CHAPTER XX.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

The people of Noble township have a well deserved name for sobriety and religious scruples. The German element is especially strong in religious circles, and supports several flourishing societies.

The pioneer religious organization is known as the German Evangelical Association of Noble Township, and held its first meeting at the house of Christian Knoke, on the southeast quarter of section 10. He was a late arrival from Livingston county, Ill., and the organization of this society was among the very first beneficial movements which he set in motion. For many years he was a prosperous farmer, and highly honored citizen. His homestead comprised not only a fine farm, but a beautiful orchard, and was a favorite gathering place for many of the German settlers of the neighborhood. Rev. William King was the first pastor of the association, and he held services also at the homes of Michael Letz and Joseph Weirich--the last named being the first German to become a permanent resident of the township. The first quarterly meeting was held at Mr. Letz' house in the spring of 1871. During the early years of the association services were also held in No. 2, No. 8 and No. 5 school houses, with Rev. Klinefelter as pastor. The preaching was both in German and English.

The second religious organization of the township was the Newlon's Grove Baptist Church, which was formed at the house of Jacob T. Martin, on January 17, 1872, by Rev. C. Brooks, assisted by Rev. J. Currier, from Harlan, Shelby couty. Following are the six original members: J. T. Martin and wife; H. A. Listen and wife; Mrs. Sophronia Whisler and Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Martin was the first clerk and Henson S. Liston the first deacon. For a time the class met in private houses, but when the school house was built for District No. 1, in 1873, services were held there. Among the early pastors of the church were Revs. R. R. Hanley, A. J. Cushing and W. F. Arnold.

The first meetings of the Evangelical St. John's Church were held, in 1872, at the house of Christ. Mueller, on section 15. Rev. William Buehring, who conducted the services, succeeded in effecting a permanent organization, after a time, and meetings were afterward held in school houses Nos. 5 and 2. The society prospered and in September, 1884, had the satisfaction of dedicating a neat church, costing about $3,000 and located on the northwest quarter of section 15.

In the same section is the German Cemetery, for which Joseph Weirich donated an acre of land in 1871. The first burial in the grounds was Franklin, the infant son of V. J. and Caroline Weirich, and the grandson of the donor. V. J. Weirich had married a daughter of Christian Knoke, one of the founders of the German Evangelical Association. This, the first interment in the German Cemetery, occurred in December, 1871.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 216-217.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, October, 2017.