First Settlers:
The first settler of Concord townships was Watson Dean, who entered land on section 30, in 1869, and located upon the same in the fall of that year. After remaining here about one year, he sold out to William C. Paul. The last heard of him, he was in Kansas.
Among those who came into the township since Mr. Dean settled here, were William C. Paul, Richard Jones, William Hotchkiss, William Lee, Isaac Pierce, Robert McFarland, H.P. Cutler, A.S. DeWitt, Frank Cooledge, Caban Sime, Peter Seglem, Hans Brandlind, Frank Clark, William Cooledge Melvin Cooledge, Charles Cooledge, David Hodson, E. Griffith, Henry Hilts, William Hilts, A.H. Link, James Ludwig, W.C. Rose, S.A. Summers, D.F. Summers, N. Summers, J.R. Hammond, A.C. Kinley, G.A. Hubbard, Michael Moyer, J.A. Lee, Eugene Coats, John Jonas, E.A. Slater, Cornelius Ingalls, Hiram Lee, L. Johnson, I. Christiansen, A.S. DeWitt, Barney Jacobsen and H.P. Cutler.
First Marriage:
The first marriage ceremony performed in the township was in November, 1873, David Giltner being united in marriage with Mary E. Biddick. They are now residents of Hamilton county.
First Birth:
The first birth was Harry W., son of W.C. an Hannah Paul, born October 17, 1872. He died August 13, 1879.
Organic:
Concord township was organized the the fall of 1872. The first town meeting was
held at the house of F.D. Cooledge. At this time there were but nine legal voters in the township, of whom six were present at the meeting--W.C. Paul, H.P. Cutler, F.D. Cooledge, William St. John, Robert McFarland and Matthew Biddick. A full set of officers were elected. From the date to the present time the following named served the specified years and in the offices named:
1872--Trustees, H.P. Cutler, William C. Paul, R.B. Mulford; Clerk, F.D. Cooledge; Assessor, L.B. McFarland; Matthews Biddick, Justice of the peace.
1873--Trustees, R.B. Mulford, William C. Paul, L.B. McFarland; Clerk, H.P. Cutler.
1874--Trustees, W.V. Hutchens; Clerk, H.P. Cutler.
1875--Trustees, M. Cooledge, William Hutchens; Clerk, John Honas; Assessor, F.D. Reece.
1876--Trustees, William Hutchens, Hiram Lee, M. Cooledge, Clerk, John Jonas; Assessor, F.D. Reece.
1877--Trustees, M.H. Snow, J.F. Cox, J.A. Hubbard; Clerk, E.R. Griffith; Assessor, F.D. Reece.
1878--Trustees, Isaac Pierce, F.M. Clark, J.A. Hubbard; Clerk, S.R. Beal; Assessor, George Patrick.
1879--Trustees, J.A. Hubbard, F.M. Clark, C. Sime; Clerk, W.C. Rose; Assessor, George Patrict
1880--Trustees, J.A. Hubbard, C. Sime, F.M. Clark; Clerk, D.H.Hodson; Assessor, J. Lee; Justices, M. Boyer and E.F. Griffith.
1881--Trustees, J.A. Hubbard, F.M. Clark, W.C. Rose; Clerk D.H. Hodson; Assessor, M. Moyer; Justices, M.Moyer and E.F. Griffith.
1882--Trustees, F.M. Clark, W.C. Rose, J.A. Hubbard; Clerk, D.H. Hodson; M. Moyer, E.F. Griffith, Justices.
Religious:
The first religious services held in t he township were at the house of F.D. Cooledge, by Rev. S. Carhart, of 'the Primitive Methodist Church, in 1872.
The Free Methodist Society of Concord was organized in 1876. A class was then formed, composed of William Cooldge and wife, William St. John and Hannah St. John. The class was organized by Rev. Eli C. Mossman, of Pleasant township, and was the first class of this denomination organized in the county. The first pastor was Rev. J. L. Long, who came in 1877 ad remained one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Haney, who also remained one year. Rev. J.N. Bovee succeeded Mr. Haney, and served one year. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Stewart, who has been here two years.
The first meetings of the society were held in the Cutler school house, then in the Centre, an a present in No. 2. The society was now 26 members. A Sunday school was organized in 1877, with George Patrick, Superintendent. It now has an enrollment of 50 scholars.
The Society of Friends, while have no regular organization, meet regularly for worship at the Centre school house.
The Disciples have an organizaton, but no regular house of worship. The organization was effected in 1880, by Elder Matthew Wing, of Providence township, at the Centre school house. The first members were, David Hodgson, J.R. Homer, E.F. Griffith, Eliza Bateson, Mrs. Wals.
Regular services were not held until the summer of 1882, when Elder Ross, or Hubbard, becan holding services for them once each two weeks.
Educational.
It is certainly a matter to create wonder and astonishment at the progress made as regards the public schools in the township, when it is remembered that in 1872, when the township was organized, there were by nine qualified voters. At this time nothing had been done in an educational way. Some time in 1873 Alice Hunter taught a summer term of school at the house of W.C. Paul, with three pupils--Charley, Paul, Ella Paul and Mary Biddick. About the same time there was a school taught at Robert McFarland's house, the name of the teacher not being remembered.
The first school house was erected in 1873, on the southwest quarter of section 5. there are now nine school districts in the township, each having a good frame school house, with a total value of $5,400. There were in October, 1881, in the township, 177 persons of school age, and an enrollment of 133. The average wages paid teachers was $27 per month.
Cemetery:
There is one cemetery in the township, llaid out in the spring of 1881 on section 9. It contains one acre of ground.
Blacksmithing:
Concord is an agricultural township exclusively, still it has its blacksmith shop. In the spring of 1878, Albert Thompson commenced busines on section 29, which he continued about one year, when the shop was closed and he emigrated to the Red River of the North. Carl Bye in 1880 started a shop on sectiion 20, and is still engaged at his trade.