Squatters were the first white settlers in the area. Barnett Stepp was the first known white settler in Jefferson Township. He moved with his family, from
Kentucky, to the southern part of the future township in 1835. Stepp maintained a small home and farm until his death in 1852. A son-in-law of Stepp, named Horton, came to the township in 1836, settling on 160 acres just east of Stepp's land. Over the course of the decade, more families settled in the area. The first
blacksmith shop was founded in the area in the late 1830s by Robert Smith, near
Tetersburg.
Miami Indians still resided in the area as of 1840. The area was very rural and early settlers struggled to acquire clothing and groceries. Farmers traded crops and animal skins for items they needed. 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. In 1837, the first
orchard was planted in the township. The following year, the first
log cabin was built in the area, followed by the first
frame house ten years later, in 1848. The first brick building was built in 1868. In 1845, the first
mill was built near
Normanda. The first township elections were held in 1844. As of the early 20th century, farming was the main industry, specifically fruit. The Lake Erie & Western railroad ran east to west through the township providing economic support, transportation and communication. ==Geography==