The Reformed Mennonite Society was organ­ized in 1868, with a membership of sixty-five, and their church edifice built the same year. The members are settled as near to their meeting house as suitable locations can be procured, and are governed by purely democratic principles. All are on an equality socially, the differences of wealth and intellectual culture being entirely ignored. Their religious services are held in the forenoon, the afternoon being spent in social intercourse of a semi-religious character. If any brother or sister is found to be sick, or in want, or has been unfortunate, the situation is fully reviewed, and assistance promptly rendered. The present preachers of this church are: John Weaver and John Weckessee, although others are frequently selected from the male members. All preach without fee or reward, or the hope or promise of the same. One of their peculiar tenets consists in baptizing none but adults, and that by sprinkling. They do not have any Sunday Schools, or prayer or camp meetings, nor protracted or revival meetings, and no instruments are used with their church music. Neither do they vote at elections, or take any part in politics, but submit quietly to the laws and rules imposed upon them. They do no military duty, are opposed to war, and never go to law. Differences between the members are settled by the church, and business matters with outsiders are arranged amicably, or abandoned. At sacramental seasons they wash each other’s feet. The theater, circus, menagerie, or exposition, is never patronized. The present deacons of this church are: John Hoover, Abram Shultz, and Ephraim Hendricks.

Source: Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877