This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Theological Seminary - Wisconsin Synod
Wisconsin University
Northwestern University
Northwestern College
Luther Preparatory School
1845
Richards’ Estate
Watertown Cemetery
The
site of Northwestern is property that originally was owned by John
Richards (Octagon House builder) and that was also the location of Watertown’s
first cemetery.
1863
o
Traveling by St. Mark’s Pastor (and Synod
President) Johannes Bading to Germany and Russia to gather funds for
establishing of Northwestern College
o
The Theological
Seminary of the Wisconsin Synod was formally opened in the fall of 1863 in
Watertown. Instruction was initially
given by Professor Edward Moldehnke, Ph.D., in the school building of St.
Mark's congregation. On September 14,
1865, the Synod's college, first known as "Wisconsin University" and
then as "Northwestern University" opened its doors, and for five
years the seminary was operated in conjunction with it. In 1870, the students of the theological
department were transferred to Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri in
accordance with an arrangement made with the Missouri Synod to conduct a
seminary jointly
1866 -
1870
Adolf Hoenecke (1835-1908) received his
theological training at the University of Halle in Germany. He served as pastor of Wisconsin Synod
congregations in Farmington, Watertown, and Milwaukee. His learning and confessionalism made him the
natural choice to head the Wisconsin Synod seminary, first from 1866 to 1870 in
Watertown, and then again from 1878 to 1908, first in Milwaukee and then in
Wauwatosa.
1890
1904, 11 02
Members
of the Wisconsin synod met at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in this city, about
225 ministers and laymen being present.
The matter up for consideration at the meeting was the erection of a $50,000
addition to Northwestern University in this city.
The
matter of looking after the construction of the building was left in the hands
of fifteen members, composing the board of trustees, three of whom reside in
Watertown, being, Rev. Julius Klingmann, Fred. W. Gamm and John Schlueter.
Plans are now being drawn, and it is expected that the contract will be let and
work on the building begun early next spring.
1905, 05 12
The faculty
of Northwestern University takes this opportunity of extending to the people of
Watertown and vicinity an invitation to participate in the ceremony of the
cornerstone laying of the new dormitory Sunday, May 28. Mayor Wertheimer and
the city council will be present as well as visiting clergy and alumni. The
ceremony will begin at
1905, 05 18
Owing
to delay in work, the ceremony of laying the cornerstone for the dormitory at
Northwestern University has been postponed until Tuesday afternoon, May 30,
Memorial Day. Arrangements are being perfected to make the occasion a memorable
one. At least one, possibly two excursion trains will be used to bring the
hundreds of Milwaukee visitors here. A
choir of several hundred voices from Milwaukee is also expected to take part.
1905, 05 23
The
cornerstone laying of the new N.W.U. dormitory will take place next Tuesday
afternoon. This important event in the
history of the University will be marked by interesting and impressive
ceremonies. The committee on
arrangements reports that thousands of visitors will come to Watertown on this
occasion. Excursion trains will arrive during the forenoon from Milwaukee and
from points on the Northwestern road.
The visitors will be escorted from the depots to the University by the
college band, military company, and reception committee. The ceremonies will begin at 2 o'clock. Prof. A. F. Ernst, president of N.W.U., will
deliver an address of welcome while the main address will be made by Rev.
Christian Dowidat of Oshkosh. The
cornerstone will be laid by Rev. Ph. von Rohr, president of the Wisconsin
synod. Musical selections will be rendered by the N. W. U. Band, a mass choir
of 200 voices from Milwaukee and St. Mark's mixed choir.
1905, 06 03
The
ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone of the new N.W.U. dormitory Tuesday
afternoon was witnessed by an immense crowd of visitors and home people. It was
an ideal day for this important event and nearly 2500 people were present. A
special train of twelve coaches brought many of the visitors from Milwaukee,
but other neighboring cities were also represented by good-sized delegations.
The visitors arrived at about 11 a.m. and were escorted to the N.W.U. by the
college band and the reception committee
A
collection for the building fund amounted to several hundred dollars. In this
connection it might also be stated that the institution has been exceedingly
fortunate in securing liberal subscriptions from people all over the state, and
the committee in charge anticipates no difficulty in securing all the funds
needed to pay the new dormitory, which will cost completed $50,000.
1905, 08 09
The fall
Semester of the Northwestern University will begin September 6. The indications
are that the student body will be very large the coming year, much more than
heretofore, as there will be greater accommodations for the students. The work
on the new dormitory is nearing completion, the masons are engaged in
plastering the same, which is no small job, as it is a very large building and
when occupied, will be a credit, not only to the University, but the city as
well, and a monument in brick testifying to the energy and industry of the
president and his assistants.
1905, 09 02
It is
expected that the registration at the Northwestern University for the First
semester beginning September 6, will be much larger than last year and may
possibly reach three hundred. The rooms in the third story of the new dormitory
at the Northwestern University have been plastered and the masons are now at
work on the walls of the rooms in the second story. The way the work is
progressing the masons will be through by September 5th. It is expected that
the building will be occupied at a much earlier date than was anticipated in
the early summer.
1905, 09 06
The
faculty, and the hundreds of N. W. U. students who arrived for the opening of
the new school year, were greatly shocked Monday evening by the unexpected and
sudden death of one of the younger students, Fred Braamstadt, whose home is at
north La Crosse. It appears that the young man had been confined to a hospital
for some weeks; he was convalescent, however, and returned home, full of hopes
and plans for his studies at the University. He had been advised not to resume
his studies at once, but finally obtained permission to be here with his fellow
students on the opening day. He arrived on the 5:20. The journey to Watertown
proved much however, for the unfortunate - he was only seventeen - and at 10:30
p.m., five hours after his arrival, he succumbed to heart failure. The deceased
was popular and esteemed by is fellow students, and his death has cast a gloom
over all.
1905, 09 21
The
enrollment of the Northwestern University beginning of the present semester was
the largest in the history of the institution. Nearly 300 students are enrolled
and in attendance and the prospects for the University were never brighter than
at the present time, which is certainly gratifying to those who have worked
hard to build up the school and make it a successful educational center. The
costs to the students in the Northwestern is so moderate and the advantages so
great, there should be and undoubtedly will be, in time, twice as many students
in attendance, for the expenses of the entire four year course will hardly
exceed the cost of one year in many of the other institutions of learning in
the state and the instruction imparted is not more solid and important than in
the Northwestern, except in special lines.
The
faculty is composed of able men who are enthusiastically devoted to their work
and the students come under their personal supervision, which tends to give
them moral stamina and nobleness of character and prepare them for the higher
and better ideals of life.
1905, 10 17
Great
was the joy of the friends, students and professors of the Northwestern
University on Sunday, the 15th inst., for on that day they were permitted to
celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the old dormitory and at the same time
the dedication of the new dormitory which replaces the old one destroyed by
fire.
Early
in the morning a goodly number of visitors arrived from the neighboring
villages and cities and the surrounding country. They spent the morning hours
in going through the several buildings used for educational purposes. For the
accommodations of the visitors dinner, was served in the spacious dining
hall There are now 250 students in the
school, and for some those accommodations have been much too small. In 1894
lightning struck the building, which burned down and was supplanted by a modern
structure. This temporarily may relieve the pressing need for more room. In
1904 this synod decided to erect the building which was dedicated Sunday.
1905, 11 02
There
was a unique and attractive advertising device Friday evening and Saturday in
one of the front windows of Gamm's drug store, representing a fire, and was
very realistic, over which there was a frying pan in which there were several
little figures representing football players being roasted to a turn, who were
supposed to portray members of the Marquette College team who played the N. W.
U. Team in this Saturday afternoon, the game resulting in a victory for the
home team by a score of 18 to a goose egg.
1905, 11
10
In
spite of a snow-covered field the Northwestern University appeared on the
checkerboard today and yesterday, running through hard practice for the Lawrence
game which will be played at Appleton Saturday for the state college
championship. All men are in good condition with the exception of Kumm and
Pankow, but who will most likely be in trim by Saturday. A scrimmage took place
between the first and second team today and Capt. Wendland paid special
attention to speed and pulling the man along carrying the ball.
1905, 11
16
On
Saturday, Nov. 11, the N. W. U. football team met an overwhelming defeat at the
hands of the Lawrence team at Appleton. After the first few minutes of play
Lawrence had everything its own way and their goal was never in danger. Several
inexcusable fumbles on the part of Northwestern helped to bring up the score.
Lawrence is surely the best small College teams we have ever met, their
interference being well nigh perfect. We have no excuses whatever to offer, we
were simply beaten because we met our superiors
1906, 01
24
Dr.
Wenth takes the place in the faculty at Northwestern University made vacant by
the passing away of the late Prof. Otto D. Hoyer. The Doctor is a native of
Germany where he was educated having attended the gymnasium. After completing
his studies there, he served one year in the German navy. Then he came to this
country and studied English in an American college, afterward attending the
Lutheran Seminary at St. Louis for three years and was then sent as a
missionary to Canada where he labored for some time and then returned to
Germany and was honored with the degree of Ph. D. at the University at Rostock.
He then returned to this country and became pastor of the Lutheran congregation
at Halfway where he remained until called to take the professorship at the
University.
1906, 05
30
Under
direction of Dr. Ott, F. H. Ullerich acted as chef at the big picnic dinner at
the Northwestern University Wednesday. He understands the business, never
missed a cog, the multitude was fed and yet there was plenty left. They don't
do things in a small way up at the university and the people of this city are
beginning to appreciate the institution for only words of praise are heard,
relative to the faculty and students.
1906, 07
11
The
fire department was called out shortly before
To
some of the members of the fire department and interested citizens outside the
companies, it was another excellent illustration of the fact that the fire
engines should not be sold, as is being advocated by some. The hold that the
engines should be kept in possession of the city and in good repair in case of
calls to the outlying districts, where the service of the engines are
necessary, owing to the defective pressure or the absence of water mains. Such
a position is well taken and that both engines are absolutely necessary to give
all necessary fire protection.
1907
Northwestern
University is again alive and students have taken hold of their books after two
weeks of vacation. Recitations commenced Thursday morning at the usual time
o
Yesterday was a day of joy for the Northwestern University, that the
quarantine was raised after two weeks of almost isolation. It is true, students were permitted to walk
about on the college grounds, but in the course of time that became rather
monotonous, and as the hour and minutes when they again would be declared at
liberty could hardly be waited for.
After doing a hard day's work studying and then not take a little
outdoor exercise will probably not be noticed very much for one day but to be
cut off the world for two whole weeks, work hard mentally and take no more
exercise than a walk around the Northwestern university campus would soon be
enough for any young man. 02 06
1908 Senior class
not obliged to complete the entire year's work to graduate. 04 11 WL
o
Schlueter and Mouffa appointed
professors. 08 14 WDT
o
Military company
drilling daily in preparation for the sham battle 05 13 WL
1913 Rev.
Christians attended Northwestern and graduated in 1913.
1915 A
meeting of the board of trustees of Northwestern College will be held in
Watertown on Wednesday when the matter of selecting a successor to Prof. Martin
Eichman will be considered. At this
meeting it is proposed to devise a scheme whereby the duties of inspector will
be lessened and it is with the probabilities that the former onerous duties
will be divided. 06 29 1915 WDT
o
Campus map, 1915
1955
Watertown Daily Times, 08 10 1955
Northwestern
College will begin razing two buildings on its campus Monday morning to make
room for scheduled further expansion of the college. The two buildings to be
removed are the old classroom building and the residence at 1300 Western
Avenue, which many persons identify as the "old Dr. John H. Ott
residence." The late Dr. Ott was for many years a member of the college
faculty. The home has not been occupied for some time. The two buildings will
provide the site for a new classroom and chapel building. Plans for this
project were announced some time ago, but no starting date has been set.
However, the site is being cleared and it is hoped work on the new structure
can be started perhaps before the end of this year
1955
Watertown Daily Times, 11 28 1955
Northwestern
College, now in the midst of its biggest building project since the college was
founded, is making plans for the formal dedication of its three newest
buildings sometime next summer or early autumn. Excavation work on the latest
of the three new units was completed some time ago. It is the new
classroom-chapel building. Footing for the classroom hall has been poured and
form setting for the walls was started recently.
1955
Watertown Daily Times, 11 30 1955
The
new classroom-chapel building to be erected on the Campus of Northwestern
College will cost an estimated $360,000. Work on the new building has started
and it is to be completed in August of 1956 at which time dedicatory services
are being planned for the unit, together with that of two other new buildings
constructed on the campus, the refectory and the dormitory. In addition to the
permit for the classroom-chapel building, college authorities have been granted
a building permit for a new $16,000 residence for faculty use. Construction of
the new classroom-chapel building will bring the Northwestern College new
building outlay on its campus to well over one million dollars.
1956
Watertown Daily Times, 03 02 1956
The cornerstone
for the new chapel and classroom building now under construction at
Northwestern College will be laid at a ceremony to be held at the college gym
next Sunday afternoon, March 11, at
1956
Watertown Daily Times, 05 08 1956
When
the Wisconsin Synod of the Lutheran Church meets in Watertown Aug. 21 to 23 for
a recessed convention session a final decision on the long and controversial
issue of breaking ties with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is due to be
taken, according to press dispatches from Milwaukee today. The sessions here
will be at Northwestern College Gymnasium and the program as now prepared will
include the dedication of new college buildings including the refectory,
dormitory, class building and chapel. The Wisconsin Synod has been marking time
since it passed its resolution at Saginaw
1981
03 30 Northwestern Professor Edgar Pieper has
announced his retirement after 21 years of coaching and classroom work. Pieper
was called to NWC in 1960 primarily to share the coaching load with Professor
Emeritus Leonard Umnus, who at that time had sole responsibility for both the
college and prep athletic programs. Since then, Pieper's schedule has included
coaching college baseball for 21 years, college basketball for 10 years,
college wrestling for 11 years, prep football for 15 years and serving as
assistant college football coach since 1974. He has taught mathematics on both
the college and prep levels as well as geography at the prep school. Pieper was
born near Juneau
1993
10 22 Plans for the merger of Wisconsin
Evangelical Lutheran Synod schools are moving ahead at a rapid pace. The synod
voted earlier this year to consolidate Northwestern College of Watertown and
Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, into one college at the New Ulm
campus and to consolidate Northwestern Prep School of Watertown and Dr. Martin
Luther Prep School of Prairie du Chien into one high school at the Watertown
campus. WDT
1995 Luther Preparatory School
08 19 Students flocked to their first day of
classes at Luther Preparatory School this morning, marking a new era at the
campus. Rev. Mark Schroeder is president
of the school. Once the home of
Northwestern College and Preparatory School, Luther Prep now serves high
school-age students. The transition to the preparatory school was finalized
during a ceremony in the school's gymnasium which included the school's opening
service, dedication of the expanded facility, installation of the staff and
ordination of several staff members. WDT
2007
08 09
& 17 Luther Prep
football facility is upgraded [WHS_005_553] A new press box, concession and rest
room facility is the centerpiece of an ongoing upgrade to the athletic
facilities at Luther Preparatory School.
On September 17 Luther Prep dedicated the
football complex. WDT
2008
03 26 Professor/Rev. Cyril Spaude, 1930-2008. He served as professor of Greek and Hebrew at
Northwestern College from 1966 to 1995.
Upon retirement from NWC served in WELS ministries including St. Mark's WDT
Image Portfolio
Click to enlarge
1902,
from Picturesque Watertown booklet
1965, aerial view of campus
Cross
References
No
1: Schoenike home at 423 College
Ave torn down during expansion (WHS00003)
No 2: Max Gaebler, one of the first three students
to enter Northwestern College
No 3: College seal
No 4: Prof John Henry Ott
