Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/497

 HISTOEY OF GOODHUE ( OTJNTV 423 summer. Student Boulton served the eongregation from May 9, 1897, to September 26, 1897, Leaving then to return to the theo- Logical seminary at Chicago, to finish his course. During the winter of 1897-98 the congregation was supplied by Rev. J. A. Leas, of Red Wing, and Student L. L. Mastad, of the Red Wing Seminary. On March 4, 1898, at a congregational meeting, AI. E. Boulton was given a unanimous call to act as pastor as soon as his seminary work would permit. Mr. Boulton having com- pleted his theological studies, and graduated April 27, 1898, accepted the call, and began his labors in the congregation May 16, 1898. He was ordained at the meeting of the synod in St. John's church, Minneapolis, June 16, 1898, and on June 23, 1898, was installed as pastor at Goodhue by Rev. W. K. Frick, of Mil- waukee, president of the synod ; Rev. C. L. Warstler, of St. Paul, secretary of the synod, and by Rev. J. A. Leas, of Red Wing. During the winter of 1898-99, Reverend Boulton completed his seminary course at Chicago, and again returned to his Goodhue congregation May 14, 1899. He continued as pastor until May, 1903, during which time the membership gradually increased, and a neat frame church was erected at a cost of $2,000. Rev. R. A. Helms served as pastor from June, 1903. until May, 1906, when it was vacant until December, 1906. At this time Rev. Willis Beck became pastor, and continues to serve it from Zumbrota. In the early part of the summer of 1908 there was erected on the church a new steeple and a 1,000-pound tin-copper bell, installed at an expense of $1,000. The congregation is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of 150, a faithful ladies' society, and a Luther league, which meets regularly. Rev. Willis Beck was born in Stone Church, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1876. He was educated in the public school of his native village, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., and Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pa. Before entering college he taught iu the public school for one term. He was ordained in the ministry in May, 1902, and served English Lutheran churches in Derry, Pa., from 1902 to 1905. In the spring of 1905 he organized the first English Lutheran church of Superior, Wis., and served until December, 1906, when he became pastor of what is known as the Goodhue parish, consisting of congregations in Goodhue, Cannon Falls and Zumbrota. July 7, 1903, he was married to Grace I. Klingensmith, and they have two children : Isabel R., born September 25, 1904, and Mary G, born January 11, 1906. In polities he is a Republican. SWEDISH MISSION. There is one Swedish Mission church in Red Wing.