History of Nebraska - Chapter 34-B



Page 736 (continued)

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -- HASTINGS COLLEGE -- OMAHA SEMINARY
BY REV. JAMES D. KERR, D.D.

   The first Christian work done in Nebraska by the Presbyterian church 
was in hehalf of the Omaha and Pawnee Indians, and ante-

[image caption: REV. HENRY M. GILTNER, D.D.]

dates by twenty-one years the beginning of things among the English-
speaking population. The Rev. John Dunbar began work among the Omahas at 
Bellevue in 1834, and the Rev. Edward Kinney among the Pawnees in 1846. 
The Rev. William Hamilton entered upon his life service of consecration to 
the welfare of the Omahas in 1853, and continued with quiet, patient, 
steadfast fiedelity for about fifty-four years, to the end of his long and 
useful life.

   In 1855 the Rev. Henry M. Giltner crossed the Missouri river with his 
bride at Nebraska City, and immediately began to lay the foundations of 
the English Presbyterian church in Nebraska, to be followed as the years 
have passed by about 450 other missionaries and pastors who have joined 
hands with him in extending this branch of the church throughout the 
length and breadth of the state.

   The first churches were connected with those in southwestern Iowa, and 
in presbyteries known as Council Bluffs, organized in 1856; Omaha, 
organized in 1858; Missouri River, organized in 1862; and Omaha, new 
school, organized in 1867.

   After the reunion of the old and new school assemblies in 1870, the 
presbyteries of Missouri River, old school, and Omaha, new school, were 
united, July 15, 1870, under the name of Missouri River. The territory 
covered by this presbytery included the entire state of Nebraska, together 
with Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. At a meeting of the Synod of Iowa South, 
October, 1872, the presbytery was divided into the three presbyteries of 
Council Bluffs, Omaha, and Nebraska City, the presbytery of Omaha 
including all the territory north of the Platte river, and the Presbytery 
of Nebraska City all the territory south of the Platte river. In 1873 the 
Presbytery of Kearney was constituted, including all the territory west of 
the east line of Nuckolls, Clay, Hamilton, Boone, and Antelope counties. 
These three presbyteries requested the general assembly of 1874 to 
separate them from the Synod of Iowa South, and erect them into the Synod 
of Nebraska, which request was granted; and the presbyteries met by their 
representatives in the First Church of Nebraska City the first Thursday in 
October, 1874. This session was opened with a sermon by the convener, the 
Venerable Rev. Naham Gould of the Presbytery of Kearney. There were thirty-
one ministers and sixty-one churches on the rolls of the three 
presbyteries at that time. Of this number thirteen ministers were present, 
and six churches were represented by elders at this first meeting. The 
Rev. John T. Baird was chosen moderator and also stated clerk and 
treasurer, the latter office being held by him continuously to the present 
time. Of the thirteen ministers present at the meeting and of the thirty-
one constituting the clerical portion of the synod at the time of its 
organization only two remain in connection with the synod,

Page 737

J. T. Baird, D.D., and J. D. Kerr. The first pioneer, the Rev. Henry M. 
Giltner, D.D., has lived to see the state of his choice and the church of 
his love grow to their present large dimensions and promising outlook. For 
more than forty-seven years he has lived the life of a loyal citizen of 
the state and the faithful servant of the church; and just now, while this 
paper is being written, he, "having served his generation by the will of 
God" so long and well, has fallen asleep, April 7, 1903, at the good old 
age of seventy-five years, three months, and eight days.

  Thus began the organized life of the Synod of Nebraska, small in outward 
appearance, not boasting great things, yet not without cheering hopes for 
coming years. The condition of the people in worldly estate was not 
flattering, for most of them were only beginning to lay foundations for 
future homes; while in that very year they were visited with a drouth 
which largely diminished their expected harvests; and what they did raise 
was devastated by the hordes of grasshoppers which swept over the state 
like an invading army.

  In 1872 the Rev. Nelson C. Robertson was appointed by the board of home 
missions, under the title of synodical missionary, to superintend the 
mission work of the state, including the gathering and organizing of 
churches, and securing pastors and missionaries for the ever-increasing 
demands of the fields. He continued in this office, doing faithful and 
efficient work, tilt his lamented death in 1876.

  But the growth of existing churches and the organization of new ones was 
seriously impeded by drouth and the ravages of grasshoppers from 1874 to 
1876. And when his successor, the Rev. James D. Kerr, came into office, 
July 1, 1876, he found but little opportunity to do more than care as best 
he could for the churches that were having a hard struggle to maintain 
life.

  The tide of immigration which had been increasing rapidly for a few 
years was checked, almost to the point of cessation, as the tidings of our 
impoverished condition spread throughout our eastern states, so that there 
was almost no opportunity for the gathering in of members and the 
organizing of new churches.

   But in the spring of 1878 the tide began to turn in our favor; so that 
when in that year the Rev. George L. Little began his work as synodical 
missionary he found the people pouring into Nebraska by tens of thousands; 
and a field of activity and usefulness

[image caption: REV. JOHN T. BAIRD, D.D.]

opening before him sufficient to stimulate to the utmost exertion in the 
effort to supply the immigrants with the means of grace and the 
constituted church.

  This was the period of most rapid growth in the number of churches 
organized, being nearly 100 during the five years of his service; while 
the outlook for the future was most encouraging, as is witnessed by the 
following words with which Mr. Little closed his last annual report to the 
synod:

  Our state is now having a most healthy growth. A constant stream of 
population is flowing out through every artery. We are receiving a very 
superior class of immigra-

Page 738

tion, families of large means that come to stay, the young, the energetic, 
the enterprising from the older states, an American and Protestant element 
largely, with a vigorous sprinkling of foreign nationalities. There is 
activity in all the enterprises of the state, in the building of the 
railroads, in the founding of new towns, in the opening of farms, in the 
introduction and development of manufacturing industries. There is the 
hum, the stir, the push of an intense activity on every hand. Why should 
not the church of Christ be correspondingly active?

   The Rev. George T. Crissman succeeded to the office of synodical 
missionary in 1883, and served the synod three years in this capacity, 
during which time the names of forty-two new churches were added to the 
roster of the presbyteries.

   The Rev. Thomas L. Sexton, D.D., was elected synodical missionary in 
1886, and has continued in the faithful discharge of his duties to the 
present time. The total number of churches organized during the years of 
his incumbency is 148. In one year only, 1895, were there no additions to 
the roll of churches; and this was due wholly to the fact that the board 
of home missions was compelled, by its straitened financial condition, to 
forbid any enlargement of the work. But while the superintendents of 
mission work have given their time and strength to the duties of their 
office, pastors all over the state have gone outside the bounds of their 
own parishes to look up the scattered sheep, and gather them together, and 
prepare the way for the formation of churches. Not afraid of extra toil, 
they have coöperated in the labor of seeking out and shepherding the 
hidden ones of God's flock, and so making possible the more rapid and 
extensive ingathering to the fold of the Shepherd of Israel.

   In addition to this form of pastoral mission service there has also 
been called into existence by the exigencies of the situation a class of 
workmen known as pastors-at-large. Their special work is to care for the 
smaller and feebler vacant churches in each presbytery; visiting them, 
preaching and administering the sacraments, and doing all in their power 
to make up for the lack of regular pastoral services. For the last ten 
years this work has been carried forward to the great advantage of the 
churches directly affected, as is witnessed by the following words from 
the pen of Dr. Sexton:

   In bringing the message of grace to our feeble churches, and thus 
keeping them alive, the self denying efforts of these brothers can not be 
too highly esteemed, nor too strongly emphasized. Without their timely aid 
in the general work of the church many of our feeble churches would have 
ceased to exist.

   Another group of laborers employed by the Presbyterian church in the 
development of her life is that of Sunday school missionaries, who give 
their entire time to the work of establishing and maintaining Sunday 
schools in communities which are for the most part without churches and 
destitute of all religious privileges. These men canvass such districts, 
visiting the homes of the people and their public schools, appealing to 
the parents in behalf of their children, awakening their interest toward 
the moral and spiritual side of life, inviting them to meet in their 
schoolhouses or their homes on the Sabbath day, and organizing them into 
schools with such local help as they can secure for officers and teachers, 
and supply them with religious literature which is provided by the board 
of publication and Sunday school work at Philadelphia. In many cases these 
little schools offer the only opportunities for religious instruction in 
the communities where they are established; and they become centers of 
moral and spiritual blessing, the value of which cannot be too highly 
estimated. And one evidence of this is seen in the fact that no less than 
thirty-four churches in this state have been organized as the direct 
fruits of these mission schools. The leader in this interesting and 
hopeful field of Christian effort is the Rev. James B. Currens, who for 
many years has been the superintendent of the work, and whose name 
deserves honorable mention in this connection. With a zeal that has never 
waned, and a patience that has never flagged, he has traveled all over the 
state through summer's heat and winter's cold, directing the work of those 
under his care, and himself

Page 739

seeking out destitute regions, planting schools and encouraging local 
officers and teachers in their humble efforts to instruct the children and 
youth in the knowledge of the word of God.

   The three presbyteries with which the synod began her organized life in 
1874 have multiplied into six as the years have gone by. The presbytery of 
Kearney was divided into two presbyteries in the year 1881; that part 
lying north of the Platte river retaining the name; and the territory 
south of the Platte being called the Presbytery of Hastings. But this 
division did not long suffice the growing needs of our Presbyterian 
household. The territory occupied by the presbyteries of Omaha and Kearney 
was too large for the convenience and comfort of its members, and as 
ministers and churches multiplied it was decided to readjust presbyterial 
lines, and add still another name to the synodical roll. This change was 
ordered at the meeting of synod in 1884; and the next year the good mother 
entered upon the birth-roster of her children that most euphonious and 
beautiful of all her family names, Niobrara.

   And still the good work went on, new churches being organized, and 
other missionaries heeding the Macedonian cry, despite all the hindrances 
caused by recurring periods of

[image caption: PRESBYTERIAN MISSION, BELLEVUE, 1854]

loss of crops and financial depression, till the year 1893, when the synod 
ordered the erection of another presbytery in the northwestern part of the 
state, and which was enrolled the following year by the name of Box Butte, 
with a constituency of six ministers and seventeen churches.

   The Presbyterian church has always and everywhere been the friend and 
advocate of thorough and liberal Christian education. Many of the most 
useful institutions of learning in the United States have been founded and 
maintained by this branch of the church. Recognizing the fact that 
learning without moral character is only a larger equipment for evil, and 
that good education and true religion must join hands to secure the best 
citizenship, this church has ever been diligent according to her ability 
to provide Christian schools of all grades for her children and youth.

   This governing principle was clearly recognized by the men who laid the 
foundations of the Presbyterian church in Nebraska. At the first meeting 
of the synod, October, 1874, the subject was introduced by the 
representatives of the church at Hastings, and was earnestly discussed and 
heartily approved. But the synod was not able at that early date to take 
any direct action toward establishing a denominational school. But the 
purpose to do so

Page 740

was firmly cherished in the hearts of all, and only waited the opportune 
time for its practical development. At the end of six years of growth in 
churches and financial resources it was believed that a beginning might be 
made; and at the meeting of the synod, October 16, 1880, it was determined 
to open such a school at Bellevue.

   The location was decided by the generous offer of Henry T. Clarke, then 
of Bellevue, now of Omaha, to give 264 acres of land adjoining Bellevue, 
and to erect a building on the summit of Elk Hill, which he subsequently 
did at a cost of $16,000. The college was opened for students in the fall 
of 1883 with two professors and sixteen students. The Rev. William W. 
Harsha, D.D., LL.D., became the first president, taking charge in 1884, 
and continuing till June, 1888. Rev. Francis S. Blayney, Ph.D., succeeded 
Dr. Harsha and served one year.

   Rev. David R. Kerr, Ph.D., D.D., was then chosen president, and 
continued in this capacity from January 2, 1890, to June, 1904, when he 
resigned. During all these years Dr. Kerr carried a load of anxious 
responsibility which would have crushed a less courageous and determined 
spirit; and to him chiefly are the college and its friends indebted for 
the steady enlargement of its plant and work in all directions. After the 
resignation of

[image caption: BELLEVUE COLLEGE]

Dr. Kerr, the vice-president, Rev. Robert M. Stevenson, D.D., became 
acting president until the election of the present president, Guy W. 
Wadsworth, D.D., who entered upon his duties September 1, 1905.

   The location of the college is "beautiful for situation, commanding an 
extended view of river and bluffs, hills and plateau, such as can rarely 
be seen in any part of our country. To the one building which crowned the 
hill when Dr. Kerr began his work there have been added five others, used 
for president's house and dormitories, and all well adapted to the 
purposes of their erection. The library contains 4,500 books and 3,000 
pamphlets; and 110 papers, magazines, and other periodicals are regularly 
received. The laboratories are well equipped for the work of that 
department. Athletic fields and gymnasium provide ample accommodations for 
healthful recreation. The Bible is taught regularly and systematically, 
and is fundamental in the whole course of instruction. Young men's and 
young women's Christian associations and literary societies are 
maintained. It is the constant aim of the faculty to attain a high 
standard of instruction and scholarship and at the same time to cultivate 
and develop the moral and spiritual side of the student life. The 
attendance has steadily increased till the present year, which shows an 
enrollment of 180. The ma-

Page 741

terial resources, including lands, buildings, library, apparatus, 
aggregate about $120,000.

   But the people of Hastings, who had taken the initiative in this matter 
at the first meeting of the synod, felt that they must have an institution 
of their own, being so far distant from Bellevue, and having so large a 
territory that would naturally be tributary to them. Hence the Presbytery 
of Kearney, covering at that time all the western portion of the state, on 
September 2, 1881, took steps toward organizing a presbyterial academy at 
Hastings. At the next meeting of the synod this action was approved, and 
the coming institution commended to the confidence and support of the 
churches.

   The first board of trusteees incorporated the institution as Hastings 
College, May 10, 1882, and secured an initial subscription of $10,000. The 
educational work began September 13, 1882, and has continued without 
interruption to the present time. The number of students who have 
graduated is eighty-four, while hundreds of others have enjoyed the 
advantages of a partial course.

   Two college buildings have been erected: McCormick Hall in 1883, at a 
cost of $13,000, and Ringland Hall in 1884, at a cost of $20,000. These 
buildings stand in a beautiful campus of twenty-three acres; and there is 
additional equipment in lands and money to the amount of $18,000, and a 
library of 3,500 volumes. The president is the Rev. E. Van Dyke Wight, who 
is giving most faithful and efficient service to the institution. The 
college occupies a very advantageous position, and appeals with hope and 
confidence to the sympathy and support of all friends of higher Christian 
education.

   With the growth of population and the increase in the number of 
churches there was great difficulty in securing a sufficient number of 
ministers to supply the churches. None of the theological seminaries of 
the church were nearer than Cincinnati and Chicago. This suggested to some 
of those most interested the thought of establishing a seminary within our 
own bounds, where graduates of Bellevue and Hastings colleges and other 
young men could qualify themselves for the work of the ministry, and be 
ready to supply vacant pulpits and enlarge the mission work in this and 
adjoining states. The initiative was taken at a meeting held in the First 
Presbyterian Church of Omaha, February 17, 1891, where the local ministers 
and others from a distance, and laymen to the number of about forty, 
discussed the subject, and decided to move forward at once ;toward the 
establishment of such an institution. A board of directors was chosen, 
who, meeting in April, 1891, adopted a constitution, and determined to 
open the seminary in Omaha, September, 1891. A faculty was chosen, and 
their action reported to the general assembly, May, 1891. Nine classes 
have graduated, including sixty-seven students, and about forty others 
have taken partial courses. A beautiful and commodious building was 
erected in 1902 on a large plot of ground in a desirable location with 
ample room for professors' house and others as needed. A good library of 5,
000 volumes is now on hand, while a total property, worth about $100,000, 
represents the accumulations of the past twelve years. The president of 
this institution is the Rev. Matthew B. Lowrie, D.D., who, by his 
energetic devotion to the work, has been chiefly instrumental in obtaining 
the funds necessary for current expenses and the sum already secured 
toward permanent endowment.

   Thus has the Presbyterian church in Nebraska tried to do her part 
toward educating her sons and daughters for the duties and 
responsibilities of life, and to qualify men to teach and lead others in 
the ways of righteousness.

   In face of all the difficulties and hindrances incident to the 
development of a new country, arising from limited means, loss of crops, 
and financial stringency, the churches have multiplied in numbers, 
increased in strength, and grown into a large and controlling influence in 
society. For this growth they are largely indebted to the timely and 
necessary aid of the two boards of home missions and church erection, 
which have always extended a liberal hand, and made possible that degree 
of devel-

Page 742

opment which could not otherwise have been realized. The latest reports 
from the six presbyteries, April 1, 1903, show a total enrolment of 161 
ministers, 223 churches, and 17,753 members. The Sunday school enrolment 
is 21,334.

   During the year ending April 1, 1903, the churches of the state gave 
through the eight boards of the church and miscellaneous benevolences the 
sum of $31,950, and for local self support $175,766, making a total for 
all Christian purposes of $207,716.

   A paper of this character would be incomplete which failed to recognize 
the faithful and efficient help given by the officers and members of the 
churches in their different relations and responsibilities. The ruling 
elders in the Presbyterian church are a body of men chosen by the members 
to lead and direct in the spiritual affairs of each church; and together 
with the pastor constitute the session of the church. They are chosen for 
a term of years, or for life, as each church may determine.

   The Nebraska churches have been favored with many good and faithful men 
in this honorable position; men who have reflected credit upon themselves 
and their office, and whose names might well be recorded in this paper did 
space permit. The senior elder in this goodly company is Mr. William 
Buchanan of the Nebraska City church, who was ordained in 1856, and has 
served continuously to the, present time, a period of about forty-seven 
years.

   Along with this group of men must be mentioned the "honorable women not 
a few" who have organized and sustained the aid and missionary societies 
of the churches. Very much of the financial support of the local churches 
has been contributed by the labors of the aid societies, while the 
missionary societies have raised large sums of money for the extension of 
the church of Christ at home and abroad tinder the direction of the boards 
of home and foreign missions.

   The first woman to be named in this connection was Mrs. Henry M. 
Giltner, the wife of the first Presbyterian missionary to the English-
speaking people of the state. As they drew near to Nebraska, traveling in 
their own buggy over the unbroken prairies of western Iowa, both were 
taken sick and detained for several weeks. Disheartened by this experience 
the husband said, "I believe I have not heard the Lord aright. He wants us 
to go to some other place, and has intercepted us by these sicknesses. 
Shall we not go back?" The brave bride, on her wedding tour, replied, "No, 
I propose that we go over and possess the land." Long years after that 
husband said of her, "I want to tell you how much I prized that strong one 
by my side, and how much the beginning of our church work in Nebraska is 
indebted to her. Without her quiet yet brave help I had never succeeded."

   The spirit of this young missionary bride found practical expression 
many years after in the organization of the first missionary society in 
the state by fifteen ladies of the church in Nebraska City which was 
planted by Mr. and Mrs. Giltner in 1855. They met in the home of that 
noble woman, Mrs. Judge Kinney, August 15, 1872, and elected as their 
first officers Mrs. Judge Kinney, president, and Mrs. J. D. Kerr, 
secretary and treasurer; and the first year contributed $26 to missions. A 
second similar society was organized in the First Church, Omaha, December, 
1875, with Mrs. J. R. Meredith, president and Mrs. O. N. Ramsey, 
secretary. These two societies met by their representatives in the First 
Church, Omaha, October 21, 1876, and organized the synodical society with 
sixty charter members. Mrs. Mary K. Robinson, widow of the first synodical 
missionary, Rev. N. C. Robinson, was chosen president, and Mrs. O. N. 
Ramsey, secretary. Through the faithful labors of these and other 
consecrated women, local and presbyterial societies were organized till 
almost every church in the state was represented in the synodical society. 
At the end of eight years Mrs. Robinson retired from the leadership; and 
Mrs. P. L. Perine of Omaha succeeded her and held office for a like period 
of eight years. And hers is the one name that has remained conspicuous on 
the roll of officers and active embers from the day of or-

Page 743

ganization to the present time; "whose impress and influence have been 
component parts of the conception and growth of every department of the 
work."

   The total amount of money raised by the women's societies alone is 
nearly $70,000. At the request of the managers of the Columbian Exposition 
in 1892 a bronze tablet bearing a missionary design indicating the aim and 
object of the societies was prepared and placed in the Woman's Building at 
Chicago, and is now in the custody of the State Historical Society at 
Lincoln.

   The young people of the Presbyterian churches of the state are 
organized into Sunday schools, mission bands, and senior and junior 
Christian Endeavor societies, having for their objects the higher 
development of personal character, and the raising of funds for local use 
and for missionary purposes. They aid the women's societies liberally in 
supporting various missionaries, both in our own and foreign lands. This 
early training of the young in the precepts and principles of the word of 
God, and in the practical application of these precepts in Christian 
benevolence is of immense value to the youth themselves, and gives hope 
for the future of the churches which must soon be left to their care and 
love.

   In closing this paper let it be stated that while the Presbyterian 
church holds a distinct system of truth which she proclaims, and a 
definite form of government under which she operates, she is none the less 
in full sympathy with all other branches of the evangelical church, and 
stands ever ready to coöperate heartily in all efforts for the instruction 
of the people in the teachings of divine revelation and the extension of 
the kingdom of righteousness in the world.

   Since the above narrative was written, the author, the Rev. James 
Dinsmore Kerr, D.D., has passed from earth to his heavenly reward. He died 
at Lincoln, Neb., on Sabbath, February 18, 1906, and was buried from the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Omaha on Tuesday afternoon, February 20, the 
Rev. J. T. Baird of Plattsmouth, Neb., preaching the sermon, assisted by 
Rev. N. H. Burdick and the Rev. T. V. Moore, D.D., in the presence of 
numerous clergy and loving friends, who highly esteemed Dr. Kerr for his 
many virtues.

   I have examined the history as compiled by Dr. Kerr, and believe it to 
be authentic and correct as possible in the limited space alloted for such 
an historic account of Presbyterianism in Nebraska.
Attest: ROBERT L. WHEELER, D.D.
Dated South Omaha, March 26, 1906.


HASTINGS COLLEGE

   Hastings College was organized in 1873 by pioneer Presbyterian 
missionaries. Kearney Presbytery, in November of that year, passed an 
overture to be presented to Synod to be organized by the General Assembly 
in 1874, A board of directors was elected and subscription; received for 
the founding of the institution. When Synod was organized in 1874, it 
received the overture from Kearney Presbytery, and made the "promise to 
consider the claims of Hastings as first in the event of Synod founding a 
college." The crop failures and adverse financial conditions delayed the 
actual work of the college, but a keen interest was maintained until the 
college was opened for the work of instruction in September, 1882. Rev. W. 
F. Ringland, D.D., was made president of the college in that year. In 
accordance with the promise of 1874, Synod adopted the college in 1884.

   Cyrus McCormick gave $5,000 for the erection of the building bearing 
his name, which was completed in 1884. Total cost of this building was $14,
703, and it has been in constant use for general college purposes until 
the present time. Ringland Hall was erected in 1985, and has been used for 
recitation rooms, business offices and a men's dormitory. The dormitory 
for young women, which was completed in 1907, is called Alexander Hall, in 
honor of Samuel Alexander, for many years a trustee and an active 
supporter of the institution. A building for science and library purposes, 
for which the sum of $20,000 was given by Mr. Carnegie, was completed in 
1909. Since then the Johnson Gymnasium and Do-

[image captions: HASTINGS COLLEGE, PANORAMIC VIEW (NORTH). HASTINGS 
COLLEGE, PANORAMIC VIEW (SOUTH)]

Page 745

mestic Science Hall have been constructed, the former offering a fine 
place for all indoor athletics, the latter a unique home for those 
specializing in domestic economy. Hanson Field, the athletic ground for 
all outdoor sports, adjoins the gymnasium. All buildings except the last 
named, are heated from a central plant completed in 1912.

   Following President Ringland's resignation in 1895, Prof. W. N. Filson 
acted as president for one year. He was succeeded by S. G. Pattison, who 
served four years, and was succeeded by Prof. Filson, who continued in 
office until 1902. In June of that year, Rev. E. Van Dyke Wight, D.D., 
became president, and upon his resignation in 1907, President A. E. 
Turner, LL.D., assumed the executive chair. His resignation in February, 
1912, left the office of president vacant till the board of trustees met 
in June following, when R. B. Crone, LL.D., was elected to the position. 
He took charge in July following.

   Hastings College is under the control of the Synod of Nebraska of the 
Presbyterian church, which elects annually nine trustees for a term of 
three years.

   The citizens of Hastings have contributed for buildings and grounds, 
$100,000; for endowment, $125,000; for deficits, $45,000. The First 
Presbyterian Church of Hastings contributes $1,000 annually for support of 
the institution. The assets are: Thirty acres of ground, four brick and 
stone buildings, one frame building and one frame stucco building, valued 
at $160,000. Permanent endowment, $260,000. Faculty of twenty-three 
members representing nineteen colleges and post graduate work in thirteen 
universities, operating a college of liberal arts, academy, normal school 
and conservatory of music.

   Hastings College had been growing rapidly in recent years, its 
enrollment being 313 when our country entered the war. One hundred eighty-
five of her sons offered themselves at their country's call, a large 
proportion being commissioned as officers. At the time of the preparation 
of this article five had already made the supreme sacrifice and a number 
of others lay wounded in hospitals in France.

   To meet the growing needs of the college a campaign for $500,000 for 
additional buildings and endowment was begun just before our country 
entered the World War. About a third of this amount was pledged within 
three months. The war came and the campaign for funds ceased. Now that 
peace has been declared the Synod of Nebraska pledged itself

[image caption: R. B. CRONE, LL.D.]

to raise $200,000 at once among the churches of Nebraska. The campaign 
will be continued till the entire half million fund is secured.


OMAHA SEMINARY

   In 1902 a commodious and convenient building was erected for the 
seminary in Kountze Place. It has dormitory accommodations for about fifty 
students, together with necessary class rooms, a chapel, a large room for 
a library, a gymnasium and a refectory. During the following year Dr. 
Stephen Phelps retired from the faculty as professor of homietics and 
pastoral theology and was succeeded by Dr. Matthew B. Lowrie, who in turn 
was succeeded as professor of New Testament literature and exegesis, a 
chair which he had

Page 746

filled for ten years, by Dr. Chas. A. Mitchell. During the next year the 
chair of ecclesiastical history and missions was made vacant by the death 
of Dr. Alexander G. Wilson and soon afterwards Dr. Charles Herron was 
called to succeed him.

   In 1910 Dr. Lowrie, who had served the institution from its opening in 
1891, ten of these years as president as well as professor, was succeeded 
in the presidency by Dr. Albert B. Marshall. Dr. Lowrie completed his 
twenty years of service by remaining with the seminary two years longer as 
professor of homiletics and pastoral theology and then moved to Denver 
where he died May 15, 1915. In a real sense Omaha Seminary is his 
monument. During his years with the instiution the annual attendance grew 
from nine to twenty-six and diplomas were conferred upon 125 graduates. 
Since then the attendance has increased more than fifty per cent and 
altogether more than 250 students have pursued their theological studies 
in whole or in part in this seminary and at least one-tenth of these were 
represented on the service flag of the institution at the close of the 
World War.

   During the administration by Dr. A. B. Marshal as president but one 
change has taken place in the faculty; Dr. Joseph J. Lampe, at the age of 
eighty, retired from the chair of Hebrew and Old Testament literature and 
Dr. Frank H. Ridgled became his successor. Dr.

[image caption: LIBERTY MEMORIAL HALL, HASTINGS COLLEGE]

Lampe gave twenty years of valuable service. to the seminary.

   The institution is growing in strength and influence every year and the 
outlook for the future is very encouraging.


UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
BY A. P. VANNICE, A.B.

   The United Brethren church began operations in Nebraska in the year 
1858, a conference having been organized that year by Bishop Edwards. Rev. 
J. M. Dosh was the leading spirit in the pioneer enterprise. Slow progress 
was made because of lack of men and money. In 1861 the membership numbered 
135. Shortly after this the organization was discontinued and the work was 
placed under the care of the West Des Moines Conference of Iowa.

   During the next few years a number of United Brethren families found 
homes in the eastern part of the state. In 1860 several families settled 
near Plattsmouth. In 1864 Wm H. Shepherd and R. Logan located there and 
preaching was provided for. In the same year Wm. P. Caldwell and E. J. 
Lamb from Iowa settled on Swan creek in Saline county. Soon afterwards 
they both began the work as regularly licensed ministers. In 1866 E. W. 
Johnson located in Seward county and at once began preaching. In 1870 
Simeon Austin of

Page 747

Illinois Conference, found a home in York county and also took up the work.

   Perhaps the best known of these early pioneers was Wm. P. Caldwell, who 
began preaching in Saline county in 1865, and remained in the active work 
as long as he lived. He was an earnest, consecrated worker, eminently 
fitted for the most difficult task of a pioneer preacher. One circuit he 
traveled was 350 miles around, which trip he made on horseback every four 
weeks, preaching thirty-seven times. His services were usually held in the 
homes of the people -- most of them living in sod houses or dug-outs. Yet 
they were eager to hear him, often going as far as twenty-five and thirty 
miles. He received little financial support, yet he toiled on without a 
word of complaint. He traveled one whole year for $37. One year his salary 
reached $175, including $25 missionary money. He was preëminently a soul 
winner, having taken over three thousand into the church during his period 
of labor. As a fitting expression of the appreciation of his work, a 
beautiful church has been dedicated to his memory in the city of Lincoln, 
known as the Caldwell Memorial Church.

   Another early pioneer was Simeon Austin, who labored in York county, 
beginning in 1867. He was an earnest, tireless worker, willingly enduring 
the greatest hardships for the sake of the cause to which he had devoted 
his life. In order to reach his appointments he was known to face the most 
severe storms and to swim swollen streams. He was one of the first 
presiding elders of Nebraska Conference and held that position for a 
number of years.

   Still another worthy pioneer was Elijah W. Johnson, who began preaching 
in Seward county in 1866. He was the first secretary of Nebraska 
Conference, holding that position for twenty years. He was also presiding 
elder for a number of terms.

   The work in Nebraska was permanently organized at Pleasant Hill, Saline 
county, October 30. 1873, by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner. At that time there 
were about twenty-five ministers, with seventy-four appointments and 840 
members. The following persons were assigned work the first year: W. S. 
Spooner, I. N. Martin, D. Edgerton, J. McDougal, P. M. Wells, Simeon 
Austin, Ives Marks, C. C. Kellogg, Wm. Pringle, C. Bowers, W. P. Caldwell, 
I. Belknap, E. W. Johnson, H. L. Spafford, W. H. Shepherd, John Johr, D. 
D. Weimer, J. Bremser, J. W. Ward, A. G. Cline, H. Lohr, and Wm. Venner. 
The following year the following additional men took work: C. W. Rose, S. 
P. Ross, Wm. Haten, J. C. Kenason, M. Waltermire, J. Faith, and O. 
Knepper, the latter having been assigned all of the territory north of the 
Platte river and west of the east boundary line of Buffalo county.

   After five years the membership had grown to 2394 and the number of 
ministers to about fifty. The work had extended so far westward that it 
was deemed advisable to divide the conference, and the East and West 
Nebraska conferences were formed in 1878. Among those who were active in 
the pioneer work of the West Conference were: I. Belknap, Chas. G. Bowers, 
J. Bremser, J. J. Haskins, C. C. Kellogg, E. L. Kenoyer, Obadiah Knepper, 
John McDougal, I. N. Martin, Thomas Parvin, Wm. S. Spooner, J. W. Ward, S. 
C. Abbott, B. M. Allen, David Edgerton, J. H. Fee, J. D. Fye, J. S. 
Squires, and George Embers.

   By the action of the General Conference in 1881, the northern part of 
the territory belonging to the East Nebraska Conference, was transferred 
to West Nebraska Conference. In 1882 West Nebraska Conference rejected the 
added territory and a separate conference was organized at Blair, 
Nebraska, April 1882, by Bishop Weaver, known as Elkhorn Conference. The 
name was afterwards changed to North Nebraska Conference. W. S. Spooner 
was the first presiding elder and the following men were assigned work: M. 
E. Noble, O. Knepper, T. Vail, E. R. Richmond, J. A. Lynn, T. P. Brown, J. 
Hatch, A. A. Webster.

   These three conferences operated until the year 1913, when they united, 
forming the present Nebraska Conference. At the time of the union there 
were sixty-five fields and about the same number of ministers, with 110 or-

Page 748

ganized churches and a membership of 7,156. During the first year the 
conference was divided into two districts, J. R. Mouer being presiding 
elder of the East district and S. M. Snider of the West. Since 1914 the 
conference has had but one superintendent. For two years the office was 
held by S. M. Snider. He was succeeded by W. O. Jones who is the present 
incumbent. Among the men who were active at the time of the union and 
subsequently were: L. L. Epley, A. R. Caldwell, H. H. Spracklen, M. O. 
McLaughlin, Wm. I,. Schell, F. W. Brink, E. F. Wagner, H. H. Heberly, S. 
Harvey, J. F. Mouer, Jas. Mason, T. K. Surface, J. M. Eads, W. Beasley, J. 
P. Blakely, S. S. Lemonds, and A. B. Small.

   The church has developed until at the present time it has eighty-three 
church houses, valued at $280,000, and a membership of 7,245. It maintains 
eighty-seven Sunday schools with an enrollment of 9,337.

   Auxiliary organizations are the Woman's Missionary Association and the 
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. The W. M. A. has twenty-nine 
societies with a membership of 679; the Christian Endeavor has fifty-seven 
societies with a membership of 1587.


EDUCATIONAL WORK

   Any history of the United Brethren church in Nebraska would be very 
incomplete without mention of the work done along educational lines. The 
work was begun at Gibbon, in 1886, when a school was established, known as 
the Gibbon Collegiate Institute. It was successful for a few years but the 
size of the town and the lack of adequate support made it necessary to 
seek a change of location.

   In the summer of 1890 several cities made propositions to the trustees 
for the re-location of the school. The best bid was made by York, which 
offered eighty acres of land and $20,000. This was accepted and the school 
was moved to York and has since been known as York College. It began 
operations in the Wirt Block with Rev. J. George as president in 
September, 1890. About fifty students were enrolled the first year, In 
1891 the Administration Building was begun and was ready for use by the 
beginning of the next year.

   The college consisted of the following departments: College, academy, 
normal, commercial, art, and music. There were two courses offered in the 
college department, the classical and scientific. Later a philosophical 
and literary course were added.

   It has always been the purpose of the management to make the school 
helpful in a social and moral way. In December, 1890, a Y.M.C.A. was 
organized and has been maintained ever isnce [sic]. The Amphictyon and 
Philomathean literary societies were organized in September, 1891, and 
have proven a very helpful factor in the social life of the school.

   After four years of service, President George was succeeded by Rev. W. 
S. Reese of Otterbein University. During his term of office the school was 
maintained with the greatest difficulty because of crop conditions. After 
three years he resigned and Rev. Wm. Schell was chosen in his stead.

   President Schell had been connected with the school in various ways, as 
teacher, lecturer, and college pastor and he entered upon the work with 
great zeal and determination. The sixteen years of service which he gave 
the school were marked by great progress. The Hulitt conservatory of music 
and the gymnasium were built and $60,000 was raised on endowment. State 
recognition was secured for the school. President Schell resigned in 1913 
to accept the position of general secretary of education of the United 
Brethren church. Rev. M. O. McLaughlin of Omaha was chosen to fill the 
vacancy.

   President McLaughlin was eminently qualified for the responsible 
position. Under his leadership the school took on new life, the endowment 
was raised to over $200,000, and York Business College became affiliated 
with York College. Also, both the academy and the college were brought tip 
to the standard required by the North Central Association of Colleges. In 
the fall of 1918 President McLaughlin was elected to Congress, 
representing the Fourth Congressional District of Nebraska.

   During the last ten years the average at-

Page 749

tendance of the school has been about 400, with over sixty in the college 
department. Its graduates are numbered by the hundreds and are to be found 
in many countries occupying positions of trust and honor. Ten are 
missionaries, fifty are ministers, and over a thousand are teachers.


REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES
BY REV. JOHN C. HORNING

   The history of the Reformed church in Nebraska begins soon after the 
organization of this territory into a state. Among the Swiss and German 
colonies that settled in this new state were many of the Reformed faith. 
In the early seventies we find ministers who migrated with or followed 
these people and ministered to their spiritual needs. It was largely due 
to their unaided initiative that the work in the interest of the Reformed 
church was begun. These ministers in their spiritual adventures shared 
with the settler the hardships and privations of frontier life, often 
earning their own livelihood by teaching school or engaging in some useful 
employment. These frontier settlers were not able to give much financial 
support, but they longed for the ministrations of the church of their 
fathers. Answering this desire for religious worship these pioneer 
ministers labored among them, conducting services in homes and in 
schoolhouses until a house of worship could be erected. The devoted people 
shared with them the fruits of the virgin soil. All these things worked 
together for sturdiness of stock and self-reliance in labors-qualities 
that wrought for the strength of the growing state.

   This branch of Protestantism takes it rise in the European Reformation 
of the sixteenth century. Ulrich Swingli, the protesting preacher of 
Zurich in Switzerland, was the founder, and John Calvin, the theologian of 
Geneva, was the organizer of the Reformed church. This church has been 
likened to the majestic Rhine river. Rising amid the snowclad heights of 
Switzerland it flows down through Alpine grandeur, on between the vineclad 
hills and through the fertile valleys of Germany, draws tributaries from 
flowery France, on across the lowlands of Holland into the broad sea which 
waters the lands of the globe. In colonial days the Reformed church was 
planted in the New World and has become one of the religious factors in 
our national life. Following the tide of migration this church slowly 
moved westward. At first through the initiative of individual ministers 
and later through mission boards the work was extended in the formative 
Western states. Lacking careful supervision in those early days the church 
has not conserved all the results of frontier efforts, but these have been 
carried oft through other channels toward building the Kingdom into the 
life of the West.


NEBRASKA CLASSIS

   An epochal event that gave more permanency to the work of the Reformed 
church in this new state was the organization of the several congregations 
into the body, known as Nebraska Classis. This became a constituent part 
of the Synod of the Northwest. This historical event took place in St. 
Peter's Reformed Church at Headland (now Yutan) on the twenty-second day 
of October, 1874. The active participants in effecting this permanent 
organization were Rev. Frederick Dieckman of Omaha, Rev. Frederick 
Hullhorst of Headland, and Rev. Abraham Schmeck of Columbus, who may be 
considered as the pioneers of this denomination in the state of Nebraska. 
Associated with them were Elders Christian Sauter, Samuel Imhof, and 
Frederick Scheele, laymen of the various congregations. This classical 
body has had a gradual growth until today it consists of fifteen 
ministers, three of whom have retired from active service, and thirteen 
congregations with a membership numbering 1,620. To this number is added 
the 350 or more members of the Reformed churches of Lincoln, Omaha, and 
Dawson, which are connected with Lincoln (English) Classis, making a 
membership of 1,970, with a thousand or two adherents. There are also two 
congregations belonging to the Reformed church in America, located at 
Holland and

Page 750

Adams, Nebraska, with a combined membership of about five hundred.


OMAHA

   About the year 1870 Rev. Frederic Dieckman came to the city of Omaha 
from Eastern states. He conducted preaching services and organized what 
was known as Salem Reformed Church. In 1878 there was reported a 
membership of fifty-three in the church and a Sunday school enrollment of 
fifty-eight. Little information is obtainable concerning this 
congregation, which, lacking mission supervision and support, was 
discontinued some time later. The work was organized in other parts of the 
state and not until 1905 were further efforts put forth in the city of 
Omaha. At that time under the direction of the Board of Home Missions, of 
which the Rev. Dewalt S. Foust was the general superintendent, Rev. F. S. 
Zaugg of Dayton, Ohio, was challenged to undertake work in this city. He 
entered upon this work in September, 1905, and after making a survey of 
the situation it was determined to locate the church at the corner of Deer 
Park boulevard and South Twenty-third street, where a substantial brick 
church building was erected at a cost of $8,000. Meanwhile services were 
held, and on February 28, 1906, a congregation was organized in the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Hinkhouse, 3519 South Twenty-fourth street with 
twenty-four charter members. The work grew in numbers and influence under 
the aggressive leadership of Rev. Mr. Zaugg, who in 1911, because of 
failing health, resigned. Rev. C. M. Rohrbaugh served as pastor until the 
spring of 1913, and after the supply pastorate of Rev. C. E. Holyoke of 
one year or more, Rev. J. F. Hawk became the regular pastor in January, 
1915, and continues the spiritual leadership of this congregation. The 
church has effectively ministered to the moral and spiritual upbuilding of 
the community and has sent forth a number of leaders in church work. Her 
sons served in some department of the army or navy and a number of them 
have received commission.


YUTAN

   While ministering to the congregation in Omaha Rev. Frederick Dieckman, 
in the early seventies, journeyed overland some thirty miles to a Swiss 
and German settlement in Saunders county, and in the vicinity of what was 
then known as Headland held preaching services in homes and in the 
schoolhouse. Encouraged by these occasional visits a group of people under 
his supervision effected the organization of a Reformed church. In the 
year 1874 Rev. Frederick Hullhorst, who was a practicing physician of the 
homeopathic school as well as pastor of the Reforrmed church at Columbus, 
Nebraska, accepted a call to the pastorate of the church at Headland.

   With the opening of the Union Pacific railroad this community center, 
known as Headland, shifted two or three miles to the north and was named 
Clear Creek, and later the name was changed to Yutan, the present town by 
that name. In 1880 a number of members of German Lutheran training 
withdrew from the Reformed church and organized a congregation of that 
denomination, and the Reformed people reorganized under the name St. 
Peter's Reformed Church. Having worshiped up to this time in the public 
school building they undertook the erection of a church building, which 
was completed and dedicated in 1882 by these earnest and devout people. 
While serving this congregation Rev. Mr. Hullhorst succeeded in organizing 
a congregation at Malmo, and for some years served them in connection with 
the congregation at Yutan. Malmo was later under the pastoral care of Rev. 
J. B. Braun, but now lost to this denomination. In 1907 Rev. F. Hullhorst, 
because of advancing years and failing health, retired from active 
service, and two years later passed on to the reward of his labors.

   Rev. Conrad Iffert succeeded to this pastorate and continued for eight 
years as their spiritual leader. In the spring of 1913 the church building 
was badly damaged by the cyclone that ravaged that region. With undaunted 
courage and the helping hand of neighboring congregations, the building 
was enlarged and modernly equipped for more aggressive service in the 
community. Since

Page 751

1916 Rev. Theodore Mueller has been their Leader in spiritual things.


SUTTON

   In the year 1878 there emigrated to this country colonists from the 
vicinity of Odessa, Russia, and settled in the neighborhood of Sutton, 
Nebraska. Through the missionary endeavors of Rev. Frederick Dieckman of 
Omaha, a congregation was organized on December 9, 1873. They were without 
regular pastoral ministrations for several years. Among the active laymen 
of the congregation were John Grosshans, and the Griess Brothers. On 
November 8, 1876, Rev. W. J. Bonekemper arrived from Germany. The members 
of this congregation, having had his father and brother as their pastors 
in Russia, invited him to become their spiritual leader. He was ordained 
to the Gospel ministry in the Congregational church of Sutton on February 
11, 1887, by Revs. Frederick and Charles Hullhorst, and on February 20 of 
the same year reorganized the congregation under the name of Immanuel 
Reformed Church. He continued the pastor of this church for thirty-two 
years. In 1895 its membership, confirmed and unconfirmed, was over 1000. 
In 1896 some members withdrew and organized an independent Reformed 
congregation, being served by an unordained minister. A second and similar 
congregation was organized in 1909, but this is now being served by a 
Reformed minister. Rev. L. Kunst became pastor in 1909, and was followed 
in 1913 by Rev. L. P. Kohler and in 1916 by Rev. R. Birk, who is at 
present the aggressive pastor.


LINCOLN

   In 1881 Rev. Edmund Erb came to the state of Nebraska. He was a native 
of Maryland. Reared on a farm by Christian parents he was led to enter the 
Gospel ministry. Graduating from Franklin and Marshall College at 
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and the Theological Seminary of the Reformed 
Church at Mercersburg of the same state, he was ordained to the ministry 
in July of 1863 in the Reformed church of Danville, New York, to the 
pastorate of which congregation he had been called. After serving this 
congregation for some years he became the pastor of the Reformed churches 
of Navarre and Apple Creek, Ohio, successively until his removal to 
Nebraska.

   While living at Aurora, Nebraska, he ministered as missionary to the 
English speaking groups of Reformed people in Saunders and adjoining 
counties. Some meager support was given by the mission board of the 
eastern church. In 1883 he took up his residence in Lincoln in order that 
he might more effectively follow the work of his calling. After preaching 
for some years at various points in and about the city he felt 
providentially led through the sorrowful death of his daughter to 
undertake the organization of a Reformed church in the city of his 
residence. Accordingly on the second Sunday of January, 1889, Faith 
Reformed Church was organized in the home of Rev. Mr. Erb, with ten 
charter members. Without missionary aid he continued the work, even 
providing the place of worship in a building of his own. On alternate 
Sundays he preached in Saunders county.

   In 1890, under the support of the Board of Home Missions, and at the 
invitation of Rev. Mr. Erb, Rev. Thomas F. Stauffer came from Abilene, 
Kansas, where he had been pastor of the Reformed church for some years, 
and took up the leadership of the Lincoln congregation. A lot was secured 
at Twenty-fourth and Vine streets and a temporary building was erected 
thereon. In the spring of 1898 a church building, erected on Q street near 
Fifteenth a few years before by the Lutheran denomination, was purchased 
and became the permanent home of this congregation, whose name was changed 
to St. Mark's Reformed Church.

   After the congregation was established in this new church home, Rev. 
Franklin H. Fisher became the pastor and some years after was succeeded by 
Rev. Peter M. Orr, under whose pastorate, extending over twelve years, it 
became a strong and substantial congregation.

   Through the missionary labors of Rev.

Page 752

Edmund Erb among the German-Russian people that settled in Lincoln, there 
was organized in October, 1891, Immanuel Reformed Church, which, under the 
pastorates of Rev. A. Kanne, 1892-1896, and Rev. Edward C. Stuebi, 1893-
1901, and Rev. John Arnold up to the present time, has grown in strength 
and influence among these people until today there is a membership of over 
five hundred.


RURAL CHURCHES

   As indicated in the preceeding record, the Reformed church has been a 
factor in molding the rural population, whence springs a sturdy stock for 
the making of state and nation.

[image caption: HOPE REFORMED CHURCH AND PARSONAGE Near Harbine, Nebraska]

   Among the Swiss settlers of Richardson county were a number of the 
Reformed faith. The record runs, "In December of 1871 the settlers of 
these parts dared for the first time to indulge the hope of having regular 
ministrations of God's word. Rev. F. Greenmiller declared himself ready to 
come over from Fall City every alternate Sunday and conduct Divine 
Worship. In this first gathering fifteen persons signified their readiness 
to help in building Zion. George Schneider was then elected elder and John 
Wittwer deacon." The pastor records, "We celebrated our first communion in 
the Schoolhouse (on the Rattlesnake) on the ninth day of June 1872." He 
further adds, "My support for the first year on the Rattlesnake was 
$73.00." At what is known as the Four Mile he held services in the home of 
Father Frankhouser for a number of years.

   In 1878 Rev. Daniel Greenwald became pastor of the congregation 
organized as Zion's Reformed Church, serving this congregation in 
connection with the church at Fairview, Kansas. In 1895 a church building 
was erected on the ground donated by M. Von Bergen and wife, and in the 
following year a parsonage was built. This has grown into a prosperous 
country church, and with an, enlarged and modernly equipped church is 
giving itself, under the pastorate of Rev. C. J. Snyder, to the church's 
task in the community. Not far from Humbolt are two prosperous 
congregations, St. John's in Pawnee county and Salem in Richardson county, 
organized in 1884 and 1885 by Rev. J. G. Steinert. One of these is the 
previously mentioned Four Mile church. Rev. Conrad Iffert is the present 
pastor.

   In the early seventies there settled in Stanton and Wayne counties 
Reformed people from Lippe, Germany. At the request of an active layman, 
Franz Puls, the mission board sent Rev. Otto Kuhn to minister unto these 
people and in August 30, 1881, Peace (evangelical) Reformed Church was 
organized in Stanton county. A second congregation was organized in Wayne 
county on May 9, 1886, by Rev. Mr. Kuhn, who continued to minister in 
spiritual things to these churches until 1892. Under succeeding pastors 
unto the present, Rev. August E. Hammann, these churches have rendered 
spiritual service unto these communities.

   Into the neighborhood of Harbine there came in the year of 1880 
Reformed families from Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. Among them were Adolf 
Arpke and Ernest Stahl, devout laymen, who gathered the people together 
each Sunday for divine service, reading the Bible and a printed sermon. In 
1882 Rev. William Koehler, under the direction of the mission board, began 
ministering to these people, and on Januuary 14, 1883, Hope Reformed 
Church was organized. Under the succeeding pastorate of Rev. A. G. Lohmann 
a house of worship and parsonage were built, and in 1890 the congregation 
became self-supporting. During the pastorate of Rev. John Schmalz the 
present modern and well arranged

Page 753

building was erected in 1911. With the support of these sturdy and 
progressive farmers this congregation is rendering an increasing service 
to the community. The present pastor is Rev. H. C. Greib.

   Platte county, where there was a settlement of Swiss people, presented 
difficulties for the work of the church. The soil was sandy, the people 
were poor and had to struggle for bread for their own families. While 
devoted to the church of their fathers they were able to give little 
financial support. One pastor writes, "In general the history of all our 
pastors from 1870 to 1900 was a struggle with poverty. One of these 
pioneer missionaries had for a period of three months only corn bread to 
eat." Only the stout hearts continued in the work and now they are reaping 
the fruits of their labors.

   In 1889 these Reformed people with little means felt the necessity of 
having a regular pastor, and accordingly extended a call to Rev. J. B. 
Braun. He accepted the call and has continued the faithful pastor of the 
Bruetli and Duncanan congregations until the present. He summarizes thirty 
years of his pastorate thus, "The pastor and his flock live together like 
a family under the care of the Father. As I can see, the primitive 
confidence and love have not diminished. We are thirty regular families 
and some friends. My class of confirmants consists of the children of 
fathers and mothers I confirmed. We have not worked special wonders except 
the wonders of love." Such wonders will make a state a place where people 
will desire to dwell.

   Other congregations, as at York, where Rev. J. Schmalz ministers, at 
Harvard, where Rev. F. P. Franke has been pastor for some years, and at 
Belden in the northern part of the state, where Rev. J. Bohler is pastor, 
are to be added to the list of Reformed churches.

   These all are rendering their varying, measure of moral and spiritual 
ministry to the people, setting in motion impulses and influences that 
make for the moral stability and material prosperity of the state and 
through the state for the welfare of the nation.


UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BY W. R. GRAY, D.D.

   The earliest regular work of the United Presbyterian church in Nebraska 
was undertaken about a decade before statehood was secured. According to 
the records at hand the first congregation organized in Nebraska territory 
was at Rock Bluff in Cass county in the year 1857. This work still 
continues under the name of Murray. Near the same time a work was started 
also at Nebraska City but after some eleven or twelve years it was 
discontinued. The oldest congregation in the state that has retained its 
name unchanged is North Bend, which dates its life from the year 1861. In 
1867 an organization was effected at Pawnee City, and in 1868 in Omaha. 
For nearly thirty years the Nebraska congregations were connected with the 
Synod of Iowa. In 1886 application was made to the General Assembly for 
the erection of a new synod to be called the Synod of Nebraska, and to 
include all the work of the church in Nebraska and also the Presbytery of 
Colorado. This application was granted and on September 28th of that same 
year the formal organization of the Synod of Nebraska took place in the 
city of Omaha. Rev. Marion Morrison, D.D., was the first moderator and 
Rev. Rufus Johnston the first stated clerk.

   Among the ministers of note who have labored in Nebraska mention may be 
made of the following: Rev. Marion Morrison, D.D., a veteran home 
missionary, whose last pastoral work was at Mission Creek in Pawnee 
county.; Rev. Thomas McCague, D.D., formerly a missionary to Egypt, who 
became the first pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church, Omaha; 
Rev. R. J. McCready, D.D., for more than thirty years pastor of the First 
Church, Pawneee City; Rev. John Williamson, D.D., the first pastor of the 
Central Church, Omaha; Rev. Alexander Gilchrist, D.D., who succeeded Dr. 
Williamson, and who was called by the General Assembly from that position 
to the office of corresponding secretary of the Board of Home Missions of 
the entire church.

Page 754

   The United Presbyterian church has not taken root in Nebraska to the 
same extent that it has in several other western states, yet there are 
within the state two presbyteries and twenty congregations with a 
membership aggregating 2176. These congregations contributed to all 
purposes last year more than $50,000, an average per member of nearly $24. 
The following is a list of the more prominent congregations, at the 
present time: First Church, Omaha; Central Church, Omaha; South Omaha; 
Dunbar; North Bend; First Church, Lincoln; Minden; Superior; Burchard; 
First Church, Pawnee City; and Mission Creek, a strong country church in 
Pawnee county.

   To give this brief historical statement the semblance of completeness 
it is necessary to mention two other matters of interest which for a time, 
contributed materially to the life of the church. These were The Midland, 
and the Pawnee Academy. The Midland was a weekly church paper published 
for a number of years in Omaha under the able and vigorous editorial 
management of Rev. Edwin Brown Graham. While Mr. Graham was pastor of the 
First Church, Omaha, in 1886, he purchased The Midland which up to that 
time had been published in St. Louis, and transferred its place of 
publication to Omaha. This paper filled a large place in the life of the 
church throughout the west. After some years it was thought that its 
location was too far west and it was moved to Chicago. The other matter of 
history deserving mention was the academy at Pawnee City which for a 
number of years did a splendid work in the academic training of a large 
number of young people. But when the high school system of the state was 
developed there was no longer need for the academy and it was closed.

   At the present time, with a very few exceptions, all the United 
Presbyterian congregations in the state are in splendid condition, and are 
doing vigorous work under efficient pastors. In their sphere they have 
been a power for the upbuilding of a strong, virile citizenship.


UNITED DANISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMERICA
BY PROF. P. S. VIG

   As the church body of that name is made up of Danish immigrants and 
their descendants, it will be in order -- as an introduction to its 
history -- to say a word or two about Danish immigration to America, its 
age, number, distribution and character. of the 3,500,000 Danes, now 
living, more than 500,000 are in the United States, reckoning those born 
in Denmark and their children, and including, also, the Danes from North 
Schleswig, of which a great number have come to the United States since 
1864, when that part of Denmark by force and against its own will was 
incorporated into the Germany empire to avoid service in the Germany army. 
In United States statistics the Danes from Schleswig are counted as born 
in Germany.

   The first Danes that came to America -- as far as we know -- were the 
crews of two Danish ships that under the command of Captain Jens E. Munk, 
in 1619 were sent out by the Danish government to find the Northwest 
Passage to India, but found instead a graveyard at the mouth of Churchill 
river in Hudson Bay. From 1638 we find a goodly number of Danes among the 
Dutch settlers in what is now New York, city and state, and their 
descendants are now found all over the union as shown by their names. To 
mention Nebraska as an instance, such names as Sloat, Flansburg, Herman 
are originally Danish and hail from Danish settlers among the Dutch in New 
York. In the eighteenth century a number of Danes are found among the 
Germans of Pennsylvania, both as preachers and members of German 
congregations, Lutheran and Moravian, and several Danes fought as officers 
and privates in the Revolutionary War. But the real Danish immigration 
started in 1848 when the first body of country people came here and 
settled in Brown county, Wisconsin, where they cleared "Denmark township" 
and lived in their new home in Danish country style, harvesting their 
grain with the scythe and

Page 755

threshing it with the flail to keep themselves warm in the cold winter 
days.

   From 1851 a large percentage of the Danish immigrants were Mormons. 
United States statistics say that in 1850 there were 1838 Danes in United 
States, and of these, two only in Utah Territory. In 1860 of 9962 Danes in 
United States, 1824 in Utah Territory. And in 1870 of 30,098 Danes in the 
United States, 4957 were in Utah.

   The Danes in United States are very much scattered. They are found in 
every state of the Union, but the great bulk of them are found in the 
central states. In 1910 there were 107,000 persons born in Denmark. In the 
thirteen central states: in Iowa 17,960, Illinois 17,370, Wisconsin 16,
450, Minnesota 16,140, and in Nebraska 13,170. In California there were in 
1910, 14,200 persons born in Denmark, and in New York 12,500. In all other 
states the number of Danes in any one state was less than 10,000.

   Within the different states the Danes are found in almost any county. 
There are but very few real large settlements of them. The largest number 
of Danes in cities are found in Chicago, Illinois (ca 12,000), New York 
(ca 6,000), Omaha, Nebraska (ca 2,500), Racine, Wisconsin (ca 3,000), San 
Francisco, California (ca 2,500), Minneapolis, Minnesota (ca 500). The 
largest settlements of Danes are in Shelby, Audubon, Pottawatamie, 
Blackhawk, and Montana counties, Iowa, and in Howard, Lancaster, 
Washington, Kearney, Hamilton and Nuckolls counties, Nebraska.

   Nearly all Danes are able to read and write and have had religious 
training from their childhood, having learned by heart Luther's smaller 
catechism and a Bible history, and were when they came here nominal 
members of the Lutheran church, the national church of Denmark, and as 
such supported by the government. They had been taught to work as soon as 
they were able to. They came to America, not for religious purposes, but 
to better their material circumstances and if possible, get a home of 
their own.

   And in this they have largely succeeded, especially those that were 
wise enough to get hold of a piece of land and stick to it during hard 
times. There are but few very rich Danes, but fewer inmates of the 
poorhouse. We can boast of but one, Jacob A. Riis, but we are glad that 
but few jail-birds are of Danish birth and descent. One Mormon apostle now 
living was born in Denmark, and I do not know how many bishops of the same 
faith. About one hundred Episcopal clergymen, now living, are of Danish 
descent, among them one bishop. Two bishops of the Moravian church were 
born in Denmark, and at least three members of the present United States 
Congress are of Danish descent, two of them born in Denmark.

   Most of the Danes came here without understanding or being able to 
speak one word English, many without friends with whom they could speak. 
They therefore had to begin life over again as far as language was 
concerned, making themselves understood by signs and sounds as well as 
they could, picking up a few words every day, learning to put them 
together and pronounce them just like babies. Going to church did not help 
them much as they did not understand the language used in the service. The 
first preachers among them that spoke a language they understood were 
generally Danish Baptists, especially in the cities, and on that account a 
good many of the earliest immigrants from Denmark joined the Baptist 
church. Others joined the Methodist church, won over by Danish or 
Norwegian missionaries, and some became members of the Norwegian and 
Swedish Lutheran congregations where such were found in the neighborhood. 
But the large majority of the first immigrants became entirely estranged 
to all church life, and had a baneful influence in that respect on the 
later coming of their countrymen in America.

   The church in Denmark did not care for those of its children that lived 
out of the kingdom, and the Danish people as a whole knew nothing about 
those of their countrymen who had emigrated to America and they took it 
for granted that the state in America took care of church matters as in 
Denmark. Letters from such as had gone to

Page 756

America to friends in the old country helped to show how things stood. And 
a Dane, Claus I. Clausen, who in 1843 had gone to America as Lutheran 
pastor among Norwegian immigrants in Wisconsin, made a trip home in 1868, 
and held several meetings with Christian friends in which he spoke of the 
dire need of Christian workers among the Danes in United States, and 
encouraged his countrymen to do all in their power to help. Pastor 
Clausen's appeal had the result that an association for mission among 
Danes in United States was formed in 1869, composed of four clergymen and 
one layman. Said association through the press, called upon Christian 
friends all over the country to help and find both means and men to 
alleviate the need of their countrymen in far-off America. And in 1871 the 
association sent three workers to America, an ordained clergyman, Grove 
Rasmussen, who had been deposed from his office in Schleswig by the German 
government because he would not swear allegiance to the German emperor, 
and two lay missionaries, A. S. Nielsen and R. Andersen. Pastor Rasmussen 
was sent out to survey the field and then return and report to the 
association in Denmark, which he did, coming as far west as Grand Island, 
Nebraska, and north to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

   A. S. Nielsen was called as pastor by a Danish congregation in Cedar 
Falls, Iowa, and ordained in November, 1871, by Rev. C. L. Clausen in St. 
Ansgar, Iowa. R. Andersen was, after having completed his studies at a 
Norwegian theological seminary in Marshall, Wisconsin, ordained as pastor 
for a Danish congregation in Waupaca, Wisconsin, in 1872. Such was the 
small beginning of the Lutheran mission among the Danish immigrants in the 
United States who in 1870 numbered more than 30,000. New workers came from 
Denmark from year to year, new congregations were formed and church 
buildings erected in town and country. A church paper was started in 1872, 
a conference was formed in 1874, a high school started in 1878, in Elk 
Horn, Iowa, a weekly newspaper, Dannevirke, was started in 1880, also at 
Elk Horn, Iowa. In 1887 a theological seminary was opened at West Denmark, 
Polk county, Wisconsin, with two professors, of which the writer was one. 
Things seemed to go smoothly forward, and in 1894 "The Danish Evangelical 
Lutheran Church in America," the name of the body since 1874, had about 60 
ministers and 120 congregations.

   But a house divided against itself cannot stand and the Danish church 
was such a house. The majority of its ministers belonged to the so-called 
"Gratindtvigian" wing of the church of Denmark, so named after the poet 
and historian N. F. S Grundtvig (1783-1872), one of the greatest and most 
influential personalities that ever lived in Denmark. In his fight against 
rationalism he made the assertion that the foundation of the church is not 
holy scripture but the apostolic confession. The three articles of that 
creed are the living Word in comparison with which the scripture is dead 
and powerless. In other words, Grundtvig and his followers, also in the 
Danish church in America, put tradition above holy writ. A hot fight about 
the scriptures took place among the members of the conference, both in the 
papers and at meetings, and it was impossible to come to any agreement. 
Finally, in 1894 a split took place in the church body. About twenty-two 
ministers and their congregations left the conference in refusing to 
subscribe to a new constitution, adopted in 1893.

   These seceders adopted a Lutheran constitution in harmony with their 
ordination vow, and took the name "The Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of North America" and started a theological seminary at Elk Horn, Iowa, 
with the writer as professor. It was deemed necessary to go this way to 
trace the origin of one of the parts that formed the union now known as 
"The United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America." We shall now 
briefly trace the origin of the other part of said union.

   While the Grundtvigian wing of the church of Denmark was the first to 
take up mission work among Danish immigrants in the United States, another 
wing of the same church, known as "The Inner Mission," was the first to 
call the attention of Christian

Page 757

people in Denmark to the need of church work among such that had emigrated 
from Denmark to foreign lands, and especially to America. And after the 
Grundtvigians had taken up the work, Inner Mission, who had its hands full 
in working for Christian life among the masses of the national church at 
home, felt relieved and hoped to be able to work together with the 
Grundtvigians in America. But as it became more and more evident that the 
aforesaid named association sought its missionaries for America educated 
under exclusive Grundtvigian influence, the Inner Mission advised such 
young men of its midst that felt called upon to go to America as 
missionaries among their countrymen, to get their education for the 
ministry at the Augsburg Theological Seminary at Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
at that time owned by the Norwegian-Danish Conference for the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church in America, of which church body the aforenamed Rev. C. L. 
Clausen was the first president (1870).

   The first young Dane from the Inner Mission side that came to Augsburg 
Seminary to be educated for the ministry among his countrymen in the 
United States, was A. M. Andersen, now for many years editor of the 
Danskeren, a weekly Christian newspaper published by the United D. E. L. 
Church in Blair, Nebraska. Andersen came to this country in 1872 and after 
having completed his studies at Augsburg, in 1874, he was ordained pastor 
for a Danish congregation in Damsbray, Nebraska. He joined the Norwegian-
Danish Conference aforenamed. Another young Dane, now Rev. H. Hansen, of 
Fresno, Calif., who came to the United States in 1865, had entered 
Augsburg Seminary before Andersen and was ordained also in 1874, to work 
among his countrymen in the state of Nebraska. And, to be brief, from 1872 
to 1874, there were in all ten young Danes who studied at Augsburg 
Seminary and became pastors of Danish Lutheran congregations and joined 
the Norwegian-Danish Conference. Since 1877 these Danish ministers had 
their own Danish church paper, edited by Rev. A. M. Andersen, Racine, Wis.

   It will thus be seen that since 1872 there were two different 
missionary activities among the Danish Lutherans in this country, both 
claiming to represent the Lutheran church in the old country and each 
accusing the other to be the cause of division and opposition. It will be 
seen, also, that the division among the Danish ministers in America had 
its source in the church of Denmark. But while the different wings there 
worked inside of the national church, each in its own way, in this country 
there was no national church in which they could work, and consequently 
each had to build for itself, stand on its own feet.

   The Danes belonging to the Norwegian-Danish Conference felt more and 
more that although they were at one with conference in doctrine and church 
principles it hindered their work among their countrymen that they stood 
as members of a Norwegian church body, of which but few of their 
congregation were members. For that reason they, after much and 
conscientious deliberation, agreed to sever their connections with the 
Norwegians and, if possible, either connect themseves with the Danish 
church, or, if that proved to be out of question, start for themselves, as 
best they could.

   In September, 1884, at a meeting in Argo, Burt county, Nebraska, six 
ministers and some lay delegates agreed to constitute themselves a 
Lutheran church body, adopted a Lutheran constitution and took the name of 
"The Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church Association of America." The new 
church body agreed to start a theological seminary at Blair, Nebraska, 
with Rev. A. M. Andersen as president. At the meeting at Argo one 
candidate was ordained and two ministers admitted to the church. It should 
be added that before the meeting at Argo was held the ministers had 
through their secretary, corresponded with the officers of the Danish 
church and come to the conclusion that union with that body was out of the 
question.

   Having thus traced the origin of the other part of the union now known 
as the United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, we shall 
briefly follow the steps that led up to said union in 1896.

   The church body of 1884 numbered nine

Page 758

ministers, nineteen congregations, and fifteen mission stations. In 1896, 
when it held its last annual conference, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, it had 
42 ministers and 57 congregations and 25-30 mission stations, and about 7,
000 communicants. Since 1884, it had its theological seminary, "Trinity 
Seminary" at Blair, Nebraska. In 1892 it started a mission among the 
Indians in what is now Oklahoma, through Rev. N. L. Nielsen, who is still 
working there. In 1890 a weekly child's paper was started, in 1893 a 
publishing house was started at Blair, Nebraska, "Danish Lutheran 
Publishing House."

   After the split, in 1894, in the Danish church, it was but natural that 
the Danish Church Association sought to affiliate with the minority that 
had organized at Elk Horn, Iowa, as stated above, so as to avoid having 
three small church bodies of the same faith in the United States and 
working in the same field. Discussions for that purpose were started in 
the papers. Meetings from both sides were held, and finally a joint 
commitee was appointed to draft a common constitution, with the 
understanding that when such constitution was unanimously adopted by both 
church bodies at their annual meetings a meeting to complete the union 
should be held by delegates from both sides. All the preliminary steps 
having been taken the union was completed at a meeting at Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, held from September 30 to October 2, 1896, where "The United 
Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America" became a reality. It 
consisted of 63 ministers, 8 lay missionaries, 127 congregations and 33 
preaching stations.

   According to the report of the secretary to the last annual meeting 
(1918) the church has now 118 ministers, 189 congregations, 40 preaching 
stations and about 25,000 baptized members; 10 ministers have died since 
1896, and 5 are on the retired list.

   At its first annual meeting, at Blair, Nebraska, 1897, the United 
Church was incorporated under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with the 
head office at Blair, Nebraska.

   The church today is divided into nine districts, a necessity because of 
its wide field of work. Each of these districts has its board of directors 
whose president reports to the annual meeting of the church.

   The United Church is a missionary church both in the home and foreign 
field. Each of its districts support one or more home missionaries. 
Several districts have supported missions in the larger cities till the 
congregations there were able to uphold themselves.

   In the foreign field the church supports the following missions: 1. 
Among the Indians in Oklahoma as mentioned above. One important factor in 
this mission is its school work through which many young members have been 
added to the church.
   2. Since 1900 it has supported a mission in Japan with Kurume as 
center. That mission was started by Rev. J. M. Th. Winther, a graduate 
from our theological seminary at Blair. At present there are three 
ordained missionaries from our church working there, and also a native 
minister and several lay helpers. Our missionaries uphold a theological 
school in common with another American Lutheran Mission from the southern 
states.

   Besides this we have immigrant missions in New York and Boston, and a 
seaman's mission in San Francisco, California. And also a mission among 
the Mormons in Utah.


TRINITY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

   It has been stated above that the small church body, organized at Argo, 
Nebraska, in 1884 took steps to start a school for future ministers. In 
the fall of 1894 Rev. A. M. Andersen started such a school in his home in 
Blair with four students. The professor, students, and the professor's 
family slept under the same roof, ate at the same table as best they 
could. Rev. Andersen was on the lookout for a larger home for the school. 
An offer of $5,000 was given by the citizens of Omaha, on the conditions 
that the school be moved there and Andersen put up an equal sum. But money 
was not plentiful in those days, especially not among Danish church 
people, so Andersen declined the offer.

   The city of Blair made an offer of $3,000 on the same conditions. And 
Andersen mustered

Page 759

up courage to accept it, in hopes that he would be able to collect an 
equal sum among his church friends. He succeeded, although not without 
difficulties, and in the fall of 1886 a four story building, erected on 
the bluffs northwest of the city of Blair, was dedicated as the future 
home of Trinity Theological Seminary, the first school of its kind among 
Danish Lutherans in the United States. Before long it was found necessary 
to start a pro-seminary course, and also a course for those who wished to 
study English and common school branches in the English language, during 
the winter months. Still later it was found advisable to open a course for 
young ladies during three summer months.

   Rev. Andersen was president of the school till 1889, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. G. B. Christiansen, who held that position till 1896, 
when the school became the property of the United Church. Rev. G. B. 
Christiansen was elected president of the United Church, an office he 
still holds.

   During Christiansen's presidency a wing was added to the main building 
and, later, in 1903, another wing and also a ladies' dormitory and a 
gymnasium. Since the school, in 1899, became co-educational and a college 
department was added, its enrollment increased till about 150-175 a year, 
all told. It now comprises eight departments with a staff of ten 
instructors and some assistants. The value of buildings, grounds, and 
equipment is about $75,000. The school has no endowments of any kind.

   About 4,000 young men and women, mostly of Danish descent, have gone 
out from its halls to their different stations in life and are now spread 
all over our country. About 100 ministers have graduated from the 
theological school. About 100 graduates have been fighting on the bloody 
battle fields of France in the late world war. Some of our theological 
graduates have worked as camp pastors and one as army chaplain at the 
front, the Rev. James C. Peterson, a native of Nebraska, born and raised 
on a farm in Nuckolls county. Our oldest professor, C. X. Hansen, M.A., 
was one of the first students of the school. He is now principal of Dana 
College. P. S. Vig is head of the theological seminary, and Rev. L. A. 
Laursen president of the whole school.

   The medium of instruction is the English language, the theological is 
bi-lingual, as the majority of our congregations, at present.

   Danish Lutheran Publishing House has been mentioned above. It comprises 
a general book store and printing and publishing establishment owned and 
run by the United Church. It publishes the following papers: Danskeren, a 
weekly newspaper in the Danish language, started at Neenah, Wisconsin, in 
1892, by Rev. J. N. Jersild, who sold it to the church in 1897. The 
present editor is Rev. A. M. Andersen.

   Bornevennen (The Child's Friend), a weekly child's paper in the Danish 
language, editor Rev. L. Jensen, Ruskin, Nebraska.

   The Little Lutheran, a weekly child's paper in the English language; 
editor, Rev. H. W. Bondo, Harlan, Iowa.

   De Unges Veit, a weekly bi-lingual young peoples' paper, Rev. I. 
Gertsen, Council Bluffs, Iowa, editor.

   Dansk Lutheran Kirkebald, a weekly church paper, Rev. M. N. Andreasen, 
Cedar Falls, Iowa, editor.

   The present manager of the Danish Lutheran Publishing House is Mr. H. 
Skov Nielsen.

   The United Church supports two orphan homes, one at Elk Horn, Iowa, and 
one at Waupaca, Wisconsin, both small. Also a sanatarium and old people's 
home at Brush, Colorado, started and managed by Rev. J. Madsen.

   The above mentioned branches of work were started and are upheld by a 
comparatively small and poor church body. But in unity is strength, says 
an old proverb, and that has been our experience so far. We feel assured 
that we shall experience the same during the transition period in which we 
live. And we feel, also, that we have served our adopted country in 
working among its immigrants for upholding and futherance of religion and 
morale, the foundation of home, state, and country.


DANISH LUTHERANS IN NEBRASKA

   The first Danes that came to Nebraska, as

Page 760

far as we know, were not Lutherans. A Danish sailor, Hansen, from 
Copenhagen, became a member of the Mormon church in Boston about 1845. He 
was in the Mormon exodus to the Great Salt Lake in 1847, and came through 
the Nebraska wilderness.

   The next Danes that came through Nebraska were gold diggers on their 
way home from far off California.

   The first Danes that settled in Nebraska were apostates from Mormonism, 
some before they came to Utah, and a good many more, after they had been 
there, and it was possible for them to get back or away. A great many of 
those settled in Omaha and vicinity, Fremont, Grand Island, etc. The 
first, or one of the first, Lutheran preachers in Nebraska was pastor 
Grove Rasmussen, mentioned in a former part of this sketch, who made a 
tour of investigation in 1871, through the central states of the United 
States. He preached to Danes both in Omaha and Grand Island, and was the 
main speaker at a Fourth of July celebration at Grand Island. There he met 
with some of the Danish pioneers on their way to their new colony in 
Howard county. They wanted him to go with them and take a claim and become 
their pastor, but he declined and returned to Denmark.

   The first Lutheran preacher that settled in Nebraska, was Anders F. 
Andersen, a young Danish layman who had taken a course at high school in 
the old country and came to the United States in 1873, to work at his 
trade. He was a carpenter and preached the gospel to his countrymen. He 
offered his services to the Danish ministers in Wisconsin, and was sent to 
Omaha, Nebraska. Andersen's first acquaintance with the far West was not 
of the most pleasant kind. He barely escaped having his pockets picked at 
Council Bluffs, and in Omaha he found but very few Danes that had any use 
for preaching and preachers of any kind. Andersen went to work on the 
railroad, had a shanty built near the old Union Pacific station, and there 
he preached to those who cared to come and hear him. In 1874 there were 
quite a number of young Danes in Omaha who went to Kearney county and took 
land.

   Andersen went with them and took a claim in company with his brother. 
From time to time he went out on preaching tours, and came as far east as 
Washington county. Went on foot from there to the Danish settlement north 
of Fremont, often barefoot with stockings and shoes over his shoulder and 
staff in hand. He was a good speaker, and well liked by those who were 
friends of the Gospel. He visited most of the Danish settlements in 
Nebraska and also in northern Kansas. He was too poor to buy horses, so he 
broke prairie with a span of young bulls. For that reason a Danish paper 
in Omaha nicknamed him, "the bull preacher." His health not being strong 
he went to the Pacific coast and finally settled in Eugene, Oregon, where 
he died in 1911.

   The first ordained Danish minister who settled in Nebraska was the Rev. 
H. Hansen, mentioned above. He settled in Omaha in 1874 and with great 
effort he succeeded to, get a church built on St. Mary's avenue. Hansen 
was an indefatigable worker, and with his span of small ponies he drove up 
and preached for the Danes in Washington, Burt, Dodge, and Seward counties 
and other places. Sometimes both he and the ponies came near drowning or 
freezing to death, but he generally managed to meet his appointments in 
spite of all hindrances. Having lost his congregation in Omaha, through 
machinations upon which here is no place to enter, Rev. Hansen was called 
to a new congregation near Hampton, Hamilton county, where he worked for a 
number of years. He became the first president of the new church body of 
1884. He now lives retired in Fresno, California.

   Rev. A. M. Andersen settled in Daneborg, Howard county, also in 1874, 
the first pastor at that place. It was in the days of small things at that 
place. The parsonage consisted of two small rooms, and its furniture had 
cost $24. But the young parson's charge was certainly large enough. He 
preached besides in Dannebrog, at Oak Creek, now Nysted, Turkey Creek, 
Munson Creek, Hampton, Hamilton county, Staplehurst, Seward county, and in 
Spring Creek, now Ruskin, in Nuckolls county, only 120 miles away. Before 
starting

Page 761

out on this long trip the pastor was careful to provide himself with a 
substantial lunch and oats or corn for the mule, if such was available, 
which quite often it was not, for these were the years of the 
grasshoppers. When the minister and his mule had gone long enough to feel 
tired they halted, the pastor eating part of his provision while the mule 
did its best to get a lunch grazing on the road. This had to be repeated 
several times before reaching their destination. More than once they had 
to pass the night on the road when the mud was deep and rivers swollen and 
bridges gone. Happy were the travelers if they could find a homestead not 
too far away, for that meant lodging under cover for them both. Hotels and 
feed stables they had to pass by, if such could be found, for money and 
pioneer preachers but seldom were found together. Forty dollars a year 
from each place was a big salary for a preacher in those days, if not for 
him, certainly from the standpoint of the poor homesteaders. But great was 
the joy when the preacher came, even if two days too late. The narrow 
schoolhouse was packed with eager listeners to his sermon, and the 
preacher forgot all his troubles on the road, and made announcement for 
the next meeting, so many weeks or months ahead.

   These meetings in the poor and small schoolhouses on the prairie were 
one of the few bright spots in the hard life of the early settlers in 
western Nebraska, and are looked back upon as such by the old pioneers.

   We might keep on relating incidences from the lives of several other 
pioneer preachers, but it is time to close. There are at present between 
fifty and sixty Danish Lutheran congregations within the state of 
Nebraska; of these more than two-thirds belong to the United Church, the 
rest to the Danish Church. The oldest congregation belonging to the United 
Church is in Hampton, Nebraska, (1874), the largest is in Ruskin, 
Nebraska. There are twenty-five ministers and some lay missionaries of the 
United Church and eight ministers of the Danish Church in the state.

   There is now a movement on foot to unite the two Danish Lutheran church 
bodies in America, and it seems likely that such, union will be 
accomplished in the near future.


LUTHERAN CHURCH
BY LUTHER M. KUHNS

   In 1858, Rev. Henry W. Kuhns, D.D., left Pittsburgh, and after nineteen 
days of continuous traveling, he arrived in Omaha, then an Indian trading 
post, with a commission in his pocket from the Allegheny Lutheran

[image caption: H. W. KUHNS, D.D.]

Synod, appointing him as "the representative of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church to Nebraska and adjacent parts." A glance at the old Mitchell 
geography, then in use, will show the sweeping character of that 
commission. On horseback he rode over the district assigned him, caring 
for the twenty-six places where he had organized congregations or 
established preaching stations. His work took him to Yankton, Dakota, on 
the north, to. Leavenworth and Lawrence, Kansas, on the south, and as far 
west as Laramie, Wyoming. All through this region he cared for the varied 
interests of the Lutheran church and in very many places

Page 762

he secured church lots that are in use today by English, German, or 
Scandinavian Lutheran churches. This was before the day of church boards 
in the denomination, and Rev. A. W. Lilly, D.D., president of the board of 
church extension, recognized it as laying the foundation for the present 
work of the church. It was the beginning of things, and pioneer work in 
home missions.

   The first Lutheran church organized in Nebraska was "Emmanuel 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Omaha," now known as the Kountze Memorial. 
The first church building erected and dedicated was that in Dakota City. 
The contractor was Augustus Haase, who is still living. This church 
building, one of the oldest, if not the oldest remaining in which English 
services are held, is still standing. The first German Lutheran church 
organized was at Fontenelle. Rev. Dr. Kuhns met Hon. Henry Sprick in the 
store of James G. Megeath, Omaha. In Mr. Sprick's ox wagon

[image caption: FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH BUILDING IN NEBRASKA Erected at 
Dakota City in 1860 by Augustus Haase, who is still living there. Rev. 
Henry W. Kuhns was the first missionary pastor of this church and was 
succeeded by Rev. Samuel Aughey. The building is still standing, and is 
probably the oldest church building belonging to any denomination in 
Nebraska.]

he returned with him to Fontenelle and in Mr. Sprick's log house, with the 
assistance of Dr. Augustus Roeder, of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Omaha, Dr. 
Kuhns organized this German Lutheran church. Remains of the old log house 
are still standing in the little village, while a splendid brick church, a 
fine parochial school building, and an excellent parsonage tell the story 
of progress.

   After Dr. Kuhns had labored in Nebraska alone for some four or five 
years he suceeded in inducing Rev. J. F. Kuhlman to come to his 
assistance, and later Rev. J. G. Groenmiller, D.D. Both of these ministers 
were from the Allegheny Lutheran Synod. By their coming the work was 
strengthened. Mr. Kuhlman and Mr. Groenmiller cared for the German-English 
and German work of the church, and Dr. Kuhns was enabled to devote his 
time to the church in Omaha now demanding his exclusive services. Mr. 
Kuhlman's labors were largely, though not exclusively, in the northern

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part of the state, while Dr. Groenmiller labored in southern Nebraska and 
northern Kansas. Some time later Rev. Samuel Aughey, Ph.D., LL.D., at 
onetime professor of sciences in the University of Nebraska, Rev. Josiah 
Zimmerman, and Rev. Eli Huber, professor of biblical literature in 
Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, were added to the force of 
workers.

   It is a notable fact that in Nebraska today there are about 532 
organizations, 300 church edifices, and 39,850 communicant members of the 
Lutheran church. Beside, there is a Lutheran constituency of 31,125 
Germans and 16.685 Scandinavians alone in the state, according to the best 
statistics at hand. There is one theological seminary, one deaconess 
motherhouse, one hospital, two orphan homes, five academies giving 
instruction in the normal and advanced grades of education, and one 
publication house. Besides these the Nebraska Synod was instrumental in 
establishing the Theological Seminary of the General Synod at Atchison, 
Kansas, and Midland College at the same place.

   On the 27th of April, 1871, a meeting of General Synod Lutheran 
ministers was held in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Omaha, to take preliminary 
steps toward organizing a synod for Nebraska. Four years after its 
organization it was received into the General Synod at the biennial 
convention held in Baltimore in May, 1875. The first president was Rev. J. 
F. Kuhlman, Dakota City; Rev. Ira C. Billman of Omaha was the first 
secretary, and John B. Detwiler, also of Omaha, was the first treasurer of 
the synod; and Rev. A. G. R. Buetow was the first candidate ordained to 
the Gospel ministry. At West Point, September 20, 1877, the district 
conference was established. At Nebraska City, October 10, 1878, steps were 
taken to organize a woman's home and foreign missionary society. At Ponca, 
in 1884, a preamble and resolutions were adopted, praying the General 
Synod to appoint a board of education. This movement resulted in 
establishing the General Synod's board of education, having the fostering 
care of the Western Theological Seminary and also Midland College at 
Atchison, Kansas, which are of great importance to the church in Nebraska. 
In 1876 they petitioned the General Synod for the appointment of a 
committe for a liturgy in full accord with the spirit of the period of the 
Reformation. In 1886 a traveling secretary, or missionary was established 
and headquarters for this work was built in Omaha. Rev. C. Huber filled 
this position from 1887 to October 26, 1893. In 1890 fifteen German 
pastors withdrew from this now exclusively

[image caption: REV. LUTHER M. KUHNS]

English body to form the German Nebraska Synod.

   Today the Lutheran church is represented in Nebraska by the following 
synods, viz: Nebraska Synod, the Danish in America, Danish United Lutheran 
church, German Iowa, German Nebraska, Hauges, Missouri, Norwegian in 
America, United Norwegian, joint Synod of Ohio, Augustana, and Wisconsin 
synod; in all twelve synods, besides at least seven independent 
congregations with four churches and 800 members.

   The German Nebraska Synod was organized at Sterling, Johnson County, 
Nebraska, in July, 1890, Rev. Julius Wolff, president. On September 8, 
1891, in accordance with the action of

Page 764

the General Synod at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, this body was received into 
its fellowship. In connection with the Wartburg Synod and under the 
auspices of the General Synod it supports a church publication society and 
a traveling missionary. Its official organ is the Lutherischer Zionsboti. 
It has ninety organizations and 5,536 members, and is growing very rapidly.

   The Danish in America Synod has an academy at Nysted. It was 
established in 1887 In its conception it is Grundvigian. Rev. R. R. Dorf, 
a graduate of the University of Christiana, is its principal. It has a 
good building, a large campus, and is quite successful. The Danish United 
Synod was organized in 1896 and is represented in Nebraska by a number of 
institutions. Blair is the center of its activities. Trinity Seminary, its 
theological institution, is located here. There are four professors and 
eleven students. Its library contains over four hundred volumes. Rev. P. 
S. Vig is the president. It was established in 1886. In 1899, at the same 
place they founded Blair College. Its property is valued at $25,000, its 
library contains 1,000 volumes, it has eight professors and ninety-six 
students. Rev. Christian Auker is the president. Here, too, is located its 
publishing house which employs not less than twenty-one men. The 
periodicals published are Dansk

[image caption: GERMAN LUTHERAN SEMINARY]

Luthersk Kirkeblad, Rev. A. M. Andersen, editor, founded in 1898, a 
weekly; Danskern, weekly; Boornebladet, and De Unges Blad, both semi-
monthly publications.

   These two Danish bodies represent about sixty organizations in the 
state. The three different Norwegian synods have about fifty-seven 
organizations, and upwards of 1,700 members in Nebraska. But they have no 
institutions, or publications that are distinctively identified with 
Nebraska. They do have as synods splendid institutions and fine 
publications, but they are located in other states. This is true, too, of 
the work of the joint Synod of Ohio and of the German Iowa Synod with 
their twenty-five or more organizations and 1,200 members. Thus five 
synods, three Norwegian and two German, have so far confined their work in 
the state to their congregations and missions, and exhibit remarkable 
growth.

   The Missouri Synod, the largest German synod in the United States, has 
two flourishing institutions in Nebraska. In 1894 they established a 
"school teachers' seminary" at Seward, Nebraska. This academy has property 
valued at $18,000, and there are three instructors and sixty-six students. 
Rev. Geo. Weller is the principal. Beside this the Missouri Synod supports 
the Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Home at Fremont, Nebraska. This

Page 765

charitable institution was founded in 1893, and Rev. A. Leuthaeuser is its 
superintendent. Its property is valued at $15,500, its endowment is $5,
000, and it has forty inmates. Lately this synod has undertaken English 
work in this state. Its strength in Nebraska is limited to about 175 
organizations and 18,000 communicants. The joint Synod of Ohio, the German 
Iowa, and Missouri synods are strictly confessional, and exclusive in 
their church relations. They are zealous missionary bodies.

   The Swedish Augustana synod, which was organized in 1860, and some time 
after its organization began work in Nebraska, is a very aggressive 
Lutheran body. It has done considerable to promote church life in the 
state. In 1890 its greatest strength centered in Saunders, Otoe, Phelps, 
Nemaha, and Polk counties, and it was well represented in forty-one 
counties in Nebraska. It has gone, without noise, steadily forward and 
numbers to-day about 100 organizations and 10,000 members. In 1883 it 
founded Luther Academy at Wahoo, Nebraska, of which Rev. O. J. Johnson is 
president. It has a fine campus, a number of substantial buildings, nine 
professors, 130 students, a library of over 2,000 volumes, and its 
property is valued at $75,000. Beside the buildings already on the campus 
a splendid modern building, costing $25,000, will soon be completed. In 
the northern part of Omaha this synod has Immanuel Hospital, founded in 
1890, Immanuel Deaconess Motherhouse, founded in the same year, and 
Immanuel Orphan Home, established in 1901. The founder and manager of 
these splendid institutions was Rev. E. A. Fogelstrom. This year a ward 
for incurables was added to these institutions. They have five acres of 
ground, high and sightly. Sixteen orphans are in the home, and there are 
thirty-two sisters connected with the motherhouse, who are at work either 
in the hospital, the orphanage, the new ward for incurables, in the 
congregations of the synod, or elsewhere out in the field engaged in 
charitable work. The cost of maintenance at present is approximately $15,
000 a year, but with the continued growth from year to year of necessity 
the expenses will increase. It is a most Christian work.

   As matter of history a few additional items may be added to this 
limited sketch. The German Iowa synod early in the '60s established a 
station on the Deer creek, Nebraska, among the Cheyenne Indians. Three 
Indian boys were given them to be educated. Their missionary, Krebs, 
translated Luther's catechism into the Cheyenne tongue. In 1863 they had 
begun to preach in the Cheyenne language, when the Sioux persuaded the 
Indians in Nebraska to go upon the war-path. On the approach of a band of 
Sioux, intending to murder them, the missionaries withdrew. Thus ended the 
only effort of the Lutheran church to establish an Indian mission in 
Nebraska.

   By the generous offer of the citizens of Homer in 1886 Homer Academy 
was started under Lutheran auspices. Subsequently it was removed to Wayne. 
After a few sessions its affairs were concluded in 1890.

   On September 24, 1883, the American Lutheran Immigrant Missionary 
Society was organized at Tekamah. In connection with this a Lutheran 
address center was established. While not very active, its members are 
still interested in the work of the society. Prof. A. M. Andersen, Blair, 
Nebraska, is the corresponding secretary at this writing. It is gratifying 
to know that this association proved helpful to many of the Lutheran 
diaspora.

   From small beginnings the Lutheran church in Nebraska has grown to 
splendid proportions. In every branch of the church's work, missionary, 
educational, and church extension, there is push and vigor. It is 
estimated by statisticians that Nebraska has a constituent Lutheran 
population of 275,000, of all nationalities, and from the older states of 
the Union. With such a field the future of this denomination in Nebraska 
is particularly bright.