Born in Ireland, Reverend David Henry Johnston, his wife, Louise, and their two daughters, Greta and Helene, were living in the parsonage from 1924 to 1928. Louise would make clothes for small dolls and donate them to the church bazaars which proved popular among the young girls. Both of the daughters were very talented in music, Greta gave violin lessons within the village and Helene played the cello. Greta graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1925. When living here, she organized and directed the first high school orchestra, musicals, plays and a Glee Club. She headed the church choir, too.
A noted marriage during Johnston’s time here was when he married Arvid Harnack and Mildred Fish at her parents’ home in Rutland. This couple moved to Germany, where they were involved with Nazi Resistance but eventually captured and were executed.
One of funerals at the church was the last of the Civil War veterans, Charlie Norton. Joining when he was 16, he served nearly four years. Then he worked for the Railway and resided at different places but came home when retired. Also, the remains of Raymond Upson arrived on the train from France for burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
The church roof was re-shingled in 1925.
The editor of the local newspaper praised the Men’s Dinner at the church. He said, “it was the best place to eat and see the white-aproned chefs in action.” The menu was roast beef, brown gravy, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, baked beans, white and raisin bread, coffee, and topped with apple pie al-a-mode and cheese.
Reverend Johnson organized a scout troop and served as their scoutmaster. The reverend was instantly killed when a large trailer sideswiped his vehicle in 1937. A former minister, J.W. Barnett presided over his funeral with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison. Louise lived to age 92.
Born in Norway in 1879, Bernard A.J. Meboe was only 19 years old, preaching among friends and neighbors with Anna Kalwild (his future wife). Feeling the call, he quit his job and traveled to New York in 1904 to study for the ministry. There, he became the minister of the Norwegian Danish Church. During this period of his life, Anna arrived from Norway in 1908 to marry Bernard. She was a trained singer and fluent with the Bible, reading it every day. Two children were born, Joseph and Gertrude.
Coming to LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1919, Bernard joined the West Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His second assignment was Brooklyn (1928 through 1930). During their first year here, their daughter, Gertrude was stricken with diphtheria and died. Their son, Joseph, was attending Chicago Conservatory of Music.
Leaving Brooklyn in 1930 to South Wayne, Anna passed away. Her body was brought back to Brooklyn to lie beside Gertrude in Mt. Hope. In his retirement years, Bernard married Joyce Gerrish in 1946. She was a retired school teacher and librarian in Elmwood; where they resided. Preceding Bernard’s second marriage, his son, Joseph, completed his music scholarship and entered UW at Wisconsin to receive a bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine Degree. While attending the UW, he lived at the Wesley Foundation where he was well known for his poster work and active in the musical program of the foundation. After serving a year of internship at Baylor University Hospital and then called to serve our country to administer the wounded and dying. Completing an impressive history in the 90th Infantry Division, he married Philomena (called Phil) Dominquwex and raised five children. Joseph practiced his medical occupation until his death in 1959, caused by an auto accident. His final service was held in Viola and then later at Brooklyn where honors from the Brooklyn American Legion Post were conducted over his grave. In later years, his wife and a son, Kenneth, joined him in Brooklyn. Bernard and his second wife, Joyce, rest in the Ono Cemetery.
Activity at our church included the Father & Son Banquet in 1929, sponsored by the Brooklyn Boy Scouts that were served by the Girl Scouts. In September 1929, the Ladies Aid planned to tie a quilt. In October, they planned their annual Chicken Pie Supper, in November, a committee of three were assigned to investigate stores in the vicinity to purchase a new stove for the church (cost was $20) and in December, plans for the Bazaar and Dinner were decided. Another group, Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, were reading chapters of their study book, “Friends of Africa.” The Confirmation Class consisted of Marian Ellis, Vivian Ellis, Mary Richards, Eldon Ellis, Kenneth Ellis, Rayond Spears, Beulah Frei, Mrs. Charles Hall, Albert Rasmussen, Elnora and Bernadine Kleinsmith.