Frank Otis

OTIS, MCCANN, COONEY

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/1/2010 at 07:23:00

FRANK OTIS

An excellent tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Forest township, Winnebago county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Frank Otis, whose life of diligence and determination has brought to him a substantial measure of success. He was born in Winnebago county on the 17th of September, 1876, his father being J. J. Otis, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Frank Otis acquired his education in the public schools, mastering the usual branches of learning while dividing his time between the work of the schoolroom and the work of the farm. He continued to assist his father in the development of the fields until he attained his majority, when he started out in farm life on his own account and for three years rented land. He then purchased the farm whereon he now resides on section 28, Forest township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres and through the intervening period he has bent his energies to the further development and improvement of this property. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually gathers good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his place. He is prompt in all that he undertakes and is systematic in his work. Aside from his farming he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Forest City.

On the 23d of September, 1903, Mr. Otis was married to Miss Katherine McCann, who was born at Iowa Falls, Iowa, a daughter-of William and Mary (Cooney) McCann, who were natives of Ireland and New York respectively. The father is now deceased but the mother is living in Forest City, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Otis are members of the Catholic church and in the community where they reside they are held in high esteem.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. p. 280-281.