History of Methodism in Wisconsin :In Fo
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CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Cornell University Library BX 8248.W8B47 History of Methodism in Wisconsin :in fo 3 1924 008 055 521 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924008055521 Rev. p. S. BENNETT, A M. HISTORY Methodism in Wisconsin. IN KOUR RARXS. REV. P. S. BENNETT, A. ISA. OF WISCONSIN CONFERENCE. PART III BEING WRITTEN BY REV. JAIVIBS IvAWSON, OF WEST WISCONSIN CONFERENCE. " Thou Shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God hath led thee."—Deut. viii, 2. f/l PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHORS BY CRA-NSTON & STOWK, OINCINNA.TI. 1890. <^^^/0( Copyright, i8go, by P. S. BENNETT and JAMES LAWSON. 21 GENERAL DIVISIONS. Part I. HISTORY OF EPISCOPAL METHODISM IN WISCON- SIN BEFORE THE FORMATION OF THE WIS- CONSIN CONFERENCE, 1832-1848. Part II. HISTORY OF THE WISCONSIN CONFERENCE OP THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL, CHURCH, 1848-1889. Part III. HISTORY OF THE WEST AND NORTHWEST WISCON- SIN CONFERENCES, OF THE METHODIST EPISCO- PAL CHURCH, 1856-1889. Part IV. HISTORY OF OTHER METHODIST BODIES IN WIS- CONSIN, 1842-1889. 1. Primitive Methodist Church. 2. EvANGEi,iCAi< Association (German). 3. German Episcopal Methodists. 4. Scandinavian Methodists. 5. Free Methodists. 6. American Wesi,eyan Methodists. : PREFACE, THIS work was undertaken more from a convic- tion of the need of something like it than a con- sciousness of ability to produce what the subject demands. This conviction, at first feeble, grew upon me until it crystallized into a partially formed conclusion to enter upon the work. At this point the following resolution was presented to the Conference and unani- mously adopted " Whereas, We learn that Rev. P. S. Bennett is con- templating the production of a history of Methodism in Wisconsin ; therefore, " Resolved, That we hereby express our hearty approval of the undertaking, and will aid him therein by furnishing historical data as far as we can, hoping an early com- pletion of the work. (Signed,) " J. L. Hewitt, B. R. Raymond, "J. 8. Davis, H. Faville, " S. LuGG, E. G. Updyke, " T. C. WiLLSON, T. Walker, " W. P. Stowe, H. Sewell, " W. D. Ames, 8. 8mith." This settled the question. Though a difficult task, I hardly dared refuse to attempt it. 6 PBEFACE. But the difficulties encountered were more and greater than those anticipated. We had been making history for more than a half century. During a considerable portion of this period the country was new, society unsettled, and records imperfectly kept. Much needed information was treasured in the memory of persons far advanced in life, and widely dispersed over our vast country. It was often difficult to find them, and, when found, their recollections were not always the same. Much dis- crimination was needed to balance up. Besides, it was not easy to get desired and available information from those in the active work. Circulars were sent to the pastors, with blanks to be filled and returned. More than two-thirds of the pastors failed to respond. This was very embarrassing. To bring order out of chaos is difficult; to make something out of nothing is impossible in reliable history. Nor was this the end of difficulties. The book is to be, not biographies of the living nor memorials of the dead, but a record of acts and results. Yet the actors are to come into view and assigned to their proper places. And when one leaves the work by death or otherwise, he must receive appropriate notice. To do this judiciously is not an easy task. The plan of covering the entire State and of em- bracing every branch of Methodism therein, has neces- sitated abridgment where enlargement would other- wise have been proper. The Appendices have cost much labor, and it is hoped they will be appreciated. PREFACE. 7 The work has been delayed by a failure to get the history of West and Northwest Wisconsin Confer- ences written at an earlier date. Rev. James Lawson, a highly honored member of the West Wisconsin Conference, at length undertook the work; and he will doubtless do it well. It constitutes Part III of this book. Considerable space is given to the anti-slavery and temperance questions; some may think too much. But as the former was the absorbing question of the time, towering above all other National issues in im- portance, and as the latter is scarcely less so now, I feel justified in treating them thus. The question of illustrations was decided at a rather late period, and the result is not quite satis- factory to me in not being able to secure more of the earlier preachers for Parts I and II. The failure is not due to lack of effort. Brother Lawson has suc- ceeded far better for Part III. It is hoped that these faces will awaken profitable reminiscences of past labors and successes. - Great pains have been taken to secure historic freedom accuracy throughout the work ; yet entire from errors is not expected. But the hope is cherished that it will be serviceable in many ways, and not the least in aiding some future historian to produce some- thing better. P. S. BENNETT. ; Part I. HISTORY OF METHODISM IN WISCONSIN BEFORE THE FORMATION OF WISCONSIN CONFERENCE. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. TO give the reader a proper view of the situation, a brief account of the civil relations of this country— the scene of the conflicts and triumphs to be recorded—may- be beneficial. It has been successively under the jurisdic- tion of Spain, France, Great Britain, and America. In connection with the latter it was, at different periods, a part of the State of Virginia, of the Northwest Terri- tory, of the Territories of Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, before becoming a Territory itself. A brief history of these transitions may be given thus: On Easter Sunday, 1512, Juan Ponce de Leon, a com- panion of Columbus, discovered the southern coast of the North American Continent, and named it Pascua Florida (Easter Flower Land). A subject of Ferdinand, king of Spain, he claimed it for his sovereign. The Spaniards designated the entire region, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes, Florida, and assumed dominion over it but as nearly all this vast region was unexplored, and in- habited only by the aborigines, this dominion was only ideal. Such as it was, it continued until 1627, when 1 9 10 METHODISM IN WISCONSIN. France secured jurisdiction, and held it for one hundred and thirty-five years. During this period French Jesuits made extensive ex- plorations, and established several missions among the natives. In 1634, M. Nicollet made his way from the Ottowa Eiver, in Canada, where he had been living among the Indians, to Green Bay, and soon penetrated the interior as far as the Wisconsin River. He was, doubtless, the first white man whose foot pressed the soil of this wide domain. Other adventurers followed, some as fur-traders, others as explorers and missionaries. In 1670 two Jesuits—Pere Claude Allouez and Claud Dablon—established the mission of St. Francois Xavier, on the south side of Fox River, supposed to be where the city of De Pere now stands. Other missions, also, were founded by similar agencies among the various Indian tribes scattered throughout the wilds of this great Northwest. By treaty stipulations between France and England, in 1763, civil jurisdiction passed to the latter, accompanied by actual occupancy, and this continued until the issue of the Revolutionary War brought it under American rule. In 1778, Virginia extended its jurisdiction over the "Illinois country," and formed the " county of Illinois,'' em- bracing the territory now included within the States of Illinois and Wisconsin. The Northwest Territory was organized in 1787, and in- cluded all north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsyl- vania, as far as the "Great River"—the Mississippi. Within this territory the domain of Wisconsin continued until 1800, when it became a part of the Territory of Indiana, formed that year. For nine years it continued in that relation, and then became a part of the newly formed Territory of Illinois, with which, also, it remained nine years. INTRODUCTORY. 11 On the formation of the latter into a State, in 1818, our many-times espoused country became wedded to the Terri- tory of Michigan, and passed as many years as in both the last-named relations. In 1836 it became more conspicuous, being organized into a Territory bearing its present name, including also the domain of the present State of Iowa. In 1848 it was admitted into the Union, making the thirtieth star on our National Banner. For more than a hundred and fifty years, or untiri829, the aborigines of this region learned nothing of Christianity except what was contained in Jesuistic teaching. And as Roman Catholicism is a mixture of paganism, of Judaism, and of Christianity, and as Jesuits, in their efforts to con- vert the heathen, always concede largely to their customs and .prejudices, provided they will accept the Cross, the Mass, and the Confessional, no great improvement of these sons of the forest can reasonabl)' be expected to have been made ; and appearances indicated very little. ; 12 METHODISM IN WISCONSIN. CHAPTER II. 1832-6. MISSIONS AMONG THE INDIANS IN THE VICINITY OF GREEN BAY. ON the 21st of October, 1829, by an act of the Legis- lature of Michigan Territory, in which this country was included, a Protestant Episcopal Church was incor- porated at Green Bay. This was probably the first Prot- estant religious organization west of Lake Michigan.