Moorland Township, situated directly north of Ravenna, with which it was attached for township purposes till 1860, is composed very largely of State Swamp Lands. Of late years these lands are being reclaimed, and Moorland bids fair to become a wealthy and populous township. At present (1881), it contains no church, four school houses, one blacksmith shop and two saw mills, with a population of about 500. 

    As early as 1857 Peter Conklin, John W. Tibbets, John F. Chichester made a beginning. Following in 1858 were R. Robinson, D. M. Wilson, James Anscomb, Geo. H. Loomis, P. Woodward, Daniel C. Mills, Wm. Simms, Alvin Reed, Judson Philips, and Hiram and Jesse Ackerman, since which time a continual stream of immigration has occurred.

    Moorland had its first separate township organization in 1860 when the following officers were elected:
    O. F. Conklin, Supervisor; Alvin Reed, Clerk; John W. Tibbets and George H. Loomis, Justices of the Peace; Benjamin Brevoort, Treasurer; Peter Conklin, P. Woodward and Judson Philips, Commissioners of Highways, and Robert Robinson, School Inspector.
    The present (1881) officers are:
    Robert Robinson, Supervisor; Anson Bowen, Clerk; Samuel Beckwith, Treasurer; John Kenne, Commissioner of Highways; Tom. J. G. Bolt, School Superintendent, and Geo. M. Goodrich, Wheeler Hancock and Samuel Beckwith, Justices of the Peace.

    The growth  and future prosperity of Moorland depends, in a great measure, on its being properly drained. To accomplish which a main ditch with an average width of fourteen feet has been completed, commencing in section 13, and running in a southwesterly direction to section 30, flowing to the south branch of Black Creek. This main ditch has numerous auxiliary ditches, forming, as it were, a complete net-work. The land once drained is found to be wonderfully productive in all crops, with, perhaps, the exception of wheat, and already many an enterprising young man has taken advantage of the cheapness of the land, and is preparing a home which will furnish a competency in his old age.

    Geo. B. Smith, a farmer residing in section 35 was born in Chittenden County, Vt., Feb. 17th, 1832. Like many of the hardy sons of that State, he inherited a good constitution, wholesome youthful training, and an independent mind. He settled, in connection with his father's family, in Kent County, Mich., as early as 1837, and hence is acquainted with all the hardships incident to pioneer life. in 1864 he made Muskegon City his home, and participated in public life to some extent, having acted in the different capacities of Policeman, Constable, Deputy Sheriff and Marshal in that city. Mr. Smith was married Oct. 16th, 1853, to Adelaide A. Withey, who was born in Grand Rapids, Sept. 17th, 1836.

    Samuel Beckwith.  The father of the subject of this sketch, whose name was Samuel, was born in Connecticut, Feb. 15th, 1781, and married Hannah English, Oct. 29th, 1809, who was born in Chemung County, N. Y., July 11th, 1793. The old gentleman died in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1859, and the mother April 3d, 1852. As early as 1854 Mr. Samuel Beckwith settled in Michigan, and in 1857 made a home on section 1, Moorland Township, and engaged in manufacturing sawed lumber and shingles until quite recently. He is the present Township Treasurer, and has been Justice of the Peace for a term of years. He was married, Feb. 13th, 1853, to Susan A. Clark, who was born in Columbia County, Penn., Dec. 1, 1836.

    Tom J. G. Bolt was born in Devonshire, Eng., April 16th, 1848. He settled in Ontario, Canada, in 1857, and in Ottawa County, Mich., in 1859, and in Casnovia Township, Muskegon County, in 1869. He engaged in teaching school, which avocation he has followed a large portion of the time since. In 1874 Mr. Bolt settled on his present home in section 1, Moorland Township. He was married Dec. 25th, 1874, to Ola A. Minnich, who was born in Casnovia, April 8th, 1855. They have two children. Mr. Bolt is the present Town Superintendent of Schools for Moorland.

    S. Porter was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 8th, 1831, and is a farmer, residing in section 28, Moorland. Mr. Porter was the pioneer settler in his part of the town, and demonstrated what could be done with that class of land. He married Louisa Shimel, Sept. 7th, 1850.

    Tracy Woodward was born in the State of New York, Sept. 12th, 1836. He settled at a very early age in Oakland County, Mich., and in Kent County in 1848, and in Muskegon County, in 1859, and now resides on section 1, Moorland. He has been identified in public affairs as Supervisor of Barton, Treasurer of Moorland, Commissioner, &c. He was married Sept. 30th, 1860, to Celestia Pickett, who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Sept. 30th, 1840. They have four surviving children. He has recently (Aug. 17th, 1881), lost a loving daughter, Carrie Esther, who was born Aug. 22d, 1862.

    Wm. Whittington, who was born in Ireland Nov. 24th, 1817, settled in Albany County, N. Y., in 1821; moved to Niagara County, N. Y., in 1842, and to Eaton County, Mich., in 1850, and to Casnovia, Muskegon County, in 1858, and now lives on section 26, Moorland. He married Polly Bigsby in August, 1840.

    M. H. Spencer was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 12, 1839. He settled in Ravenna Township in 1851 and in Moorland in 1877, where he built a saw mill with a capacity of 15,000 feet daily, which he still owns.

    Geo. W. Tibbits was born in Ravenna, Muskegon County, March 12th, 1854, is a farmer, and resides on section 28, Moorland. He was married May 28th, 1876 to Hattie Flanders.

    Nelson Flanders was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1854, and settled in Muskegon County in 1863. He is a farmer residing on section 28, Moorland. He was married Sept. 18, 1878, to Mary Peters.

    The farm of  Mr. Wm. Thompson, of Crockery, is a good example of what can be done with Moorland marsh lands. It consists of over 1,000 acres, and has been drained by two ditches each about six miles long, ten feet wide and three feet deep, which has rendered it, perhaps, the most fertile farm in the State. On it there are immense buildings to hold the crops. In 1881, 1,500 bushels of corn were raised from 15 acres, and 300 bushels of potatoes to the acre. On the farm there have been raised cabbages weighing 18 lbs., beets 17 lbs., and potatoes 33/4 lbs. The land was bought at $4 and acre, and the ditching has cost $1 an acre, and the farm is now worth $40 an acre, which is a good return for any money invested.