William H. Otto

Other Events:

• Name: W. H. Otto
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26003
• Residence: 1861, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; General Merchant
• Club Membership: 1903, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Elmira Musical Society
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant, General Store
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Mr. W. H. Otto, was born in New Hamburg, Ont., where he passed his youth and received his education. From New Hamburg he removed to Ellice Township, where he was engaged a number of years in farming. In 1875 he embarked in the mercantile business under apprentice-ship with Mr. W. L. Schmidt, then of Sebringville, Ont. Four years later he removed to Elgin County, where he conducted a branch store for Mr. P. J. Lindenman, in whose employ he remained 3 years. In the fall of 1882 he returned to Sebringville, where, in the following year, he commenced business for himself in a small way. He made a success of his business. In 1899 he disposed of his stock there and came to Elmira where he bought out the stock in trade and the good will of Messrs H. Dunke & Co. Here his integrity and strict attention to business has won for him a constantly growing trade. He enjoys the confidence of the public and is highly respected as a citizen. As such, he takes a lively interest in the welfare of the town and has been particularly active in the interests of the Public Library, of which he is now a Director. Mr. Otto deals in a variety of goods such as well appointed general stores generally offer. Besides keeping the usual stock of Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Boots and Shoes, he makes a speciality of Clothing and Dress Goods. His store is situated in the heart of the Village in Dunke's Block. [Dunke's Block was located on the southeast corner of Church and Arthur Streets.]

Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.

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SUDDENLY CALLED

Like a flash of lightning from a clear sky came the report at about 11: 30 am, last Tuesday, of the sudden death of one of Elmira's best known and highly respected citizens and business men, Mr. W. H. Otto. Mr. Otto was a merchant, proprietor of the general merchandise business conducted by him since 1899 in Dunke's block. In the morning of the fatal day he was about his business as usual and at the time above mentioned was examining the samples of a commercial traveller over the counter of his store when he suddenly was seized with a pain in the chest and almost immediately fell over dead. The news of his death spread rapidly and cast a gloom over the village that hung like a pall. He was laid out in his office while the unpleasant task of breaking the news to the bereaved family fell to a few friends. The shock they experienced may be better imagined then described. Such is the uncertainty of life!

Mr. W. H. Otto was born in New Hamburg, Ont., where he passed his youth and received his education. From New Hamburg he removed to Ellice Township, where he was engaged a number of years in farming. In 1875 he embarked in the mercantile business under apprenticeship with Mr. W. L. Schmidt, then of Sebringville, Ont. Four years later he removed to Elgin County, where he conducted a branch store for Mr. P. J. Lindenman, in whose employ he remained 3 years. In the fall of 1882 he returned to Sebringville, where, in the following year he commenced business for himself in a small way. He made a success of his business. In 1899 he disposed of his stock there and came to Elmira where he bought out the stock in trade and the good will of Messrs. H. Dunke & Co. Here his integrity and strict attention to business had won for him a constantly growing trade. He enjoyed the confidence of the public and was highly respected as a citizen. As such, he took a lively interest in the welfare of the town and has been particularly active in the interests of the Evangelical Church and Public Lirary of which he was a director at the time of his death. He was also connected with the Children's Aid Society and the Upper Canada Bible Society and was a prominent church worker.

As a citizen he was progressive and aggressive, he took a ly? interest in the moral and material welfare of the town and was a useful and valued member of the Board of Trade. He was regarded as an upright honorable, reliable, solid and good living citizen such as any town can ill afford to lose. He was particularly a family member and home and church furnished the bulk of his recreation. He was married to Antonette Schmidt who survives him. With her he had ten children: - Luella (Mrs. Ed. Suehring) of Brock, Sask., Anna Myrtle (Mrs. D. D. Ratz) Gordon, in Sask., Edgar, Edmonton, George in Sask., Sydney of Waterloo, Ernie, Antonette, Leonora and Robert at home.

The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of a large circle of fellow-citizens and acquaintances in their sudden loss of a kind husband and a provident father.

Deceased reached the age of about 62 years. The funeral arrangements have not been completed at the time of going to press.

Newspaper Unknown.

William — Antonette Schmidt. Antonette (daughter of Ernst Schmidt and Anna Kunz) was born 27 Apr 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 May 1938, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26005

Luella married George Edwin Suehring 28 Feb 1907, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. George (son of Otto Suehring and Catherine Schaub) was born Between 1880 and 1881, Sebringville, Ellice Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Myrtle Ratz
• Name: Myrtle A. Otto
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26006
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Anna married David D. Ratz 12 Oct 1910, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. David (son of John Ratz and Salome Haist, son of Reeve John Ratz and Saloma Haist) was born 20 Aug 1875, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Jan 1917, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Military: WW1
• Name: Gordon A. Otto
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26007
• Club Membership: 1903, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Elmira Musical Society

Other Events:

• Residence: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26008

Other Events:

• Residence: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26009

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26010
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper, Foundry
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stenographer, Foundry
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Military: WW1
• Name: Ernst Schmidt Otto
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26011
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Salesman, Gemeral Store
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1926, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk

Ernest married Sarah Sipes Bartholomew 28 Dec 1926, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Martin Thomas Bartholomew and Sarah L. Lesham) was born 2 Jan 1893, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Nov 1966, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26013
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1926, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Teacher

Leanor married Charles J. Klein 21 Oct 1926, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Charles (son of Charles Klein and Hermina Wagner) was born 1896, Tavistock, East Zorra Twp., Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-96233
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197713
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical