Otter Creek Township

Otter Creek Township

Otter Creek township, embracing T. 31, R. 4, originally a part of the town of Bruce, was detached and made a town in 1871, and named from the creek of that name which runs from east to west across the town near its centre, and with its principal branch, Wolf creek, furnishes a small area of good timber.

The few early settlements in the town were, like all others at that day. confined to this belt of timber, the remainder of the town being all prairie - which settled much less rapidly, but is now full of people.

Solomon Brock, born in Kentucky, and came from near Dayton, Ohio, in 1830, to Bailey's Point, and to 8. 21 in 1833, He married Jane Moon, danghter of Jacob Moon, and raised a family where hefiretecttled. He died in 1860, Hischildren were:

Henry, who is married ; Evans B., married Sarah Birtwell, and oceupies the old farm ; Rees B., married Mary Cooper, he was killed at the battle of Harteville; Philander B., married Ellen Spencer, he is now insane; Calvin B., married Sarah Hart, and moved to lowa; Ellen, married Christian Wagoner; Mary, married Jerry Hopple; Orilla Jane, married Wn. H. Gochanour ; Lilly married Daniel Barrackman, she is dead; Anna, married J.C, Campbell.

James McKernan, son of John McKernan, of South Ottawa, with his mother, settled on 8. 22, at the head of the creek timber in 1834, where he still resides ; his mother died there in 1872, Mr. McKernan has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, and was Captain of Volunteers in the late wir. He married Miss Cramer, and has eight children: Rosanna married Aaron Kleiber in Allen; Gearge married Miss Little, now in Towa ; Samuel married, and resides near his father ; Candace married Henry Ackerman in Iowa ; Solanda married M. Lockwood, and lives near the old place; Ann Eliza married Matthias Cavanaugh. Two younger eliildren at home.

Henry Pickens, from Middlebury, ras, came to Otter Creek in 1839 with his wife, Mercy Pierce. Mr. Pickens died in 1844. His widow is still living with her son James, aged 89 years.

James Pickens and wife, Eliza Ohase, from Massachusetts, in 1838, came in a wagon the whole distance with his family and aged grandmother, Mrs. Abia Hathaway, who died a few years after, aged 98. He settled on the creek, and in 1848 moved to Ottawa, where he now resides. His son Henry resides in South Ottawa,' and is the Supervisor of that town.

Robert Wade, from Lancashire, England, in 1530, eame to Taunton, Mass., and here, in 1840; he married a Miss Wilson from England. He has two daughters: Rebecea, married Henry Simmons ; Elizabeth, married and lives on the old place.

James Spencer, from Lancashire, England, came with Mr. Wade in 1830, and reached Mlinois in 1840. He married Mary Bulsbury, an English lady from Michigan. He has held oflice of Justice of the Peace for many years. His son James was killed in thearmy. Ellen married Philander Brock; is now living with her father. One younger daughter.