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Governor Mike Braun
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About Us

Township government is the largest single group of elected officials in Indiana and is considered the “grassroots” form of government. Serving a relatively compact area allows the Trustee to know many of their constituents personally. This gives them the advantage of being better able to assess and quickly meet the needs of their clients than would be by other officials of County government.

A Trustee is elected every 4 years. In addition to the Trustee are 3 members of Township Board, which are also elected every 4 years. The Board meets several times each year as required by Indiana code. The Board is responsible for approving township budgets, annual financial reports and assisting the Trustee in making decisions pertaining to the Township.

Townships are responsible for several duties which are stated in Indiana Code. Some of the Township’s main responsibilities are:

History

An act to organize Marshall County was approved on February 4, 1836. At that time, Marshall County was divided into 3 townships: North, Center and Green. As the larger townships were being broken down into smaller townships, there were no less than 4 names (Onondaga, Menominee, Lake and Pierce) assigned to what is now known as West Township.

Finally, on March 8, 1854, it was placed on record by the Board of Commissioners that the part of Center Township lying west of the range line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 East, be constituted into a civil township named “West”. The Menominee Village was the largest and most important village in the area with nearly 100 lodges located in the area of Pear and 12th Road.

In the history of this area, West Township figures very prominently with a few firsts for the county:

  • The first permanent building in the county was the Indian Chapel “Chi-chi-pe Oute-pe” built in 1827 at the Menominee village at Twin Lakes.
  • The first grist-mill in the county was built at a place known as Onondaga, later known as Sligo, which was located north of the Mill Pond dam on Rose Road.
  • Donelson, now known as Donaldson, was laid out on October 25, 1871 by D.W. Taft. It remains the only town in West Township.

There were several schools in West Township;

  • West – est. April 1849 on the NE corner of SR 17 & Sycamore Road
  • Thompson – est. March 1857 on the NE corner of Quince & 9th Road
  • Name Unknown – est. June 1861 on the SE corner of Tulip & Lincoln Highway
  • Stringtown – est. October 1872 on the NE corner of 13th Road and SR 17
  • Butts – est. June 1877 on the SW corner of Sycamore Road & Lincoln Highway
  • Sligo #1 – est. March 1878 on the south side of 12th Road at SR 17
  • Sligo #2 – est. July 1917 on the NE corner of 12th Road & SR 17
  • Snyder – est. December 1880 on the corner of NW corner of Upas Road & SR 8
  • Stringer – est. June 1881 on the south side of 10B Road & Union Road
  • Fertig – est. October 1881 on the SW corner of Queen Road & 11th Road
  • Beghtel – est. March 1884 on SE corner of Pine Road and 7B Road
  • Brick – est. Sept. 1894 in the point of Lincoln Highway and Plymouth-LaPorte
  • Trail
  • Stuck – est. May 1895 on the SE corner of Peach Road & 13th road
  • Donaldson – est. July 1903 on lots 7 & 8 in the Johnson addition

On March 18, 1819 a purchase of 63.68 acres of ground and buildings adjacent to Lake Gilbraith was made by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and named Retreat St. Amalia. The name was later changed to Ancilla Domini Convent. A new building was completed in 1922 and the Sisters moved into the unfinished building on August 30, 1922. The name was later changed to Ancilla Domini Convent. Over the years, the campus has grown to include Marion University Ancilla, the Catherine Kasper Life Center, Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center, Moon Tree Studios and a beef and grain farm, in addition to numerous outreach ministries.

The Divine Heart Seminary was located just south of Donaldson on Union Road and opened in 1935. The school closed in 1979 and the property was sold in 1983. Additional history of West Township can be obtained at the Marshall County Historical Museum.

Additional information about West Township can be found in;

  • A Slice of History
  • Marshall County West Township and Its Schools by Lloyd Anderson
  • Fulton County Indiana Cemetery Inscriptions
  • Jean C. & Wendell C. Tombaugh

Township Assistance

Township assistance is a tax funded program offered to residents of West Township to alleviate the troubles of financial difficulties. The West Township’s office provides emergency assistance for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. Individuals 18 years or older may apply for assistance. West Township of Marshall County is responsible for administering township assistance to those in need of help paying for basic necessities. West Township has established guidelines from which the Trustee uses to determine eligibility of assistance. These guidelines are available for review in the Trustee’s office or with the Marshall County Commissioners.

The primary types of assistance provided are shelter, utilities, medical assistance and burial. Before receiving assistance, a resident must fill out an application for assistance (TA-1) and submit it to the Trustee. Once completed, the Trustee has 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) to review the application and determine eligibility. Completing an application does not guarantee the assistance will be provided as all standards must be met before a determination can be made.

If assistance is approved, the Trustee will issue a voucher, never cash, to pay for the goods and services which are provided. If assistance is denied, an applicant will be provided with a letter stating the reason for denial. This decision can be appealed with the Marshall County Commissioners within 15 days of denial where both sides of the case are heard.

Cemeteries

There are 6 cemeteries that the Township is responsible for maintaining;

  • Ramsey-Mitchell on 9B Road west of Sycamore
  • Donaldson on Tulip north of Lincoln Highway
  • Union 1 on 10B east of SR 17
  • McElrath on Queen north of 14th
  • Gross on 12th road east of Marshall Starke County Line
  • Bailey on 12th road east of Queen

Fire and EMS Protection

Contracted with the City of Plymouth