[4] The township was first settled by Revolutionary War Colonel Alexander Harper and his family, who moved from Harpersfield, New York on June 28, 1798.

[5][6] It is said that soon after landing, Colonel Harper placed his staff in the ground and dedicated a portion of land as a cemetery, and he himself was the first to be buried there; he being the first white person buried in the Western Reserve, whose grave can be identified.

An appropriate monument bearing an inscription with the name and date of birth and death, and recounting the virtues of the pioneer and patriot still marks the spot.

[7] 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.

Currently, the board is composed of James Pristov and Raymond Gruber Jr and Cliff Henry, and the fiscal officer is Sharon Rohrbaugh.