An article in the "Martinsville Republican" in 1870 reported that the town had grown to nearly 200 residents and Jacob and Mahala Vansickel were deceased. Jacob died in 1860 and was followed by Mahala in 1868. The land they owned was split between their children. Most of the homes as well as the Methodist Church and Helton's Store stood on the bluffs of Indian Creek. The residence of Whit Vansickel, (George Whitfield, son of Jacob and Mahala), who was postmaster at that time, was near the creek, on the flats. Mister Rainer, whose first name is not given, reportedly built a "new mansion" nearby. Wright and Calder's Store, Bell's Sawmill, Dodson's Blacksmith and Wagon Shop, Baxter and Helton's Sawmill, and Vansickel and Robertson's Gristmill were in operation at that time. The old mills were water driven and the grist mill produced fine flour but lack of water caused it to be inadequate for the local demand. The article continued as follows.

"Mahalasville enjoys a good business location, six miles from competition on either side, and almost an unlimited distance south into Brown and Monroe Counties, the place at once possesses superior advantages as a point of deposit and shipment for lumber, timber, hoop poles, tan bark and county produce. Within hauling distance are almost inexhaustible supplies of the best of the oak, hickory and poplar timber. Ten carloads a week, valued at $65 to $100 each, leave this point for Indianapolis, Indiana or Cincinnati, Ohio. Wright & Calder, merchants, do the principal business in the goods line. One of the best farms near Mahalasvillle is that of E. F. Stimpson."

     Eramus F. Stimson, also spelled Stimpson, was the husband of Mercy Ann Vansickel, the daughter of Jacob and Mahala. Mr. Stimson and Mercy left her share of the Vansickel property to be divided among the other siblings in the family.

     Vansickel & Lee, (Whit Vansickel and Henry Lee), completed a new sawmill in 1871, and connected the steam engine which powered it to the grist mill. This increased the productivity of both mills because water shortages were no longer a problem. Mr. Lee also owned the local saloon and this was a topic of much discussion.

     In 1871 this report appeared in the "Martinsville Republican."

"The Mahalasville Debating Club is a live institution, and is creating a great deal of interest, as it should, among the people in that locality. From a report before us of the debate Wednesday evening, the 18th, we learn that the question discussed was: Resolved: That intemperance has caused more evil to mankind than war. The discussion was participated in by, Mr. Lee, John McGee, George Dodson, I.B. Hobbs, James Rule, Reverend Mr. Mann, and Joseph Fry on the affirmative, while Mr. Campbell, D.S. Dodson, Reverend Mr. Hannah, A.R. Vansickel, Thomas Singleton and John Helton sustained the negative. Squire Norman, as chairman maintained the best of order. These debates are doing much good. Similar ones should be organized in every school district in Morgan County"

     Henry Lee closed his saloon in January 1873 and vowed not to sell alcohol, however, by 1874, Edward Wood had opened another saloon.

     There were four doctors serving in the community in 1874. They were Dr. Mark Davis, Dr. R.W. Slack, Dr. Taggart, and Dr. Dodson. Enoch Renner and David Dodson both had blacksmith shops.

     Henry Renner had become the owner of the saw and grist mills by 1884 and Robert C. Davis was postmaster, railroad agent and storekeeper. The post office in Mahalasville opened and closed several times over the years,. The postmasters were; Vansickel, Dodson, Myrick, Kingsberry, Julian, Davis, William Green, Fry, and Prather. The final closure was November 30, 1928.