Theodor Otteni is the son of Bernhard Otteni and Maria Rosina Wörner.
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FAMILY NAME
Over the years, there have been many different spellings of the Otteni family name. The original spelling, found on German records and signatures on early land transactions in the United States, is OTTENI. Other spellings used today in the U.S. are: OATNEY, OTNEY, and OTTNEY. All branches trace back to Urloffen, Germany to Hans Georg Otteni.
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Baptismal Records of Urloffen, Germany 1829-1858, Page 371
In the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-four on the twenty-third of December, at twelve o'clock midnight was born in Urloffen and baptized on the twenty-forth of December at one o'clock in the afternoon in the parish church of Urloffen: Theodor, of Bernhard Otteni, citizen and master carpenter in Urloffen and Rosina, nee Wörner, a legitimate son.

Godparents are Joseph Wörner, citizen and master tailor in Urloffen and Sophie Schmiderer (SCHNEIDER?), left a widow by Joseph Greorg Benz, citizen and (profession impossible to decipher) in Urloffen. Witnesses are the above mentioned Joseph Wörner, 35 years old, and Anton Worner, citizen and farmer in Urloffen, 40 years old, both whom were present at the baptism. Urloffen on the 24 of December, 1844. Grandducal Catholic Parish.
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On 8 Jul 1867, Theodor Otteni married Theresea Frances "Theresa" Wörner, the daughter of Lazurus Wörner and Franziska Rotti, in Urloffen, Germany.
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In 1868, Theodor traveled from Germany to America with his wife, Theresa, and son, Anton.

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Microfilm Serial M237, Microfilm Roll M237_302, List Number 1093
-Arrival Date: 12 Oct 1868
-Port of Departure: Le Havre, France
-Port of Arrival: New York
-Ship Name: S.S. Atalanta
-Name: Theodor Otteni, age 24
-Name: Therese Otteni, age 22
-Name: Anton Otteni, age 3 months
-Origin: Baden
-Destination: Boston
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Per the 1900 U.S. Census, Theodor and Theresa Otteni resided in Middleborro Borough, McKean Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Listed are:
-Theodore Otteni, age 55, born Dec 1844 Germany
-Theresa Otteni, age 53, born Jul 1846 Germany
-William Otteni, age 30, born Nov 1869 Pennsylvania
-Joseph Otteni, age 14, born Jul 1885 Pennsylvania
-Catherine Otteni, age 13, born Feb 1887 Pennsylvania
-Edward Otteni, age 11, born Dec 1888 Pennsylvania

In 1900, Theodore Otteni is listed as immigrating to the United States in 1882 and lived in the United States for 28 years. The column asking if he was naturalized was marked 'no'. Theodore and Theresa were listed as being married for 32 years.
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Theodor and Theresia are known to have 12 children. They are:
• Anton "Tony" Otteni (1868-1919)
• William "Bill" Otteni (1869-1916)
• Jacob "Jake" Otteni (1871-1943)
• Mary Otteni Zurn (1873-1944)
• John J. Otteni (1875-1935)
• Frank Otteni (1876-1930)
• Rose Marie Otteni Metz (1878-1942)
• Frederick Theodore Otteni (1880-1952)
• Philomena "Minnie" Otteni Alberstadt (1881-1956)
• Joseph J. Otteni 1885-1960)
• Catherine Otteni Wurst (1887-1938)
• Edward Henry Otteni (1888-1920)
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OBITUARY
Erie Daily Times, Erie, Erie County, PA, 9 November 1911

COUNTY RESIDENT DEAD
Yesterday morning, Theodore Otteni, aged 66 years, one of the county's well-known residents, passed from this life, after an illness of same weeks duration, at the family residence, in McKean township on the Grub road. Deceased had been active about his farm up to some months ago, when his rugged constitution was attacked with disease. Everything that was possible to medical and the loving home care of his wife and children was of no avail. His end was a peaceful one.

Of his immediate family, he is survived by his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Michael Zuern [sic], Mrs. Julius Metz, Mrs. Frank Alberstadt, Mrs. John Wurst; also eight sons, Anton, William, Jacob, John, Frank, Frederick, Joseph, Edward Otteni. One brother and one sister, residents of Germany, and 22 grandchildren, also survive his death.

Deceased was born in Germany, but has been a resident of this country over 43 years, and was one of the best known and most esteemed residents in the western section of this county. The funeral will take place from the late residence, in McKean Township, Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment in Erie cemetery.

Pennsylvania Death Certificate: 104591
-Name: Theodore Otteni
-Gender: Male
-Death Date: 8 Nov 1911
-Age: 66y 11 m 15 d
-Birth Date: 23 Dec 1844
-Birth Place: Germany
-Father: Not Known
-Father's Birth Place: Not Known
-Mother: Not Known
-Mother Birth Place: Not Known
-Informant: Theresa Otteni, McKean Twp.
-Date of Burial: 11 Nov 1911
-Place of Burial: Erie Cemetery
-Death Place: McKane Twp [sic], Erie County, Pennsylvania