On July 4, 1836 the "Squatters Union of Lake County" was organized for the purpose of adopting measures and forming a constitution for better security of the settlers on public land. The settlers were on the area now known as Fancher Lake. On February 15, 1837 Lake County was organized and Henry Wells was appointed Sheriff by the Governor. It was said that Wells walked to Indianapolis to receive his commission and returned on foot, a two week trip each way. Wells was commissioned on March 8, 1837. On March 28th the first county commissioners were elected. In April they met and instructed the sheriff to prevent anyone from removing pine timber from public school lands. They also appointed the sheriff as collector of state and county revenues.