ST. MARK'S PROTEST A NT EPISCOPAL PARISH.
THE St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Parish was organized July 22d, 1855, by electing
E. H. ALBEE and JOHN L. CHENEY, wardens. STEPHEN B. OLNEY, CHAS. H. ALLEN, FREDERICK
BOOTT, ALBERT MORRISON, ANDREW MILLER, WILLIAM O, RUCÓLES, HEZEKIAH BRECHER and
THOMAS SARGENT were elected vestrymen. At this time the Rev. E. W. PEET held service
and preached in the upper story of the Wahkonsa hotel. At a meeting of the vestry
held on the 23d day of July 1850, at which the rector. Rev. HENRY W. LEE. D. D.,
and the Rev. E, W. PEET were present, it was resolved to erect a chapel if $1,000
could he raised. The Bishop held service on Sunday July 27th, in an unfinished store-room,
and administered the rites of baptism and confirmation. On the l6th day of Day.
1857, the Rev. .1. B. FAIRÍÍHILD was elected rector. At this time the parish agreed
to raise $300 per annum toward the salary of the rector. In the spring of 1858
the society purchased the lot now occupied by them on Sixth street, between Williams
and Clinton, and commenced work on the church. The Key. J. B. FAIRCHILD remained
as rector until the church was enclosed in 1859.
The Bev. CHAS. T. STOUT is now rector of the parish,- his incumbency dating from
Oct. 1st, 1873. On the 22th day of June 1855, Rector Bev. H. B. WHIPPLE, D. D. Bishop
of Minnesota, acting for the ecclesiastical authority of this diocese consecrated
the church building. The communicants of this parish now nuinber ninety-three. The
Sunday school in connection with this church has a hundred members. The rector is
Superintendent. Their church property is valued at $4,000.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The first Congregational church ot Fort Dodge was organized by the Rev. T. N. SKINNER,
In March 1850, with seven members, who for a time held their meetings in the old
log schoolhouse. Mr. SKINNER was succeeded in 1857 by the Rev. WILLIAM KENT who
preached to the society in the "old brick school-house." In 1881 the Congregational
and Presbyterian societies united in the support of the Rev. CHAS. F. BOYSTON as
pastor and remained together until 1853.
In August, 1869 the organization of the first Congregational church was disbanded
and the Rev. DAVID WlltT reorganized the present church with a membership of twenty-one.
They at once purchased their lot on Market street between Thrift and Merritt streets
and commenced the erection of a chapel. The present membership of the clmrch is
forty-five, and the pastor Rev. D. M. BRECKENBIDUE, Connected with this clmrch is
a Sunday school under the superintendence of Prof. A. W. STEWART which has a membership
of one hundred and eleven. The church property is valued at $2,600.
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH.
CORPUS Christi Catholic Church, was organized by the Rector Rev. Bishop MATHIAS
LORAS Of Dubuque, assisted by Father JOHN VAHKV in May 1856. At this lime the society
purchased lots number 1.2 and 8, block 59, and commenced their present church which
was completed in November 1857. Ill December following Rev. Father JOHN MARSH came
to Fort Dodge, and remained with the society until his death on the 22d of February
1884. Father MARSH was aman beloved by all wdio knew iiim both within and out of
the church. During his life-time the society grew, and the school under his charge
as well as the temperance societies prospered. The present clergyman, Father T.
M. LENEHAN has dune much to enlarge the church as well as to build a line parsonage,
and additions to the school building. Tilts society built the first church edifice
in Fort Dodge, and have now a membership of two hundred familles.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THE first Presbyterian church of Fort Dodge was organized Sept. 21st 1856, by Rev.
S. T. WELLS, missionary. Maj, W. WILLIAMS, JANNETTE J. WILLIAMS, SAMUEL REES, ELEANOR
REES ami ANDREW MILLER were enrolled members. ANDREW MILLER and SAMUEL RICES ordained
elders. The church received a donation from the proprietors of the town of lot 3,
block 25, valued at «too, Sept. 24th 1850, and at once commenced erecting a house
of worship which was completed and first occupied the beginning of the year is.r>s.
Rev. E. D. DODDER was The first minister. The church when organized belonged to
the Presbytery of Dubuque now to the Presbytery ef Fort Dodge and has a membership
of 100, with Rev. L. C. GRAY, pastor. The Sabbath School in connection with this
church numbers 100 and is under the superintendence of W. H. JOHNSTON. Church property
consists of lot and church building worth about S1,500.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
THE first M. E. Church of Fort Dodge was organized Nov. 14th 1857 by the Rev. C.
H. LAWTON, pastor and Rev. J. M. RANKIN, presiding elder. In the summer of 1858
the society purchased lots 4 and 5 in block 25, Fort Dodge, and commenced building
their first meeting house, which was completed and ready for occupancy in the spring
of 1859. Hon. STECHEN B. AYRES (now of Penn Yan, N. Y.) was the originator, and
devoted his energies to its completion, giving his personal attention to the building.
At this time the membership of the church was small amd a portion of the time without
a pastor. In 1874 the society purchased two lots on the corner of Williams an" Thrift
street and commenced the erection of their present church. This building although
in an unfinished state has cost the society including the lots about $17,000, The
present pastor is the Rev. J. A. POTTER, and the Presiding Elder Rev. T. M. WILLIAMS.
The present membership of the church is inn. the Sabbath Sehool in connection with
this church is under the superintendence of ROBERT E. CARPENTER, and has an attendance
of 150 scholars.
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
ST. Paul Church was organized by tho Key. Dr. E. FIKENSCHER of Fort Dodge in 1860
with a membership of seven families. In 1864 the society erected their stone church
on Bernhart street between Fifth and Sixth, to which they have since made a large
addition. This church has a membership of sixty-five families, with about 250 communicants.
Their present Pastor is the Rev. J. L. CRAEMER. In place of a Sunday School, Catechetic
se vices are held every Sabbath afternoon, which are attended by old and young.
This church is connected with the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio, Missouri
and other states. To St. Paul is intrusted the superintendence of the church mission
In the state of Iowa. They have engaged a missionary whose duty it is to visit all
German Lutheran settlements that are without a Pastor in the state. He is now visiting
about eighty parishes. The church building and lot of the society are valued at
$3000.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
THE German Evangelical Chureh was organized in the summer of 1865 by the Rev. H.
LAGESCHUTTZK with twelve members. They erected and dedicated their church building
on Williams street between Thrift and Merritt In the summer of 1868. This church
has now fortyfive members. Present pastor, Rev. G. YOUNGBLOOD. In connection with
this church is a Sunday School under the superintendance of Wm. LONGHENRY. This
school has a good German library and a membership of forty. The church and real
estate Is valued at $4000.
INDEPENDENT LUTHERAN CHURCH.
THE Independent Lutheran church of Fort Dodge, was organized In the summer of 1868,
by Rev. C. L. CLAUSON of St. Ansgar Iowa, with a membership of eighteen. This society
is at present without a pastor. Their membership at the present time is thirty.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE first Baptist church of Fort Dodge was organized June lath, 1871, by the Rev.
H. D. WEAVER, with ten members. The church now has a membership of fifty-seven.
The Baptist Sunday school, of which THEO. HAWLEY is Superintendent, has a membership
of sixty. This society has purchased a lot at the corner of Market and Thrift streets,
and are erecting a large and commodious house of worship. Their present pastor Is
the Rev. GEO. W. FREEMAN ; present value of property, $3,000.
SWEDE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
THE Swede Evangelical Lutheran church was organized with thirty members ill the
summer of 1873, by the licv. H. OLSON. The society has erected a comfortable house
of worship in West Fort Dodge, at a cost of $1,700. Their present membership is
sixty. They have a Sabbath school with a membership of twenty-one. Their present
pastor, Rev. P. A. PIHLOREN, resides here, but spends a portion of his time at Manson
and Elkhorn.
FIRST SPIRITUAL SOCIETY.
THE First Spiritual Society of Fort Dodge was organized in April, 1864, by Dr. JOHN
MAVHEiv, now of Washington, D, C, with eleven members and C. F. WESTON elected President.
The present membership of the society is 123, and GEO. W. HJCNKY, President. A Sunday
school was organized April 1th, 1809i under the name of "The Childrens'Progressive
Lyceum." Whole number of scholars enrolled since the date of organization are 205.
Prosent number attending, sixty-five. Superintendent Mrs. .JAMES SWAIN. Number of
volumes in library 125.
WEBSTER COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
THE Wehster County Bible Society was organized Oct. 7th, 1S58, by the election of
the following Officers : WILLIIAM WILLAHS. President, C. C. Carpenter, Vice President,
SAMUEL HEES, Treasurer, lSTECHEN ft. AVERS, Secretary. A constitution adopted and
a subscription amounting to $14.25 raised. The following counties were embraced
in the association: Webster, Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Kossuth, Palo Alto,
Emmett, Sac, Quena Vista and Dickinson. June 30th, 1865, a branch society was organized
at the LUMPKINS' school-house, and 1). S. SKINNER, elected President, and E, MAYNARD,Secretary.
In January, 1873, branches were established at Otho and Tysons Mills. The present
officers are WOOLSEV WELLES, President , S. B. OLÑEY, Vice President, ISAAC WARMOE,
Treasurer, E. E. PRUSIA, Secretary. Tho depository is located at Fort Dodge. The
assetts of the society are now $333.09 over and above all its liabilities.
ASHLAR LODGE, NO. 111 , A. F. & A. M.
ASHLER Lodge 111, received from the Grand lodge of the State of Iowa, its charter
June 2d, 1858, and on the 9th day of July following, D. G. M. SAM. M. ROBINS installed
the following officers : EGBERT BAGG, W. M., STECHEN B. OLNEY, S. W., HENRY CAUSE,
J. W., LEWIS M. OLGOTT, Treas,, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Sec. The whole number of members
belonging since date of organization is one hundred and eighty-one. The present
officers are MYRON CHILDS, W. M. ; SOLAN B. PRINDLE S. W. ; JOHN L. MARSHALL, J.
W. ; SYDNEY .1. BENNETT, Treas. ; MOSES H. BLISS, Sec'y, with a membership of one
hundred and twenty-six. Whole number of deaths since date of organization, three
: JAMES A. HUMPHREY, who died at 1 A. M., February 24th. 1800, aged forty-one years;
GHAUNCY H. EINHSLEY, who died at 3 A. M., Mardi 13th, 1870, aged thirty-eight years,
and WILLIAM WILLIAMS, who died at 0 A. M., February aetll, 1874, aged seventy-eight
years.
DELTA CHAPTER, NO. 51, R. A. M.
DELTA Chapter No. 51, received its charter, and the first officers were installed
November 1st, 1870, by D. G. H. P., S. H. PACKARD. The whole number of members belonging
since date of organization is fifty-seven. The present officers are LEWIS E. HURLBUT,
H. P. ; ERASTUS G MORCAN, K. ; SAMUEL REES, S. ; JOHN HUTCHISON, Treas. ; ROYCE
W. JOHNSON Sec'y, with a membership of forty-nine. Companions CHAUNCY H. KINCSLEY,
and WILLIAM WILLIAMS are the only members who have died.
CALVARY COMMANDERY, NO. 24, K. T.
CALVARY Commandery No. 24 held their first meeting April 21st, 1874. E. G. Com.
BUREN R. SHERMAN presiding, received their charter October 23d, 1874, and on the
7th day of Dec. same year, D. E. G. Com. JOHN C. PARISH installed the officers.
The present membership of the commandery is forty-one. The officers are NELSON B.
EVERTS E. C. ; ERASTUS G. MORGAN. GAN, GEN. AliOLPHUs F. MESERVEV. C. G.; SAMUEL
REES, Treasurer ; LEWIS E. HURLBUT, Recorder.
OLIVE LODGE, NO. 85, I . 0. of 0. F.
OLIVE Lodge No. 85 was organized at Homer and received its charter Oct. 8th, 1850.
WIL- LIAM N. MESERVEY was the first Noble Grand. In 1859 the county seat having
been removed from Homer to Fort Dodge, the Grand Lodge was petitioned for consent
to remove the lodge to Fort Dodge which was granted. During the first ten years
after the lodge was established at Fort Dodge many or the members removed from the
town, and for a long period there were no meetings held. In 1869 it was again revived
and has since that time been in a prosperous condition. The whole number of members
belonging since the date of its organization is one hundred and ninety ; present
membership, one hundred and five. The present officers are MARTIN WHITE, N. G. ;
JOHNC. WATKINS, V. G. ¡ SAMUEL J. ROBERTSON, R, S. ¡ JOHN MARSHALL. P. S. ; DEXTER
A. WELLER, Treasurer ; Rev. D. D. HALSTEAD, Chaplain. There has been no death among
the members of this lodge. The financial condition of the lodge is good.
WAAHKONSA ENCAMPMENT NO. 53.
WAS organized February 17th, 1872, and has a membership of thirty-six. The present
officers are S. W. GRAY, C. P. : S. J. ROBERTSON, H. P. ; J. C. WATKINS, S. W. ;
D. A. WELLER, S. ; A. MCLEAN.
GRACE REBEKAH DEGREE LODGE. NO. 50.
GRACE Lodge No. 50 was instituted October 22d, 1874, and has at present sixty-two
mem- bers. Present officers are J. W. ROPER, N. G. ¡ Mrs. M. F. FAIRCHILD, V. G.
¡ Mrs. H. W. BRIGGS, Secretary : Mrs. W. LUMPKIN, Treasurer, and B. B. GOODRICH,
Chaplain.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
THE first Good Templars' lodge, Evergreen No. 155, was organized in Fort Dodge,
November 1st, 1857. The last officers of this lodge, installed in the fall of 1861,
were JAMES H. THOMAS, W.C T. ; Miss MARIA B. WELLES, W. V. T., and EMANUEL E. PRUSSIA,
-Secretary. The membership at that time was thirty-eight in good standing. In the
spring of 1862, several of the members of Evergreen lodge entered the army, and
after several unsuccessful attempts to call a meeting, for want of a quorum, on
May 5th, 1862, the members of Evergreen lodge, No. 155 met at their hall and voted
to surrender their charter.
WAHKONSA LODGE, NO. 464., I. O. G. T.
WAS organized April 1st, 1868, with nineteen members. The first Worthy Chief Templar
was J. A. ROLLEN, and J. H. HAWKINS Secretary. The total membership of this lodge
was forty-eight. They held their meetings in HENRY'S hall during the summer ¡ in
the fall they had to abandon the hall and they then held their meetings in the court-house.
When cold weather came un they were unable to keep warm, and at the last meeting,
held November 6th, 1868, voted unanimously to surrender their charter. The officers
at that time were CHAS. M. RUDESILL, W. C. T. ; Miss MARY E. BOYNTON, Secretary.
FORT DODGE LODGE, NO. 12., I. O. G. T.
THIS lodge was organized and received its charter March 20th, 1875. The first officers
were Rev. HORACE L. BOWERS. W. O. T., and WM. H. THOMAS, W. S. The whole number
of members belonging since date of organization is two hundred and ninety; number
at present in good standing, one hundred and forty. This lodge is in a good condition,
and hold their meetings in WOLFINGER'S hall. The present officers arc JOHN D. LAMBERT,
W. C. T. ; Miss LENA MCSTAY, W. V. T. ; Miss VINA LAMBERT, W. S. ; GEO. H. ROBERTS,
W. F. S. ; Miss JENNIE HALSTEAD, W. T. ; P. H. EIGHMY, W. C. ; JAMES FREMING, W.
M. ; Miss MINNIE TINKCOM, W. I. G. ; ALONZO HOWELL. W. 0. G.
BAND OF HOPE.
THE Band of Hope was organized under the title of J?venile Templars, and on the
8th of March, 1876, reorganized under the name of the Band of Hope. This society
has eighteen honorary members, besides a membership of two hundred. The present
officers are S. W. COLE, Superintendent ; Mrs. JAMES SWAIN, Assistant Superintendent,
and WILL. A. BERRYY, Secretary and Treasurer. They hold weekly meetings in Good
Templar hall.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
THE Emerald Benevolent Association No. 1, of Iowa, was organized in October, 1875,
with seven members. The present officers are JOSEPH O'NEIL, President ; HOWARD LONDON,
first Vice President ; PATRICK SCALLY, Treasurer, and P. A. NOONAN, Secretary. This
society has at present a membership of sixty.
FATHER MATHEWS' TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
THIS society was organized October 3, 1875, and since its organization over six
hundred persons have taken a pledge to abstain from all intoxicating drinks. The
society has a library of over five hundred volumes, and a branch society in Jackson
township. The present officers are WM. RYAN, President ; ROBT. ALLEN, First Vice
President; R. P. FURLONG. Treasurer ; P. A. NOONAN, Secretary, J. N. CONWAY, Librarian.
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