The trade with the Indians, and the fact that this region lay upon the Wabash and Little Rivers, brought many traders and travelers to the county, who either continued their course after perhaps camping for a night, or, at most, remained only so long as their business required. Nor could the workmen and mechanics sent among the Indians be classed among the permanent settlers, as in but few instances did they come in with the intention of making the country a permanent place of residence.

The first point settled in the county was on the north bank of the Wabash, near the mouth of Silver Creek. To this place came A. Woodworth, in 1829, he being the first permanent settler in the county. He was joined shortly by Captain Elias Murray, who settled and built a cabin about a mile east, but afterward removed to Huntington. With this exception there were not many claims made in that vicinity for some time. Champion and Joel Helvey settled next, in 1830, on the site of Huntington. A nucleus of settlers was next formed in the northeastern part of the county, and about fifteen miles from Huntington. The pioneers in that vicinity were Samuel Jones, James Morrison and Fleming Mitchell; and the next arrivals were George Helm, Lewis Richards and Lewis Purviance.

The settlements in the northern part of the county were made at a somewhat later day. Among the first who located in that portion of the county was Michael Doyle, who erected his cabin in the summer of 1834. He was joined in what was known as the Clear Creek settlement by Jesse Griffiths, Henry Miller, Thomas and James Delvin and John Emley. As soon as work began in earnest upon the canal, there was a rapid influx' many of the new arrivals being, however, labors, who made only a temporary stay. The first sawmill erected, as an individual enterprise, was built by Daniel Johnson, in 1834, and a corn-cracker was attached the following winter. This was located on Little River.

The first schoolteachers were William Delvin and one Sargent. The first schoolhouse was built about 1834, near what is now the foot of Market Street.

The first religious services among the settlers were held by the Rev. S. F. Badin, of the Catholic Church, and one of the pioneers of that faith. Among the settlers in Northern Indiana he is known to have been in the county as early as 1833, and had no doubt made visits here at even a much earlier date.

The first Protestant minister was the Rev. A. Woodworth, already mentioned. He was joined in the course of a few years by the Revs. Mordoch McLane and Joel Grover. The first lot for the erection of a church was secured by the Catholics, in 1834, and a log church erected thereon, near the site of the present Catholic Church in Huntington, in 1838.

The Rev. Thomas Anderson, in the old courthouse at Huntington, organized the first Presbyterian Church in 1843.

The Baptists erected the first brick church built in the county some years after, and the Methodists followed with a permanent house of worship in 1851.

The first white child born in the county was the daughter of A. Woodworth, afterward married to Joseph Cheesbro.

The first hotels were kept by Joel and Champion Helvey, near the once noted "Flint Springs," where now stands the T., W. & W. passenger depot in Huntington, and by Jonathan Keller, a few hundred yards west.

The first physician was George A. Fate, also one of the first merchants. Until his arrival in 1833 the settlers were forced to call a doctor from Fort Wayne, twenty-four miles distant.

The first resident lawyer was Hosea Powers, who increased his meager fees by clerking in Fate's store.