By PAUL LOCHER WOOSTER -- How Wayne County's 16 townships were
named was never an exact science, and after the better part of
200 years, some monikers remain a matter of dubious conjecture.
However, here is the way their origins are currently
interpreted: Baughman Township: Organized March 5, 1816, and
named for John Baughman, the first white settler in the
township. Canaan Township: Organized May 5, 1819, and named by
Dr. Isaac Barnes, presumably for the Biblical land, since there
are early references to the Canaanites. Chippewa Township:
Organized Sept. 4, 1815. No specific reference on naming.
Popularly held idea is that it was named for the Chippewa Indian
tribe. Clinton Township: Organized June 7, 1825, and named for
Gov. DeWitt Clinton. Had previously been organized in 1817 as
Pike Township. Congress Township: Organized Oct. 5, 1818.
Presumably named for the U.S. Congress. Said to be the only
township in the U.S. named for Congress. Chester Township:
Organized March 5, 1816. Was originally known as Ches