The first permanent settler of the territory of Marion was Thomas Wilson, who came into the valley in 1785. He was followed by the McCalmonts and McEwens, David Lamb, James Hutchinson, Hugh McClelland, etc., and Lick Run Presbyterian church was organized in October, 1798. Its village is Jacksonville, post-office name "Walker." Marion township was erected by a decree of Court of August 26, 1840, by dividing Walker Township by a line along the top of Nittany ridge. There is considerable iron ore of good quality in the township. The nearest outlet by railroad is by way of Howard on the Bald Eagle Valley railroad
(SOURCE: Eleventh Census of the Population of the United States Published by Boroughs and Townships, in Connection with a Business Directory of the Same, Bellefonte, Pa., 1890.)
MARION TOWNSHIP CENSUS RECORDS
1850--595 1860--661 1870--823 1880--674 1890--611 1900--536 1910--486 1920--485 1930--419 1940--493 1950--411 1960--412 1970--447 1980--661 1990--730 2000--978
(SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.)
TOWNS & VILLAGES
Villages and towns within Marion Township include Jacksonville and Walker. For a further discussion of these, see Paul M. Dubbs, Where to Go and Place-Names of Centre County, 1961.
TAX ASSESSMENT RECORDS
Tax assessment records for Marion Township from 1841 forward can be found in the basement of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum in Bellefonte. Persons wishing to use these records must first sign the Guest Researcher register in the Pennsylvania Room.