History of Leroy Township 1884 Portrait & Bio Album

This township was organized from Lincoln Township by order of the Board. Its local government was established April 4, 1870, the election being held at the residence of Richard Toms. Thirty-two votes were cast at this meeting, resulting in the choice of Daniel McGovern for Supervisor, R.D. Simonton for Clerk, and George H. Bassett, Treasurer; Highway Commissioners - Daniel McGovern, Wm. Slaughter and J. R. Simonton; Justices of the Peace - Calvin Woolworth, Gideon A. Estes, Johhn Frayer and Charles W. Worden; School Inspectors - George H. Bassett and Frank E. Payne; Constables - Wm. snyder, R.D. Simonton, Richard Toms and John E. Guild; Overseers of the Highway - Henry Vandusen, George H. Bassett and Stephen Allen.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

Le Roy has five organized school districts. the school buildings are liocated s follows: District No. 1 (fractional) on section 1; No. 2, on section 9; No. 3, on section 7; No. 5, on section 13, and No. 6, on section 22. No. 1 has 100 pupils on the list; No. 2, 61; No. 3, 20; No. 5, 178, and No. 6, 58 pupols. The buildings cost, in No. 1, $600; No. 2, $400; No. 3, $300; No. 5, $1,500, and in No. 6, $400. There is no district numbered 4. District No. 5 is located in Le Roy village.

Le Roy Township is in the western row in number 19 north, of range 10 west. Burdell Township lies on the north, Rose Lake on the east, Lincoln on the south, and Lake County on the west. It is watered by Beaver Creek - which heads in Rose Lake Township - and its tributaries; the Hersey Ricver, which heads in this township; and the Pine River, running across the northwest corner. The country is rolling, and well timbered with beech, maple, elm, hemlock and a little pine. The soil is clay loam, and in some localities a little sandy. The first settlers in the township are, Richard Toms, Daniel McGovern, R.D. Simonton, George H. Bassett, Calvin Woolworth, Gideon A. Estes, Charles W. Worden, John Frayer and E.M. Braden. Le Roy ranks the fifth in population, and in the assessed value of property, its population according to the census of 1884, being 1,020, and assessed valuation $232,000. It has now about 2,500 acres of improved land, with 120 farms. In 1882 ir produced 3,522 bushels of wheat, 10,635 bushels of corn, 6,602 bushels of oats, and 10,663 bushels potatoes, and 671 tons of hay. In 1883 it had 94 horses, 140 milch cows, 145 hogs, and 190 sheep. Wool production, 943 pounds. The average yield of wheat per acre is 1,414 bushels. The soil is regarded as productive adn well adapted for farming purposes. Good roads are being constructed to meet the demands of an increasing population. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad passes through the township, entering on section 34, deflecting eastward and passing out north on section 1. The village of Le Roy is the trading place for most of the inhabitants and also their postoffice address. At Dewing's Siding and Ashton Lumber Company have their lumber mill, and a general store. Capacity of mill, 30,000 per day. The members of this company are Dewing, Halladay & Watson.

The names of the Supervisors who have represented this township are given below:

SUPERVISORS.

Daniel McGovern 1870-1
T.F. Delzell 1872
G.W. Bassett 1873-4
James E. Bevins 1875
G.A. Estes 1876
E.M. Braden 1877
G.H. Bassett 1878-82
Peter R. Grant 1883-4