Company K 1st Michigan Sharpshooters: Marcus Otto

Marcus Otto was born in Michigan in the 1840s (differing sources). His parents were Waw-be-gaw-me-skum and O-may-yaw-we-ge-zhe-go-quay (from the Gruett Roll).

Photo of Marcus later in life

He enlisted in Company K, First Sharpshooters, 18 May 1863 at Isabella, for 3 years. Age was given as 19. He mustered in 26 May 1863.

Muster-in roll describes Marcus as 5'8" tall, with black eyes and hair, dark complexion.

Muster rolls 1863-1864

Marcus was wounded on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania, Virginia and had his right arm amputated.

Medical cards

Marcus was discharged for disability at Alexandria, Virginia, on 18 Aug 1864.

Captain James S. Deland's testimony regarding Marcus' injury, dated 11 Mar 1865

Note from hospital dated 1 Jul 1865.

1866 Annuity Roll Marcus Otto, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, received $18.66 under Chief Naw-o-ke-zhick

1867 Annuity Roll Marcus Otto, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, received d$17.72 under Chief Naw-o-ke-zhick

Marcus married Mary Nottowa, the daughter of Chief Nottawa and Martha in Apr 1867 according to his pension records.

The Gruett Roll taken in 1868 gives Markus, age 23, married to the widow of his brother Kaw-gay-aw-sung (Solomon).

Marcus' first son, George, was born Apr 1870.

In 1872 Marcus is to receive $18 per month as his pension, with an increase to $24 per month on 4 Jun 1874.

Son Peter was born Feb 1873. [Peter gives his birth as 3 Feb 1874 on his WWI draft record]

Twin daughters Mary and Julia were born 17 Mar 1877 in Isabella. Death dates are unknown.

Son John is born in 1879.

Marcus applied for pension arrears.

An unnamed son is born 9 Feb 1882 in Nottawa.

Marcus is listed as a pensioner in 1883 as living in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan

Son William was born 20 Apr 1883.

Four days later son John died 24 Apr 1883 in Nottawa, age given as 4 years old.

Son William died 10 Jul 1884 in Nottawa.

Son Foster is born 24 Feb 1885

Daughter Emma is born 22 May 1886 according to her father.

Pension paper dated 21 May 1889.

1890 Federal Census - Veterans Schedule, Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Line 4, Otto, Marcus, private, company K 1st Mich SS inf, 18 May 1863 to 15 Aug 1864, served 1 year 2 months 27 days, loss of right arm.

Another unnamed son was born 20 Oct 1890 in Mt. Pleasant.

Son George was married to Susan Jackson on 2 Nov 1893 in Pinconning, Bay, Michigan.

Marcus is asked to give information before his next pension payment in 1898. He gives his wife's name Mary, marriage as Apr 1867, children as George born Apr 1870, Peter born Feb 1873, Foster born 22 Feb 1886, Lee born 24 Mar 1888 and Ester born 22 May 1886.

1900 Federal Census of Nottawa, Isabella, Michigan lists Marcus, born Aug 1842, age 57, married 34 years, Mary, wife, born Sep 1844, age 53, gave birth to 10 children, 5 living; Peater, son, born Feb 1871, age 29, married 3 years; Emma, daughter-in-law, born Feb 1880, age 20, gave birth to 3? children, none living; Nottawa, no first name, mother-in-law, born Jan 1820, age 80, widowed, gave birth to one child, one living; Nottawa, Thomas, brother-in-law, born Feb 1846, age 59, married 27 years.