Wabasha County, Minnesota - Chapter 59: First Eegiment, 1884

Chapter 59: First Eegiment

Wabasha county was well represented in the war of the rebellion, and responded noblj' to the call for men. Although so yonng prior to these stirring events (the grandest in the history of the world), it furnished its full quota of heroes, who fought and bled for their country, returning in honor to their homes, or laid down their lives as martyrs in a glorious cause. It would not have seemed strange if many beheld the approach of that terrible conflict with indifference, and felt a want of patriotic ardor, that characterized older and more favored sections. But if all the facts could be set forth of public and personal sacrifice, of heroic devotion and persistent efforts by the people of this count}', it would not only compare favorably with the most loyal communities of the land, but make a valuable contribution to the history of the state ; and a careful and just recognition of the claims of each locality reflects great honor upon each neighborhood. In the beginning of the war, when no bounties were offered, and patriotism was the sole incentive to enlistments, many volunteers went from their homes to the villages which received credit for the names enrolled, so that when it was found necessary to order a draft, the claims of such localities were ignored, consequently the draft fell upon some communities already decimated by voluntary contributions. Next to our religion, the claims of country should undoubtedlj^ receive our ardent attention, and it was this interest that caused the American people, irrespective of party or party interests, to res]3ond so promptly, and sacrifice so much in such a cause. But as citizens of the world, caring nothing for country or locality, or the welfare and prosperity of one state or section more than another, men would cease to be regarded as patriotic ; and no matter how philanthropic they might regard themselves, without some special consideration for the countrj' of our birth or adoption, and of its success and happiness, we should scarcely be considered good citizens.

The 1st regt. Minn. Yols. was mustered into service y^pril 29, 1861, and it is a noteworthy fact that it was the first one tendered to President Lincohi upon his calls for troops after the attack upon Fort Sumter, Aijril 19, 1861.

It was ordered to Washington, June li, and participated in the battle of Bull Pam, July 21, 1861. In that memorable battle the regiment lost one hundred and eighty-nine men. The bravery of its officers and men in that engagement filled the whole country with admiration. Charge after charge was made, and still the Minnesota First stood its ground, every man proving himself a hero. The regiment participated also in the skirmish at Edward's Ferrj', Maryland, October 22, 1861, guarding six miles of the Potomac in the battle of Yorktown, May 7, 1862 ; was in two engagements at Fair Oaks, May 31 and June 1 ; in battles of Peach Orchard and Savage Station, June 29, 1862 ; in battles of White Oak Swamp and J^elson's Farm, June 30, 1862 ; in the battle of Malvern Hill, July 31, 1862. In these last engagements the regiment lost, in killed, wounded and missing, ninety-one men. October 7, 1862, it took part in a heavy reconnoissance to Malvern Hill, also several severe skirmishes. August 30,1862, it reached Centreville, Yirginia, and acted as rear guard of Gen. Pope's retreat from Fairfiix Court House to Chain Bridge ; had several severe skirmishes ; participated in battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862 ; the first siege of Fredericksburg, December 11, 12 and 13, 1862 ; the second Fredei-icksburg, May 3, 1863; also the fearful struggle of Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, 1S63, and was at Bristow Station, October 14, 1863. There is probably no regiment of the whole war that shows a better record than that of the heroic Minnesota First.

Upon the first call of President Lincoln for troops, impromptu meetings were held all over the county, which resulted in the formation of a company for this regiment, known as Co. I, Capt. J. H. Pell, of Elgin. As this regiment passed down the river to its sanguinary struggle, the boat landed at the Wabasha levee for the purpose of giving the enlisted men of the county the privilege of a last look, to many, at home and friends, and a final "good-bye." The ladies of Wabasha, in anticipation of this event, had purchased a beautiful silk flag, assisted by several patriotic ladies 'of Lake City, which was presented to the company at that time. Capt. Pell received it in behalf of the company with an assurance that its colors should never be surrendered. He kept his word, and after passing through the bloody struggles of Bull Run, Antietata and the Wilderness, all tattered and torn, it was i-eturned to the state and is now treasured with other glorious relics of those times, among the archives of the State Historical Society.

Second Regiment

The 2d regt. Minn. Vols, was organized in July, 1861. It rendezvoused at Fort Snelling until October, 1861, and was then assigned to the army of the Ohio. It was engaged in many battles, skirmishes and sieges, and was noted for its patriotism and the braver}^ of its men and officers. It participated in the battle at Mill Spring, January 19, 1862 ; was at the siege of Corinth, in April, 1S62, and then transferred to the army of the Tennessee. Was at Bragg's raid, Perry ville, October 8, 1862 ; participated in the skirmishes of the TuUalioma campaign ; was at Chickamauga, September 19-20, 1863 ; at Mission Eidge, November 25, 1863. This regirrient was veteranized in January, 1864. Participated in the battles and skirmishes of the Atlanta campaign, namely, Pesaca, June 14, 15 and 16, 1864 ; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1S64 ; Jonesboro ; Sherman's march through Geoi-gia and the Carolinas ; was at Bentonville, March 19, 1865, and discharged at Fort Snelling, July 11, 1865. The following is a list of the brave boys who partici]3ated in the fortunes of this gallant regiment from Wabashaw county :

Thied Eegiiiext

The 3d Minn. Inf. was organized in October, 1861 ; ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, in November, 1861, and to Nashville, Tennessee, in March, 1862. This regiment participated in the engagement at Murfreesboro, in July, 1862 ; were captured and there paroled ; afterward ordered to St. Louis and thence to Minnesota, where they engaged in the Indian expedition of 1862, participating in the Wood Lake battle of September, 1862. Ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas, in November, 1863, and was veteranized in January, 1864. Was engaged in the battle of Fitzhugh's Woods March 30, 1864. Ordered to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in April, 1864, and thence to .DuvalFs Bluff in October the same year. This regiment was mustered out of service at Duvall's Bluff, September 2, 1865, and discharged at Fort Snelling.

Was organized December 23, 1861, and was ordered to Benton barracks, Missouri, April 19, 1862 ; was assigned to the army of the Mississippi May 4, 1862, and participated in the siege of Corinth in April, 1862 ; was at luka on September 19, 1882 ; at Corinth, September 3 and 4, 1862 ; and was with Gen. Grant in the siege of Vicksburg, and fought bravely in the assault and cajDture, July 4, 1863. Particijjated in the skirmishes and battles of Forty Hills, Raymond, Jackson and Champion Hill ; was transferred from the 17th corps to 15th corps, and was at Mission Eidge November 25, 1863 ; was veteranized in January, 1864 ; at Altoona, in July, 1864 ; participated in -Sherman's march through Georgia and the Carolinas ;, was at Bentonsville, March 20, 1865, and on July 19, 1S65, was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky ; discharged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Volunteers for this regiment from Wabasha county were : Elephalet B. Hale, William Smith, Francis W. Shaw, Albert

Fifth Eegqient

Was organized in May, 1862, and was ordered to Pittsburgh Landing May 9, 1862. A detachment of three companies remained in Minnesota to garrison some of tlie frontier posts, and were engaged with the Indians at Kedwood, Minnesota, August IS, 1862. "Were at the siege of Fort Ridgely, August 20, 21 and 22, 1S62 ; also at Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory, the last of August, 1862. The regiment was assigned to the 16th Army Corps ; participated in the battles of luka, September 18, -1862 ; Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862 ; Jackson, May 11, 1863, and siege ot Vicksburg ; took part in the assault of Vicksburg, May 22, 1863 ; was at Mechanicsburg, June 3, 1863 ; was at Richmond, June 15, 1863 ; at Fort DeRussey, Louisiana, March 1-1, 1864 ; participated in the Red River expedition, March, April and May, 1861 ; was at Lake Chicot, June 6, 1864 ; at Tupelo, June, 1864, and was veteranized in July, 1864 ; was at Abbeyville, August 23, 1864, and marched in September, 1864, from Brownsville, Arkansas, to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and from thence by boat to Jefferson City, thence to Kansas line, and from thence to St. Louis, Missouri. Was ordered to Nashville in November, 1864, and participated in the battles of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864 ; was at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in April, 1865, and was mustered out of service at Demopolis, Alabama, September 6, 1865. This regiment, next to the noble First, saw greater service and more hardships, and lost more men, than any of the other Minnesota regiments. The following is a list of the men from Wabasha county :

Sixth Eegdient

The 6th regt. Minn. Inf. was organized in August, 1862, and was ordered immediately upon the Indian expedition on the frontier. A detachment of two hundi-ed men were engaged in the battle of Wood Lake, September 22, 1862.

The regiment garrisoned frontier posts from November, 1862, until May, 1863, when ordered on the Indian expedition and engaged with Indians, July 24, 26 and 28, 1863. Again stationed at frontier forts from September 18, 1863, to June 5, 1864, when it was ordered to Helena, Arkansas. Ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1864, and then to New Orleans in January, 1865. Assigned to the 16th Army Corps, and participated in engagements of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in April, 1865. This regiment was dischai'ged at Fort Snelliug, Minnesota, August 19, 1865.

Eighth Regiment

The 8th regt. Minn. Inf was organized August 1, 1862, and was stationed at frontier posts until May, 1864, when it was ordered upon the Indian expedition, and participated in the following skirmishes, battles and marches : At Tah-eha-oku-tu, on July 28, 1864, battle of . the Cedars, Overall's Creek ; ordered thence to Clifton, Tennessee, and thence to Washington ; from Washington to Wilmington, North Carolina, and thence to Newbern ; was in the battles of Kingston, March 8, 9 and 10, 1865. This regiment was mustered out at Charlotte, North Carolina, July 11, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling.

The 9th Minn. regt. was organized in August, 1862, and was stationed at frontier posts until September, 1863, when it was ordered to St. Louis, Missouri. From there it was ordered to Jefferson City, Missouri, and thence distributed among several posts in the interior of that state ; ordered to St. Louis again in May, 1864, and from there to Memphis, Tennessee. This iine regiment engaged in the Guntown expedition in June, 1864, and was assigned to the 16th Army Corps, same month. Was at Tupelo in July, 1863, at Tallahatchie in August, and in the Oxford expedition the same month. This regiment participated in the celebrated march in pursuit of Price, from Brownsville, Arkansas, to Cape Girardeau, and thence by boat to Jefferson City ; from there marched to the Kansas line, and from that again to St. Louis. This regiment participated also in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee, December 15 and 16, 1864, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, in April, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling, August, 1865.

Army

when it was ordered upon Indian expedition. Participated in the engagement with the Indians npon the plains, on July 24, 26 and 28, 1863. Was ordered to rendezvous at St. Louis, Missouri, in October, 1863, and went from there to Columbus, Kentucky, in April, 1864 ; from there to Memphis, Tennessee, in June, 1864 ; and was assigned to the 16th Army Corps. Participated in the following battles, sieges, skirmishes and marches : in the battle of Tupelo, July 13, 1864; Oxford expedition, August, 1864; and marched in pursuit of Price from Brownsville, Arkansas, to Cape Girardeau ; thence thej"^ went by boat to Jefferson City ; from there to Kansas line and back to St. Louis, Missouri. This regiment participated in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee, December 15 and 16, 1864 ; was at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely in April, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling, August 10, 1865.

The 1st regt. Minn. Heavy Art. Inf. was organized in April, 1865, and was ordered to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it remained imtil mustered out of service in September, 1865, and was discharged at Fort Snelling.

The 1st bat. Minn. Vol. Light Ai-t. was organized in October, 1861, and rendezvoused at Fort Snelling until ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, in December, 1861. From St. Louis it went to Pittsburgh Landing in February, 1862, and engaged in the following marches, battles, sieges and skirmishes : At Shiloh, April 5 and 6, 1862 ; siege of Corinth, April, 1862 ; at Corinth on October 3 and 4, 1862, and marched from Corinth to Oxford, Mississippi, and from Oxford to Memphis, Tennessee ; was assigned in November, 1862, to the 17th Army Corps, and veteranized in January, 1864.

This battery was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, and from tliere to Huntsville, Alabama; from there to Altoona, Georgia,* and from there to Ackworth, Georgia. Participated in the battle of Kenesaw Mount ; was at Atlanta July 22 and 28 ; and was in Sherman's campaign thi-ough Georgia and the Carolinas.

Discharged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, June 30. 1865, having been in active service three years and eight months. The following is a list of the volunteers for this battery from Wabasha county :

The 2d regt. Minn. Vol. Cav. was organized in January, 1864, and ordered upon Indian expedition in May, 186-i ; participated in the battle with Indians July 28 and August, 1864. This regiment was stationed at frontier posts until mustered out by companies between November, 1865, and June, 1866.

The 1st Mounted Eangers Minn. Vol. Cav. was organized in March, 1863. This cavalry was stationed among frontier outposts until May, 1863, when it was ordered upon Indian expedition, and particijiated in the engagement with the Indians on July 24, 26 and 28, 1863, and upon the return of the expedition was again stationed at frontier forts until mustered out. This regiment was mustered out by companies between October 1, 1863, and December 30, 1863.

Bracket's bat. Minn. Vol. Cav. consisted originally of companies 1, 2 and 3, and was organized in November, 1861. It was ordered to Benton Barracks, Missouri, in December, 1862. In April, 1862, the name of this regiment was changed to the 5th Iowa Cav. ; was veteranized in 1864 and ordered to the department of . the Northwest ; was mustered out by companies between May and June, 1866. The men who engaged in this battalion from Wabasha county were :

The Independent bat. Minn. Vols, was organized July 20, 1863, and stationed at Fort Abercrombie until mustered out of service by companies from April, 1866, to June, 1866. From Wabasha county there were only five enlistments, namely :

The 3cl bat. Art. was organized in 1863 and ordered upon the Indian expedition, and upon the return of this expedition stationed at the frontier forts until mustered out of service February 27, 1866.

Episcopal Clairch. - The first Episcopal service held in Wabasha was given in June, 1857, by the Et. Kev. Bishop Kemper, missionary bishop of the Northwest, which included Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota. After Minnesota became a diocese, the first service held in the diocese by its bishop, the Rt. Eev. Henry Benjamin Whipple, was at Wabasha, in the Baptist chapel, October, 1859, as he was on his way up the Mississippi to St. Paul. Regular services were held during the year 1860, by the Rev. Charles W. Clinton, in a room fitted up for that purpose in a building on Bridge street known as Apollo Hall. A Sunday school had been organized in the winter of 1857 by a lady, holding it in her own house, under the sanction of Bishop Kemper, being assisted from time to time by clergymen who held occasional services in the place before Rev. Clinton's ministiy began. That school has been contin\ied until the present date without interruption, and it was the first Sunday school organized in Wabasha. Mr. Clinton remained about eight months, preaching alternately here and at Lake City. After he left, the Rev. C. P. Dorsett held occasional services until the autumn of 1862, when the Rev. H. G. Batterson commenced his labors here, his first service being given on the twenty -third Sunday after Trinity, November 23, 1862. The parish was not organized until December 16, when, at a meeting, it was voted to call the organization by the name of Grace church, Wabasha, regular service and Sunday school being held in the court-house. In the spring of 1863 three lots were given by Wm. W. Prindle for church purposes, and arrangements were made during that year for building a stone church upon the ground, contract let to R. P. Andrews for the laying of the walls. Basement was completed in the spring of 1864, and corner-stone laid on Jime 15, with appropriate ceremonies. A copper box was placed in the stone, containing a copy of the Holy Scriptures in English, according to the standard of King James' translation, a copy of the Book of

Common Prayer, a copy of the Church Ahnanac, with parish list for 186i, also copies of the "Church Journal," "The Northwestern Church," and the " Wabasha County Herald," one silver dime and half-dime of the issue of 1853, an English shilling piece of the reign of Charles III, 1788, a five-cent Canada coin of silver, Victoria, 1858, ten and five cent specimens of the postal currency, ten-cent piece of scrip. Bank of Tennessee, ISTashville, December, 1861, a copper coin of Canada and United States, ein kreuzer, 1816, photograph of the first bishop of Minnesota (Bishop Whipple), and the pastor, Rev. Mr. Batterson ; the names of the bishop and clergy of Minnesota for 1864, with names of the members of the standing committee and other officers of the diocese. The day was beautiful, and in the evening the friends of Mr. Batterson called to offer -their congratulations. Unfortunately, on June 23, the builder and contractor were drafted for the war, and the work on the structure had to be suspended and the project finally abandoned, for, as the price of labor and material advanced, the parish had not the means to carry forward the work.

During the winter of 1861 - 5 the Rev. Mr. Batterson was absent from the parish on account of ill health, during which time Mr. Ralph E. Arnold gave a lay service every Sunday morning and took charge of the Sunday school, which at this time numbered one hundred and nineteen scholars. Mr. Batterson Tetuicned in the spring, and on the first day of June, 1865, the Baptist chapel was purchased and removed to the church lots on corner of Bailley and Third streets. It was thoroughly repaired and painted, a bell tower in the rear being added, and the opening service was held therein on Sunday, July 30. By a general subscription, aided by friends of Mr. Batterson, a bell was purchased of Messrs. A. Fulton, Sons & Co., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it was rung the first time on Sunday morning, October 29, 1S65. The weight of this bell was eight hundred and fifty pounds. On April 29, 1866, Rev. Mr. Batterson preached his farewell to the parish, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Wardlaw, who commenced his labors on June 24, 1866. Mr. Wardlaw was succeeded by the Rev. Alex. Seabrease, B. D. , who took charge of the parish May 23, 1869, first Sunday after Trinity. During this year the parish built a rectory, costing sixteen hundred dollars, and steps were taken to fill up the basement made for the stone church by taking out the wall and filling it up. Rev. Mr. Seabrease closed his connection with Grace church on June 2,

1872, and was succeeded by the Kev. Horace Hills, who closed his rectorship of tiie parish on September 30, 1877. Kev. James Cornell, the present rector, entered upon his duties on October 7, 1877. During the summer of 1881 the church building was again repaired and improved by the insertion of stained-glass windows, new chandehers and other fixtures, at an expense of two hundred and fifty dollars, the excavation was also filled up fully, which cost some twenty dollars more. Size of the building is 2i X 50, with a vestibule 10x6. It contains a chancel 12x10, and vestry-room on the left, library on the right, of 10x6 each. The congregation numbers about two hundred, including the Sunday school.

During the summer and autumn of 1858 two churches were erected in Wabasha, the first being a Baptist church, the society having been organized during the summer of 1857. This building was 24x50 feet, with a belfry of sixty feet, and cost one thousand dollars. The first and only pastor of this society was the Eev. James "Wharton, from Ohio, who organized and kept the congregation together for two years after tlie church was dedicated. A bell was purchased by the citizens, and hung in the belfry of this church, which was the first bell to ring out the glad tidings of salvation to willing ears in the place or county. The second finished was the Congregational, which society was organized in February, 1856, the original members being Deacon Oliver Pendleton, Mrs. W. W. Prindle, Mrs. W. Hancock, Mrs. H. Wilson, Malcolm Kennedy and W. S. Jackson, Eev. S. Morgan, missionary director. This organization, next to the Catholic, is the oldest in the place. The first settled pastor was the Eev. S. L. Hillier, who commenced his ministry May 1, 1857, services being held in what was called Apollo Hall. Mr. Hillier was succeeded by Eev. David Andrews October 15, 1858, and he was the first clergyman wlio held service in the new church. This church was built on lot 2, of block 14, on Second street, its size being 22x50, and was dedicated October 20, 1858. Eev. Mr. Andrews was succeeded by the Kev. J. Doane in August, 1860, he commencing his labors on the 27th. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Doane resigned his charge for another in the service of his beloved country, and was succeeded by the Eev. L. N. Woodruft, September 16, 1862, and Mr. Woodruff by Rev. Edward Hildreth, April 19, 1866. Mr. Hildreth remained some two years, and was succeeded by the Kev. Henry Loomis in October, 1868. Kev. C. W. Honeyman succeeded

Mr. Loomis in the spring of 1872, in which year tlie society erected a beautiful parsonage upon lot 1 of the church property, which cost thirty-six hundred dollars. Mr. Honeyman's health failing him, the Rev. O. Hobbs officiated from January 14, 1874:, to April 2, 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Weeks ; and Mr. Weeks ended his labors with this congregation in August, 1875, being succeeded by the Rev. J. F. Todd on November 3 of the same year. Mi-. Todd continued his ministry here until succeeded by Rev. J. AV. Ray April 4, 1877. Mr. Ray continued his pastoral relations until the autumn of 1882, when he was succeeded by the Rev. C. P. Watson, the present incumbent.

This church has a membership of sixty persons, and congregation, with sabbath school included, of some two hundred. The sabbath school was organized in the autumn of 1858, and has been continued with unabated interest and success until the present time, Mr. Malcolm Kennedy acting as superintendent some twenty-two years. W. S. Jackson was the very efficient and interested librarian of this school from its commencement to the time of his death in February, 1882. The first deacons of this church were Oliver Pendleton, Sr., and William W. McDougall. The present officials are Dr. William L. Lincoln and J. Stuart. Deacons Pendleton and McDougall both lie in their narrow beds at Riverview cemetery. The size of this church edifice is 22x50 feet, with a bell-tower in the rear and a bell weighing one thousand pounds. The building was erected at an expense of one thousand dollars.

In 1842 Rev. Father Ravoux, now of St. Paul, sent a log building from Mendota to this place to be used as a chapel for worship. It was placed upon a raft and floated down the river ; and after reaching Wabasha it was put up on the ground of what was called the Point, which is now the terminus of Main street, north. This was the first building for religious purposes erected in Wabasha count}', and was used as a church edifice some fourteen years. In consequence of there being no settled pastor of the flock, services were very irregular, and the building was finally used for secular purposes. The first printing-press of the town was set up in it, and the first paper printed in the county issued therefrom. A school was taught in it also for a time, but it finally succumbed to civilization, and "the old church" fell to decay, all traces of it being now wholly obliterated.

immediately took measures to erect a new church upon the ground of the Catholic cemetery, in the southeast part of the city, on what is called "Rocque's Addition." It was completed in the spring of 1859, but it proved to be too far from the center of the town for convenience, and in 1862 it was taken down and moved to lot 6 in block 22. The size of this church was 30X50, with a tovyer in front in which a bell was hung weighing five hundred pounds. It was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Grace on July 27, 1862. In the fall of 1872 a school was opened in the basement story of the church under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee, of ninety pupils with three teachers, Sister Venantia the superior. It now has an average attendance of one hundred and seventy-five pupils, with a corps of five teachers, and sends out yearly its graduates in music, drawing and needlework, together with a high average in all the English branches of education. This church, proving too small for the increasing congregation, had to give place to the new and beautiful brick structure on lot 1 and half of lot 2, in block 26, which was erected in 1872, the cornerstone being laid with imposing ceremonies by Rt. Rev. Bishop Grace, of St. Paul, July li, and it was consecrated the following year on July 18. An immense concourse of people gathered together from all the adjacent towns to witness the ceremonies. The size of this church is 50x100 feet, with a sanctuary 26 X 28 feet, and a vestry-room 17 X 20 feet, with a tower eighteen feet square at the base and a height of one hundred and fifty-five feet. The plans were made by Mr. Charles Ross, of La Crosse, builder of the La Crosse cathedral. The contractors were A. W. Gage & Co., of Winona, and with the plans, ground, altar vestments, stained-glass windows, etc., cost the congregation thirty thousand dollars. Many citizens of Wabasha who were not members of the Catholic church contributed liberally toward its erection. The first resident pastor of Wabasha was Rev. Felix Tissott, rector of St. Felix church from October, 1858, to October, 1866, when it was placed in charge of Rev. James Trobec, who is still the resident pastor. The St. Felix congregation contains some fifteen hundred souls. A convenient rectory was built upon lot 6, block 22, at an expense of twenty-two hundred dollars, in the year 1872.

German Zufheran. - This congregation was organized in 1875, with a membership of fifty, with the Rev. August Kanne as pastor. Their service was held in the court-room until July, 1876, when their church building was completed which stood on Market street. The size of this church was 25x40 feet, and the whole expense, including the church lots and belfry, amounted to two thousand dollars. The first trustees of this church were Jacob Thoney, Sr., Christian Florine and Wilhelm Euchenbauch. They were succeeded by Herman Lessing, Philip Grub and Maurice Ending. These were succeeded by J. Breger, Jacob Scholer and Albert Lueck. This church and society have a Sunday school, which was organized in 1876, with forty scholars, and the school and congregation number at the present date about one hundred and fifty. A seven-hund red-pound bell was purchased in 1877. The first pastor of this church was Eev. August Kanne, who was succeeded in 1879 by the Rev. A. Krahn, who still remains in charge. The lot upon wliich the church was built was found to be not pleasing to the congregation, and in the spring of 1881 another was purchased on corner of JeflTerson and Second streets. South Wabasha, and the church removed to it in the spring of 1882, at an expense of one hundred and fifty dollars. The members constituting this church were : John Voelger, Henry Balow, Jacob Thoney, Joseph Thoney, Jacob Ray, Jacob Gengnagle, Peter Tervana, Peter Yanette, Herman Lessing, George Bance, Peter C. Cavedetesher, Jacob Miller, "William Reichenbach, Jacob Mingold, Peter Klaus, Philip Grub and Jacob Schuler.

The first Protestant services held in Wabasha were by Rev. Dwight Kidder, in the bar-room of the American liotel, in 1855. Mr. Kidder was a Methodist, and had been sent to take chai-ge of the mission embracing Read's Landing, Wabasha, Central Point and Wacouta. A class formed in Wabasha, consisting of H. B. Potter, leader, II. Tracy, T. G. Bolton, J. W. Bolton, Nancy Bolton, Ruth E. Bolton, Mrs. Wilds and Hannah Drew. Wabasha at tliat time contained about one hundred inhabitants. The first quarterly meeting held in the place was in the log chapel belonging to the Catholics, December 15-16. 1855. A Mr. Crist was appointed to this charge in

1857, when the Rev. S. Salsbury was placed in charge by the first Minnesota conference, his work to comprise Wabasha, Read's Landing and Cook's valley. Mr. Salsbury left in the spring of 1858, and the ne.xt pastor in charge was the Rev. James Gurley. A Sunday school was instituted this year of forty-five scholars. The next ])astor in charge was a Mr. Dyer, the next Rev. Jesse Smith, in charge to the fall of 1861, when the Rev. Harvey Webb was placed in charge, and remained until 1863. During his administration, the church was reorganized according to the statutes of the state, by appointing John R. C. Creighton, seeretar}', Rev. H. Webb, pastor, presiding. Five trustees were elected, namely, Thomas Roberts, John R. Creighton, James Crowley, John Lewis and James Luscombe. The term of years each trustee was to serve was determined, and they decided to build a church upon a lot which had been previously pui-chased for that purpose by Mrs. T. Roberts. This lot was on Second street, and the church bought it of Mrs. Roberts. A building committee was chosen, consisting of Rev. H. Webb, L. Dietz, John McArthur, Thomas Bolton and Thomas Roberts. Specifications for the church building were, size 24 X 40 feet, height 14 feet, the vestibule being added afterward. John Luscombe, builder. The whole expense of building amounted to one thousand dollars, and it was dedicated on August 6, 1862. The Rev. A. Wilford was placed in charge September, 1863, and remained in charge during 1863 - 4. In November, 1864, Rev. Wilford was appointed, by the governor, chaplain to the 3d Minn. Vol. Inf., and his place was supplied by Rev. J. R. Creighton, who had received license to preach at conference of 1864. At the next session of conference in 1865, Rev. T. M. Gossard was appointed in charge, and he was succeeded b}' Rev. J. L. Farber, who was reappointed in the fall of 1867 and remained until 1868, when the Rev. S. G. Gale succeeded him. Rev. W. C. Rice was pastor in 1869-70, and he was succeeded by Rev. B. Y. Cofiin, who remained in charge until the fall of 1871, when the Rev. S. G. Gale was returned as pastor. Mr. Gale remained two years, when Rev. W. C. Shaw succeeded him. Mr. Shaw died in February, 1874, and the Rev. M. O. M'Nili was appointed to supply the remainder of the year. September 14, 1875, Rev. W. H. Soule was appointed pastor and remained in charge until October 21, 1878, when the Rev. James Door succeeded him. October 11, 1880, the Rev. W. C. Miles commenced his pastorate, which continued until October 10, 1882, when the Rev. D. J. Higgins was placed in charge and is the present incumbent. This church was removed to its present site on Fourth street, lots 7 and 8, in 1870, the old lot being sold for three hundred dollars. The first stewards were : H. B. Potter and R. F. Morris, in 1855; James Crowley and A. Gibbs, in 1856; A. W. Weston and O. W. Collier, in 1860; J. S. Felton, J. W. Luscombe and L. Emery, in 1861 ; J. R. Creighton and T. G. Bolton, in 1862; M. H. Brown, in 1866; James Crowley and T. Roberts, in 1870; and Thos. Roberts and O. H. Porter, in 1878. The present stewards

The first school taught in Wabasha was a private school taught by Thomas Flyn. After the first school-district in the county was organized, which was that of Wabasha district No. 1, in 1855, a school was taught in it by H. B. Potter, the building used for the purpose being the old log church mentioned in another chapter, which «tood upon what was then called ' ' The Point. " Mr. Potter taught a few months in 1856, and then the school was discontinued. Miss E. Hogard taught a private school for a few months in a small building on Bridge street, erected by B. S. Hurd in 1856 ; Miss Hogard taught during the spring of 1857, but discontinued it on account of the public school being resumed by Miss A. Strickland, who taught for about three months. Mrs. J. J. Stone then opened a private school in her own house on Pembroke street, and taught more or less during the years of 1858 and 1859, removing her school to a small frame building on Main street, below Pembroke. During the summer and fall of 1858 a pi'ivate school was taught on the west side by E. F. Dodge, in a building erected for that purpose by Mr. Jarvis Williams, of Saco, Maine, who then resided on that side. Meantime steps were being taken by the city for the erection of a schoolhouse adapted to the needs of the town, and lots were purcliased in block 5 of South Wabasha for that purpose. A stone building was erected during the summer and fall of 1859, the cornerstone being laid with appropriate ceremonies on July 4, 1859. This house cost twenty-five hundred dollars, size 40x45, and a school was opened in it on January 3, 1860, taught by W. C. Bryant, assisted by Miss Henrietta Angier, of Toledo, Ohio, all private schools merging into it. Mr. Bryant was from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had done much to establish a high grade of common schools, and his efforts here were the very iirst made in Wabasha county toward the union or graded schools. Mr. Bryant continued his teaching until the close of the spring term. No other school was taught in the building as a schoolhouse, as the city donated the building to the county for a courthouse the same year, and the county oiEces were removed thereto in the fall of 1860.

In the fall of 1860 Mr. "Walter Gurley opened a private school in the courtroom of this building, teaching it until January, 1861, when Mr. Joseph Gates took the school and completed the term, teaching another term during the spring of 1862. The public school was taught very successfully during the winter of 1861-62 by Mr. H. I. Whitmore, his school numbering one hundred pupils. The next school was taught by Mr. Gates, during 1862-3, in the Baptist church building, which was rented for that purpose. A wooden structure at this time was in process of erection, by private enterprise, for an academy, which stood on Third street, between Walnut and Allegheny streets. It was completed in November, 1865, and a very successful school taught in it during the winter of 1S65-6 by Mr. L. Jenness. A parish school had been instituted under the auspices of the Episcopal church, by the Eev. H. G. Batterson, in 1863-4, which was first taught by Miss Kate Dougall, - afterward by Miss Wealthy Tucker, of Winona, - in a building owned by Henry de Camp, corner of Bailly and Second streets, but as the other schools advanced in character and course of study, it was given up, the teacher. Miss Tucker, accepting a position as assistant in the school of the academy. Mr. Jenness, having a better offer in Minneapolis, left in the spring of 1865, and no school being taught, Mrs. Marian T. Bowditch opened a private one in the courtroom for the summer. Mrs. Bowditch continued her school, assisted by her niece. Miss E. Bowditch, in her own house the next winter, discontinuing it in the spring of 1866. Meanwhile the school in the academy was taught by Rev. Bonnel, a Baptist clergyman, assisted by his wife. The city needing a schoolhouse badly, finally negotiated for the academy building, and it passed into the hands of the city in 1865. Previous to that the public school had been taught in the Baptist chapel by J. Gates very satisfactorily, assisted by Mrs. J. J. Stone, Miss M. Staples teaching the summer term. After the purchase of the academy by the city, Mr. Hopper was employed as principal, Mr. Henry F. Eose succeeding him. Mr. Rose remained two years, and was succeeded in the fall of 1867 by E. Hogle, who taught the school two terms, assisted by Miss D. Clark and Miss J. Lynch, Mr. E. A. Booth succeeded Hogle, and remained until the spring of 1858, when he resigned the place, his position being filled the next term by Mrs. E. L. Douglass ; Miss Jennie Fyfe, teacher of intermediate department ; Miss McCune, of primary.

The academy building was now too small to accommodate the dilierent grades, and rooms were rented therefor in different parts of the city. In the spring of 1858 the subject of a more commodious and central schoolhouse was agitated, which resulted in the erection of the present fine edifice in block 4, South Wabasha, and in the gathering of the different departments of the graded school under one roof. The board of education, after deciding upon the amount of funds needed for that purpose, and to issue bonds upon the credit of the school-district No. 1, submitted the same to a vote of the electors of said district on April 27, 1868, as required by law. The vote cast was for the issue of these bonds, aud they were issued to the amount of twenty thousand dollars, redeemable between July 1, 1870, and July 1, 1880. The size of this building is 62-|xS2^ feet, is three stories high, including basement, and contains twelve rooms, besides the halls and wardrobes; four in the basement, four on the first floor, with a wardi-obe to each room, and four on the upper floor, with wardrobes also. The high school department occupies the double room on the northwest side of the house. A belfry in the center of the building contains a bell of six hundred pounds, and it is warmed by three Lossing furnaces. Messrs. Gates, Brink & Harlow were the contractors, and the whole cost of building and seating the rooms amounted to twenty-five thousand dollars. Board of education at the time consisted of Eev. B. Wharton, S. S. Kepler, J. Satory, J. B. Davis and George Hall.

The school was opened in this building in December, with K. H. Sturgis, principal, and four assistant teachers. In September, 1870, S. L. Sayles, of New York, accepted the position of principal of the school, with five assistant teachers, and taught and regi-aded it very successfully. Mr. Sayles resigned the position in 1872, and was succeeded by Mr. M. B. Foster, also an able and efficient teacher, who remained four years. Mr. E. Hogle succeeded him for one year, when J. B. Hawley was employed, together with six assistant teachers. In the fall of 18S0 Mr. Hawley resigned and Wm. A. Snook succeeded him, remaining two years. The present efficient principal, Horace Gibson, took chai-ge of the school in September, 1882.