Ottawa | Early Franklin County Settlers

Franklin County Townships:

Appanoose

Centropolis

Cutler

Franklin

Greenwood

Harrison

Hayes

Lincoln

Ohio

Ottawa

Pomona

Homewood

Peoria

Pottawatomiie

Richmond

Williamsburg

Franklin County is one of the original Kansas counties. The township names have changed over the years for the same property. In 1860 the townships were Centropolis, Ohio, Ottawa, Peoria, and Pottawatomie.  Chippewa appears on some early maps but was never organized. In 1865 Franklin Township was added. In 1870 Cutler, Greenwood, and Harrison were added. By 1875 Appanoose, Hayes, Lincoln, Richmond, and Williamsburg were created. For a complete description and maps, see The History of Franklin County, Kansas, page 17. This book is in Ottawa Library and at Franklin County Historical Society Archives and may be in other libraries as well.

Otc -- Ottawa City abbreviation on federal and state censuses.  City designation usually has one of four wards listed as well. Ottawa Township is listed as just “Ottawa.”