On March 20, 1845, a petition to form a new township from portions of Ross and Indiana townships was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions. Col. James A. Gibson, Alexander V. Brackenridge and John Murray were appointed as viewers. They reported in favor on June 10 of the same year, although it was two years later on March 20, 1847 that the court decree establishing the township was issued, in the name of Marion. While the township was initially confirmed with the name Marion; on the same day the name was changed to Shaler, after Charles Shaler, a prominent mid-19th century Pittsburgh area judge, who served as President Judge of the 5th District Court in Beaver County. The township is not named for the numerous deposits of shale rock found within its borders; this is instead a common .