Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-06-17

Probably mankind will sacrifice as
much or more, for the establishment
of societies and build ings, in which to
carry out their religious worship, than
for any other object i1 this life- Es-
pecially was this among the early set
lers of our country when the fore
fathers of the present generations
| stopped at no sacrifice in labor or
money, that suitable place of worship
might be established tor the glory OF
God. That such was the case in the
city of Watertown is fully attested by
the many beautiful church buildings
whose spires point heavenward
throughout the city.
1t is evident that no sect were more
sincere and self. sacrificing than the
German Lutherans who compose a
large per cent of our population if
the prosperity and numbers OF the
church membership at the present
time is any criterion to go by.
The beginning of the Lutheran
movement in this city dates back to
| 1851, when few families came over
from Pommeru, Germany, and settled
in Watertown and vicinity, at that
time town OF about 4. 900 inhabitants.
Today it is not known exactly, who
the men were who first started the
church.
Henry F. Kroening born Aug. 81,
1911 and who died April 2, 1898, was
one of the oldest and first church
elders According to his own account
he came from New York to Milwaukee
and later to Watertown. After arriv-
ing here he stald for time with Rev.
Hoeckendorf in the town of Lebanon.
After three weeks he came to the city
where he was employed for some time
in Mr.. Koch's tailor shop. Mr.. Koch
/ attended the Rev. Frederick Neutzsch
church and consequently Mr.. Kroening
commenced going there also. How
eyer, be soon discovered that the
church was not of the Lutheran belief
Mr.. Koch and Mr.: Kroening then
commenced the movement of renting a
house in which to hold services with
the other Lutherans OF the city. At
this time the services of minister
could not be secured, and consequently
Henry Miller acted as minister, tenn
porarily. Mr.. Kroening together
with F. Klug, F. Schumacher and w.
Dobbratz, who had come with him,
advised with John w. Cole, one of the
English citizens and as result
leased small English school house at
the corner of Fourth and division
streets in which to hold services.
This was practically the beginning OF
the church, although the exact date is
not known.
In 1858 Rev. L. Geyers, of the
Missouri synod, who then had charge
of the Emmanuel church in the town OF
Lebanon held monthly services here
from Nov. l, of that year until Feb. l,
1861. At this time was decided by the
members TO establish prnchial school
in connection with the little church.
Mr.. Wetzel, son of the teacher in the
Lebanon school was engaged to in
struct the young, and Mr.. Kroening
also assisted. Rev. Kleinegees also
taught the school during his term of his
ministry here. It can also be remem-
bered that duriug the time Rev.
Geyee filled the pulpit in 1854, at the
Eighth annual meeting of the Missouri
Synod, held in St. Louis from June
21st to July lst this charge was taken
into the synod.
The members and their families
were we'll equipped at this time but
oLiOJ WduUOu lOS uldI OuuOdy oCIFiCCo,
and wished for minister located per-
manently among them. Consequently
the church called a student from the
Seminary at Fort Wayne, Ind, who
accepted, and on January 1856 came
to Jake up his studies. He was or
dained in February |, 1866, the oere-
mony taking place in Coles hall Pas
tor Q. Fuerbringer conducting the
services. During this same year a
large number of emigrants settled in
Watertown. making this the second
largest city In the state, the pop ulation
being increased to 5000. The con.
gregation also enjoyed rapid growth
and in 1857 numbered 90 family mem