[4] The first blacksmith shop was founded in the area in the late 1830s by Robert Smith, near Tetersburg.

The area was very rural and early settlers struggled to acquire clothing and groceries.

People had to travel from Jefferson Township to Cicero, Indiana, which was 16 miles away and treacherous given the poor quality of roads.

Wheat began to be grown in the area and was a popular commodity to trade in Cicero.

The Lake Erie & Western railroad ran east to west through the township providing economic support, transportation and communication.

[3] Historically, Jefferson Township was fairly flat with a lot of low, marshy ground.

The west side of the township was prairie with some small amounts of trees and shrubs, including willow and scrub oak.

In the southern part, the soil was light in color and sandy in lower areas.