John Otten

OTTEN, POLITZ, YOHUM

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 16:40:38

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910.
Biographical Sketches

JOHN OTTEN.

John Otten, who owns a valuable tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres in Fairfield township, is one of the worthy sons that Germany has furnished to the United States, his birth having occurred in Hanover on the 24th of June, 1859. . His parents, Henry and Annie (Politz) Otten, spent their entire lives in the fatherland. In 1881, when a young man of twenty-two years, John Otten crossed the ocean to the new world, being desirous of testing the truth of the favorable reports which he had heard regarding the excellent business opportunities which were here offered. After landing on American shores he remained for two years in New York city, working at various occupations. In 1886 he came to this state and for six years worked as a farm hand for Sylvestor Hunter in Clinton county near the Jackson county line. In 1891 he purchased a tract of land comprising eighty acres on section 9, Fairfield township, where he resided until 1899, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm and in 1908 extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of a quarter section, so that it now embraces three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Fairfield township. He has brought the fields into a state of rich fertility, so that he annually harvests good crops, and in addition to his farming interests also makes a specialty of the raising of thoroughbred hogs. He is likewise a stockholder in the Preston Telephone Company and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous, progressive and representative citizens of the community.

In 1891 Mr. Otten was united in marriage to Miss Annie Yohum, (Yochum) a daughter of Phillip Yohum, of Fairfield township. Their children are four in number, namely: Annie, Herman, John and Fred, all at home.

When exercising his right of franchise Mr. Otten casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified without regard to party affiliation. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he has ably served as a school director. He and his family are consistent members of the Lutheran church and take an active interest in its work. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought,—which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man,—and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward.