OTTERMAN, Lewis - Putnam

One of the well known and influential citizens of Clark Twp, Montgomery Co, of a past generation who is now sleeping in "that low green tent whose curtains never outward swing" was the late Lewis Otterman, a man who was the possessor of many commendable characteristics of head and heart and whose name is deserving of perpetuation on the pages of local history, an dhis career might well serve as a pattern for th eyouth. He is remembered as a man of rare foresight and keen discernment and good judgement, and he was often called upon for advice in matters of business and often served as arbitrator. Although well qualified he refused to accept office, but was looked to as a leader in local material and public affairs. The Otterman family have always been noted for their somewhat retiring dispositions, never pushing themselves forward in the limelight, attending very closely to their own business affairs, and they have ever been highly esteemed since coming to this locality in the early pioneer days to the present. Mr. Otterman was born Sept 1, 1811 in what is now Putnam Co, W. Va. a son of Lewis Otterman, Sr. who was born in Westmoreland Co, PA but was reared in Va. He married Glory NULL, daughter of Philip Null. Her father was born in Pa, from which state he migrated to NC, where he married Margaret BUSHONG. He followed farming and the tanning trade until the commencement of the Revolutionary War then entered the Continental Army, serving throughout the conflict, under command of Generals Marion, Washington and MOrgan and for bravery on the field was promoted to the rank of Captain. After his marriage, Lewis Otterman Sr. returned to his native town and subsequently moved from there to Putnam County in the Western part of Va, now W. Va, where he followed farming for about 18 years. At the end of that time he came with his family to Indiana and first located on land that he entered from the government in Clark Twp, comprising 80 acrse of timber, which he at once began to clear. A few years later he sold that and moved to a farm about 5 miles E. of Ladoga, wher ehe lived until his death in 1858. In early life he was a Lutheran, later a Christian. HIs first wife d. and he marr. a second time, his last wife being Mrs. Jessie RUTH. He was a father of 12 children, all of whom grew to maturity and six of whom reached advanced ages, John, Lewis Jr, Philip, Elisha, Eliza, Joseph, George, Mary, Elizabeth, Sam, Henry and Elijah. Elijah, Elisha and Eliza were triplets. Lewis Otterman, Jr. was 18 years old when he came with his parents to the wilds of western Indiana. When 21 years old he started out in life for himself, with no worldly possession but an ax. He first worked for his Uncle Myers and afterwards with his Uncle John at a salary of 48 per month. He saved his earnings and entered 80 acres of land. During the four years following he made enough by the month to procure 165 acres of land. In the fall of 1836, after his marriage to Hettie PEFLEY, he took possession of his land and spent the remainder of his life on the same. His wife was a do Samuel Pefley and wife, who came to this county in 1833. He was a hard worker and good manager and developed one of the finest farming properties in the SE part of the county, and when old age came on he divided his land among his children, having had at that time 1112 acres of valuable and productive land. He retained 350 acres. His large success was eminently deserving, since he worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder without assistance. Although a very busy man, he found time to render aid in the general development of his community, being especially a friend to the free school system and education in general. He was a lifelong Democrat, and during the Civil War was a strong Unionist and Abolitionist. He was a pronounced Temperance man. He never would accept office, and when appointed county commissioner, refused to serve. Although not a believer in manmade creeds, he was an honorable, Bible-following man, living his religion every day; however, he was very influential in the upbuilding of the local Christian church, and was a member of that denomination for over 1/2 a century. He was originally connected with the Hawk (sic) Creek Church, but in 1847 he and several others were instrumental in starting what is now known as Christian Chapel in his own neighborhood, and he was also one of the founders of the Sunday School. He served both as deacon and elder of the church and contributed liberally of his means toward its support. 7 children were born to Lewis Otterman, Jr. and wife: Ann Eliza married Isaac SMITH of Boone Co; Sarah Jane marr. Josiah BRADLEY of clark Twp; Samuel Henry, who became a prosperous farmer in his native township; James M a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; George W became a farmer in Clark Twp; John F. and Lewis C. both died many years ago. The death of Lewis Otterman occurred on June 13, 1896 at the advanced age of 85 years.   --- kbz

Lewis OTTERMAN. Among the venerable pioneers of Montgomery County who are still living amid the scenes of their early hardships and later triumphs is Lewis OTTERMAN, who is eminently worthy of representation in this biographical record. He acquired wealth while assisting in the development of the rich agricultural resources of this region, and is spending his declining years surrounded by comfort and plenty on his large and well-ordered farm on Section 15, Clark Township. Mr. OTTERMAN was born September 1, 1811, in what is now Putnam County, W. Va. His father, who bore the same name as himself, was born at Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pa., and was reared in the Old Dominion. He married Miss Glory NULL, daughter of Philip NULL. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and migrated from that state to North Carolina, where he married Miss Margaret BUSHONG. He followed farming and the tanning trade until the Revolutionary War broke out and then entered the Continental Army. He served throughout the entire conflict waged by the Colonists for freedom, fighting under command of Gens. MARION, WASHINGTON and MORGAN and for bravery on the field was promoted to the rank of Captain. After his marriage Lewis OTTERMAN, Sr., returned to his native town and subsequently moved from there to Putnam County, in the western part of Old Virginia, now West Virginia, where he followed farming some eighteen years. At the end of that time he came with his family to Indiana and first located on land that he entered from the Government in Clark Township, comprising of eighty acres of timber, which he at once began to clear and put under tillage. Three or four years later he sold that and removed to another farm about five miles east of Ladoga, where he lived until his life was brought to a close by his death in 1858. In boyhood Mr. OTTERMAN was a member of the Lutheran Church, but after coming to Indiana he became convinced that immersion was necessary to his soul´s salvation and he was admitted to membership in the Christian Church by the rite of baptism. His first wife died and he married for his second wife Mrs. Jessie RUTH. He was the father of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are still living: John, who is eighty-three years old; our subject; Philip, who is seventy; Elisha and Eliza, who are sixty-seven, and Joseph, who is sixty years old. George, Mary, Elizabeth, Sam, Henry and Elijah are dead. Elijah, Elisha and Eliza were triplets. Lewis OTTERMAN was eighteen years old when he left his early home and migrated with his parents to the wilds of Indiana. He remained with his father until he was twenty and then his father gave him his time and he started out in life on his own account with a good fund of courage, ability to work and resolution to make his way in spite of serious obstacles. His only worldly possessions consisted of a poor suit of clothes and an axe. He first found employment with his Uncle Myers and afterward with his Uncle John at a salary of $8 a moth. Notwithstanding his scant wages he managed to save $64 of his first year´s earnings. Putting this money in a pouch which his mother made for him and hanging it about his neck, he walked to the land office at Crawfordsville and preferred his claim to eighty acres of land. During the four years that followed the energetic young man made enough working by the month to get on hundred and sixty-five acres of land. In the fall of 1836, after his marriage to Miss Hettie, daughter of Samuel PEFLEY, who came to this country in 1835, Mr. OTTERMAN took possession of his land and still makes it his home. He worked early and late, managed his affairs with shrewdness and far-seeing judgment and won a place among the monied men of the county, acquiring a valuable property. Fifteen years ago he divided the greater part of his landed estate among his children, having then between eleven hundred and twelve hundred acres of choice land. He still holds a quit claim deed to the three hundred and fifty acres comprised in the farm on which he lives. Mr. OTTERMAN is not a believer in creeds, but takes the great truths laid down in the Bible as the truest exponents of religion He has been a potent factor in the up building of the Christian Church, of which he has been a devoted member forty-eight years. He was originally connected with the Hawk Creek Church, but in 1847 he and several others were instrumental in starting the church now known as Christian Chapel in his own neighborhood and he was also one of the founders of the Sunday-school. He has served as Deacon and like wise as Elder of the church and has contributed liberally of his means toward its support. Five of the seven children that have blessed the marriage of our subject and his worthy wife are still living, as follows: Ann Eliza, wife of Isaac SMITH, of Boone County; Sarah Jane, wife of Josiah BRADLEY, of this township; Samuel, of whom further mention is made; James M. and George W., who are residents of Clark Township. John F. and Lewis C. are the names of those that died.   --- kbz