The township was named after President James Madison.

[5] The first white settlers in the land that would become Madison Township were Win Winship, Jacob Stettler, Charles Poulston and James Taylor, all of whom arrived in 1829.

[6] According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 25.52 square miles (66.1 km2), all land.

[4] Prior to being settled, the land was almost completely covered in dense forest, principally oak, walnut, poplar, sugar maple, beech, ash, hickory, elm, and various other hardwood species.

[6] The township contains two cemeteries, Bennet and Fair Haven.