The first eight families to settle on the banks of Honey Creek  eighteen miles north of Hamilton in 1856 were those of John Quincy Anderson, M. A. Fuller, James G. Barbee, James R. Fuller, Henry Fuller, Isaac Malone, Sr., Thomas Malone and Isaac Hollingsworth Steen.

Isaac Steen, born 5 May, 1826, came to the Honey Creek area of Hamilton County about 1856. Isaac was the son of Robert Steen of Union County, SC, and the grandson of William Steen from Coleraine, Ireland. Isaac Steen was the County Treasurer from 1862 to 1864, was Tax Assessor from 1864-1866, was District Clerk in 1871, and was County Clerk from 1876 until his death 26 February, 1881.  

Honey Creek Trading Post was approximately 2 1/2 miles southeast of the current Hico where FM 1602 crosses Honey Creek.