Heinrich Friedrich Otte Family

Heinrich Friedrich Otte of Utzingen, Germany, and Catrine Dorothea Wichmann of Hademstorf, Germany, my great, great-grand parents were married on July 3, 1801, in Walsrode, Hanover, Germany.

They had two sons, Johann Heinrich, born February 1, 1806, in Utzingen, my great-grandfather, and Cord Heinrich, born January 14, 1811, in Utzingen.

Johann Heinrich Otte was married to Emma Engel Panning on Spetember 7, 1845, in Meinerdingen, near Walsrode, Hanover, Germany. Emma Panning, born January 15, 1813, was the daughter of Johann Peter Panning and use Margarethe Hellmann. Johann Heinrich Otte and Emma had a son, Henry Otte, born December 16, 1848. In 1855 they came to the United States locating in Defiance County, Ohio, where they bought sixty acres of land in Adams Township, later adding forty acres more.

[Photo, p. 339] Anna Otte and Fredrick "Fred" Otte

That same year September 4, 1855, in their log cabin, my grandfather, Fredrick Otte was born. Clearing land and farming was their main occupation. They were members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Emma Otte passed away December 31, 1888, and Johann Otte on January 13, 1897.

Frederick Otte spent his youth with his parents securing a good education in the public schools. He was baptized and confirmed by Rev. Strauss.

In 1879 he purchased 80 acres in Sec. 27, Ridgeville Township, Henry County. On December 5, 1879, Mr. Otte, my grandfather, was married to Miss Anna Baden a native of Hanover, Germany, where she was born August 28, 1856, coming to the United States at the age of sixteen years.

Frederick Otte followed the pursuit of general farming, raising corn, wheat, oats, timothy, and clover. Livestock consisted of cattle, pigs, chickens, and horses; plowed and dragged, fitting the soil, so that seed may be planted by drilling, sowing or broad casting. In harvesting, the scythe, sickle, or cradle scythe was used, until the binder and/or mowers came into being. A fruit orchard and garden were a very important part to the early farmer. Threshing the grain, husking the corn, making apple butter, and butchering, were some of the seasonal highlights.

He made many improvements on the farm including a large barn built in 1883 and the residence in 1888.

Mr. Otte was a Democrat and served at least four terms as Ridgeville Township Treasurer.

To them were born five children: Dorothea Otte, August 17, 1881; she married Rev. Carl H. Schroeder on August 17, 1902; they had 5 children.; Edward H. Otte (my father), born March 2, 1885, married Doris L. Schroeder on November 12, 1905; they had 3 children.; Luella Otte, December 23, 1890, died Nov. 19, 1893.; Carl H. Otte, born January 18, 1895; he was married to Esther Wesche on March 31, 1918. They had 2 children; Paul W. Otte, born October 9, 1896, married to Martha D. Wesche on March 21, 1921. They had 4 children.

The family were members of St. John's Lutheran Church, Ridgeville Township, of which Mr. Otte held various offices during the years.

The children went to the one room eight grade Dittmer Public School located about a mile south of their home.

Fredrick Otte and Anna moved to Ridgeville Corners in April, 1918, where they purchased a home, near Zion Lutheran Church, which they attended during their retirement. Anna passed away on October 20, 1922, and Fredrick on November 8, 1929. They were buried in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Submitted by Morris H. Otte