The first formal settlement in the township was Kendal, founded in 1812 by Thomas Rotch and his wife who were Quakers from Massachusetts.

[clarification needed] Johnny Appleseed (Jonathan Chapman) planted the first orchard in Perry Township on the south side of the Canton–Massillon Road on the Daum Farm.

The agricultural farms from the early days have been reborn as housing developments, commercial and industrial sites, medical facilities, and municipal structures.

[attribution needed] Affinity Medical Center (Formerly named, and locally referred to as Doctors' Hospital) was built, constructed, and opened in 1963.

It operated for more than 40 years until closing its doors in 2008 due to rapidly lowering business and structural decay.

The parent company, Community Health Systems of Nashville, Tennessee, originally planned to have the building demolished, but decided against it due to the demolition fees which amounted around $700,000.

The morgue was speculated to be heavily understaffed and overflowing with bodies at peak times, which fed the accusations of being haunted.

[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.