Kaye -
This is what "History of Clay County" by Blanchard published in 1884 had to
say about Abraham Stark and his sons.
Pg 81 The MIssionary Baptists organized two societies in the South part of
the county at an early day - Good Hope Church, near Middlebury, about 1832, and
Friendly Grove Church, in Lewis Township, a few years later. The former
society built the log house on the present James Moody place, about 1835, the
first house of worship in the South part of the county. About 1839 or 1840, the
foundation of Friendly Grove Church was laid out on the Joseph Chambers place,
one mile Northwest of the present site. THis location was afterward
abandoned, adn the foundation put down where the builiding now stands a year or two
later, on Congress land, which the citizens afterward bought. The first house
built was an eight-square log one. The first ministers in these societies were
Abraham Stark, his sons, Daniel and Stephen. This denomination now numbers a
membership of about 300, comprising four societies, and having three houses,
aggregating $2500 in value."
Pg 196 It says that the log church one mile South of Middlebury was erected
in 1832 or 1833, and had no regular pastor until 1839. The church was
assisted in the meantime by William Stansel, Abraham Stark, Asa Frakes and Samuel
Sparks.
Pg 332 Friendly Grove Baptist church is the oldest religious society in
township organized in 1847. The early preachers were Revs. Chambers, Stark, and
Liston.
It goes on to say that Abraham Stark and David Stark were pastors of the
church.
It also says that in Lewis Township, from 1850 to 1857, there were seven
families living in the township. Among the voters were seven Crists, seven
Puckets, and seven Starks.
Alan McCullough