[5] Alexander McGuffey, one of the early settlers in Coitsville, moved there with his family from Washington County, Pennsylvania around 1800.

[6] With excellent soil for farming in Coitsville Township, agriculture was the main occupation for many of the early settlers.

In 1807 or 1808, the settlers built the first school house, a little log building in the northeastern part of Coitsville Township.

In the early years, there were several sawmills and a gristmill in Coitsville; two stores, a tannery, and two blacksmith shops were eventually added to the township.

[8] The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.