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.