Benjamin Stuart Walcott, a native of New England, came to this area in 1846 and became the founder and developer of Honey Grove. In 1848 he married Elizabeth (Betsey) Gilmer (1815-65), opened the first store here in Samuel Erwin's log cabin, and constructed the first frame store building when the town was laid out that year. He erected the first school building in 1853 and gave land for a Union church in 1856. Walcott's two sons also became community leaders.