The six mile square that would become Holway was first surveyed in the summer of 1847 by a crew working for the U.S. government. Then in 1854 another crew marked all the section corners in the township, walking through the woods and swamps, measuring with chain and compass. When done, the deputy surveyor filed this general description:

The surface of this township is generally level the dry land is but very little elevated above the swamps the soil is poor 3rd rate bearing but little vegetation but is generally covered with a thick heavy moss. The timber is principally Hemlock & Birch with a few scattering trees of White Pine of poor quality. The township is well watered by numerous small streams of good pure water. There are no settlers in the township