Population in 1840....................289
     Population in 1850....................849
     Population in 1860....................931

     For many years the settlement of Troy was retarded to a greater degree than even the adjacent townships on the north, east, and west, in consequence of the ownership of the soil by Eastern speculators.  Some years prior to 1845, a system of legislation prevailed in Ohio, the effect and probably the design of which was to practically confiscate the lands of non-resident owners.  For some years the wild lands were valued for taxation the same as improved farms.  The roads were made and improved by a tax of a certain amount per acre upon lands - the wilderness acres of the speculator being subject to the same burdens as the best and improved acres of the settler.  The taxes for the erection of school-houses and for the support of schools were also especially burdensome upon the non-resident.  This legislative policy soon brought the lands of non-residents into market, and during its continuance the principal portion of the soil of Troy Township passed into the hands of those who purchased for cultivation.

TROY CENTRE.

     The official census of this village has never been  taken separate from the township.  It contains a population of about 200; and two church buildings and three congregations, 2 physicians, 2 lawyers, 1 clergyman, 1 dry goods store, 1 tavern, 1 tin and stove shop, 2 blacksmith shops, 3 wagon manufactories, 3 boot and shoe shops, 1 harness shop, 1 paint shop, 1 tailor shop, 1 steam grist-mill, 1 saw-mill, 1 cabinet shop, and 2 groceries.

CHURCHES.

     There are two church buildings in the village - the Methodist, built in the spring of 1850 or 1851, and the United Brethren, completed in 1859.  These buildings will each seat a congregation of about 300 persons.  Formerly the Free Will Baptists had a church building, made of logs, one mile west of the village; but this has been abandoned, and the congregation now worship in the house of the United Brethren.

PIONEERS OF TROY TOWNSHIP.

(NOTE: The following names will be found in the Biographical Index)

NATHANIEL CLARK and family settled in the township in 1834.

BENJAMIN MOORE emigrated from Monroe County, New York and settled in Troy Township in 1833.  At the first election, in 1835, he was chosen justice of the peace.  At this election twelve or fourteen votes were given.

JOSEPH S. PARKER is the oldest settler now residing in the township.  He removed to it in 1832.  Between Sullivan and the place to which he removed, there were only two cabins - one of which, belonging to Ralph Phelps, had only been erected a few days previous.

Township Officers for 1862.

     Clerk, J. D. Skilling - Trustees, C. E. Parker, and C. P. Ogden - Treasurer, Henry Summers- Assessor, Daniel Fulk - Constable, Jerome Potter.