From 1840 till the start of the Civil War, the flow of settlers shifted to the Northern route through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. They were descendants of Irish, German, Welsh, Dutch and Swedish immigrants. Compared to the more adventuresome settlers who preceded them, they were less likely to move on West after lands had been made safe from the plains Indians. They took the land with a hope they could remain on it through the rest of their lives, raise families and have lands for their children.
This flow of settlers resulted in the formation of at least one hundred towns and communities in the Upper Riverways area, very few of which survived the Civil War. They exist only on old maps. The largest towns to become lost were: Indian Town, Ashley, Richwoods, Pine Hill and Lost Camp. Towns relocated a distance of ten miles or more to a new site were Eminence and Low Wassie. Some of the main communities that were lost were: Spring Valley, Chapel. Dalton, Riverside, Gladen, Rocky Ford and Birch Prairie.
Some of the families of record who moved up river were Thomas, Smith, Jobe, Dalton, Fredricks, Webster, Perkins, Stubblefield, Campbell, Huddleston, Karr, Allen and Parrack.
The oldest organized town still existing is Thomasville, laid out in 1846 on the land of John Thomas. The streets started from the North edge of the North Fork of Eleven Point River and extended North to the foot of the hill. The lots were to be sold to the highest bidder. On February 9, 1847 settlement for the first sale was made. The total of sale was $144.43; John Thomas to receive $50.34; Town Treasurer $86.90 and $7.19 was allotted to cover cost of sale. The May report of town Commissioner, William B. Karr shows that Jon Thomas had been paid $50.34 part of sale of lots.
Many claims were established but few were patented as claims were sold and bill of sale issued. The oldest patents on the Upper Riverways were: November 28, 1823 to Issac E. Kelley section 13, township 26, range 1, East 137 acres; December 22, 1823 to Thomas Chilton, section 11, township 27, range 1, West 80 acres; February 9, 1824 to John William George, section 3, township 27, range 1 West 80 acres.