Located in the center of the county, it borders the following townships: Part of the city of Mount Vernon, the county seat of Knox County, occupies parts of northwestern Pleasant Township.

Pleasant Township was established on March 9, 1825, and was named for its scenic landscapes.

On December 7, 1838 the county commissioners split off the northeast quarter of the township to create College Township in honor of Kenyon College.

There are no incorporated villages in the township, but the unincorporated community of Hunt once had a store and post office near the only railroad station in the township along what was then the Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark Railroad (later, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad).

[5] 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.