Otto, William

Other Events:

• Occupation: Louisa County, Iowa, USA; a miller, businessman, and farmer

Notes:

Occupation:

The following biographical essay was published in 1911 in History of Louisa County, Iowa, From its Earliest Settlement to 1911.

     William Otto, who is one of the popular and enterprising citizens of Louisa county and occupies one of the most pleasant homes to be found in this section of the state, is a native of this county. He was born May 6, 1868, being a son of John H. and Charlotta Anna (Weckman) Otto, a record of whom appears above. He received his education in the district schools and grew to maturity under the parental roof, assisting his father on the home farm as the years passed and thus becoming well acquainted with the duties and responsibilities pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. In 1894 he entered the milling business at Wapello, in which he continued for six years, during which time the plant was twice visited by fire. In 1900 he transferred his activities to the hardware business, with which he was successfully connected for eight years. At the end of the time named he took up his residence on a portion of his mother's farm and now cultivates two hundred and fifty acres. The efficiency of his management is clearly indicated by the appearance of the well cultivated fields and the prosperity that has attended his efforts as a general farmer and stock-raiser. His mother, who has now arrived at the age of seventy-three years, makes her home with his family.
     On the 12th of July, 1894, Mr. Otto was married to Miss Ellen Limbocker, a daughter of J. P. and Amanda (Fish) Limbocker. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Limbocker: Anna E., the widow of W. A Henderson, of Page county; Elmer, deceased; Eva, who married J. J. Graner, of Henrietta, Texas; Carrie, who is now the wife of Edward Graner, also of Henrietta; Harry, of Louisa county; Ellen, now Mrs. William Otto; John L., of Davenport, Washington; Clyde L., of Springwater, Oregon; and Ernest Ray, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Otto have become the parents of three children: Helen M., who was born July 27, 1897; one who died in infancy; and William, Jr., who was born March 8, 1911.
     Mr. Otto gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is allied with the progressive element of that organization, believing that the party has within itself the ability and integrity to command the affairs of the nation. He now very acceptably fills the office of township trustee. Fraternally he his a valued member of the Masonic order and also of the Odd Fellows and Woodsmen, and his religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. As he takes a lively interest in his work he is meeting with deserved success financially, and, being in the prime of life, he may safely look forward to many years of increasing responsibility.

William married Limbocker, Ellen 12 Jul 1894, Iowa, USA. Ellen (daughter of Limbocker, J. P. and Fish, Amanda) died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

1. Otto, Helen M. was born 27 Jul 1897, Iowa, USA; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Otto, [--?--] was born , Iowa, USA; died Bef 1911.
3. Otto, William Jr. was born 8 Mar 1911, Iowa, USA; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Occupation: Louisa County, Iowa, USA; a farmer and banker

Notes:

Occupation:

The following biographical sketch was published in 1911 in History of Louisa County, Iowa, From its Earliest Settlement to 1911.

     Among the farmers of Louisa county, now deceased, was John Henry Otto, who died February 21, 1910, the announcement of his death causing a general expression of regret throughout the community where he was well and favorably known. He was for over fifty years an active factor in the agricultural development of the county and gained marked success as a business man and farmer.
     He was born in Marthasville, Missouri, now called Hopewell, in August, 1835, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Rolfe) Otto, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. The parents emigrated to America and made their home for a number of years in Missouri, later removing to Washington county, Iowa. They are both now deceased. In their family were nine children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: George, of Portland, Oregon; Louisa, the wife of F. Feigenbaum [sic], of Wauneta, Kansas; John Henry, the subject of this sketch; Hortense, who became the wife of Henry Droegemeyer, of Burlington; Christian and William, both of whom are deceased; Herman, who is now living in Wapello; and Mary, who married Henry Wagoner, of Ankeny, Iowa.
     John Henry Otto possessed advantages of education in the district schools and in his youth and boyhood assisted his father in farm work, thus early becoming acquainted with the value and importance of labor. At twenty years of age he secured employment at Burlington, Iowa, in the lumber business but four years later was married and began farming on his won account by renting about sixty-five acres of land eight miles from Burlington. After a year on this place he removed to Wapello and rented eighty acres for one year. He next rented a farm of one hundred and twenty acres for two years and after changing his location once more he bought two hundred acres in Louisa county in 1865, upon which he established his home. He was highly successful in farming and stock-raising and became the owner of over nine hundred acres of good land, which he greatly improved. He was a man of excellent financial judgment, as is indicated by the fact that he served with general acceptance to stockholders and to the people of the community as president of the Wapello State Bank.
     On the 11th of August, 1859, Mr. Otto was married to Miss Charlotte Annie Weckman, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ringler) Weckman. There were two children in the Weckman family, the other being Frederick, who made his home in Missouri and is now deceased. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Otto, the youngest of whom died in infancy, the others being: Henry, of Louisa county; Edmund and George F., both deceased; William, who resides in Louisa county; Leona, at home; Anna Charlotte, the wife of L. W. Gerth, of Wyanconda, Missouri; and Herman Peter, also at home.
     Mr. Otto cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president of the United States and during all of his subsequent life saw no reason to change his political views, always being a stanch [sic] supporter of the republican party. In religious faith he was a Methodist and was a liberal contributor to that denomination. He was a kind father, a true friend and a citizen who through many years of well directed effort assisted very materially in advancing the permanent interests of Louisa county. His acknowledged honesty and high business standing gave him a prominent place in the regard and confidence of his fellowmen and no history of the county would be complete without adequate mention of him.

Johann married Weckman, Charlotte Anna 11 Aug 1859, Iowa, USA. Charlotte (daughter of Weckman, John and Ringler, Elizabeth) died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: USA

Notes:

Immigration:
The family immigrated sometime between the birth of daughter, Louisa, born in the Kingdom of Hannover in 1832 and the birth of son, Johann Heinrich, born in Missouri in 1835. They settled first in Missouri and later relocated to Washington County, Iowa.

Heinrich married Rolfe, Elizabeth Margueretha Kingdom of Hannover. Elizabeth was born , Kingdom of Hannover; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: USA

Notes:

Birth:
Sources have identified her as Elizabeth Rolfe and as Margueretha Rolfe. Her exact name has not yet been confirmed.

Immigration:
The family immigrated sometime between the birth of daughter, Louisa, born in the Kingdom of Hannover in 1832 and the birth of son, Johann Heinrich, born in Missouri in 1835. They settled first in Missouri and later relocated to Washington County, Iowa.

Notes:

Married:
They were the parents of nine children, one of whom is reported to have died in infancy. That child's identity and place in the birth order is not known at this time.

John married Ringler, Elizabeth. Elizabeth died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.