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.
The 1900 Federal Census, US Indian Industrial School, Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan lists Foster, age 14, Lee, age 12, and Esther, age 10.
An index to the school records shows names, ages and dates of attendance for Marcus' children.
Wife Mary Nottawa Otto died 4 Mar 1901 in Nottawa, Isabella, Michigan
Daughter Ester died 27 Apr 1902. Her age is given as 13.
The 4 Jun 1903 Saginaw Courier-Herald states Marcus Otto now receives a pension of $55.
Marcus died 26 Mar 1904 in Nottowa, Isabella, Michigan, leaving four children and many grandchildren to mourn him.
The Saginaw Courier-Herald of 29 Mar 1904 writes of Marcus' death.
Pension status changed to deceased.
Probate index of Isabella county. Marcus - calendar liber 1, page 422, file #864
