Section 505.07 of the Ohio Revised Code allows websites for public awareness. At present, our web site is under construction. Content will be provided by township officials, residents and various public organizations. Please contact Rosemary Nicholas, Fiscal Officer, if you would like to see specific information included on the website. Thanks for visiting, and please check back often!

Local Government

Ohio Townships have only those powers conferred upon them by the State Constitution and State statutes. Freedom Township, like other townships in the state, is governed by a 3-member Board of Trustees, elected at-large in odd-numbered years, for 4-year overlapping terms. They serve as both the legislative and executive body of the township.

In addition to the Board of Trustees, a Township Fiscal Officer is elected to a 4-year term. In addition to financial obligations, the Fiscal Officer also maintains the Record of Proceedings of the Board of Trustees at all of its meetings as well as other township records.

History of Freedom Township

Freedom was the last of the townships of Portage County to be organized, the reason being that all of the central part was a great swamp. Hunters in the surrounding towns had put out the word that Freedom was all swamp, not suitable for farming, and never would be settled. But to many arriving from the New England states, this little spot, originally known as Town 4, Range 7, the 215th township in the Western Reserve to be organized, was once referred to as “The Eden of the World.”

The original proprietors of Freedom Township were Ephriam Root and Thomas Loyd of Connecticut, and it was once referred to as “North Rootstown” in honor of Mr. Root. Up to 1825, this township was included in Hiram. The first settlement in the township was made by Charles H. Paine, approximately two miles north of Drakesburg. Amanda Paine was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Paine, the first white child born there. It was left to Mrs. Paine (as history states) to name the township, having the honor of being the first woman resident. Being deeply patriotic, a staunch abolitionist, and anti-slavery woman, she named the town “Liberty” but changed it to “Freedom” when she found there was another township in  the state called Liberty.