1). MUSSON GROUP: In a letter to Dr. Increase A. Lapham in the 1850’s Charles Musson described mounds he found and stated that he thought bones had been found in one. Dr. Lapham checked the mounds (but found no bones) which were located in the N. E. quarter of Township 19, Sec. 19 a half mile west of the village. Mounds were once located about the 0. Torrison residence in the sixth ward and in the adjoining Buell subdivision. Judge J. S. Anderson remembers them well and claims there must have been not less than twenty five mounds in all. To this day (1915) human remains are occasionally brought to light here. While excavating for the foundation of the 0. R. Bacon house, now the C. C. West place, two skeletons were found. While laying gas mains in 1908, workmen unearthed a human skull. This was on Michigan Ave. to the south of the L. J. Nash residence. Another was found in 1911 while laying mains on Fourteenth Street to the west of the Nash home. Still another skeleton, very badly decomposed, was found by workmen leveling the grounds of the nearby McKinley School. 2). Van Vleck Mounds: South of New York Ave. near the western limits of the city on the August Eberhardt place, a former owner, a Mr. Van Vleck,
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many years ago leveled one large and two small conical mounds. In the large one a skeleton is said to have been found interred in a sitting posture. 6). First Ward Corn Field and Cemetery: In 1836, the Indian corn field and cemetery were located on the river bank on Commercial Street at the foot of Sixth Street. MANITOWOC TOWNSHIP 8). Indian Hill Camp Site and Cemetery: To the east and northeast of the village is a high bluff overlooking the river. Upon its top is a level plateau on which were forty graves protected in characteristic Chippewa fashion. This was the largest number of burial places in this vicinity. The bones, when plowed up, were collected and utilized to fertilize the newly planted trees in an extensive orchard on the present farm. 9). Indian Flats Planting Ground and Cemetery: There was on extensive low, rich “bottoms” between the bluffs and the Manitowoc River and it was known locally as the “Indian flats”. A small burying grounds was located close to the west shore of the river from which in earlier years physicians from Man- itowoc obtained their office skeletons. 11). Winke Burials: On the farm of Fred Winke (S. W. 1/4 of the S. E. 1/4 of Sec. 23) several hundred yards to the southeast of the garden beds (10) the very badly decayed bones of at least two skeletons were found in June 1913 in a gravel pit. 12). Braunel Cemetery: In the S. W. 1/4 of the S. E. 1/4 of section 23 between the highway and block 19 of the village, on the farm of H. Braunel, are two lots now belonging to Mrs. Jul. Borcherdt “which are forever reserved for use as a cemetery”. This plot is the “oldest cemetery in the county and is in a sad state of decay”, the few remaining grave stones having almost all fallen or been broken. It was used before the “50’s and it is said that “both whites and Indians were buried here indiscriminately. It has not been used for many years, and although fenced off is now in a very neglected condition”. (ED. Note: A few years ago Robert Lyman was told about this cemetery by some area old timers. He checked courthouse records but could find nothing to say this land had ever been dedicated as a cemetery. The stones were all gone and it is reported that a number of homes have now been built in this area where the cemetery was located.) 13). Wampum’s Grave: This is also located on Mr. Winke’s land on the high- est crest on the north bank of the river several hundred yards west of the Braunel cemetery and close to an old abandoned logging road. It is a quarter of a mile southwest of the location on which a monument was erected. This grave and others purported to be his (Chief Wampum) have on various occasions been dis- turbed. In 1851, three prominent citizens of Manitowoc removed therefrom the skull and thigh bones which were to be utilized in the gruesome initiation ceremonies of a well known secret society organized at that time. When this became known the indignation of the Indians was great and dire threats were made which produced consternation among the settlers. Quiet was speedily re- stored when the contents of the graves were returned. 14). Wampum’s Monument: On a high bluff situated at the Junction of Washington and King streets, is another cemetery. Here too the Indian graves have been rifled. Although not the last resting place of Wampum, because of its central location near a much frequented public highway, a monument was erected by the Manitowoc County Historical Society in 1908. 65
15). Cholera Graves: Cholera prevailed all over the Northwest in 1850. On the river road trail in Section 23, near the farm house of Mr. Oliver C. Hubbard, one Indian (Chippewa) was stricken with the disease. His wife and Infant remain- ed with him. Both the Indian and the infant died before dawn and were buried in a ravine close to the road. The wife survived and followed her people. (NOTE: This was found and has been added to the Indian listings in Manitowoc township this may be the information included above) by Shari Milks: The Indian history and the antiquities of Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, have been gathered together in a report which will be published by the Wisconsin Archeological society at Madison during January, 1916. Its author, Dr. Louis Falge of Manitowoc has embodied in it the results of nearly ten years of archaeological investigations in his home county and in the adjoining Forks region in Calumet county. The number of prehistoric Indian mounds now and formerly existing in this region is surprisingly small, according to the report, since there are only seventy-one in all. Of these nearly all are located in the present city of Manitowoc and at the forks of the Manitowoc river. Manitowoc Daily Herald Saturday, January 8, 1916 P.3 CATO TOWNSHIP 20). Clark’s Mills Camp Site and Cemetery: A half mile west of the Cato Mounds (19) on a level stretch of highland on the north bank of the river just opposite the farm house of William Wiegert (S.E. 1/4 of Section 21) was formerly an Indian camp site and burial ground. 23). Quarry Group: There are a series of mounds found on land owned by Knut H. Thompson (N.E. 1/4 of the N.E. 1/4 of Sec. 36 and which have been plowed over since 1904.) Older settlers state that in the 50’s this region was overrun by roaming bands of Pottawatomies. These Indians explained the presence of the mounds by stat- ing these were the burial places of the slain, a common misconception of the purpose of the mounds. 24). Carroll Grave: A solitary Indian grave in the rear of the house of James Carroll in the N.E. 1/4 of Section 33, was visited at various times and as late as the ‘90’s by a son of the deceased. EATON TOWNSHIP 25). Island Village Site: A comparatively large Indian population made their homes in the region about the Manitowoc-Calumet County line at the forks of the Manitowoc river about eight miles west of the Quarry mounds as well as along its north and south forks. The village site was a mile south of the forks on the farm of John Draheim in Section 6. From very early times this site was known as the “Island Indian Village” not because it was situated on an island but because this level tract of land (30 or 40 acres) is surrounded by the river on the west and south and on the north and east by dense swamp which, in the spring, was covered with water. Near the middle of this site was the cemetery, pioneers still living having wit- nessed the ceremonies attending burials, particularly that of a prominent hunter who was killed by a bear. A rude pictorial history was carved upon a cedar slab at the foot of the grave, a sort of diminutive totem pole showing seven dead bears one above the other, a dead man with a bear stooping over his prostrate form at the bottom illustrating the manner of his death. Another characteristic incident of aboriginal customs well remembered. One fall, when a band of natives were proceeding on a journey to the North, it was found that an aged and infirm woman was unable to follow. A confrontation was held, after which her son struck her from behind with a club, killing her instantly. The Indians then returned to this burying ground, gave her a proper burial with attendant ceremonies and once more proceeded on their journey. “Fragments of bones, numerous phalanges and teeth are found on the surface of the land, and fresh ones are being plowed up with each furrow turned, indi- cating the burials must have been numerous”. 66
MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP 26). Mud Creek Camp Site: On the banks of Mud Creek, a tributary of the Manitowoc River, two miles north of Reedsville on the farm of Daniel Jantz (N.E. 1/4 of the S.W. 1/4 section 23) was formerly the location of a well-known camp site frequented by the Indians up to 1866. From a burial ground on this site a physician from a neighboring village, exhumed the skeleton of three adults and two children. TWO RIVERS CITY AND TOWNSHIP It is reported (in a book by H. C. Wilke) “the Indians were very numerous in the village in 1849. That year they had a dance on the site of the present St. John’s Lutheran Church in which no less than 300 participated. At that time a large number of wigwams were found on the East side along the banks of the river, on the northside, where Bartz’ blacksmith shop is located, and also on the southside where the coal dock is found” Trails were numerous but the principal one was a broad well-beaten path run- ning north of what is now the Public Square, toward the Polish Church from where it curved northwest through the lots where the Hamilton cottages are now located. In 1849 a cemetery was west of what is now Niquette’s store at the foot of Jefferson street, on a hill which was graded down in 1850. The foot of the hill was a landing place for people coming on boats from the lake. In that year and subsequently, the redmen buried their dead on a site where St. Luke’s Catholic Church now stands. TWO RIVERS VILLAGE SITES The lakeshore from the mouth of the Twin Rivers northward for eight miles or more into the neighboring town of Two Creeks, was for centuries practically a continous village site, although the evidences of occupation are more noticible at the mouth of the Twin Rivers, Silver and Molasses Creeks and at the “Big Slough”, then in the intervening territory. The Indians of Two Rivers were most- ly Ottawa, and there were some Pottawatomie. 33). Hathaway Camp Site: This is to the east of the city. On June 15, 1893, a burial mound on the Hathaway estate was opened by John and Joseph Gagnon. It contained five or six skeletons which were sent to the Smithsonian Institution. 35). Molasses Creek Camp Site: This is one of the most important of the Two Rivers series of Indian camp sites. However, no burial grounds was found — just frequent solitary graves. TWO CREEKS TOWNSHIP The Two Creeks Village site is a continuation of the Two Rivers site and is located in Section 31, a mile north of the town line. In 1911 human skeletons were found. GIBSON TOWNSHIP 41). Smith Planting Ground. In section 28 was located one of the best known Indian Camping Grounds. In a letter published April 7, 1904 in the Manitowoc Pilot, M. Hale Smith gives this account of the planting and burial grounds. (His father settled there in 1855.) 67
“The area cultivated by the Indians was fifteen acres on both sides of the Neshoto River. At the time we arrived in this area this had dwindled to six acres.” “Their funerals I remember quite well more so as they served as occasions when we children came in for a goodly share of corn which was liberally served on such occasions. I remember going with my mother to offer help on the death of a papoose and their asking us to partake of some roast dog, one of which had been roasted entire. A white neighbor made the coffin of rough lumber, but on no occasion did I see any of their personal effects placed in the coffin. “On one occasion I saw a small baby buried, its coffin being formed of two strips of bark. This was in the winter and they had brought the body on a pony some eight or ten miles from their winter home on the Mishicott River. “The burying ground was on a natural knoll some distance from the river. The graves were in rows side by side, with cedar bark like a roof over each. A round stake about three feet high stood at the head of each grave. On the stake certain marks were painted in red. . . the last one to be buried here in 1870 was a young Indian killed by an accidental discharge of his gun. There was much ceremony at the graves about a week after the burial. They split cedar shakes for a covering over the grave. A fence of rails was placed around it with the us- ual red painted stake at one end. Beneath the cedar covering a package of tob- acco was placed. . .there were twenty-four graves on the knoll.” 42). Darius Peck Cemetery: A quarter of a mile north of the Smith Planting Ground on the land of Darius Peck, the S.W. 1/4 of the N.E. 1/4 in Section 28, is a row of ten Indian graves placed in an east and west direction. 43). Huletz Cemetery: A third cemetery is in the N.E. 1/4 of the N.W. 1/4 section 33 on the farm of Stephen Huletz. There are ten graves arranged in three groups, one of three, a second of three graves and a third of four graves. All are in the woods. The graves in these three burial places have been exhumed and rifled of their contents by irresponsible parties. COOPERSTOWN TOWNSHIP 44). Cooperstown Village Site: In the N.E. ¼ of Section 28 on the farm of Frank Wanish, was once an Indian village. On one hillside was the Indian bury- ing grounds, the last burial was that of a man in 1855. CENTERVILLE TOWNSHIP 47). Mill Mound: This was located on a wooded bluff in the N.E. 1/4 of the S.E. 1/4 of Section 15 at a distance of a quarter of a mile from Lake Michigan and at the same distance from Fischer Creek and on the property of Albert Mill. Seven skeletons buried in a sitting position were found in these mounds on two different levels. The bones were buried but later clandestintly(sic) removed by Sheboygan parties. 43). Main Street Grave: In the spring of 1915, a grave was disinterred at the foot of Main Street near the Lakeshore. In it there was found a skeleton and a small catlinite pipe. A number of other graves were reported to have been opened in the locality by various parties. 68
THE WHITE MAN COMES TO THE AREA Many of the cemeteries where a church is no longer located are kept up ex- cept for one near Collins which may eventually be taken over by another Church for cemetery use. The cemeteries of these defunct churches are shown in the church section of this booklet so we will not include them here. There are others, however, for which there is no church connection or the connection was dissolved many years ago and which have disappeared under the farmers plow. — in particular cemeteries at Shoto and in the Town of Franklln. In the town of Eaton near the Junction of Mud Lake and Steinthal Roads in the southeastern corner of Section 28 on what is now private property (no one is allowed on the property without permission) there is a burial ground over 100 years old and for which no markers exist. The land was owned by John Stauber's father and as a boy he recalls his dad showed him the spot about sixty rods from the fence line where four people were supposed to have been buried. His father told him a child who had died was buried there first, then a hired man reportedly murdered the parents and killed himself-- all were also buried on the hillside. A search of old newspapers did not locate any reference to this event. However, some years ago while a right of way road was being put in near the property line, a skull of a child was dug up near where Stauber said the burials were located. This revived the story, especially when someone placed the skull on display for a short time at a local tavern. While indexing death records at the courthouse, Ann Larson found a death record she shared. It was that of a Louise Pickerhuhn, 70, who died of cancer April 2, 1862 and who was buried on the farm of Carl Plckerhuhn in the town of Schleswlg Burials on farms were not unusual and there are many such burials for which there is no record. We know of two in the Town of Two Rivers and another in the town of Kossuth near Branch, etc. 69
I have already mentioned the Braunel farm cemetery in the Indian section as possibly being the oldest cemetery in the county. The oldest cemetery still vis- ible is St. Mary at the Rapids. A cemetery was started in the city of Manitowoc where Park Medical is now located. The bodies were disinterred and moved to what is now Evergreen Cemetery. Members of the Old Cemetery Society had been told of some burials in the woods near Wagon Wheel road. Permission was given to check the woods and the frame work of what had been several graves were found — the bodies had apparently been moved because of the depressions. We were told, however, by someone who had grown up on the farm, that one of her family was burled in a farm field closer to the house. The markers and lilac trees have disappeared and the area plowed over. There are many others like this. In many of the older cemeteries there are spaces with no markers remaining. Some of the earliest tombstones were made of wood, sandstone or marble and none held up well. Cemeteries seem to be a favorite target of vandals and have been for many years. The thoughtlessly destroyed stones were often just piled on the side and later hauled away to be used as fill. Today as people are becom- ing more conscious of cemetery care, many have replaced the old tombstones. The replaced stones are then used for fill in low areas. Sometimes a stone was dumped by vandals and those finding it did not take the time to find where it belonged and discarded it. A few years ago some old tombstones were found on the lakeshore among stones dumped there for eros~ ion control — whether they were stones which had been replaced was not learn- ed because they then later disappeared. Another was found partially buried in a back yard by a new home owner and he checked on it and found a new stone had been erected and since the owner didn’t know what to do with the old stone, he placed it in his back yard. The Manitowoc County Old Cemetery Society has recorded as many of these private burials as they could learn about (only a small number) but their main task has been to copy the existing stones before they too are destroyed. As this is written only Evergreen Cemetery remains to be copied. The records are typed and copies are placed at the llbrary for use by those interested in family history or other historical research. It is sad to note that over the years some of the cemeteries were neglected and some exist only in memory. We were told about one burial spot which was supposed to have been located between Manitowoc and Two Rivers near a saloon with rather rough clientele, named “The Blood and Guts Saloon”. To this date we have not been able to locate the spot where itinerant visitors to the saloon were supposed to have engaged in heated arguments and as a result wound up in the nearby cemetery. It has been my experience in copying the tombstones, there is so much to be learned from cemeteries. The names indicated the nationalities of those who resided in the area during the different periods. An unusually large number of children or family members dying indicated an epidemic of some sort. When a man dies his body will eventually become part of the earth. Yet it is sad when someone has lived his life - either well or badly — and there is nothing left to mark his having passed this way except perhaps in the vague memory of a future descendant. 70
(Note: Pages 71-75 include a list of the cemeteries which are already listed on this site) A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR JAMBO CREEK CHURCH HISTORY (Ed. Note. Those designated with a (*) denotes same publications used for other Protestant and Jewish histories as well) Blegen, Theodore C. NORWEGIAN MIGRATION TO AMERICA THE AMER ICAN Norwegian American Historical Association, 1940 Cote, Richard N. THE GENEALOGIST’S GUIDE TO MANITOWOC COUNTY, WISCONSIN. Manitowoc, Wis., 1977* Falge, Louis. HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY. Chicago, Goodspeed Historical Association, 1912.* Hanson, Rodney Letters about his grandfather, Peder Hansen (dated) October 25, 1977 and AprIl 2, 1978. Holland, Hjalmar Rued. BE NORSKE SETTLEMENTERS HISTORIE. Ephraim, Wisconsin, 1908. Kesting, Herbert. Letter (dated) March 22, 1978. Manitowoc County Centennial Committee STORY OF CENTURY Manitowoc, 1948.* Nash, G. V. AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL ATLAS: MANITOWOC COUN- TY, WISCONSIN. Manltowoc, 1878. Norlie, Olaf M. NORSK LUTHERSKE MENIGHETER I AMERIKA 1843-1916. Volume 1. MinneapolIs, Augsburg, 1918.* Norlie, Olaf M. HISTORY OP THE NORWEGIAN PEOPLE IN AMERICA. Minneapolis, Augsburg, 1925. Oien, Tollef Olsen. “Fra Nybyggerlivet” (“From a Settler’s Life.”) SKANDINAVEN (Chicago) Friday, July 7, 1899, p. 3. 100 YEARS OF FAITH; VALDERS AND GJERPEN EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH- ES 1850-1950. Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Qualey, Carlton C. NORWEGIAN SETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. Northfield, Minnesota. Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1938. Schroeder, Johan. SKANDINAVERNE I DE FORENEDE STATER OG CANADA MED INDBERETNINGER OG OPLYSNINGER FRA 200 SKANDINA- VISKE SETTLEMENTER; EN LEDETRAAD FOR EMIGRANTER FRA DET GAMLE LAND FOR NYBYGGEREN I AMERiCA. La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1867. Soukup, Mabel Knutson. Interview at her home, R.R. 1, Manibel, Wisconsin, June 19, 1972. ________, Letters (dated) January 24, 1978, and March 24, 1978. “Tisch Mills History Began as Indian Trails Along River,” KEWAUNEE ENTERPRISE’ February 22, 1973, p. 6. Ulvestad, Martin. NORDMAENDENE I AMERIKA DERES HISTORIE 0G REKORD. Minneapolis, History Book Company’s Forlag, 1907. 2 volumes. WHO’S WHO AMONG PASTORS IN ALL THE NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN SYNODS OF AMERICA; 1843-1927. Third Edition. Minneapolis, Augus- burg, 1928. 76
Zell, Edward Frederick. “The Gibson or ‘Jambo Creek’ Lutheran Congregation.” Unpublished manuscript, 1923 (?). Gibson church records, 1880-1949, held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Mishi- cot, Wisconsin. Gjerpen-Valders church records, 1850, held at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders, Wisconsin. Wisconsin State Census, 1855. United States Censuses, 1860, 1870, 1880. and archival material relating to the families: Erickson, Hovie (Haave), Olson, and Rea, in possession of author. ADDITIONAL SOURCES USED FOR PROTESTANT CHURCH HISTORIES/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia C 1973 Interviews with: Joe Carbon, 1977 Mrs. Frieda Mueller, 1977 Melvin Schnell, 1976 Elroy Schrank, 1982 John Stauber and Hugo Drews (date?) Land and incorporation deeds at courthouse. Mrs. Kitty Hobson, Methodist Church Archivist - histories of Rockland Ev. Church, Newton and Wesley Methodist Churches sent in 1977. Church Histories: Robert G. Torbet, THE PEOPLE CALLED BAPTIST. published by American Baptist Board of Education and Publications, Valley Forge, Pa. First Baptist Church, A HISTORICAL SKETCH Bernadette Bittner. HISTORY OF CHURCHES IN SAUK COUNTY FEA- TURING GHOST CHURCHES. 1977. Bernadette Bittner, Bernice Enz and Carol Ryan. KRUEGER KIN AND RELATED FAMILIES. 1977. Anshe Poale Zedek Zynagogue. CONGREGATION FOUNDED FIFTY-FOUR YEARS AGO. 1954. First Reformed United Church of Christ. A BRIEF HISTORY 1975 (?) Melnik Presbyterian Church. A BRIEF HISTORY (?) Frank Benes. CZECHS IN MANITQWOC COUNTY, WISCONSIN. 1847-1932 Published 1979 by Manitowoc County Historical Society. “Ecumenical Service Set Sunday at Niles Church” HERALD-TIMES REPORTER, Sept. 18, 1981 pg. (?) Published Minutes of Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Madison, Wis. Researched and translated by Robert Bjerke of the University of Wisconsin, Manitowoc. Salem-Ebenezer Ev. Reformed Church. ONE HUNDRED ANNIVERSARY OF SALEM-EBENEZER EV. REFORMED CHURCH 1854-1954, Newton, Wis. 77
“Salem-Ehenezer Reformed to mark 125th Year”, HERALD TIMES-REPORTER, April 16, 1979, page 5. St. James UCC. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. JAMES’ CONGREGATION 1963. Town of Meeme, Wis. “St. John UCC in 90th Year”, HERALD TIMES-REPORTER (date?) 1981, p. (?) St. John Ev. Lutheran. HISTORY OF ST. JOHN 1854-1954. Town of Coopers- town. St. John Ev. Lutheran. HISTORY OF ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CONGRE- GATION OF TWO RIVERS AND VICINITY. Two Rivers. (date?) St. John-St. James Ev. Lutheran. 1857 100 YEARS OF GRACE 1957. Reedsville, Wis. St. John.-St. Peter Ev. Lutheran. HISTORY OF ST. JOHN-ST. PETER EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1860-1960. Cleveland, Wis. St. Peter UCC. A BRIEF HISTORY 1864-1964. Kiel, Wis. HISTORY OF REEDSVILLE TO 1976. edited by Dorothy Zarnoth. Reedsville, Wis. Letter by Gerhard B. Naeseth on Buffalo Lutheran Synod. WISCONSIN STATE OLD CEMETERY SOCIETY, INSCRIPTIONS newsletter. Vol. 5, No. 2, March-April 1976. F. Winston Luck, editor. “Manitowoc County’s First Norwegian Settlers” MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER, Vol. VII, No. 1, Manitowoc, Wis. “Norwegian Immigration” by Gordon A. Berg. MANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 12, No. 5, Nov. 1978. HISTORY OF REEDSVILLE TO 1976 edited by Dorothy Zarnoth, Reedsville, Wis. 78
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: SISTER TERASITA KITTELL, O.S.F., PH.D., was born in West De Pere, Wis- consin in 1892. She graduated from East High School, Green Bay, in 1910. She became a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity at Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, in 1918. Sister received her B.A. from Catholic Sisters’ College, Washington, D.C., her M.S. and Ph.D. in botany from the Catholic University of America, graduating in 1941. Sister Terasita taught for nineteen years in elementary and secondary schools in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Nebraska; twenty-nine years in college as pro- fessor of biology at Holy Family College (later Silver Lake College), Manitowoc, Wisconsin; one year as guest professor of biology at Chaminade College, Hono- lulu, Hawaii. She received numerous awards for her work as biologist and con- servationist. For years, Sister has been interested in the history of Manitowoc County and of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, an interest which resulted in creating a movie and slide presentations to foster vocations. Since her retire- ment in 1971 she has spent her time researching and writing articles on the coun- ty which have been published in the Manitowoc County Historical Society News- letter and on the Congregation which have been published in the Sampling, a quarterly of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Her enthusiasm, as well as the interest of her Sisters, led to this history of the pioneer days of the Fran- ciscan Sisters bringing to fruition her years of study, research and writing. “REFINING HIS SILVER” was published in 1979. She also put together a his- tory room at the convent. -|||- MARCIE BAER was born in 1933 at rural St. Nazianz. She was employed for nine years at the Salvatorian Center at St. Nazianz and New Holstein before coming to Manitowoc. For eleven years she worked in the classified advertising department of the Herald Tlmes-Reporter. In November 1971, Marcie began working in the sales department at Lakeside Packing Company, where for the past six months she’s also been involved in writing news releases. She first tried her hand at writing eight years ago by doing a number of fam- ily histories. Five years ago when she began doing publicity for St. Mary school and parish, Manitowoc, where she is a member, she also started writing feature articles for the Compass. She is now a free-lance correspondent for this news- paper as well as for the Green Bay Press Gazette. In addition she is the editor of the parish newsletter, The Double Steeple People. Marcie has had articles in the Milwaukee Journal, Appleton Post Crescent, Marian Helpers, North American Vocie of Fatima, The National Catholic News Service, Our Sunday Visitor, Twin Circle, Momentum (NCEA), and the Lion International magazine. She recently helped edit two books, though she prefers writing to editing any day. In addition she has written numerous gratis P.R. articles which ran in the Herald Times-Reporter and the Lakeshore Chronicle. She has had a life-long interest in history which has led to a number of articles in the Manitowoc County Historical Society Newsletter and including a monograph on the Billy Schultz Circus. In her spare time during the summer she spends time in the cemeteries copy- ing tombstone records and has typed some of the completed cemeteries. 79
