American Township is one of the twelve townships of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The 2010 census found 14,381 people in the township (exclusive of Lima), 12,476 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.GeographyLocated in the center of the county, it borders the following townships: Sugar Creek Township - northBath Township - eastPerry Township - southeastern cornerShawnee Township - southAmanda Township - southwestMarion Township - northwest Two municipalities are located in American Township: the village of Elida in the northwest, and part of the city of Lima, the county seat of Allen County, in the southeast.Name and historyIt is the only American Township statewide. American Township was named German Township until 1918 when the township's citizens successfully petitioned for the name change, due to the sinking of the Lusitania. The petition cited Anti-German sentiment as the primary reason for the request.
