Ravenna Township is situated in the Southeast corner of Muskegon County, and when organized for the purposes of township government, comprised all the territory both of Moorland and Egelston. The first town meeting was held April 2, 1849, the whole number of votes polled being thirteen, at which time the following officers were elected: Benjamin Smith, Supervisor; Thomas D. Smith, Township Clerk; Timothy Fletcher, Treasurer; Cyrus Miller and C. Borendamme, Constables; James M. Smith, Timothy Fletcher and Dennis Porter, Commissioners of Highways; P. I. G. Hodenpyle and Timothy Fletcher, School Inspectoers; Timothy Fletcher, Harvey Porter, Seth Porter and Elmer Spencer, Justices of the Peace.
    The parties who held the offices of Supervisor and Clerk prior to 1864 were: Timothy Fletcher, three Supervisor; James M. Smith, one year Supervisor; Cyrus Miller, one year Supervisor; Thos. D. Smith, seven years Supervisor; Charles Neale, two years Supervisor; Thos. D. Smith, two years Clerk; Wm. Rogers, two years Clerk; A. Plumm, two years Clerk; Timothy Fletcher, one year Clerk; James F. Tibbits, two years Clerk; Charles Neale, two years Clerk; Geo. A. Ladd, one year Clerk; David T. Stafford, one years Clerk; John Thompson, one year Clerk.

    E. B. Bostwick was the first to locate land in this township, and parties commenced a sawmill in 1844. (See history of the first mill). In 1847 the settlement of the township really commenced. Benjamin Smith located where the village of Ravenna now stands, Thos. D. Smith on Section 11, Wm. Rogers on Section 11, James Rollinson and Hiram Wilkinson on Section 36. In 1848 the number was increased by Elmer Spencer and John Thompson, also some Hollanders, among whom we find the names of P. I. G. Hodenpyle, H. F. Hoodstraat, A. Plum, Cornelius Von Sledrick, C. Borendamme and A. Dooge. 
    The township does not appear to have increased very materially til 1853, when we find twenty-four votes recorded; in 1855, fifty-six votes; in 1858, eighty-three votes, after which a steady increase in its population may be noticed.

    The first birth was a child to Apollus Griswold, who died in infancy. The first death was Mrs. Van Tassel, in 1846. The first marriage Oct. 9, 1853, James F. Tibbits and Christine Burbie, the ceremony being performed by Elmer Spencer, J. P.
    The first physician was Thos. D. Smith who still resides in Ravenna as one of its most honored citizens, though having secured a competency, he has long since abandoned the practice of medicine.
    The first store of any account was kept by Ladd & Thompson, in 1855.
    The first religious services were held in the mill, and preaching by itinerent preachers.
    A selct school was taught by Cornelia Boynton, as early as 1848. School District No. 1 was organized in 1849. The school house was located on Section 11, after which school districts were organized as the wants of the inhabitants demanded, and the rising generation never lacked the means to acquire a common school education.
    The only place of business in the township is the Hamlet of Ravenna, ten miles North of Cooperville on the D. G. H. & M. R'y, with which it has daily communication by stage. It contains some one hundred and fifty inhabitants, a gristmill, saw, shingle and planing mill, some dozen places of business of all kinds, church and Grange Hall. The sawmill was commenced in 1844, by Shears & Wells, who sold out to Mr. Van Tassel in 1845. In 1847 Benjamin and J. M. Smith purchased it, and in 1867 James F. Tibbits became the owner of it, who subsequently added a shingle and planingmill, and to whose energy Ravenna owes much of its prosperity. Mr. Tibbits also built the present custom gristmill, in 1868. It is now owned by Charles P. Reed and F. D. Hoogstraat.

    The order of Red Ribbons was organized April, 1877, with about forty members: W. B. Carroll, President; Mrs. E. Henderson and Mrs. Sarah Young, Vice Presidents; Mrs. Cyrus L. Alberts, Secretary; Mrs. E. Henderson, Treasurer. The present membership (1881) is 187, with C. P. Reed, President; W. T. C. Cummings, Vice President; Miss Jennie Ball, Seretary; Mrs. John Sipes, Treasurer.
    Kinghts of Honor was organized March 28, 1880, with eighteen members: W. R. Carroll, Dictator; H. Rogers, Vice Dictator; C. P. Reed, Financial Reporter; F. D. Hoogstraat, Treasurer; H. J. Tibbits, Reporter; Rev. G. F. Newcomb, Chaplain. Only one death has occurred since its organization, that of Adelbert Babcock, June 10, 1880. Present membership, twenty-two.
    Ravenna Grange No. 373 P. of H., was organized April 3, 1874, with seventeen members: John S. Burton, Master; F. A. Thatcher, Secretary. Present membership, seventy-four. Lorenzo F. Chubb, Master; Thos. D. Smith, Secretary. 
 
 

    Charles P. Reed, was born in Ingham Co., Mich, July 26, 1844; settled in Muskegon County, 1873, engaged in a gristmill, which he still continues, being the owner in connection with F. D. Hoogstraat, of the Ravenna custom mill. Fort he short time Mr. Reed has been a resident of the township he enjoys to a large extent the confidence of the people of his town; has been Township Clerk, Township Treasurer, and is the present Supervisor, and President of the Red Ribbon society. Has been twice married, first to Jennie L. Macomber in 1869, who died Jan. 11, 1871, second to Mrs. Ann E. Curtis, May 6, 1872.

    James F. Tibbits was born July 16, 1832, in Schoharie Co., N. Y. While very young he moved, in cinnection with his father's family, to a place near Utica, N. Y., and in different places in New York till 1846, when he settled in Wisconcin, and remained there and in Minnesota til 1853, when he settled in Ravenna, Muskegon Co., Mich., and engaged in manufacturing sawed lumber and shingles, which occupation he still continues, being the owner of a steam saw, shingle and planingmill. Married Oct. 9, 1853, to Christine Burbec. Two children- a son and daughter. 

    Dr. Chas. H. A. Stewart was born in the county of Brant, Ontario, Nov. 4, 1843; studied medicine at the Toronto University of Pysicians and Surgeons, in the class of 1868-9; practiced in Brant County till 1875, when he settled at Ravenna, Muskegon Co., Mich., where he is still a leading physician. Married August 12, 1874, to Mrs. Mandana Clark. Two children.

    Sanford J. Ackerman was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., April 9, 1826, and moved to Ohio in 1834, remained till 1854, when he settled in Sank Co., Wis., finally in Ravenns in 1864. Was Sheriff of Muskegon County in 1867; City Marshal of Muskegon for 1870; once Supervisor of Ravenna, and Justice of the Peace for over ten years. He married Christina Bunnel September 25, 1848.

    William R. Carroll was born in Ingham Co., Mich., May 16, 1841, went to the State of New York in 1857. In the fall of 1858 he enlisted in Co. K, of the 3d Artillery, Regular Army. Discharged July, 1861, on half pay, having been accidentally shot. He then engaged in a construction corps and remained till 1865. Traveled over most of the Western States and Territories till 1873, when he settled in Ravenna and engaged in building and contracting, which he still continues, in connection with manufacturing coffins, safes and bee-hives. Is at present Justice of the Peace. He was married February 6, 1876, to Maggie Wilkinson.

    Fred D. Hoogstraat was born in Hanover, Germany, April 20, 1841. Settled in Muskegon in 1855, engaged in a saw mill, subsequently in farming. He now resides on section 13, Ravenna Township, also owns a half interest in the Ravenna Custom mill. He was married January 1, 1868, to Mary McWilliams, who was born in Brantford, Ontario.

    Theron Stafford was born at Whitby, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 21, 1848, settled in connection with his father's family i Ravenna in 1852. Received as good an education as the county afforded in his time; has taught chool, been superintendent of schools, and now is engaged in the drug business at Ravenna. He has been twice married; first marriage July 29, 1872, to Cordia Scofield, who died Feb. 9, 1873; second marriage to Eva Giles, Sept. 25, 1876, who died Jan. 9, 1881. His father, Edward Stafford, was born in Canada Jan 27, 1824, and married Alice Waite, Feb. 12, 1846, and died Sept. 30, 1878. He was not only one of the pioneers of Ravenna, but one of its prominent men, having been Township Treasurer for seventeen years.

    Z. R. Butterfield was born in the State of New York, July 23, 1820, and settled in Muskegon Co., Mich., in 1867. He is a farmer of 80 acres, and resides on section 6, Ravenna Township. He was married first, April 17, 1845, to Mary Ann Vanderwalker, who died Jan. 12, 1855; second marriage, Nov. 1, 1855, to Alvira Otis.

    Valentine Plate was born in Prussia Oct. 14, 1842, and settled in Kenosha Co., Wis., in 1844, and in Ravenna in 1874. Is a farmer residing on section 12. He enlisted in the 33d Wisconsin volunteers in 1862. Served three years. He was married June, 1868, to Henrietta Birdsell.

    John Thompson was born in Scotland, March 2, 1822. He married Ann Hughes, Nov. 14, 1842. She was born June 4, 1821. They settled on section 9, Ravenna Township, in 1850. He had been Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace for several years, and died Oct. 22, 1873.

    John Cryderman was born in Clark Township, Ontario, Aug. 13, 1837, settled in Ravenna Township on section 4, in 1853. He enlisted in Co. A, 6th Michigan Cavalry, in 1862, and served three years. He was married Sept. 3, 1865, to Sarah C. Pierce, who was born in Ohio, May 7, 1848.

    Joseph David  was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, March 10, 1830, settled in Muskegon County in 1851, and in Ravenna in 1857, on section 36, where he still resides. He has been three times married; first in Muskegon in 1851, to Isabella Wright, who was born in England in 1828, and died in 1856. Second marriage Feb., 1858, to Mercy Johnson, who was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1839, and died May 19, 1878. Third marriage July 14, 1880, to Laura Tiffany, who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. in 1850.

    Edwin Thatcher was born in Susquehannah Co., Pa., March 28, 1825. He was early engaged in teaching, which he continued for over twenty years. He settled in Ravenna April, 1866. Has held the offices of County Supt. of Schools and Supervisor of Ravenna. He married Sept. 27, 1840, Catherine S. Carpenter, who was born in the township with himself. Has a family of six interesting children.

    Davis Alberts was born in Adams Co., Pa., Aug. 5, 1803, settled in Ravenna, Muskegon Co., Mich., on section 3, in 1865. He married Aug. 12, 1841, Mary Aspen.

    David T. Stafford was born in Ontario County, Ontario, May 2, 1833, settled near Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1852, and in Ravenna in 1855, on section 25, where he still resides. Has been Township Clerk, Treasurer and Collector. He was married June 17, 1853, to Caroline Mansfield, who was born in Ontario, Aug. 4, 1835.

    Thomas Kelso was born in the County Down, Ireland, July 16, 1821, emigrated to America in 1838, settling in Massachusetts, where he remained till 1848, where he settled in Sanilac Co., Mich., and in Ravenna, Muskegon County, in 1865, living on section 25. He was married June 1852, to Mary J. Martin, who was also born in County Down, Ireland in 1829.

    Antoine Christain was born in Canada, East, April 22, 1833, settled on section 6, Ravenna, in 1856. He was married Sept. 7, 1857, to Angeline Tart.