Brief History of Wayne Co, OH

Wayne County, Ohio was formed in 1808.  It was named for Major General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.  Anthony Wayne was born 1 January 1745 in Waynesborough, Chester County, PA.  He was an ambitious officer during the American Revolution and revered as a hero by many.  He never resided in Wayne County, Ohio.  He died in 1796.

In 1808, the boundaries were as follows:

On the north -- present county line between Medina and Wayne Counties, OH

On the east -- present county line between Stark and Wayne Counties, OH

On the south -- the old Greenville Treaty Line, including a strip that is  now Holmes Co, OH

On the west -- part of present day Lake, Mohican, Perry, and Jackson Townships, Ashland County, OH

For judicial and administrative purposes, Wayne County, OH was attached for a short while to Columbiana and Stark Counties, OH until it was officially organized under an Act of Legislature of the State of Ohio dating 4 January 1812.  On 11 April 1812, the orginal four townships were: Sugarcreek, Wooster, Mohican, and Prairie.

On 20 January 1824, Wayne County, OH lost part of its southern border to Holmes County, OH.  Townships that became part of Holmes County, OH included Washington, Ripley, Prairie, Salt Creek, and Paint. On 24 February 1846, Wayne County, OH lost part of its western border to Ashland County, OH.  Townships that became part of Ashland County, OH included Lake, Mohican, Perry, and Jackson.

Below is a chart of each township and when it was organized.

Original Townships

Township Date Range, Township
Sugarcreek 11 Apr 1812
Wooster 11 Apr 1812
Mohican 11 Apr 1812
Mohican changed name to Perry 14 Sep 1814
Prairie 11 Apr 1812

Townships no longer in existence

Township Date Range, Township
Springfield 5 Jun 1815
N 1/2 Springfield became Plain 1817
S 1/2 Springfield became Pike 1817
Pike 1817

Townships now part of Holmes County, OH

Township Date Range, Township
Washington
Ripley
Prairie
part of Salt Creek
part of Paint

Townships now part of Ashland County, OH

Township Date Range, Township
Lake 5 Sep 1814
Mohican
Perry
Jackson 1 Feb 1819 R15, T23

Townships present day Wayne County, OH

Township Date Range, Township
Wooster 11 Apr 1812 R14, T18
East Union 5 Sep 1814
Chippewa 4 Sep 1815 R11, T18
Baughman 5 Mar 1816 R11, T17
Salt Creek 5 Mar 1816 R12, T14
Chester 5 Mar 1816 R14, T20 & T21
Paint 5 Mar 1816 R11, T14
Wayne 12 Oct 1816
Green 5 Feb 1817 R12, T17 & T18
Congress 5 Oct 1818 R14, T21
Milton 5 Oct 1818 R12, T18
Canaan 5 May 1819 R13, T17
Plain 1817 R14, T19
Franklin 7 Jun 1820 R13, T14 & T15
Clinton 7 Jun 1825
Killbuck Wooster City