OTTERMAN, James M. - Putnam

SOURCE: The Peffley, Peffly, Pefley Families in America, A historical and genealogical record of the Peffley, Peffly and Pefley families from 1729-1938; Published in 1938, By May Miller Frost and Clarence Earl Frost.  Call Number: R929.2 P375 1502--

JAMES M. OTTERMAN (son of No. 1450 ) married in 1885, MINNIE STOVER (dau. of SAMUEL and NANCY (Daugherty) STOVER). Samuel Stover was born in Botetourt Co., Va., in 1820 (son of GEORGE and HETTIE STOVER). He died June 20th, 1889, his wife died Mar. 14th, 1908.

James Otterman owned 325 acres of productive land in Sec. 23, Clark Twp.

Issue: Both born near Ladoga.

1--LELAH OTTERMAN, b. 4-15-1889.

2--CARL OTTERMAN, b. 1-18-1893.

Source: 1913 AW Bowen History of Montgomery County, Indiana p 1034

The name of James M. Otterman, one of the progressive and successful citizens of Clark Twp, needs no praise by the biographer, for it has stood for clean living and honorable actions toward his fellow men during his life here of more than 3 score years, for he has sought at all times, no matter how trying the circumstances, to maintain the dignity of the old family of which he is a most creditable representative. Mr. Otterman was born March 20, 1850 in this township and county. He is a son of Lewis Otterman, Jr. and wife. James M. Otterman received a common school education and he lived on the homestead in this township until he was 35 years old. In 1885 he married Minnie STOVER, daughter of Samuel and Nancy LEE Stover. She was born and reared in Scott Twp, Montgomery County, and here received her education in the public schools and here she resided until her marriage. Samuel Stover was born in Botetourt Co, Va in 1820. He was a son of George and Hetty Stover. Samuel Stover one of a large family who moved to Montgomery Co. when he was 12 about 1832 and located in Sec 36, Scott Twp on what is now the BYMASTER farm. Samuel Stover was a carpenter in his younger days. In the early 50s he married Nancy Lee DAUGHERTY, who was born and reared in his neighborhood. She was a daughter of James and Nancy Ann (MILLS) Daughtery. The Daughtertys came to Montgomery Co. about 1830 from Bullitt Co, KY and located in the SW part of Clark Twp, about 3/4 of a mile North of the Putnam Couty line. After his marriage Samuel Stover took up farming, which he followed the rest of his life. His father gave him 80 acres in Sec. 25, Scott Twp. As he prospered he purchased additional land until he owned a large and valuable farm, and here he lived the rest of his days. He and his wife were active int he work of the church, and he was a trustee of Hawk Creek Christian Church. His wife was a Baptist. The death of Samuel Stover occurred June 30, 1889; his widow surviving until March 14, 1908. James M. Otterman farmed in partnership with his brother after he was 25. After his marriage he farmed for himself on the place where he now resides, Sec 23 and he is now owner of 315 acres of valuable and productive land, for the most part under a high state of improvement and cultivation and all near his home. He is carrying on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and has a pleasant home and numerous outbuildings. To Mr. and Mrs. Ottherman two children have been born, namely: Lelah, born April 16, 1889 and Carl S, born Jan 18, 1893. The latter is now taking a courrse in agriculture and stock judging at the agricultural school at Lafayette. Lelah Otterman is an accomplished musician, both vocal and instrumental. Both she and her brother graduated from Ladoga HS. Mr. Otterman is a Democrat, and has for several years been a member of the advisory board of his township. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his party and from the days of Horace GREELEY has contributed generaously to the support of Democracy. He is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association, and he and his wife belong to the Christian Church.

Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain Counties, Indiana p. 426 (Chapman Brothers, 1893)

James M. OTTERMAN -- The subject of this biographical review, a native born son of Montgomery County, is one of its most liberal-minded, enterprising and sensible farmers and stock raisers, and his farm on Sec 22, Clark Township, is cultivated by modern methods, and is a well appointed and valuable estate. Mr. Otterman was born March 20, 1850 on the old Otterman homestead in Clark Township and is a son of Lewis Otterman of whom a sketch appears on another page of this work. Our subject received a sound education in the public schools of his native township and when he reached manhood he selected as his life work the calling to which he had been reared, which Horace Greeley called, "the noblest profession." He brought a mind well trained to his vocation, and has kept well abreast of the times in conducting the various farming operations to which he devotes himself. Mr. Otterman's father gave him a farm, and after his marriage he located upon it and has ever since made it his home. It comprises over 300 acres of land of great fertility which is carefully cultivated so as to produce the best results and its improvements are of a high order, including a well built and commodious frame residence that he erected in 1884. The marriage of Mr. Otterman with Miss Minnie F. Storer was solemnized November 15, 1 885. They have a cheerful and attractive home which is blessed by the presence of a little daughter, Lelia, who was born April 16, 1889. Mr. Otterman is a man of strong character and high principles, and is in every way an honor to the citizenship of his native county. He is identified with the Christian church, interests himself in all its proceedings and in the Sunday School, and actively cooperates with his pastor and fellow members in extending its influence and usefulness as a religious organization. He holds sound views in politics, sympathizing with the Democrats or with that branch of the party that pronounces for a "tariff for revenue only." He favors all reforms that will in any way benefit mankind and is an especially strong advocate of the temperance movement, believing that the "saloon should go." He is a member of the Montgomery County Horse Thief Detective Association, and is active in whatever will promote the best interests of the community in general and of the farmers in particular.