At first, the area of Jackson Township was called West Austintown and was first organized in 1815.

[6] After the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, settlers began purchasing and settling the area.

In 1795, the first settlers in Mahoning County were John Young and Colonel James Hillman, who built a log cabin on the east bank of the Mahoning River in Youngstown.

[7] The first settlers of the area that would become known as Jackson Township included Samuel Calhoun, Andrew Gault, William Orr, James Starnford, Samuel Riddle, and Joseph McInrue.

[4] 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.