Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - Chapter 19: Catholic Church in Trempealeau County, 1917

The mind may travel with hghtning speed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the frozen planes of the North to the sunny plantations of the South ; and grasp with keen perception all that this great country symbolizes and displays. The intellect may study the principles upon which our laws and institutions are founded, and understand the liberty, justice and equal rights they guarantee. The heart may love America with a love not only warm and ardent, but self-sacrificing and heroic ; and we may well glow with righteous pride for our industrial and agricultural achievements. But in addition to all this, should not the share Catholics have had in the discovery, exploration, and development of America be lifted from obscurity into the light of reverent knowledge, and into the forum of due recognition ? There are many histories of the United States, each bearing its message of patriotism. Yet seldom the text of any of these mentions the efforts of the church in America. However, her work has become so teUing and pronounced _that it is now nigh impossible to obliterate, or pass over it unnoticed.

Why should the facts be concealed that the men who first touched the borders of America - Columbus and Ericson; that the discoverer of the Great Lakes - Champlain; that the men who first traversed the broad Mississippi Valley and its fertile western plains - Father Hennepin, Du Luth, Joliet, Father Marquette and La Salle - were Catholics ! What harm could there be in this knowledge? No one will deny the truth, that our virgin soil was hallowed by the blood of Catholic missionaries, that the Catholic statesmen whose voices rang in the council halls of the land were eloquent and efficient, that the Catholic soldiers who bled on its battlefields were fearless and patriotic, and that the Sisters of Charity who served as army nurses were ministering angels. Let, then, history pay them the tribute of recognition they so well deserve.

Our country is justly proud of the liberty it offers to all its children. Though these are diversified in faith and race peculiarities, it places them all on equal footing. In recognition of such treatment its children are most grateful and are ever ready by heroic deeds, in peace as well as in war, to demonstrate their loyalty. Strong common interests unite the citizens, yet the strongest bond of unity is inculcated by the church. From the teachings of the church the moral and religious aspect of patriotism is received. Hence we find Catholics loving their country - America - not only because its fields are fair and fertile and its mighty hills with bounty stored ; but because its gorgeous beauty and countless wealth are the lavish gift of our tender, provident Father. We see Catholics loving their rulers and bowing to their laws not only because these are wise, calm, just and true, but because they believe that they hold authority to rule from the Almighty Father. Loyalty to them, they beUeve, means loyalty to God. Respect for them is, they believe, respect for God. Catholics love America's institutions not only because they guarantee peace, justice, liberty, and equal rights to all, but because they believe the principles upon which these are founded are the fundamental laws of God. Where such spirit and faith are dominating forces, true and permanent union and unswerving loyalty must spring forth.

It is proper that the history of Trempealeau County should offer its readers an exposition of the efforts, struggles, and results of the Catholics of the county. It is, however, not the scope of this article to give an exposition of the teaching and moral practices of the Catholic church ; books covering these subjects are ample and within reach of everyone. Nor is it the object to extol the spiritual life of the Cathohcs or to define their standard of catholicity, or to compare it with the religious spirit of their fellowcitizens of a different faith. To what standard their moral lives have climbed the angel of God has recorded in the book of hfe to be brought on judgment day to hght and unto everlasting remembrance. It shall be merely the object of this article to show what, in a material way, by organizing parishes and building churches and schools, Catholics have accomplished.

The early Catholic settlers were immigrants. Trempealeau County's fertile fields and salubrious air invited them from Germany, Austria, Ireland, Poland, and other European countries in search of new homes. The free institutions of this Republic seconded nature's invitation. Modern inventions narrowed sea and oceans ; and so, during the last half of the nineteenth century hundreds of Catholics poured into this district. They were well fitted for the work of rehgion amid a new people in a new age. They were sons and daughters of races who had suffered martyrdom for their faith ; they were inured for every trial and trained to be unbending before the most violent storms. Such names as Nic and Casper Meiers, Peter Meyers, Frank Zeller, Carl Zeller, Jerome O'Brien, Christ Haines, John B. Haines, Paul Liberia, Albert Bautch, Lawrence Bautch, Peter Sura, Con Wiever, Anton Sabotta, and Antoine Grignon should be mentioned as among the earliest Catholic settlers and as being instrumental in having many others follow them to Trempealeau County.

The Catholics are located mostly in the southern and western parts of the county, in the towns of Dodge, Arcadia, Burnside, Gale and Trempealeau. They number about 5,000, or one-fifth of the population of the county. They are aflfiliated to eight parishes which are hereafter mentioned and described in their chronological order. The first settlers, with few exceptions, are now laid to rest, but their work is with us yet.

Noble pioneers ! Who will tell, as it should be told, the story of your labors and sacrifices ? Poor were you in earthly goods ; willing hearts and strong arms were, in most cases, your sole possession ; toil and hardship, verily the scriptural hewing of wood and the drawing of water were your lot. Only through your savings from slender wages or small incomes were you able to build churches and schools and support your pastors. Oh ! may we who are heirs to the rich fruitage of your faith and charity, be ever mindful of our debt of reverence and gratitude !

Hedged in on all sides by high hills, which like guarding sentinels are ever on their post, on an inviting spot below, stands Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus church, wrapped in quiet repose. To enter this delightful spot, the traveler mounts with difficulty the steep and rocky hill which lies between it and the Dodge Station. As he steps over the crest of that mount, at the base of the opposite hills, he beholds the village of Pine Creek, consisting of the Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' church property, one or two business houses and a few dwellings. The view before him is a picture of beauty and fascination. Beckoning, it seems to speak: "This is the final barrier, cross it and I am yours." It was during the winters of 1862 and 1863 that the first settlers arrived at Pine Creek. They were mostly Bohemians. On Feb. 7, 1864, they organized the parish and called it St. Wenzeslaus', in honor of the Duke and patron of Bohemia. Having received as a donation from Paul Liberia a site of ten acres, they erected on it a little church, a wooden structure. For many years thi;^ little church heard the prayers and witnessed the devotions of the early settlers. Their number began to increase rapidly and soon the little structure could no longer accommodate them. In 1875, under the direction of Rev. A. Singoski, the present church 44x12.5 was erected at a cost of $18,000. It is claimed that this church, at that time, was one of the most handsome edifices in Wisconsin. While the tendency of late has been to build large, lofty and costly structures the church in Pine Creek by no means is obliged to take a back seat among them. It was recently frescoed and newly furnished and in its new appearance must be classed today as a church of the first rank.

Soon after the organization, the number of Polish families became more and more prevalent while that of the Bohemian families remained stationary. At present the parish numbers 170 families ; of these only ten are Bohemian and three German. For that reason was prefixed to the old title of St. Wenzeslaus' that of the Sacred Heart. At times the parish sustained heavy losses by fire, thus in 1882 their parsonage was destroyed. The present beautiful parsonage was erected in 1906 at a cost of $7,000. It is the fourth parsonage the parish has erected.

In 1891 the schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $3,000. The school attendance at that time was less than fifty pupils. In 1909 an addition was erected which made room for three further class rooms. The attendance now is 200 pupils. With the exception of two short intervals the Sisters of St. Francis have always taught the school. The school is well graded and maintains a high standard of efficiency.

On Nov. 16, 1912, the parish celebrated with great solemnity the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation. It is claimed that Sacred Heart and St.

Wenzeslaus' Parish is the third oldest Polish parish in the United States, the oldest being in Texas, and the second oldest in Palonia, Wis. The total value of the Pine Creek church property amounts to $60,000.

The following societies have been established and are enjoying a large membership, namely: For men, the Sacred Heart Society, St. Joseph's Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters ; for boys, St. Stanislaus' Society ; for women. Holy Rosary and Lady Foresters ; for girls, the Children of May Sodality ; for school children, the Union of the Infant Jesus.

The hst of pastors and time of their pastorate is as follows: Until 1866 neighboring priests attended to the spiritual wants of the early settlers; Rev. Florintine Zadzioski, 1866-68 (He was the first resident pastor) ; Rev. Weglikowski, 1868-71; Rev. T. Musiclewiez, 1871-73; Rev. C. Bratkiewiez, 1873-74; Rev. A. Singoski, 1874-78 (he erected the present church) ; Rev. D. Mayer, 1878-84 ; Rev. R. Tomaszewski, 1884-87 ; Rev. Roman Guzowski, 1887-89; Rev. R. Tomaszewski, 1889-90 (this was his second appointment) ; Rev. Roman Guzowski, 1890-95 (this was also his second appointment) ; Rev. T. Lugowski, 1895-1898 ; Rev. A. W. Gara, 1898-1901 (he was brother to the present pastor) ; Rev. J. M. Koresyk, 1901-1904 ; Rev. J. W. Gara, 1904.

Rev. J. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born March 3, 1875, at Jawisjowice, Poland. He attended the following schools: Jawisjowice at his birthplace, normal school at Biala, Poland, classical school at Wadowice. In 1893 he came to America, and at once went to the Polish Seminary at Detroit, Mich. In 1894 he entered St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee, where he was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 6, 1898. Before coming to Pine Creek he was stationed at Rosellville and Junction City, Wis. He has made many substantial improvements to the church property at Pine Creek, and put the parish on a good financial basis. He is a hard worker and enjoys the confidence of his people. The warm spot in their hearts he has weH merited by his kind and self-sacrificing labors and clean life !

Running down the vista of time for almost two generations, we find amid the twilight of the early settlements the nucleus of "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" congregation in 1858-1863. In the year 1858 Nic and Casper Meiers came to Arcadia from Roxberry, Wis. Within a few weeks Frank and Carl Zeller followed. The trip from Roxberry to Arcadia was made with oxen. The land they bought from the Government. Within the next year from the State of New York. These settlers were a part of the "Bishop Settlement." They went to church in Glencoe, where a little log church stood near what is now the Martin Reible Farm. There was no bridge across the Trempealeau River and it was difiicult and at times impossible to cross the water. Besides the log church being too small to accommodate them all the Catholic settlers east of the Trempealeau River obtained permission from Most Rev. Henni, of Milwaukee, to organize a parish in

Meyer's Valley. At that time the pioneer priest, Rev. Joerger, residing at Fountain City, Wis., occasionally forded the Trempealeau River, down near the John and Con Gleason homestead, to administer to the spiritual wants of the early settlers scattered south of the present village of Arcadia. A church building was an unknown luxury in those days in Trempealeau County. Priests, carrying the necessary paraphernalia on their shoulders, were compelled to use the home of some good and willing member of their scattered flock. Nic Meiers, of sturdy Teutonic blood, gladly offered his homestead in this locality. Thus the august sacrifice of mass was offered up in his humble home from 1864-1867. This house is still standing as a landmark out in Meyer's Valley, owned now by Ed. Haines and family.

In 1867 an apology of a church, seen for many years on Meyer's Valley Cemetery, was built under the direction of the Rev. Florentine Zadzioski of Pine Creek. The lumber was hauled with oxen from Merrillan, the timber cut from the neighboring forests and sized by hand. Besides this some members donated as high as $100 - certainly a larger sum in those days than $1,000 today. The names of Peter Meyers, of the brothers Nicolaus and Casper Meiers, of Frank Zeller and Jerome O'Brien will ever live in memory of that undertaking. From 1867-1884 this humble little church witnessed the prayers and devotions sent to heaven by the pious and thrifty settlers. It never had a resident pastor, but was attended to from neighboring parishes. As in all new places, the changes of pastors were frequent. It was served as follows : Rev. L. Lay from Waumandee, 1870-1876; Rev. P. Schmidt from Glencoe, 1876-1880. (This reverend gentleman left this community for that part of the vineyard of the Lord known as St. Paul diocese, and being a personal friend of Dr. G. N. Hidershide visited here quite frequently. We were all sorry to hear that he died in the spring of 1917) ; Rev. Flamming from Glencoe, 1880-1881 ; Rev. J. Bauer, at present pastor at Prescott, 1881-1882; Rev. W. Hackner from Fountain City and Rev. L. Lay from ^aumandee attended from 1882-1883 at intervals ; Rev. B. Klein, who died at Racine 1916, resided at Glencoe and had charge of Meyer's Valley as mission from 1883-1885.

In the meantime the village of Arcadia had sprung up on the marsh of the Trempealeau River and developed into the metropolis of Trempealeau County. Naturally Catholics of the village could not be expected to walk to Meyer's Valley, a distance of one and a half miles. The farmers, having outgrown the primitive condition of early settlers, were all well supplied with vehicles. The congregation, too, overtaxed the capacity of the little country church. Hence the conclusion was imminent that a new church must be erected and this in the village. Here ensued a most stubborn contest, threatening to disrupt the small flock. The farmers held tenaciously to their rustic idea, that every second farm should have a church at its door, and the villagers defended the theory that a church should be in the village ; that the farmers could drive to church just as well as to market. Had the farmers then foreseen that within thirty years every one would drive to church and market per automobile, as they do today, they would not have been so obstinate. The good sense and judgment of the villagers finally prevailed, and certainly the community is much to be congratulated thereon. The present site in the village was picked and the old site turned into a cemetery, now called Meyer's Valley Cemetery, wherein lie the hallowed ashes of the past generation of Catholic settlers. It is a most enchanted spot, dotted with stately monuments, and graced with fragrant and beautiful evergreens and variegated flowers.

After the decision to move the church location to the site in the village work was begun on the erection of a building. This structure now has been remodeled into a residence for the sisters. This church cost the parishioners $6,000. On the first of January, 1885, the first services were held therein by Rev. B. Klein. By successfully supervising this building Rev. B. Klein had established on a solid basis the future of "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" congregation, and must therefore be classed as the father of the present parish. Starting with this data the record shows the baptism of Emil Krumholz, the marriage of Mary Zeller to Charles Wasserburger and the burial of Anthony Zeller to be the first extraordinary function performed in the newly established parish. The parish having now a proper beginning, its growth was to be only a matter of time. Rev. J. H. Untraut pastorated from 1885 to 1893. Having received charge of the parish he at once realized that Arcadia had overtaken Glencoe, and that the future of the church must be in the former place, so that instead of Glencoe being the parish and Arcadia the mission, Arcadia should be the parish and Glencoe the mission. In virtue of this he, June 9, 1888, established his residence at Arcadia. The minutes of the parish of July 31, 1888, show that the parish was incorporated and that John B. Haines and Nic Meiers , were chosen as first trustees according to the acts of incorporation. On Dec. 8, 1890, it was decided that the old title of the parish, which was that of the Meyer's Valley Church, namely, "St. Peter and Paul," should be changed to the title "Our Lady of Perpetual Help." This change was made because Rev. Untraut had procured from Rome a copy of the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This picture has now been placed in a splendid shrine in the new church, and on account of its symbolic meaning and artistic beauty is highly treasured. Rev. Untraut established, in September of 1889, a good parochial school, bringing all kinds of sacrifices both in time and money ; in fact he paid a part of the teachers' salary from his own penurious income. He is now pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Eau Claire, Wis. Rev. A. Birsner was pastor from 1894 to 1896. During his pastorate a new school house was built at a cost of $2,800. It is much to be regretted that his health failed and he was compelled to resign. He is now pastor at St. Henry's Church, Highland, Wis. 'On July 5, 1896, he was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Hauck, who remained until Aug. 4, 1907.

Even in the early nineties it began to be realized that the parish would outgrow the dimensions of the church building, and remarks, caUing for an addition, began to be heard. In August, 1899, the pastor called a meeting to consider either an addition or a new church building. Here the motion for a new church prevailed with an overwhelming majority. The building business was shelved, however, for an entire year on account of the ill health of the pastor. The year 1901 was spent in making building preparations. On March 10, 1902, the contract was awarded for the present church, and on May 3, 1903, the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach, D. D., Bishop of La Crosse. The files of the Arcadia papers of that week carry a detailed description of the solemnity. There were about ten pi'iests present and a large gathering of people filled the church. It was estimated that there were 2,000 people present.

On Aug. 4, 1907, Rev. J. B. Hauck was transferred to Menomonie (at present he is pastor of St. Mary's, Wausau, Wis.), and was succeeded by his brother. Rev. Joseph L. Hauck from Neillsville. The latter, during his pastorate, liquidated the remaining indebtedness on the new church, and in the summer of 1909 erected, at a cost of $8,000, the beautiful parsonage. In 1912 he had the interior of the church frescoed, bought a new pipe organ and a new scagliola high altar, which were a further improvement of $7,000. The parish has not had a cent of debt for the last six years. During the coming year 1918 a new school house and auditorium will be erected at an estimated cost of $30,000. A fund of $10,000 has already been collected and all the plans and specifications are on hand.

The site is a most beautiful one. The grounds comprise two and onehalf acres and were procured from the early pioneer, James Gaveney. It is located three blocks south from the principal business center of the village, hence sufficiently removed from the distractions and annoyance of busy city life, yet near enough to avoid isolation. The grounds are about ten feet higher than the level of the street and surrounding lots, this giving it a prominence of sight and a splendid frontage. The sides of the elevation are terraced and neatly sloped to the level of the street and the plain of the hill is laid out in cement walks, in an extensive lawn and beautiful shade trees.

The church is a structure of stone and brick. The style of architecture is modern Romanesque. The floor plan represents a Roman cross and has a seating capacity of 800. The facade is flanked by two massive towers, the one seventy-five and the other one hundred and thirty feet high. Entering the church one is impressed by the mildness of its light, by the freshness of its woodwork, by the magnificence of its vaulted ceiling, the beauty and boldness of its triumphal arch and the richness of its frescoing. The cost of the church was $25,000. Anton Dohman of Milwaukee was the architect, and Henry Roetiger of Fountain City was the contractor. The congregation at present numbers 150 families. The English language is used throughout in sermons and instructions.

The school is under the able tutorship of the school sisters of Notre Dame, and the services of these worthy ladies is certainly much esteemed. The school is well graded throughout, consisting of the full eight grades. There are besides the regular curriculum, courses in singing, music, needlework and domestic science. For manual training the boys go to the public school, which is nearby. The school is frequented by 180 pupils, divided into four rooms. Soon, however, two more teachers will be added. The proposed school building will be modern and up-to-date in every way, special attention has been given to ventilation, heat, light and fire protection. The halls and class rooms will be spacious and arranged with individual wardrobes and lockers. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of 600 and the stage will be large enough so that all the pupils can appear at one and the same time.

The parsonage is a beautiful two-story brick building. The interior is well arranged into twelve rooms, vestibule, halls and wardrobes. The finish throughout is oak and maple, and the walls are stained to match the woodwork. <

The sisters' home is the old church, which was remodeled into a residence. While not fancy or showy, the apartments are commodious and cheery. The total value of the parish property is estimated at $70,000.

To the parish are affihated strong societies, such as the Knights of Columbus, with a membership of 140; the Catholic Order of Foresters, with a membership of 85 ; the Catholic Order of Women Foresters, with a membership of 45; St. Anne's Society of women, with a membership of 90; the Young Ladies' Sodality, with a membership of 75, and the Holy Name Society, with a membership of 245. In the parish have grown up two priests and fourteen sisters.

Rev. J. L. Hauck, the present pastor, was born at Cresco, Iowa, in 1877. After completing the primary school at St. Lucas, at the age of fourteen he began his classical course at St. Lawrence College, at Mt. Calvary, Wis. Completing this course, he entered the philosophical course at Dubuque College, graduating in 1898. Thence he went to St. Francis into the theological course and was ordained to the priesthood June 16, 1901. He was assistant at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Superior, Wis., for one year, and in 1902 took charge of St. Mary's Parish, Neillsville, Wis. On Aug. 4, 1907, he was transferred to Arcadia. He has made many friends and commands the respect of both Catholics and Protestants. Many a civic celebration he enhanced by his eloquent and interesting speeches. He is an enterprising and public-spirited man. (Note. - This brief biography is inserted in Father Hauck's article by the editors. Deference to his modesty prevents the editors from dwelling more fully on his many activities, and upon the great influence which his devoted work and sterling worth are having upon the life of the community. This article on the church in Trempealeau County is in itself a striking encomium to his scholarship and ability. - F. C-W.)

The early Catholic settlers in the southeastern part of the county were few and widely scattered. Some lived in the town of Ettrick, some in the town of Gale and some in the town of Trempealeau. Being widely scattered, they never formed strong centers, such as we find in the towns of Arcadia, Dodge and Burnside. Having no parochial schools, prospective Catholic famiUes who might otherwise have located there hesitated to do so. Hence the growth of the church in these three townships was not very rapid. Up to this day none of their parishes has sufficient means and a membership large enough to support a resident pastor without the assistance of some outside mission. None of them conduct a parochial school. For thirty-five years the priests residing at Ettrick had Galesville, Trempealeau and Roaring Creek as missions. Considering the distances from one church to another and the condition of the roads, one can easily imagine the hardships endured by the priests in administering to their scattered flock. More than one priest imperiled his life. At present the condition has been somewhat improved by the fact that Trempealeau has a resident pastor with Galesville as a mission, and that the pastor of St. Bridget's Parish is only obliged to attend to the mission at Roaring Creek. The early settlers in the sixties had no church, but mass was offered occasionally in the homes of some of the Catholics by pioneer priests from St. Mary's Church, La Crosse, Wis. Among these is especially remembered Rev. M. Marcoe. St. Bridget's Parish was organized by Rev. C. A. Gerst in 1869 and the first church was erected at a cost of $2,000 in 1870. On account of hardships connected with the work at St. Bridget's and its remote missions the good spirits of the pastors were put to such a test, and their health so greatly impaired, that many had to request their bishop for a change after serving but a short time. Thus St. Bridget's was blest with frequent changes of pastors. The list of pastors is as follows: Rev. C. A. Gerst, 1869-1870; Rev. Herman Kamphschroer, 1870-71; Rev. Martin Connolly, 1871-72; Rev. Twohy, 1872-73; Rev. Chas. Gunkel, 1873-75; Rev. N. Flammang, 1875-77; Rev. N. White, 1877-80; Rev. J. B. Conroy, 1880-82; Rev. J. H. Neubrand, S. J., 1882-83; Rev. J. Harrier, 1883-84; Rev. J. J. Briene, 1884-89; Rev. Aug. Biersner, 1889-92; Rev. Daniel McElhaney, 1892-95; Rev. Tehse Bryne, 1896-99; Rev. M. P. O'Connor, 1899-1905 ; Rev. M. A. Keegan, 1905-06 ; Rev. B. A. Enis, 1906-07; Rev. Jos. Colling, January, 1907- April, 1907; Rev. J. F. McGinnity, 1907-08; Rev. M. Morris, 1908-1911; Rev. J. J. Garden, May, 1911-November, 1911; Rev. Jos. Buschelmann, 1911-14; Rev. Peter Briody, 1914-17 ; Rev. Henry Engelhardt, 0. M. L, since March, 1917. Among these special mention must be given to Rev. White and Rev. Felix Bryne, who greatly improved and renovated the dilapidated condition into which, through age, the property had sunk. In 1904 Rev. M. Mark O'Connor built a church at Galesville, and, for a time, it was thought that the future of the church in this section of the county would be in Galesville. Hence three pastors who followed Rev. O'Connor established their residence at Galesville and St. Bridget's became a mission. This, however, did not please the people of Ettrick. Greatly chagrined they took a determined stand against such a move. In time it did prove to the ecclesiastical authorities that the move to Galesville was impracticable, and in 1907 the residence of the pastor was re-established at Ettrick. This served to reunite the people of St. Bridget's and filled them with new hope and courage. Since then, under the administration of Rev. Briody, they erected a beautiful new church at a cost of $9,000. This church was completed in June, 1917. Unfortunately Rev. Briody did not see the full completion of the new church. On Feb. 5, 1917, he was found dead in his home. On the previous day, which was bitter cold, he attended a sick call twenty miles in the country through large snowdrifts. This overtaxing of himself is sup- posed to have been directly responsible for his death. By boarding up the windows it was possible to conduct his funeral from the new church. His remains rest in the cemetery to the left of the church.

St. Bridget's now counts 75 families or 220 souls. Now that they have an inviting church and are united the parish will see a period of great prosperity and healthy growth.

The present pastor, Rev. Henry Engelhardt, is a native of Germany. He was born on Oct. 5, 1886, and ordained on July 9, 1911. He belongs to the congregation of Oblate Missionaries and spent five years as missionary in India. At the outbreak of the war he was interned by the English, for no cause other than that he was a German in an English colony. "Being confined for two years in a detention camp, he was released upon the condition that he would leave English soil. Coming to the United States, he was appointed pastor of St. Bridget's Church. He is a man of great experiences, well versed in many languages, of energetic and courageous disposition, yet kind and winning in his ways. He has made many friends in a short time and already done much for St. Bridget's Parish.

Five miles northeast of the village of Arcadia, and about 100 yards from the highway leading into North Creek Valley, on a seven-acre tract is located St. Michael's Parish. In the spring of 1875 the parish was organized. Prior to that date the Pohsh settlers attended church at Glencoe and Meyer's Valley. The land for a church site they bought from Anton Sabotta. Some names of the organizers are: Albert Bautch, Laurence Bautch, Peter Sura, Anton Sabotta and Con Wiever. The first church was dedicated Oct. 6, 1875, by Most Rev. Heiss, archbishop of Milwaukee. The lumber for the church was hauled from Arcadia, and in doing so Mr. Sabotta lost his life, being thrown from his wagon into the Kamla Mill pond. Considering the means of the early settlers and the condition of the times their first church, which still stands and is used, was a credit to its members.

For a time St. Michael's was a mission, attended by the pastors of Pine Creek. Rev. H. Klimecki was pastor from 1876-82. Rev. D. Meyer 1882-85. During the next thirty-two years more than thirty diff'erent priests had charge of the pastorate. Among them might be mentioned Rev. Tomaszewski, 1885-86; Rev. Guzoski, 1886-87; Rev. Dutkiewicz 1887-90 ; Rev. A. Kroll, 1890-92 ; Rev. Frydrychowycz, 1893-96 ; Rev. Siwiek, 1896-99 ; Rev. Rayski and the present pastor. Rev. Micisc.

In 1910 the parish had about 120 families, a good school and was in flourishing condition. But then came a crisis which greatly lessened the membership. After the destruction of their school house by fire in the spring of 1909 very many members were opposed to the erection of a school in North Creek, and in favor of changing the location of the church to the village of Arcadia. The families living in the valleys south and west of the church claimed that they had just as near, if not nearer, on the highway to Arcadia as to North Creek, and knowing the advantages of a church pi*operty in a village to retired farmers they were determined to have their plan carried out. The families in the immediate vicinity of St. Michael's opposed such a move. This led to a division of the parish. Some sixty farmers left St. Michael's and started the new St. Stanislaus Parish in Arcadia. Being greatly weakened in members the remnant did not abandon the future of St. Michael's, bringing great sacrifices, they sustained the parish. They erected a new school house in 1910, and have made since then great improvements on the church. The present church is the first one that was erected, but from time to time, as demands required, additions were made. In its renovated dress it makes a pleasing appearance.

The present pastor was boi'n in Galicia in 1861. He was ordained in Leonberg, Galicia, in 1884. He spent much of his pastoral life in attending to city parishes, but finds it more congenial to his declining years in a rural district. He has done much good work at North Creek and is wellliked by his people.

The most valuable church property in this section of Wisconsin is to be found one-fourth mile north of the village of Independence, and is that of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Congregation. In the beginning of the last half of the nineteenth century quite a number of Catholic families had arrived from Poland and formed two neighboring settlements, just as they, in the old country, had come out of two neighboring villages. One settlement was made in the territory that surrounds what is now known as North Creek, the other in the territory that is now known as the district surrounding Independence (at that time there was no village of Independence and no train service) . One of the very first thoughts of a Catholic settler is, "what about church facilities?" and therefore these settlers at once organized themselves into two parishes. For the site of St. Peter's and St. Paul's parish a ten-acre tract had been donated by Geo. H. Markham. This was in the year 1875. Rev. Klimecki, then pastor of Pine Creek, administered to their spiritual wants and also assisted them in the building of the first church. At the same time Rev. Klimecki had charge of the erection of the church of St. Michael's at North Creek. The church at North Creek was dedicated Oct. 6, 1875, by Rt. Rev. M. Heiss, and on the following day, October 7, St. Peter's and Paul's Church was dedicated. Rev. Klimecki had told the members of these two settlements that as soon as a parsonage would be erected in either of these localities a resident pastor would be appointed. In the following year on March 8, 1876, Rev. Klimecki himself moved from Pine Creek to North Creek, that settlement being the first to erect a parsonage, and consequently St. Peter's and St. Paul's Parish became a mission attached to North Creek. This arrangement continued until March 19, 1883, when St. Peter's and St. Paul's had erected their own parsonage and Rev. A. Warnagiris became the first i-esident pastor. Rev. Warnagiris was followed in 1885 by Rev. Tomaszewski, under whose supervision the first brick school house was erected at a cost of $3,000. This building was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Flash, September, 1886. In March, 1888, Rev. Tomaszewski was succeeded by Rev. R. L. Guzowski. In 1889 the parsonage, which was occupied as a priest house until 1915, was erected. After an interregnum of eight months, during which A. A. Kroll of North Creek looked after the spiritual affairs of the parish. Rev. Babinski took charge of the administration on Sept. 2, 1890. During his pastorate a new beautiful church, 56 by 131 feet, at a cost of $25,000, was erected. The building was begun in 1895 and completed in 1896, being dedicated on October 3 by Rt. Rev. J. Schwebach. Rev. Babinski remained until 1901, when he was transferred and undertook the work of establishing a new Polish parish in Superior, Wis. This reverend pastor, who will long be remembered for his affability, zeal and efficiency, died some five years ago. His remains are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Winona, Minn., according to his special request. In September, 1901, Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, took charge of the parish. Under his wise administration the following buildings were erected and extensive improvements made: In 1903 a new school house at a cost of $11,000. In 1908 a large addition to the church at a cost of $18,000. This addition makes St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church the largest in the diocese of La Crosse, and gives it a seating capacity of 1,200. In the same year the interior of the church was beautifully frescoed at a cost of $2,200. Many improvements were made on the exterior of the buildings and on other parts of the grounds. In 1915 the new palatial residence was erected at a cost of $15,000. The erection of a new parsonage became all the more necessary and imperative since, on account of the large amount of work due to the size of the parish, room had to be made for an assistant to the pastor. April 7, 1917, Rev. James Bercezinski assumed his duties as assistant.

The parish today numbers 425 families or 2,100 souls. The increase in membership has been most phenomenal, evidently due to two factors, namely : the large number of immigrants and the large size of their families. While there has been within the last ten years no further immigration, still the parish continues to flourish and increase, which must be explained as due to the large number of children in each family. The Polish people have as yet not begun to practice race suicide. If the immigrants of other nationalities had followed their example we would not find them dying out, and we could add one-third to the population of the United States.

The school is attended by 225 children. This does not, however, represent the total number of children. If all the children could be enrolled the number would be between six and seven hundred. On account of distances many children are obliged to attend the nearby public schools. These come to the parochial school at a later period, but then not longer than for two years. The school is in charge of one lay teacher, who also is the parish organist, and four sisters. The sisters' motherhouse is at Stevens Point, Wis., they are designated as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph. The societies of the parish are SS. Peter and Paul, Holy Cross, Holy Rosary,

The site of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church is very beautifully located on a slight elevation overlooking to the south and west the village and lake of Elk Creek, and to the north and east rich and fertile farming districts. On the parish grounds are situated not only the church building, but a portion is set aside and laid out for cemetery purposes, and the rest is converted into a shady park. The church can be seen from a distance, and its heaven-ward towering steeple and massive dimensions make an impressive appearance. The structure is gothic in style. The interior, with its vaulted ceiling, rich frescoing and beautiful altars and statutes, makes a dignified and pleasing impression. It must certainly be an edifying and inspiring scene to see this large edifice on any Sunday morn filled to its capacity with people in silent reverence kneeling before their God or with blended voices chanting His praises. The people of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Parish must be congratulated upon the sacrifices they have made for their parish. These sacrifices speak volumes for their faith and generosity, as well as for their diligence and thrift.

Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born in the year 1860 in Yawiszowica, Galicia, Austria, where he received his early training. He continued his studies at the College Zywice, and the College Wadowice. Philosophy and theology he studied at Rome. In 1885 he came to America and on June 24, 1886, was ordained at St. Francis' Seminary, St. Francis, Wis. For two months he was assistant at Marshfield. Then he became pastor of the parish at Paniatowski, Wis. On July 1, 1898, he became pastor at Pine Creek, where he made great improvements on the church property. Rev. A. W. Gara is a man of great zeal and energy and of much ability, of minute exactness and a strong and firm character. His work at St. Peter's and St. Paul's alone will ever make him known as a "builder" and successful pastor.

The Catholics of the village of Galesville for many years had no services, being obliged to go either to Ettrick or Trempealeau for spiritual ministration. From 1890 to 1904 mass was oflfered occasionally by the pastor from Ettrick in the Czepull hall. In 1904 Rev. O'Connor, pastor from Ettrick, superintended the erection of a beautiful church at a cost of $5,000. The site was donated by Capt. A. A. Arnold and is located on the east side of Galesville. Rev. Keegan, Rev. Enis and Rev. Colling, during their pastorate of two years, resided at Galesville and attended to Ettrick and Trempealeau. The parish of Galesville not owning a priest house and not showing any sign of being financially fit to erect one in the near future, the ecclesiastical authorities became cognizant of the impracticability of maintaining a residence at Galesville, and the coming of Rev. McGinnity re-established the pastor's residence at Ettrick. When Rev. Buschelmann established his residence at Trempealeau, Galesville became a mission of the former place. Galesville now has 44 Catholic families.

A Court of C. 0. F., to which also members of St. Bartholomew's and of St. Bridget's belong, is maintained. The parishes of St. Bartholomew, St. Bridget and St. Mary are rather small in number, but they are located in the heart of a great and rich agricultural district, and no doubt undei prudent, vigilant and consistent supervision will spring up like mushrooms, but unlike mushrooms become strong and firm and a source of pride to the community, contributors to moral uplift and powerful factors in expelling the miasma of irrehgion and bigotry. Bigotry, we find, thrives in localities but sparsely settled by Catholics, because it is there possible to misrepresent the church and the lives of her children.

On the east bank of the Mississippi, the father of waters, and at the foot of the historic Trempealeau mount, twelve blocks west from the business center of the village of Trempealeau, stands St. Bartholomew's Church.

The early Catholic settlers in this section were few in number. In the sixties they received spiritual ministration from the pastors of St. Mary's Church, La Crosse. It is related that Rev. Marcoe came twice a year carrying the sacred vestments and other paraphernalia, and offered the sacrifice of the mass in the house of Antrim Grignon, where all the Catholics of the vicinity, having received information of the priest's coming, gathered. In 1872 fifteen families erected the present church at a cost of about $3,000, completing the same in 1873. The site was donated by the Grignon family. Since they were too few to support a resident priest, St. Bartholomew's Congregation was, until 1914, a mission, attended to from Ettrick. On Nov. 1, 1914, Rev. Joseph Buschelmann was transferred from Ettrick to Trempealeau as first pastor thereof. The house of Mrs. Taylor was bought at a price of $1,400. It is located two blocks east of the church and was suitably furnished into a pastor's residence. When the church was erected there were but fifteen families, now there are fifty-one. On account of the smallness of the parish and its limited revenue St. Bartholomew's is not able to insure the pastor's support, hence Rev. Buschelmann was given Galesville as a mission, thus affording also assistance to the latter place. There now being good train service between Trempealeau and Galesville the ministration of both places no longer offers the hardships of former days, when the distance from Ettrick to Trempealeau or from Galesville to Trempealeau had to be made by vehicle over a poor stretch of road often in most unfavorable weather. The present arrangement of having a resident pastor in Trempealeau and one in Ettrick seems to have solved the difficulty which confronted the pioneer priests and which made work so arduous. St. Bartholomew's has an altar society of sixty active members. The parish made great progress since the arrival of Rev. Buschelmann, and just at present is enjoying a lively boom. More than ten prosperous families came from Iowa and settled in this locality and others are following. In view of these features the parish has a bright future before it. Rev. Buschelmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Feb.

15, 1884. He finished his classical course of studies in the famous Canisius College of Buffalo, N. Y., conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. His seminary course he completed at St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, N. Y., where he was ordained in 1911. His first charge was Ettrick, whence he attended to Trempealeau as a mission until in 1914, when he estabhshed his residence here. He is a young man of good ability, zealous, active, pubhc spirited and of a happy and jovial disposition. He has won the hearts of many, who believe that his future career will be bright and fruitful.

The youngest of Catholic parishes in the county - the Benjamin of the family and the second Catholic parish in the village of Arcadia - is St. Stanislaus' Congregation. It was organized in the fall of 1910. Prior to this date the members belonged mostly to St. Michael's Church at North Creek. After fire had destroyed the school house of St. Michael's parish in the spring of 1910 about one-half the members favored changing the church locality from North Creek to Arcadia Village. Being opposed in this move by the other faction at North Creek they seceded and obtained permission to organize a separate Polish parish. Instrumental in this move and at the same time hard workers for the parish were John Soppa, Sr., Mike Sabotta, J. J. Korpal and Andrew Stachowski. The first two were also the first trustees. During the summer of 1910 a site was procured from the Hon. John C. Gaveney for $700. This site is located on the hill one-half mile east from Main street. Plans were made for a church by J. G. Schneider. The end of this year saw the completion of the church building and on July 4, 1911, it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach, bishop of La Crosse. The church cost $18,000. At that time the parish did not have a resident priest, and in all their building operations and collections of funds they proceeded without the advice or assistance of any pastor. Yet the Rev. John Rayski, who was pastor of North Creek, attended to their spiritual wants and held services after the new church was completed every second Sunday. In 1912 they erected the parsonage at a cost of $2,500, and Rev. Ignatius Orlig was appointed as first resident pastor. In 1914 they erected a school house at a cost of $8,000. This was dedicated Oct. 25, 1914. In September Rev. Orlig left and was followed by Rev. Francis Barszczak, the present pastor. In September 1915 the school was opened and placed in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph from Stevens Point. The present enrollment is about 100 pupils. The present membership of the parish numbers about 500 souls or ninety families. The societies of the parish are as follows: The Rosary Society, St. Stanislaus' Society and the Pohsh Union. The total value of St. Stanislaus' Church is about $30,000. The parishioners have brought great sacrifices and showed intense interest in the progress of the same. Because they are so strongly united soon this will be numbered among the leading parishes of the county.

The present pastor was born in Galicia, Austria. His early education he received in Przemysl, Austria, and his theological course he finished at

St. Francis Seminary, St. Francis, Wis., where he was ordained in February, 1913. His first charge was at Stanley, Wis., whence he was transferred to Arcadia. He is a zealous and active man and of good and regular habits.

The aggregate wealth of the Catholic church property of Trempealeau County is approximately $260,000. The work that the Catholics of Trempealeau County have done for the good of the cause they have espoused is not merely evident from the establishment of parishes and schools within the county, but the fact that many children of the past generation who have received their early training in faith and religion here have moved to the western states and have there helped to organize new parishes must not be overlooked. The writer is acquainted with five or six parishes whose membership consists mostly of former Trempealeau County folks. Also the fact that the Catholics of Trempealeau County have made great contributions to the upbuilding of La Crosse diocesan institutions, e. g., the orphan asylum, cathedral and seminary aid, must not be overlooked. At present the contributions to outside funds from the Catholics of Trempealeau County amount to over $2,000 annually. Lastly the number of young men who have embraced the priesthood, or who are preparing for the same, and the number of young ladies who have joined religious communities and who are engaged in school work speaks well for the religious spirit of our Catholics. There have come forth five priests, eight seminarians and forty-six nuns. The Catholics of this county have also furnished in 1917 forty-four volunteers to the army and about twenty-five or thirty drafted men. A good proof that patriotic spirit runs true and high.

The children of the noble, self-sacrificing pioneers constitute the present generation, like their forefathers they are physically strong and hardy ; socially, industrious, thrifty and neighborly; intellectually, well versed in the three Rs, and that not only in their mother tongue, but also in the language of the country; morally. God-fearing and law-abiding citizens.