As mentioned before, the town of Legrand was platted in 1852. It was incorporated on June 16, 1891. It was named after Le Grand Byington, a lawyer from Iowa City who had rendered services to Webb and Allman on their way out. A post office was established in 1853 with James Allman being the first postmaster. James Allman is also remembered in the town as having the first store. The first death is unclear. One history says James Allman, but another says his father William was the first, and also that he gave the land for what is now Pleasant Hill Cemetery that is just north of Legrand.
Other towns in this township were Dillon and Quarry. Dillon was laid out in June of 1875 by the Central Railroad Co. It was named for Judge Dillon. The first developers were J. Williams and E. Pemberton. Quarry was laid out in 1868 by the Legrand Quarry Co. The quarry was always and still is an important business in the township.
Also important to this area was the Flouring Mill that was started in 1855 by Thomas Schofiled, located on the Iowa River just north of Legrand. In 1876, it was rebuilt and was considered the largest mill in the county.
Legrand has held several notable schools. The Le Grand Christian Institute was formed in 1866, with a students home erected in 1878. Another was the Friend's Academy starting in 1873 with a building erected in 1876.
The Chicago and Northwestern railroad was built to this point in 1853. The first train went east. Then the Iowa Central railroad was built from NW to SE in 1871 which is where the town of Dillon is located.