Originally the boundary line between Greene and Salem townships was the canal. In November, 1856, when Sugar Grove township was created, territory on both sides of this water way was taken to make the new township. The name was suggested by a grove of maple trees that stood near Kennard.

The first settlers came about 1798. The Roberts colony located on various tracts of land which by the later township boundaries lie in both Salem and Sugar Grove. In the country east of the Shenango and on both sides of the Little Shenango many of the families who have been most prominently identified John Leech, the founder of Leech’s Corners or Salem village, a soldier in the war of 1812, a member of the state legislature, and for over thirty years a justice of the peace and otherwise prominent in the early affairs of Mercer county, settled at the site of Leech’s Corners May, 1802. A postoffice called Salem was established at this cross-roads in March, 1832, William Leech being the first postmaster. The office was continued under this name until 1864, was discontinued awhile and in April, 1868, was re-established under the name of Leech’s Corners. The office was abolished a few years ago. John Leech was the first merchant at this place, and a church, school, sawmill and grist mill and a few shops represented the substantial part of the town’s growth.

This township has three railroad lines. Where the Lake Shore crosses the Bessemer is the little village of Osgood, and on the other side of the river, at the junction of the Lake Shore and Erie, is Amasa station.  

The principal center in the township is Kennard, where a postoffice was established in March, 1864, with William C. Keene as postmaster. He continued in office over twenty years. A store was at this place about eight years before the railroad came. United Brethren and Methodist churches were established here in the sixties [1860s]. 

Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, pages 172-173........