Educational:
In the winter of 1853-4 a select school was held at the house of James A. Dawdy, and taught by a Mr. Whitehead. This was the beginning of the educational work in Union township, which now boasts of thirteen school houses, valued at $800, each.
The first school house was erected in 1854, on section 14. It was a crude, log affair, 18x18 feet in size, with its usual accompaniments of puncheon floor, slab seats, and low ceiling. In this educational temple, Ezra Abbott yielded the first ferrule and birch rod, and taught the mysteries contained in Webster's Elementary Spelling Book, McGuffey's Readers, Ray's and Pike's Arithmetics, and, possibly, Kirkham's Grammar.
The second teacher in Union township was a many by the name of Fisher, or better known as "Old Greasy Breeches," or "Montezuma," and under his supervisor the became reduced to one scholar, E.J. Hauser, now one of the enterprising business men of Eldora, who was elected as County Treasurer in 1875. It was said he would hear him recite a lesson, and then lay down and go to sleep until he was compelled to hear the next lesson.
Religious:
The first religious services were held in private houses by Rev. E.C. Crippin, a Methodist Episcopal preacher, and likewise an early settler of the county. Few of the early settler of the county. Few of the early settlers of the county but remember this zealous, God-fearing man, who was ever ready to answer any ministerial calls, whether it be at the bedside of the sick or dying, or unite in the holy bonds of wedlock such as desired to become one.
The first place designed especially for religious worship was a fall, over a store, erected in 1871, which was fitted up by the Methodist Episcopal brethren. Here they assembled for several yards, and worshiped God after the manner of the early Methodists, who cared more for the God they worshiped, than the fashions and follies of the world.
The first regular church edifice was erected by the Congregationalists in the town of Union. Other edifices have since been erected, an account of which will be found in this chapter.
Mills:
The early settlers of Union township were dependent upon a mill on Timber creek, in Marshall county, known as the Timber Creek Mill. It was a small affair, and often caused the people considerable inconvenience in in waiting their turn for grist. When their wants could not be supplied here, they were compelled to go to Iowa City or other places almost equally distant.
The first mill erected in the township was for sawing lumber. It was build by L.F. Sanders, in 1854. It was run by water-power. The dam soon gave out and the mill has long since disappeared.
The first grist mill was erected on section 22, about one mile from the present village of Union, by the Benson heirs.
Organization:
The township of Union was organized by Alexander Smith, County Judge, in 1853. The first election for township officers was held at the house of Cyrus Bowen, about one-half mile north of the present village of Union. Thomas N. Hauser was elected Justice of the Peace, and was the first in the township. There had been an election in the township prior to this--this first in the county, which was held in March, 1853, at the residence of Henry Abrams, for county officers.
Postoffices:
The fist postoffice was established in 1855, with Thos. N. Hauser as Postmaster. The office was held at his house, and was known at the Union Postoffice. Mr. Hauser held the office some five years and then resigned. Several parties held the office after the resignation of Mr. Hauser, and it was removed to different parts of the township, having no regular abiding please until 1869, when it was moved to the village of Union. There are now three postoffice in the tensioning, Whitten and Guilford.