April 21, 2011 - The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

12B (T#kni Yaw^=le) • April 21, 2011
By Thelma Cornelius
McLester
Third Series on the
Hobart Episcopal
Church in Oneida
It is important to mention
Reverend Edward A.
Goodnough’s burial, historically,
since he had
served the Oneidas
longer than any other
priest at Oneida. In the
Green Bay Press Gazette,
dated January 25, 1890,
was an article about the
memorial service held
for him, as follows: “The
services yesterday at
Hobart Church and at the
cemetery on the Oneida
Reservation were held in
memory of the late
beloved paster, the Rev.
Edward A. Goodenough
who was of an especially
impressive and interesting
character”
There were four priests
who administered the
burial services who were
the Reverend Solomon S.
Burleson, (who succeeded
Goodnough at
Oneida), his son, the
Reverend Allen
Burleson, the Reverend
Dr. Gardiner of Nashotah
House, and an address
was given by former resident
priest, Reverend
F.R. Haff who had
become the rector of the
Christ Episcopal Church
in Green Bay, (after he
left Oneida).
At the conclusion of
the services, a procession
was led by Captain
A t i s q u e t t e ,
(Archiquette), the Brass
Band of Oneida, followed
by the congregation
and the clergy, all
marching from the
church to the cemetery.
The Indian Choir also
present, sang two hymns
at the grave site in addition
to having participated
in the church services
Having arrived at the
Monument, one could
see these words printed
Holy Apostles
The Mission of the Church Restoration Committee (CRC) is
organizing, planning, managing and raising funds that shall
benefit the maintenance, historic preservation and restoration of
the facilities and property of the Church of the Holy Apostles,
Oneida, Wisconsin, a congregation of the Diocese of Fond du Lac.
www.holyapostlesoneida.com • 920.819.0563
The Hobart Episcopal church in Oneida
on the front of the monument,
“Beneath this
Stone awaiting the
Resurrection lies the
body of Edward
Augustus Goodenough
for Thirty-Six years,
Paster and Friend of the
Oneidas.” On the back of
the monument was
inscribed, “This Stone of
Remembrance is erected
by his grateful children
in the Lord, the Indians
of Hobart Church,
Oneida” Today, the
Monument can be seen
on the Southern part of
the Cemetery enclosed
by a rod-iron black fence
where he is resting with
other members of his
family.
Next to arrive to serve
at Hobart Church in 1891
was the Reverend
Solomon S. Burleson.
An experienced priest, he
was nearing retirement
when he arrived. He had
studied medicine, dentistry
and understood the
law, which was in addition
to his priesthood
studies. When he realized
the need for medical care
of the entire Oneida community,
he helped the
Oneidas pursue the
building of an Oneida
hospital. He had
received a small grant
from the government and
used these funds to help
those in need of medical
care. In addition, he
became involved in other
areas of need for the
Oneidas. Even though
the building of a boarding
school was already in
progress, he helped in
whatever way he could to
make the school become
a reality. Burleson was
also supportive of the
building of a much needed
bridge over the Duck
Creek. One year after
Burleson passed away,
the Oneida Hospital
opened its doors for the
entire Oneida community
in 1898.
At this same time, an
Oneida, Miss Lavina
Conelius who had graduated
from Hampton
Normal Institute and also
the New Haven Training
School for Nursing was
hired to be in charge of
the Hospital and served
from 1898 until 1899
after she received an
appointment to serve at
the Oneida Boarding
School. She was
replaced by another
Oneida, Miss Nancy
Cornelius (no relation)
who had also graduated
from the Hartford
Training School for
Nursing, but had attended
the Carlisle Institute
prior to that. She served
until 1904 when she married.
When Reverend
Burleson arrived in
Oneida, his five sons had
already entered the
priesthood and all were
already serving throughout
the area, except for
one son who was helping
him serve at Oneida.
Reverend Burleson
spent six years in his service
to Oneida, prior to
his death on February 22,
1897. He is also buried
in the church cemetery
which is on the northern
part of the cemetery, high
on a hill.
The Reverend
Cornelius Hill became a
deacon on June 27, 1885
and ordained a priest on
June 24, 1903. He spent
his entire life in the service
of others, beginning
early on in life when he
attended Nashotah House
at the age of ten years of
age, returning to Oneida
at the age of 13 after
being chosen a chief of
the Bear Clan, then
returning to complete his
training at Nashotah. At
the age of 18, he began to
travel with other Oneida
chiefs to council meetings.
He undertook all
duties assigned to him in
this role. He was recognized
as a leader of the
people at a young age
and went on to serve the
Oneidas both politically
and in their spiritual
needs. He worked faithfully
at Hobart Church
serving as a delegate to
the Episcopal Church
Councils in Milwaukee
and supported the mission
work in Oneida
throughout his life. It is
important to mention that
he spoke on behalf of the
Oneidas when it came to
protecting their lands
from outsiders making
several trips to
Washington, with other
Oneida leaders.
There is much to be
said about all that has
been accomplished
throughout the church’s
early history and those
who played a role in
these happenings.
In 1903, at the age of
69, Hill was ordained a
priest and this was a very
special day for him by
the congregation as well
as by others. He passed
away in 1907 and is
buried in the church yard
at Hobart Church with as
much celebration as provided
to those who went
before him.
In 1897, the Reverend
F. R. Merrill was
assigned to Oneida. It
can be said that it was
during this time that the
new stone church was
finally completed, that is,
a full completion of all
necessary work. The celebration
included onethousand
people in attendance.
At this time, there
was the re-naming of the
church to Holy Apostles,
even though it is still
referred to as the Stone
Church and the Hobart
Church in Oneida.
During Reverend
Merrill’s term, Josiah
Powless, M.D. was in
charge of the Oneida
Hospital for twelve
years. He began his
career by excelling in his
studies and finally completed
his medical training
at the Milwaukee
Medical College (now
Marquette University).
It was while he was
working at the Oneida
www.kalihwisaks.com
Photo courtesy of Thelma McLester
Above, An Oneida Chief, Reverend
Cornelius Hill. Cornelius was the last Chief
and first Priest of the Oneida. Circa 1895-
1906.
Hospital that the First
World War was in
progress. Dr. Powless
was called upon to serve.
After enlisting on April,
12, 1918, he was sent to
serve in France. He
served with the Medical
Detachment of the 308th
Infantry Division and
while performing an act
of heroism he was seriously
wounded and died
as a result. He is buried
in the Episcopal
Cemetery.
To be continued. . .
Holy Apostles would like to invite you
Sunday • June 5th, 2011 at Holy Apostles
Episcopal Church as we welcome…
The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori,
the 26th Presiding Bishop
of the Episcopal Church
More details coming soon…