In 1830, Dr. Havilah Beardsley arrived on horseback, and settled temporarily in the Village of Pulaski. Pulaski was on the north side of the St. Joseph River at the mouth of Christiana Creek, and was little more than a post office, but there were a number of settlers there. In 1831 he purchased a large tract of land south of the St. Joseph River from the Indian Chief Pierre Moran for $1500.00. This area included much of what is downtown Elkhart today.

Believing that he had a clear title to the land Beardsley hired George Crawford, a Government surveyor and relative by marriage, to lay out the plan for a town. The survey and plat were done by 1832, but Beardsley started developing property earlier than that, constructing a corn mill and later a saw mill on Christiana Creek. and a rope ferry across the St. Joseph River. These improvements were critical to the development of the young town. An oil mill and improvements in his existing mills followed.

Elkhart's lots were in great demand as the town's commercial potential grew. However, in 1835 everything stopped, when Richard Godfrey claimed he was the rightful owner of Section 5 where the town was laid out, by virtue of a deed dated earlier than the one Beardsley had. Since Pierre Moran was an Indian, the sale required the involvement of the Indian Department in Washington, and approval from the President, which Godfrey's deed did not have. Moran had asked the President not to approve the sale, on account of fraud. He claimed that Godfrey had gotten him drunk, and convinced him to sell the land for a worn-out horse and cart valued at $25.

Even though Moran repudiated the sale as soon as he was sober, and Beardsley had a clear title and approval of President Andrew Jackson, Godfrey continued to contest the sale for six years. During this time, the town was at a virtual standstill, with no significant growth and no lots being sold. Some residents even asked Beardsley to refund the money they paid for lots that were, at least temporarily, worthless.. Finally, in a compromise move, Beardsley deeded a portion of Section 5 to Godfrey. In effect, Godfrey was paid off, but the result was that Beardsley and the town of Elkhart could start growing again.

Havilah Beardsley, along with his children, continued to be enthusiastic developers of the city of Elkhart.