Marathon Township was named for the famous Greek battlefield. Organized in 1839, the township was named by Silas D. McKeen who ran a saw mill and who was a member of the Michigan Legislature. The first town (now called township) meeting was held on the first day of April 1839, at the home of Abijah Willey. This was two years after Michigan joined the Union of the United States of America. Only 12 men were available for the 20 township offices. Horace N. Lathrop was elected first supervisor, S.D. McKeen was clerk, and Martin Volentine collector. Volentine said he never took any money in 1839 and 1840 except what turned out to be a bogus silver dollar.