Perry Township was organized in 1816, then comprising two, 36-square-mile
survey townships. At first called
Leipsic (after the German city), the township was soon renamed
Perry to honor
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who led a
United States Navy squadron to victory against a British
Royal Navy squadron in the 1813
Battle of Lake Erie. Perry Township was divided in 1825; the western half becoming
Congress Township. Perry Township was again divided in 1848, when
Morrow County, Ohio, was created. The western half was transferred to the new county, the eastern half remained in Richland County, and both halves retained the name Perry Township. There are twenty-six
Perry Townships statewide. ==Government==