RELIGIOUS SERVICES CHAPTER XXXVI Page 343 In the early days the Groves were God's first temples where the breeze came ladened with the perfume of a thousand flowers. Rev. Thomas Plasters was the first preacher. He came as early as 1834. He was a hardshell Baptist and had the holy tone so common with that denomination and as he warmed up with his discourse his gesticulation became more violent. Still it was enjoyed by the pioneers who had been deprived of the religious privileges. His preaching was at the residences. Rev. John L. Turner, who came in 1840, was an early minister. Rev. Abraham Bale should be classed among the early settlers. Solomon Bale came early. The Rev. Jacob Bale, father of Hardin Bale, was also a preacher of the Baptist persuasion, though not very deep in theology. Rev. Russ, a Methodist preacher, often preached at the residences. Rev. William Coder, Wallace and Moreland were among the earliest. A church was built near the cemetery in Walker's Grove, but burned down about the time it was completed. A postoffice was established at the house of James Walker in 1839. It was on the mail route from Springfield to Havana. James Walker was the postmaster. In about eighteen months it was removed to Menard county. Jack Close, who occupied a prominent place among the early merchants of Havana, had a small country store as early as 1841. The first schoolhouse was built on land belonging to Henry Sears in 1836. It was patronized by a large extent of country. William Lease was the first schoolmaster. James Buckner was the first M.D. to locate. He stopped at the home of John Yardley and afterwards moved to Petersburg. Dr. Morgan was in the township early, but did not remain long. The milling in early days was done on the Mackinaw and on the Sangamon. Later it was done at Simon's and McHarry's on Quiver. Two children of the family of Alexander Revis are supposed to have been the first deaths. The first marriage in the township was John Mounts and Jane Summers. No doubt John could sing with the poet: "My summers would last all the year." Among the early justices of the peace were Ira Patterson, Henry Norris and Robert Turner. Patterson and Norris were justices while it was Menard county. Turner was the first in Mason county. The first deed made to a tract of land was made out to Henry Sears by Abraham Lincoln. Crane Creek has always been democratic. It used to be said that they always held the returns of an election back till they found how many votes were needed and then at the last hour would send in the number of democratic votes needed. Money was very scarce and coon skins were a legal tender in most all trades. James Estep purchased a pair of boots of O.M. Ross of Havana and paid the entire amount in coon skins. The ingenuity of the early settler was often taxed as to means to get his whiskey. William Summers once made a bet that he could gallop a quarter of a mile on his hands and knees (horse fashion) in a given time. He won the bet and got his quarter of old rye whiskey.

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