History

Township Government was brought to America in 1620 and is still found in 22 States. Township government predates our State government and the size and shape of each township was determined by Congressional Acts. 

 

The Township elected officials have ranged from (3) trustees, a clerk, (2) overseers of the poor, numerous highway supervisors, justice of the peace, constables, treasurer and assessor.  The in early years the Township government cared for the poor, maintained the roads and preserved the peace.

 

The Township is currently comprised of three trustees and a fiscal officer, each elected on a four year term. Townships today are responsible for fire and police protection, parks and recreation, zoning, cemeteries, waste disposal, maintaining roads and more. 

 

The Eastern border of what is now Liberty Township was the western boundary line of the "New Purchase", a small portion of the immense tract of land that the US Government purchased from the Indians in 1817. This "New Purchase" brought thousands of settlers into the area, journeying to their new homes. The first to settle in Liberty Township was  Daniel McMichael, who was followed by Ralph Bacon in 1821, from Mentor, Ohio. In the same year, the families of John Maxfield, a native of Vermont, and John O. Blowers, from Wayne County, Ohio, were added to the population of the township. 

 

On November 27, 1825,  the Marion County Commissioners passed the following action: "Be it enacted that surveyed township number two in range 17 south of the base line in the district of Delaware be, and the same is hereby organized into a new township by the name of Liberty."