OTTO STOUT, b 17 Jun 1833

STOUT, MILLER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 12/26/2004 at 18:52:57

Otto Stout, a resident of Maquoketa, is well-known as the editor of the Jackson Journal, the only German newspaper published in the county. It is carefully and ably edited, not only in the interests of the Democratic party but of the people at large in this section of the State, and it is a powerful political and social influence, having a large circulation.

Mr. Stout was born in the village of Freiburg, Baden, Germany, Jun 17, 1833, coming of a good old family well-known in those parts for many generations. His paternal grandfather and his father, both of whom were named Joseph, were natives of the same village as himself; and the former, a Government official in the diplomatic service, spent his entire life in the land of his nativity. The father of our subject was reared in his native place, and, receiving a liberal education, at the age of twenty-eight was appointed to an office under the Government, and was in public life until his death in his native village in 1839.

The subject of this sketch was one of six children, and he and his brother Ferdinand were the only ones that ever came to America. The latter is now living near Williamstown, N.Y. Otto Stout was reared and educated in the village of his birth, and at fourteen years of age commenced to learn the art perservative in a Government printing office, and in the ensuing six years he gained a thorough, practical knowledge of the art. He then, in accordance with the laws of his country, entered the army, and the following eight years was engaged in military service. At the expiration of that time he abandoned the soldier's life, and resumed printing, traveled and worked in the large cities of Germany until 1870. In that year he came to the United States of America, thinking that life on this continent promised better success to him than in the Old World. He sailed from Hamburg, and landing in Boston in the month of December proceeded to New York State, where he remained until the following March. In that month he made his way to Davenport, Iowa, and there secured the position of foreman in the office of the Davenport Democrat. He held that position for ten years, and then, in 1881, came to Jackson County, and locating in Bellevue, entered journalism on his own account, establishing the Jackson Journal. In July, 1882, he came to Maquoketa, the metropolis of the country, as its central location and size made a more desirable place for the headquarters of a paper, which, notwithstanding its youthfulness, had already begun to be a power in the county, and he has ever since continued its publication here, meeting with the success that he deserves in the establishment of a pure, first-class newspaper. He is ably assisted in his work by his eldest daughter, an intelligent young lady, who displays much ability.

March 14, 1869, Mr. Stout was married to Miss Albertina Miller, who is, like himself, a native of Baden, Germany, Kaeppel-Rodeck being the place of her birth. Albertina Miller is the daughter of a miller named Friedrich Miller, of Furshenbach, where he owned a mill. She and a brother, who lives at Davenport, where the only ones who came to America of eight children. Her mother is still living, but her father died when she was quite young. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, all born in Davenport, namely: Georgiana O., August, Emil A., Julia A. and Anna M. August died in infancy.

Mr. Stout is a man of much decision of character, with a thoughtful, vigorous intellect, and his editorials are marked by sound common sense and a good, practical knowledge of the many subjects of general interest of which they treat. He is looked up to by his compatriots and fellow-citizens as a wise counselor and safe leader.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)