Henry H Otis

OTIS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:07:55

Henry H Otis who is engaged in the dairy business, was born June 21, 1838, in Cherry Valley township. Ashtabula county, Ohio. His father, Robert Otis was a native of New York and was a son of John Otis, one of the pioneers of the Empire state, who removed from New York to Ohio and subsequently to northwestern Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining days, passing way in 1846, when about seventy-five years of age. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and was of Scotch-Irish descent.
Robert Otis spent a part of his life in Jefferson county, New York and about 1830 removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he remained for forty-six years. He then accompanied his son, our subject to Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, covering about eighteen years. His death occurred in October 1894, when he was in his eight-fifth year. He married Lucy Richards, who was a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Charles Richards. Her father was of English descent and at an early period in the development of the state settled in central New York, where he engaged in farming and in the operation of a distillery. His death occurred about 1858 and his wife who bore the maiden name of Abagail Manly passed way at the age of seventy-six years. Their daughter Mrs Otis died in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1884, at the age of seventy-two years. Their children are: Mary, the wife of Fayette Dunbar, of Cortland, Ohio, Harriet, the widow of M M Langley of Cortland, Ohio, Charles R who died at the age of eighteen months, and Henry H of this review. The father of this family was a general merchant and for many years thus supported his wife and children, but during the last twenty-five years of his life he devoted his energies to the fire and life insurance business.
Henry H Otis began his education in the public schools near his home and afterward entered the Western Reserve Seminary, at West Farmington, Ohio, but when Civil war was inaugurated he put aside all business and personal considerations, enlisting on may 29, 1862, as a member of Company B, Eighty-seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. After six months he was transferred tot eh Thirteenth Ohio Infantry and was promoted t the ran k of captain at Harper’s Ferry on September 12, 1862. Five months later, by special commission form Governor Tod, he was transferred to Western Army, being attached tot eh Thirteenth Ohio Regiment. He participated in the engagements at Harper’s Ferry, Antietam, Stone River and others of lesser importance, and received an honorable discharge on January 1, 1864.
After returning to his home Mr Otis engaged in the insurance business with his father for a time and afterward became a commercial traveler. Subsequently he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and in the spring of 1866 began farming in Trumb county, Ohio, where he remained for six years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Kent county, Michigan, where he conducted a hotel and livery. It was in the spring o 1876 that he came to Iowa, locating in Harrison township, Boone county, but when two years had passed he removed to Des Moines township, where he has since resided. At the time he located at this place his farm was unimproved land and where his fine residence now stands was pasture land. This home with its pleasant environments is the visible evidence of the life of industry and enterprise which Mr Otis has led. Since the incorporation of the city of Boone MR Otis property I within the boundary lines. During eh past four years he has been engaged in the dairy business and has found this a profitable source of income.
On November 16, 1865, Mr Otis was united in marriage to Mary L Bascom, a daughter of Horatio and Caroline (Newell) Bascom, native of Connecticut. The children of this marriage are Caroline, Lucy, Charles, and Frank. The elder son married Mary Zimbleman and is now living in Boone, while Frank wedded Bessie L King and resides in Worth Township, Boone county. The family is one of prominence in the community and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr Otis is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Boone and he also belongs to Jerusalem Lodge, No 13, F & A M of Hartford, Ohio, to the Grand Army Post and to the order of Druids. His social qualities and personal characteristics have made him a valued representative of these organizations, and as a citizen he is as true today to his duties as when he followed the old flag upon the battle fields of the south.

1902 Boone County History Book