J. OTTMAR, boot and shoe maker, Jonesboro, was born May 5, 1845, in Wurtemberg, Germany. He is a grandson of Phillip Ottmar, who was a shoe-maker by occupation, as was also his son Jacob Frederich, born in 1800, in Germany, where he died in 1880. He was married to Maria Saeger, born 1803; she died in 1882. She was the mother of nine children — Justina, Maria, Phillip, Johannes, Jacob F., Michael, George, Godfried and Jacob. Two of the boys, Johannes and Jacob F., were in the civil war. Johannes was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tenn.; Jacob F. died in the hospital at Decatur, Ill. Our subject learned his trade in the old country. He was a soldier in the German Army. He came to the United States in 1867, landing in New York; then went to Delphi, Ind., where he worked almost two years, and then went to La Porte, Ind., where he followed his trade, and was joined in matrimony, April 24, 1869, to Mrs. Mary P. Ottmar, former wife of Johannes Ottmar, who was killed in the war. She was born September 15, 1844, in Bohemia. Her maiden name was Brochaska. She is the mother of Jacob F., born March 3, 1863, and John M., born October 31, 1864; they were the children of Johannes Ottmar; Mary, born March 30, 1870, and Addie K., deceased. Mr. Ottmar came to Jonesboro in 1873, where he has followed his trade ever since. Mrs. Ottmar is a member of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Ottmar is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; also an I. O. O. F., Southern Lodge, No. 241, and a Knight of Honor, Jonesboro Lodge, No. 1891. He has been Alderman of the First Ward for three years, and resigned after he was re-elected. In politics, he is connected with the Democratic party.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 108.
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