History:

Township Origins:

Leoni Township was organized in 1836. Previously it was part of Napoleon Township.

The first supervisor was Josiah Mills. He was elected in 1836 in the home of Isaac Howe.

The first school teacher was Allen Knight. Classes were taught in a log cabin about a mile from Leoni.

The township was named after a Spartan King who lived in 4th century B.C named Leonidos.

Early Historical Settlers:

1830 - Earliest Settler - settled Leoni Village located at Michigan Ave and Portage Road - Joseph Otis from Vermont. Returning from the East in 1831 with his family discovered squatter David Stirling was living on his land. First bank - banker printed his own money and bank went under.

Other early settlers - James Jacobs, Ira Kellogg - build 1st Gristmill, David Laverty, and James Lake.

1834 - Martin Schumacker, Abel Fitch and John Allendorf - settled Michigan Center and built Mills, Hotel and 2 stores.

1850 - Great Railroad Conspiracy - Farmer's cows were being killed by the trains and Railroad would reimburse only ½ their value. So the farmers started shooting at the trains.