Edward H. Otte

Edward H. Otte born March 2, 1885, son of Fred Otte and Anna (Baden) Otte, married Doris L. A. Schroeder born August 4, 1885, daughter of Otto Schroeder and Marie (Joost) Schroeder, on November 12, 1905.

At first they lived at 802 Stickney Avenue, corner of Ontario Street, Toledo, Ohio. He was employed by the American Screw Products Company, and for a short period by a landscaping firm.

On May 21, 1907, together with his father they purchased the grocery store in Ridgeville Corners, located on the southwest corner of the Pike and the Ridge Road. This was purchased from M. D. Rand and John Linebrink, and was the beginning of Fred Otte and Son.

At that time the Edward Otte family moved into the first house west of the "corners" on the south side of the Bryan Pike. A year or so later, they moved to the house at the end of the sidewalk on the northside of the Ridge Road, west of the store.

On February 10, 1911, he purchased the William Harper property across the street where Henry Ruffer lived, sold the house off to Cleo Ruffer, and proceeded to build a new home.

They were members of the Zion Lutheran Church where he was the organist for a number of years. Not having an organ at home, on which to practice, he would call the pastor to find out which hymns would be sung on Sunday; then he would whistle the song in order to acquaint himself with the tune and then he would go to church on Sunday morning and play the organ. He also served on the church council in various positions.

The Edward H. Otte Family - Edward, Doris, Lucille, Arthur, Morris

The usual mode of travel with horse and buggy was changed in 1917 when they purchased a Buick touring car.

On April 13, 1914, Edward Otte was appointed the Postmaster in Ridgeville Corners, and the Post Office was moved into the Fred Otte and Son General Store. Later the same year, electricity replaced the acetylene gas that had been used for lighting since October, 1911.

Edward and Doris Otte had three children: Arthur F., born May 6, 1906; Morris H., born December 15, 1909; and Lucille A., born February 7, 1917. All of us children graduated from the Ridgeville High School; Arthur went on to the University of Cincinnati, and Lucille to the Bowling Green State College.

For a number of years after we had the automobile the family would enjoy a week of vacation usually fishing at Farwell Lake in Southern Michigan.

My father was one of five or six persons in and around Ridgeville Corners that became interested in the Ridgeville State Bank, just shortly before it was closed in August 25, 1931.

After a short illness my father passed away on November 24, 1932. My mother continued active at home and in the Zion's Ladies Aid Society, sewing, quilting, and fancy work. She was quite ill for a number of months and passed away on October 7, 1949. Both of my parents are buried in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Ridgeville Corners, Ohio.

Submitted by Morris H. Otte