Carl Clarence Cottrell history

POY SIPPI ADVENTIST CHURCH HISTORY Click here for Table of Contents Click here for About/Contact Information
Following is a reproduction of a letter about the Poy Sippi that was written in 1924. Philander H. Cady was a brother of Benjamin Adelbert Cady and an uncle to Myrtle Ida Cady (wife of Carl C. Cottrell). Click here to read more about the Philander H. Cady family. *NOTE*: The following has been reproduced as close as possible to the original copy. Poy Sippi, Wisconsin April 8, 1927 To whom it may interest: We the undersigned, with the aid of Mrs. Vesta J. Cady Farnsworth, Mrs. Susan Chase, Mrs. Bertha Nelson and others, have been able to gather the following historical data concerning the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Poy Sippi, Wisconsin. In the year 1857, Philander H. Cady, a young carpenter, while working at his trade south of Berlin, Wisconsin, began the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. Returning to his home in the town of Poy Sippi, he began to talk to his friends and neighbors of his new-found belief; and with his wife, his mother, and a Mrs. Coy, began to hold services in his home on each Saturday. The country was new and sparsely settled; it was the day of small beginnings. Mr. Cady continued to work at his trade, and to faithfully live out his convictions. One after another joined themselves to the little band of worshippers, among whom was a young Danish Baptist minister of the town of Bloomfield, Elder J. G. Matteson; who after accepting their faith through the efforts of Mr. Cady, was a source of help and encouragement to them, often walking five or six miles to attend the meetings. He also preached to the Danish settlers, and raised up a company of them, holding meetings with them in Brushville. The English company at that time were meeting in the old school-house in Poy Sippi, east of what we now call the old school-house. About the year 1863, the church was organized into two companies: The charter members were as follows:
Danish J. G. Matteson, Elder Mads Jorgensen Mrs. Margaret Jorgensen Nels Mikkleson Mrs. Nels Mikkleson Nels Peterson Hans Mikkleson Mrs. Hans Mikkleson George Hanson Mrs. George Hanson Chris Jenson Jens Sorensen	English Philander H. Cady, Elder Mrs. P. H. Cady Mrs. Betsy Cady John Eldridge Mrs. John Eldridge John Eastman Mrs. John Eastman Mrs. Helen Taber Mrs. Levi Putnam
In the year 1874 a church building was put up. The material was hauled together by ox teams, and the work was all done by the church members. The church was dedicated in the year 1876, the services being conducted by Elder J. G. Matteson, assisted by Elder O. A. Olson, then President of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists. This being the first church building in the village of Poy Sippi, it was used for several years by the Lutherans, Congregationalists, and Methodists. For some time the combined membership of the Danish and English organizations numbered more than 100. The church building was remodeled and enlarged to accommodate the growing membership. About the [year] 1897, a parochial school was started, which was carried on in the church until the year 1900, when a schoolroom was built onto the north end of the church, where a successful school has since been maintained. As time passes, many of the older members were laid to rest: and as several of the Danish families moved away, and the younger generation took more naturally to the English language, it was thought unadvisable to try longer to maintain the Danish organization: so in the year 1918, the two organizations were merged into one. The workers, consisting of ministers, Bible-workers, teachers, doctors and nurses, sent out by this church, number more than sixty: Some of which have spent years in foreign fields, have acquired strange languages, giving the "good tidings" to those who grope in darkness, in their own native tongues. Some, after long years of service, have been laid to rest: and some are now out on the far flung battle fronts, at their posts of duty in the Master's great harvest field. Carl Cottrell, Elder George Jorgenson, Deacon Peter Nelson, Deacon Mrs. Fern Nelson, Clerk Lester Shepard, Treasurer Mrs. Elsie M. Baldwin, Mis. Sec. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Additional information from an article by Martelle Tyson (daughter of Alta Fern [Nelson] Cottrell) in the Adventist periodical the* *Lake Union Herald, 1977/1978***. From 1897 to 1900 school was held in the church. In 1900 a schoolroom was added to the north end. The first church school teacher was Parker Smith, son of Elder Uriah Smith, author of Daniel and the Revelation. As time went by, the younger generation all spoke English, and in 1918 the Danish and English congregations merged. In 1927 more than 60 denominational workers had been sent out from this church. There have been many pastors through the years. The present pastor is Elbert M. Tyson, whose wife, Martelle Nelson Tyson, happens to be a great-great-granddaughter of Betsy Emeline Coolidge Cady, mother of P. H. Cady, who built the church. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Due to decreased membership the Poy Sippi Adventist church was officially "Disbanded" on 24 Nov 1998 and was later sold. It is now used as a private home. Click here for Poy Sippi SDA church pictures.