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| Notes for John Otten | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Otten J. Otten, a prominent citizen and shoemaker of Burlington, Iowa, was born near Bremen, Germany, May 28, 1821, his parents being Claus and Adeline Otten. Throughout his life Claus Otten was a farmer, and in 1838, bidding good-bye to his friends and fatherland, emigrated to America, taking up his residence in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, that city so noted as a dwelling place of the Mound Builders. Purchasing a farm in that county, he resided upon his land until his removal to the city, after which he lived a retired life. After many years of usefulness he was summoned to his final home, his death occurring in 1861 at the age of seventy-eight. His wife survived him for a few years when she was called to her final home, having attained a ripe old age. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, always taking an active interest in the Church work and laboring zealously in the Master's cause. Upright in purpose, outspoken in what he thought to be right, Mr. Otten was always ready to aid in the advancement of any enterprise for the public good. Four children graced the union of this worthy couple, all of whom are now living--Anna, wife of Peter Wilkins, who is residing in New Auburn; Jacob, a retired farmer of Henderson, Minn.; our subject, third in order of birth; Druselle, wife of John Clintworth, residing in Marietta, Ohio. Remaining on the farm until attaining his seventeenth year, John then went to Marietta, Ohio, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. Having now attained his majority, in 1843 he decided to go West, and acting upon this determination took up his residence in Burlington, being employed as a journeyman for a time, then beginning business for himself. He embarked in the grocery business, the store being situated on Jefferson street, and after three years, in 1860, he started overland to Colorado, remaining there engaged in mining about six months, being reasonably successful. Leaving the mines he again returned to Burlington, resuming the shoemaker's trade, which he has continued since 1868. On the 27th of April, 1847, John Otten was united in marriage with Elizabeth Marlow, a widow, a native ofIndiana, and a daughter of Burnett Portlock. By their union three children have been born, and the dread destroyer, death, has ever passed by their home, leaving the family circle unbroken. The children are Mary, wife of G. V. Markham, a resident of Burlington; John C., a locomotive engineer, located at Galesburg, Ill.; and Hattie A., an artist of considerable talent, her drawings and oil paintings receiving much commendation. She resides with her parents, at 202 Vine street. Mr. and Mrs. Otten are both members of the Baptist Church, and since 1857 have been earnest workers in their Master's cause. Socially he is a member of Washington Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 1, it being the first lodge organized in the State, the date of its organization being April 26, 1844. Mr. Otten is the oldest initiated member of the lodge residing in Burlington, and was a delegate to the Grand Lodge, at Bloomington, when it was organized. He is also a charter member of Eureka Camp, No. 2, which was the second camp in the State, and has held all the offices in the subordinate lodge and in the camp. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party." Portrait and Biographical Album of Des Moines County, Iowa Chicago: Acme Publishing, 1888. page 411-412, Iowa Biographies Project, http://www.rootsweb.com/~iabiog/desmoines/pba1888/pba1888-o.htm#J.%20Otten, accessed 13 June 2002] Obituary: "A landmark on South Main Street has passed away in the person of John Otten, who for fifty years, with only a few intermissions, mended soles and made boots and shoes for "Lower Town" residents. Mr. otten's death occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning after an illness of ten days with grip. During the past week improvement had been noted and Friday he was no worse than he had been at any time during his illness. He retained his appetite, and strong hopes of his recovery were entertained. At midnight, however, he became suddenly much worse and expired at half-past two o'clcok in the arms of the faithful sharer of his joys and sorrows. John Otten was born near Bremen, Germany, May 28, 1821, his parents being Claus and Adeline Otten. Claus Otten was a farmer, who emigrated to America with his family in 1838. He settled in Washington county, Ohio, near Marietta. John reamained up in this farm till he was seventeen, when he went to Marietta to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving a four years apprenticeship. At his majority he determined to come west, and in 1843 he came to Burlington, working first as a journeyman shoemaker and later as a master cobbler. After a few years he established himself in the grocery business, the store being on Jefferson street, but in 1860 he sold out and joined the rush to the Colorado gold fields. An experience of six months was sufficient for him, and he returned to his cobbler's bench in Burlington, and from that time on he continued to work at his trade although he had long ago earned his retirement and his thrift had provided for his old age. Mr Otten was married April 27, 1847 to Mrs. Elizabeth Marlow, daughter of Burnett Portlock. Three children, all surviving, were born to them, namely, John C. Otten, a locomotive engineer in the Santa Fe servicel Mary, wife of G. V. Markham of this city, and Hattie, wife of Mr. Edwards, of Hannibal, Missouri. A brother, Jacob, resides in St. Paul. Socially, Mr. Otten was an Odd Fellow, being one of the earliest members of Washington, the first lodge organized in the state. At his death he was the oldest member on the rolls. He had held every office from highest to lowest in his lodge. He was a member of the First Baptist church." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| from ancestry.com 1852 OTTEN JOhioN Des Moines County Iowa 010 Burlington Township Iowa 1852 State Census Index Iowa46023030 1860 OTTEN JOhioN Des Moines County Iowa 552 Burlington Federal Population Schedule Iowa 1860 Federal Census Index Iowa231127270 1870 OTTEN JOhioN Des Moines County Iowa 369 4 W. Burlington Federal Population Schedule Iowa 1870 Federal Census Index Iowa018279984 1870 OTTEN JOhioN Des Moines County Iowa 369 4 W. Burlington Federal Population Schedule Iowa 1870 Federal Census Index Iowa018279986 1870 OTTEN JOhioN Scott County Iowa 182 1 W. Davenport Federal Population Schedule Iowa 1870 Federal Census Index Iowa018279985 Searched 1850 Burlington Township, Burlington ward 3, ward 2, ward 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes for Elizabeth (Spouse 1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "...united in marriage with Elizabeth Marlow, a widow, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Burnett Portlock." Obituary: "Mrs. John Otten, one of the real pioneers of this city and county, passed away in Chicago Sunday morning and was laid away in Aspen Grove yesterday afternoon. The services were held at the Prugh chapel and the Rev. Roy Barrett, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiated. A number of old friends paid the last honors to the good woman. Elizabeth Portlock was born in Rush county, Indiana eighty-six years ago, the daughterof Barnett D. and Sarah Lyons Portlock. She came here with her parents in 1836 and she grew up with the pioneer children and her childhood would appear like a fairytale to the Burlington children of today. The country was full of Indians in those days, and the little girl played with the pappooses and made friends with the squaws and the braves, all of whom were very much like other people after you came to know them well. On April 27, 1847 deceased became the wife of John Otten, a good man, who was engaged in the shoe business on Main and Vine streets for many years and who passed away some thirteen years ago. The happy union was blessed with three children, all of whom survived the parents. They are Mrs. G. V. Markham, of Chicago with whom deceased was making her home; John C. Otten, of Fort Madison, and Mrs. Hattie A. Edwards of this city. Many friends wil hold the good woman in kindly remembrance. Mr. and Mrs. Otten had both been old member sof the First Baptist church and theres, as elsewhere, she will be missed indeed." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Modified 27 August 2004 | Created 13 November 2005 by Reunion for Macintosh-Julie Dresser |