Pg 517

         As previously stated, the Friends constitute the principal element of population in this vicinity.

         In 1850, an Indulged meeting was organized in J. H. Painter’s house, and a Preparative meeting was begun in 1851.

         In that year, the Society of Friends built, near Springdale, the first meeting house in the township, and it is said to have been the first in Cedar County. The house was built of gravel, with a cement roof, and answered as a place of worship for a number of years. There were only a few families at that time, and the worshipers often came to meeting in the middle of the week just as they left their work—barefooted, and without coats or vests; and it was no unusual thing for families to come in a wagon drawn by oxen. Such were some of the characteristics of those early days.

         A new church was erected in 1857, on the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of Section 1. Here this society has continued, in the even tenor of its way, to the present time. Their brotherhood is strong, and there is extended over all the county, in matters of local legislation, the influence of that modest integrity for which the Friends are proverbial.

         The Methodist society held meetings and effected an organization in the school house, soon after its erection, although sufficient support was not received to build a church until 1875.

         The church is a frame building, costing about $2,000, and is located on Lot 4, near the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 12.

         Rev. J. Freer was the first regular Pastor, and after two years was followed by Rev. S. B. Maltbie, the present Pastor, who officiates there and at West Branch.

         Sunday school has been conducted in connection with the church since its erection, Elwood Macy being Superintendent in charge.