Russell Township, Geauga County, Ohio


Russell Township is one of the sixteen townships of Geauga County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 5,188, down from 5,529 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Located in the western part of the county, it borders the following townships and villages:
Two villages are located in Russell Township: part of Hunting Valley in the northwest, and South Russell in the south.

Name and history

It is the only Russell Township statewide. Another name for the area is Novelty, from the name of the post office located, in the unincorporated community of Novelty, in the township.
The first five inhabitants — Gideon Russell and his family, who came in 1818 — settled on what today is Chillicothe Road. In 1827 the township was named Russell, although it had been previously known as the West Woods by neighboring communities. In April of that year the people elected John Lowry, Clark Robinson, and Gideon Russell as their first township trustees. It was Robinson that created the first framed building and started the first store.

Economy

Russell is the home of ASM International, formerly known as the American Society for Metals, whose headquarters is marked by a gigantic geodesic dome, visited by Buckminster Fuller upon its completion.
Nearly all of the non-incorporated parts of the township are served in education by the West Geauga district. In private education, the Butler Campus of Laurel School is on Fairmount Road, which has a lodge, pavilion, tree house, residence, and adventure course.

Government

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer, who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees.

Transportation

Major roads include State Route 306 and State Route 87.