Antwerp Township was formed the 11th of March 1837, just before the organization of Van Buren County.

Joseph's son J.J. Woodman became Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1869 to 1872.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 10,813 people, 3,764 households, and 2,935 families residing in the township.

There were 3,968 housing units at an average density of 113.7 per square mile (43.9/km2).

17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.