Moon Lake Electric Association grew from the persistence and foresight of local pioneers whose efforts brought central station electricity to area residents, easing household drudgery, revolutionizing many daily tasks, helping farmers do more work with a single electric motor than several steady workers, and freeing children from doing homework by kerosene lamp. It began with a single hand-written letter from Shirley K. Daniels to the Rural Electrification Administration, and Daniels worked with Ed Conklin, Chester Hartman, Ed Holder, Henry A. Wathen, John Thorsen, F.C. Watterson, Delbert Shiner, George E. Stewart, Jr., and Zella Rust. Together with friends and neighbors, they forged ahead by collecting deposits and holding community informational meetings, and after many difficult obstacles were overcome, Moon Lake Electric Association was incorporated at a public meeting held at Altamont High School on October 6, 1938. Through the hard work and dedication of many people, Moon Lake Electric became more than a supplier of electricity, but a heritage of service and a standard of independence, a cooperative operated by and for its members for their benefit.