This township which is reckoned as agriculturally one of the good townships of the county, was organized in 1871, and is Township 12, north, Range 15, west, being a complete six mile township. It is traversed by the Muskegon & Big Rapids R. R. from its southwest to near its northeast corner, passing through Holton village, which has one newspaper printed at the Forum office, Whitehall, and known as the Holton Banner. There are a few lakes in the southeastern portion, of which Deer Lake is the largest. The southern part drains into the Muskegon Lake, the north in the White River. Cedar Creek passes through Holton Village and thence through the east of Cedar Creek Township, and thence into Muskegon Lake. It is the most northeasterly township of the county, and is bounded on the north by Oceana County, on the east by Newaygo, south by Cedar Creek, and west by Blue Lake. Two thirds of the township is of a sandy loam. The northeastern part was first settled. From Holton Village to Muskegon City is nearly 15 miles, from Whitehall, about 13 miles. The population in 1870 was 620, 339 males.
    The village of Holton owes its start to the firm of Blodgett & Byrne, and was so named in compliment to Ex-Gov. Holt. It was not called Holt because of another postoffice of that name in Ingham County.
    The east and northeast portion of the township is very good soil and heavily timbered.

    The settlement of Holton presents some features different from those of the other townships of this county. It was originally an Indian reservation for the Ottawa, who were settled in this vicinity, and was popularly known as "Indian town." The aborigines made very little attempt to take possession, and the great mass of them moved away to the north, where they still reside, abandoning the gift of Uncle Sam. Gradually white men selected the best sites. and settled down to the number of a dozen or two, improving their places, and, in some cases, planting orchards. The land being in most cases good for agriculture, they had no desire to abandon their claims, as had been done in the sandy soild of some towns in the county. Some were squatters, but the most of them had gone to the land office in Ionia, and, through some misapprehension on the part of the officials, had secured pre-emption rights or had bought outright. These proceedings, when reported to Washington, were, of course, cancelled as null and void. In the meantime a man named John R. Robinson, of Ada Township, a son of the noted early Indian trader, Rix Robinson, by a lady of half French and half Indian blood, spied out the land, went to Washington, and by setting up his claim as an Indian, secured a United States patent for 4,500 acres of splendid timbered land on good soil. This he disposed of for several thousand dollars to the late Ransom E. Wood, of Grand Rapids, but as soon aa the latter became aware of the lively opposition on the part of the settlers, he re-conveyed the property to Robinson, who afterwards sold it about twelve years ago to Messrs. Blodgett & Byrne for $15,500. Of course the settlers murmered, but the just, liberal, and honorable course of this enterprising firm gradually disarmed opposition, by paying for improvements, and, where desired, by selling the land at wild land prices, and by their enterprise in developing the resources in the town, and giving remunerative employment to the settlers, and affording a home market for their products. They erected a fine saw mill, which ran until the close of the season in 1881, and is now being removed, and also a large mercantile establishment.
    Joseph Troutier, Indian store keeper on Sand Lake, was the first man having any white blood in his veins, that settled on Muskegon River. He was a French half-breed. William Badeau was one of the first settlers in the village.
    The present Clerk of the town is a teacher at Twin Lake school, Mr. N. R. Dwyer.
    A. Steinberg was a very early settler, as was a Mr. Campbell, who selected a mill site at Twin Lake and put up a portable mill, at the same time cutting a road to Whitehall.
    The first store in the village was that of Blodgett & Byrne, which is still the most extensive concern of the kind. Thomas McLaughlin (deceased) was the first manager of the store.
    The second store was started by John Glade, now of Howard City, up the river, who commenced in a very humble way- with a couple of barrels with boards on them as a counter. The store on the same site now is Rand & Jennings'.
    The first church was the Methodist Episcopal, of which Rev. Mr. Jackson is now pastor.
    The first white settlers were the present Supervisor, Rufus W. Skeels, and Norman Cunningham, now deceased. At that time there were none in Blue Lake. Voters had then to go to the Wheat settlement to vote, as the town was first, along with five other towns, a portion of White River, and then set aprt with Cedar Creek.
    The town is clear of debt and has money in the treasuery. The tax is 41/2 per cent, on the assured valuation, including school tax, which is 21/2 per cent. The two saloons of the village, which now pay $200 each, and, under the new law, will pay $300 each, contribute more than enough to pay the contingencies of the town.
    About 1864 there came in a colony of Norwegians and Danes, who settled in the south of Holton and north of Cedar Creek. The first christening was in 1866, on a child of Capt. H. Aslakon. They number now about thirty families, about two-thirds of whom are in the church. They built, in 1881, a $500 church, and have preaching once a month, by the Rev. A. Andersen, of Muskegon. They had, before this, worship in private houses and school houses. Rev. J. E.. Bergh was the first pastor, and used to travel from Muskegon on foot, but his health gave way under chills and fever, and he went to Minnesota. Next came Rev. Mr. Floren, who could get in by rail, as the railway came in 1872. There is no debt on their church, of which the present trustees are Capt. Aslakon, O. C. Olson and O. Trygstad.
    Isaac Casady, blacksmith in the village, is one of the early settlers, having come to work for Blodgett & Byrne. Among other early settlers was Jos. Dobe.
    There are eight saw mills in the town, including Blodgett & Byrne's, which is undergoing removal to some other point. In the northwest portion of the town there are the portable mills, those of Wm. Coon and Eugene Husted, which are of recent erection. East of Holton village Isaac Meriom & Brother have a large mill, which was burned in October, 1881, and was immediately rebuilt.
 
 

    is a thriving little village fifteen miles Northeast of Muskegon, on the M. & B. R. Branch R. R. It has a population of about 500, and was platted by Blodgett & Byrne in 1871, they having large landed interests in and around there. After laying out the town, their first move in the line of manufacturing enterprise as to start a sawmill with a cutting capacity of about 10,000 feet of lumber per day. After running that for about one year they tore it down and in its place put up a fine lumber and shingle mill, with a capacity of about 50,000 feet lumber and 90,000 shingles, which was afterwards burned, together with about 2,000,000, and on which was no insurance. It was rebuilt and ran until 1881.
    The first store was put up by Blodgett & Byrne, the goods having to be hauled with teams from Muskegon, there being no railroad at that time. The first blacksmith shop was put up by Isaac Casady in 1872. John Glade located there and built and opened up a general store. The first wagonshop was opened up by Geo. E. Allen. The next  to start was a grocery by Thomas McLaughlin. The first shoeshop was built by Theodore Schmeiling. The first saloon was built by John Keifer. The first hotel and meat market by Richard Lindsey. The first justice of the peace was his honor, Charles Comstock; the court room was in the meat market, and the prisoner was locked up in a box car. The village as well as the township was named in honor of ex-Gov. Holt, of Muskegon, a gentleman kindly remembered by the people of Holton for his kind attention and liberality towards the little village in its infancy. Its chief business places are as follows: Blodgett & Byrne, saw and shingle mill and general store; Geo. E. Allen, general store and grain elevator; general store and furniture, Rand & Jennings; wagon and carriage shop, Thompson Bro's; boots and shoes, Wm. Apel; hotel and saloon, Chas. Tyson; blacksmith and wagon shop, Isaac Casady; jeweler, John Hawkey; boots and shoes, Ensign & Son; wagon and carriage shop, M. J. Crahen; saloon, Wm. Badeau; livery stable and barber shop, James B. Rhodes; drug store, Dr. D. A. McDonald; photographer, Mr. Membroe. It is surrounded by a good farming country for grain, hay, fruit and stock, and is now quite a shipping point for lumber, shingles, tan bark, railroad ties, grain, hay and stock, and is destined to be one of the finest villages in Northwestern Michigan. It has also a fine M. E. Church, the bell for it being a present from ex-Gov. Holt, a good school house with school ten months a year.

    is about two miles and a half North of Twin Lake, on the Big Rapid's Branch of the C. & W. M. Railway. It is in the Southeast of Holton, on Section 32, at the junction of two branches of Ceadr Creek. George Badeau has a shingle mill there, built in 1878, cutting 45,000 a day. Burrows & Blythe have another shingle mill, cutting 70,000 a day. It also cuts lumber off the side of logs, and cuts it with a citcular for shingles. There is little else at the station but boarding houses.

    Geo. E. Allen was born in the township of Franklin, Lenawee Co., Mich., 1851, and removed from there when quite young to Lapeer County. His parents were farmers, and reside now on the farm they have occupied for twenty-six years. He is a lineal descendant of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and came to Muskegon in 1868, and was married to Miss Ida V. Hawley in 1871; she at that time residing with her parents in Muskegon. He removed from that place to Holton in 1873, where he now resides. He built one of the first frame homes in Holton, now occupied by him on the west side of Main street. He carried on a wagon and carriage shop for some time, building the first wagon ever put up in the village. He next sold out that business and entered into the practice of law, which he followed until entering the mercantile line, that occupying so much of his time he was compelled to give up entirely the practice of law. He was three times elected treasurer of the township, and now carried on a general store and grain elevator. He established a permanent wool market in Holton, buying the first load of wool ever sold in the town. He built the only grain elevator there, which, although not large, is amply sufficient for the place. He has always been a staunch Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley.

    George Badeaux was born in Grand Haven, Mich., in 1848. He moved to Bridgetown in 1853, and in 1873 moved to the town of Holton. In 1869 he married Miss Laura Stevenson, of Chicago, by whom he has four children. In 1878 he built a shingle mill in Section 32, with a capacity of 60,000 per day. He owns 160 acres, well timbered, and has a ready market for all the shingles he can make. He is an enterprising thorough-going man, and is succeeding well.

    William Badeaux was born in Muskegon, in the county of Muskegon, Dec. 14, 1841, and has always lived in the county. He worked at lumbering until 1877, when he went into the restaurant business, in which he has prospered. He also owns a good farm in Section 27 of Holton. In 1862 he married Miss Jane Marshall, of Princeton, Province of Ontario, by whom he has five children.
 
    William Blythe was born in the Province of Quebec, about twenty miles from Montreal, Canada, in 1841, and is of French origin.  After some years spent in various Eastern states and Canada, he came to Michigan and worked in Whitehall two or three years. He then invested his capital in a span of horses and swore he would work no more for other men, which resolution he has kept. He came to Holton with Mr. Burrows and has been connected in business with him ever since.

    Isaac Casady was born in Carleton Co., Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1844, and at the age of 17 went to New York State, and after living there about ten years came to Muskegon, and worked at wagon making in Holton. In 1877 he went to California, but not liking the country he returned to Holton, again engaging in his business. In 1869 he married Miss Rachel Lock, of Dundas Co., Ontario. He served three years as town treasurer.

     M. J. Crahen was born in Detroit in 1842, but moved with his parents to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1848. In 1861 he went to the city of Muskegon, and shortly afterward enlisted in the 10th Mich. Cavalry, and served to the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Grand Rapids and lived there until 1875, when he came to the village of Holton, where he carries on carriage making. In 1879 he married Miss Jennie L. Roche, of Grand Rapids.

    Daniel D. Church was born in Richland, Ohio, in 1831, and moved with his parents to Williams Co., Ohio, where he lived until twenty years old. He had few educational advantages. In 1852 he settled in La Grange Co., Ind., and in 1855 married Miss L. Hoys, by whom he has seven children. In 1865 he enlisted in the 18th Ind. Reg't, and served until the close of the war. In 1870 he settled on a farm in section 13, Holton.

    L. M. Darling was born in Franklin Co., Vt., in 1833. In 1757 he settled in Vernon, Wis., and lived there until 1862, when he moved to Muskegon. In 1864 he took up land in section 24, Holton. He was one of the earliest settlers, and when he took up his land it was not for sale, and there were no roads of bridges. In 1873 he purchased his land after it had passed through the hands of several speculators. He owns 280 acres of choice, suitable  for stock-raising, to which he chiefly devotes his attention. He married, in 1851, Miss Almira Preston, of Fletcher, Vt., by whom he has six children, two of whom are living. His wife died in 1875, and in 1876 he married Miss Mary Ann Snow, by whom  he has two children. In 1864 he was drafted to serve during the war. He was at the battle of Fort Stedman, and the taking of Petersburg in 1865, and escaped without a scratch.

    John H. Ingleheart was born near Lyons, N. Y., March 26th, 1833, and moved with his parents to Ohio in 1835, and lived there about twelve years, and then moved to the town of Shelby, Macomb Co., in 1840. In 1855 he married Miss Almira P. Cheney, of Macomb County, and about two years after, leaving his family in Macomb, he went on foot, by the overland route, to California, and after brick-laying, saloon-keeping, mining and lumbering, he returned by way of the Isthmus and New York to his family in 1860. After alternately living in Saginaw and Macomb Counties, for several years, he located land in the Indian reservation, or what is now section 26 of Holton, in 1865. When the land came into market he purchased it. In January, 1866, he moved his family on the new home, and, after alternately working in mills part of the year and on his land the other, he finally, in 1873, settled down to farming, and has made money. He now owns 280 acres of good land.

    Robert B. Jennings, general merchant, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1834. In 1850 he went to Ohio, and stayed there four years, when he went to Adrian, Mich. On Dec 11th, 1854, he married Miss Mary E. Morse, and in the following Spring he went to Ottawa County, where he bought land. In the Spring of 1879 he came to Muskegon and settled in the village of Holton, and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Jennings enlisted in 1863 in the 7th Mich., and served until 1865.

    George Galloher was born in Peterborough, Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1840. In 1861 he enlisted in the Northern army and served with distinction until 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He raised from the ranks to First Lieutenant of Company F, 1st Ohio Cavalry. He was in a great many battles, and was wounded seriously twice. He obtained his lieutenancy for gallant conduct on the field of battle of Peach Tree, and after leaving the army he returned to Canada, but after about two years there, and some time spent in Michigan and other States, he finally settled down in Holton village.

    Henry D. Kenfield (in Burrows & Blythe's shingle mill, Holton), was born in Massachusetts in 1856. At the age of 12 years he moved with his parents to Illinois, and at 14 to Blue Lake, working in Kingsley's mill. He married, May 29th, 1881, Miss Lydia Chamberlain, of Fruitland.

    Isaac Marion was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1847, and came to Muskegon in 186 and worked for the Boom Co. seven seasons in succession. In 1872 he settled in section 13 of Holton, and now owns 370 acres of good land. In the Spring of 1881 he built a steam saw mill with a capacity of 20,000 feet. His engine is a 45-horse power. In 1870 he married Miss Mary Kimbal, of Muskegon, by whom he had two children, one of whom is dead.

    James Mack  was born in the Township of Vaughan, York Co., Ontario, Canada, in 1840. He lived there twenty-two years, came to Michigan, and after rambling through many of the States, he at last settled in Holton in 1871. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 3, which is a fine sandy loam. In 1870 he married Miss Elizabeth Killingbeck, of Cavan Township, Ontario, by whom he has five children.

    George W. Moshier was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1869, his father being a Government detective in that city. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army and served until the Spring of 1863, when he was discharged. In 1864 he came to Michigan and took up land in Holton. In 1864 he married Miss Mary Wheaton, of Rochester, N. Y. Her father and mother came with her and her husband to the wilds of Holton. Mr. Moshier pride himself on not owing one dollar, and is justly highly esteemed. He has been constable for five years past.

    Burtis McDonald was born in New York City in 1836; came with his parents to Livingston Co., Mich., and remained there until 1865, when he came to Muskegon county. He settled in Cedar Creek Township, having 160 acres. He sold out and went to Fremont. After staying there about a year he purchased forty acres in the wilds of Holton, and now, after undergoing the privations incident to pioneer life, is doing well. In 1857 he married Miss Mary Buell, of Oakland Co., Mich., by whom he has two children.

    Donald A. McDonald was born in Canada in 1849. He is of Highland Scotch descent. His father at one time held an important position in Inverness, but being anxious to see the New World, came to America, living for a time in New York, but finally settling in Western Canada. The son received all the advantages of schools and colleges that could be given him, taking a full classical course, as his parents designed for him for the clerical profession. After leaving college he taught in a high school for some time, and afterwards went into the drug business. In 1868 he began the study of medicine with Dr. L. K. Holmes, the leading surgeon of Chatham and studied with him  three years. After traveling about he entered the University of Michigan in 1872 and graduated in 1876. He came to Holton in the fall of that year. In 1877 he went to the "Sunny South," but failing health compelled him to return to the north, and he came back to Holton, bought property, and engaged in the practice of medicine, and the hotel and drug business. in 1877 he married Louisa Ball, of Cleveland, O.

    John Olson, lumberman, was born in Norway in 1845. He came to Chicago in 1871. After the great fire there he moved to Manistee for three years, and to Holton in 1874. 

    Christian Olson was born in Norway in 1811, and emigrated in 1854, coming to Muskegon in the fall of 1855, and settling in what was then White River. From there in 1859 he removed to a farm in Section 25, Holton.

    Ole C. Olson, a son of Christian Olson, mentioned above, was born in Norway and emigrated with his parents. In 1862 he enlisted in the 5th Mich. Cavalry. He escaped without hurt and was discharged in 1865 and returned home. In 1867 he settled on the farm in Section 35, then the Indian reservation. In 1867 he married Miss Anna Hansen, of Norway by whom he has six children. In 1872 he got the title of his land and now owns 120 acres.

    Francis Pattison was born in Cumberland County, England, near the city of Carlyle in 1825. In 1852 he came to America and settled in Kent County, Mich., and stayed there thirteen years, and then went to Nashville in 1867. In 1874 he moved to Holton and purchased a farm in Section 4. In 1856 he married Miss Ann Maria Bright, of Ohio, by whom he had four children. He was drafted to serve in the war, but on account of sickness paid $300 and was discharged from service. He relates many anecdotes of the privations of the early pioneers. His youngest child is nineteen years younger than his fourth child- which a rare occurrence.

    John G. Rasey  was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1824. At twelve years of age he moved to Lawrence County, where he lived twelve years. Here he married Orrilla Harris, who died in less than two years after marriage. He next moved into Jefferson County, and after living there twelve of thirteen years removed to the state of Illinois with a family of five children, having been married a second time, and remained there ten years. He then bought eighty acres of wild land in Holton and settled on it. He has now ten children. He taught school for twenty-four years. Has been School Superintendent for Holton five years and Justice of the Peace two years.

    J. B. Rhodes was born in Tioga County, N. Y., in 1841. After living in various states he finally settled down in the village of Holton in 1876 and purchased property. On Sept. 10, 1872, he married Miss Helen Fogg, of Whitehall, formerly of Wyoming Co., N. Y., by whom he had three children, one only surviving. In 1861 he enlisted in the 3d Mich. Infantry, served to the end of the war and was honorably discharged, after being engaged in many battles.

    Rufus W. Skeels was born in Ohio in 1836. He went to iowa in 1852, where he stayed two years, and then came to Muskegon County. At this time there were no roads and the settlers widely scattered, and markets distant. He cut a road twenty-two miles to what is now Muskegon City. For five years he lived alone, and in 1859 he married Miss Louisa Ball, of Ohio, from whom he was divorced in 1870. He afterwards married Miss Frances Curtis, of Holton. He has two children by his first wife. He owns at the present time 320 acres of choice land beside property in the village of Holton. He enlisted in the 3d Mich. Infantry and served three years and two months; was in fifty-three hard battles and was wounded seven times. He went out as a private and returned a commissioned officer.

    Herbert Thompson was born in Macomb County, Mich., in 1853 and served his apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. In 1877 he took up a farm in Section 21, of Cedar Creek, and also worked at his trade. In the spring of 1879 he moved to the village of Holton, and established a wagon and carriage shop in connection with blacksmithing. He also manufactures agricultural implements. In 1876 he married Miss Frederica C. Hartwig, of the town of Romeo, where he had served his apprenticeship, and their union has been blessed with two children. Mr. Thompson and his brother are in co-partnership in their business and are doing well.

    Cyrus A. Welton was born in the town of Avon, Livingston County, in 1839. In 1859 he married Miss Carrie M. Chapman, of Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., by whom he has two children. Eight years afterward he moved to Genesee County, Mich., and after various moves he came in 1880 to Holton, and purchased a farm in Section 27, and in 1881 traded with William Badeaux for 120 acres in the same and adjoining section. The soil is heavy sand loam of good quality.
    
    Martin Wiltse, farmer, Section 12, town of Holton, was born in the state of New York in 1838. After an exciting career as a backwoodsman and raftsman, in which he suffered many privations, he married in 1866 Miss Celia Smith, of Dayton, by whom he has four children. Mr. Wiltse can relate many incidents of his experience of an interesting character, and is deservedly highly esteemed. He received a title to his homestead in Section 12 in 1878.