[5] The Mecosta county government was organized on February 11, 1859, with the village of Leonard as its seat.

[5] The Leonard post office changed its name to Big Rapids on September 29, 1859.

[5] Thus the June 1, 1860, U.S. Federal Census lists inhabitants of Leonard Township, with their post office as "Big Rapids".

[1] The Muskegon River, a tributary of Lake Michigan, flows southward through the eastern part of the township.

19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.