[3] The name of Carlton Township was given it by George Fuller and his family, the first settlers here in 1836.

Gerkey was an unincorporated location in Carlton Township.

As of the census for 2010 United States census, The racial makeup of the township was 97.25% White, 0.26% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.64% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races.

There were 836 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families.

16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.