Page County, Iowa History 1880 Biographicals

Biographical History of Page County, Iowa, Lewis & Dunbar Publishers, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois, 1890

[page 490] HENRY OTTE, one of the true representives of an adopted American citizen, has made his life a success as well as an honor to those around him. He resides on section 34, Douglas Township, where he owns 640 acres of choice land. He is a pioneer, and as such is justly entitled to space in a work recording the lives of Page County's leading men. He came to the county in 1855 and entered 160 acres of land, on which he located in the spring of 1856, when Clarinda had but a dozen houses, and rank prairie grass bedecked the spot now known as the public square.
Henry Otte was born in Hanover, Germany, February 4, 1832, and is the son of George and Caroline (Macher) Otte, who were the parents of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity. Henry is the youngest child, and remained in his native land until he was fifteen years old. He attended school from his sixth year until his fourteenth, and in 1847 he came to America, landing at Quebec. He soon found his way to Jackson County, Indiana, where he spent two years; he then went to Ohio and remained there the same length of time, working on a farm and gardening. He then went back to Jackson County, Indiana, where he was married, April 10, 1856, to Miss Char- [page 491] lotte Klinge, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Summers) Klinge. She was born in Hanover, Germany, September 18, 1832.
From 1847 to 1856 Mr. Otte was employed on a farm. Shortly after his marriage he and his wife and his brother and family moved to Iowa, being on the road live weeks, camping out at night and doing their cooking. They had to cross many unbridged streams, but they were ferried across the Mississippi; however, the stock had to swim that great river. They settled where they now live, living the first three months in the wagon. Mr. Otte built a house as soon as it was possible; eight men were required to raise it, but in that day were free-hearted and neighborly.
After this cabin home was up the family were happy and comfortable, and it served the purpose until 1875, when their present dwelling was erected. It is a roomy structure and stands upon a natural building site, surrounded by pretty shade and ornamental trees. An orchard also adds beauty and value to the place; the grove and orchard together contain ten acres. Barns, sheds, granaries and stock buildings, with stock scales and a modern wind-mill, make up all the conveniences of farming pursuits. The home farm consists of 360 acres in section 34. There is another tract of 280 acres in section 35, and in addition to this land Mr. Otte owns 360 acres in Nodaway Township, which is well improved, making 1,000 acres in all. It is among the best tracts to be found in Page County, and Mr. Otte is one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers.
The family consists of nine children: William Sauleka (son of Mrs. Otte by her former husband); Lucinda, wife of Henry Goecker; John, Frank, Malinda, wife of William Hartstack; Harmon, Lottie, wife of John Sundermann; Mary and Caroline. Louisa died October 19, 1889, aged twenty-three years, and Sophia died in infancy. They have all been well educated in the English and German languages, and have the respect of the entire community in which they live.
Politically Mr. Otte is a Republican, casting his vote for Lincoln in 1860. He has often held local offices, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve. He is a devout member of the German Lutheran church, and was a trustee when the building was erected. His liberality was practically seen and felt when he subscribed and paid $400 to the church building.
Our subject is a self-made man; having commenced without a dollar, he is now a wealthy man and an honored citizen, whom to know is to respect.