Joseph Otto was likely born in Pennsylvania, probably in Northampton County, as is stated on a daughter's death certificate. It is not known who his parents were. We do know that at some point he came to Columbia County, Pennsylvania where he met and married Mary Brown in 1802. Their first few children were born in that area.
After that, the family relocated to the area of Angelica, Allegany County, New York, where they were enumerated in the 1810 federal census. Joseph and his brothers, George and Matthias then scouted out land in McKean County, Pennsylvania, and determined to settle there. The account below mentions their early settlement:
"In the year 1810 six families from the state of New York, following up the Allegheny from Olean to the mouth of Potato creek, and up that stream some five or six miles, located themselves in the neighborhood now known as Farmer’s Valley. Among them were three brothers, named Joseph, George, and Matthias Otto, whose descendants still reside in that neighborhood. George and Matthias both died many years ago. Joseph lived to be very old, and was one of the prominent men of the county. He held at different terms most of the county offices." (Source: An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil, Political, and Military, from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Including Historical Descriptions of Each County in the State, Their Towns, and Industrial Resources. By William H. Egle, M.D., M.A., Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Second Edition, Revised and Corrected. Philadelphia; E.M. Gardner, 1880. This quote was from the section on M’Kean County, by William K. King, Ceres, pages 923-930)
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OBITUARY of Joseph Otto, M'Kean County Miner, Jan 1869:
DIED
In Farmers' Valley, Dec. 22, 1868, Hon. Joseph Otto, in the 91st year of his age.
Mr. Otto is the last of the Pioneers or first settlers of M'Kean county. He came into this country in 1810, then an unbroken wilderness, and the next year with five others moved in with their families and located themselves where Farmers' Valley now is, their nearest neighbors being 25 miles distant, through a dense forest without even a path. While others became discouraged and left the country he remained, being determined to sustain the settlement--make himself a home and grow up with the country; and for many years he endured all the privations and hardships of a pioneer life.
When the county became sufficiently populated it was organized, and County courts having been established, Mr. Otto was appointed an Associate Judge, which position with many others of responsibility, he filled with honor and credit to himself, enjoying the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and leading for many years before his death an exemplary Christian life.
----------------------------
Will of Joseph Otto:
I Joseph Otto in the county of McKean State of Pennsylvania being of Sound Mind Memory and understanding Do Make and Publish this my last Will and Testament. I hereby will and bequeath my Personal Property and Real Estate to my children in the following manner to wit
After Paying all necessary Expenses which may occur up to the time of my Death
I give to Elizabeth Sartwell the sum of five Dollars
To Albert G Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Lauretta B Lelund I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Silas P Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Amelia J Ketchum I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Mary An Curtis I give the Sum of one Dollar
To Judith C Day I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To A.J. Otto I give the Sum of twenty Dollars
To Caroline and Ellen Otto I give Equally together my Real Estate being Situated East of the Turnpike Road containing about twenty five acres upon which is my Dwelling House with the Household goods two Barns and the orchard
It is my wish that If Caroline or Ellen ever transfers or sells the above Property they Shall Exempt and Retain the Grave Yard in which most of the family lies. the part of my farm west of the turnpike and about two Acres East of Said Road upon which the Store and old Shop Stands, also Some apple trees was Previously Deeded to A.J. Otto for Value Rec'd and the Bounderies therein Specified
If there is not loose Property Enough to Pay the Sums above mentioned then they must be made up from the Real Estate given to Caroline and Ellen Otto
I Do hereby constitute and appoint A.J. Otto and Augustus Day Executors of my last will and testament
I have but little to leave for my children and Sums I given to Each is in accordance with what I have given them in years past.
Signed & Seald this first Day of January 1867
In the Presence of
Lucien Marean
Wm W. Dibble
-----------
After that, the family relocated to the area of Angelica, Allegany County, New York, where they were enumerated in the 1810 federal census. Joseph and his brothers, George and Matthias then scouted out land in McKean County, Pennsylvania, and determined to settle there. The account below mentions their early settlement:
"In the year 1810 six families from the state of New York, following up the Allegheny from Olean to the mouth of Potato creek, and up that stream some five or six miles, located themselves in the neighborhood now known as Farmer’s Valley. Among them were three brothers, named Joseph, George, and Matthias Otto, whose descendants still reside in that neighborhood. George and Matthias both died many years ago. Joseph lived to be very old, and was one of the prominent men of the county. He held at different terms most of the county offices." (Source: An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil, Political, and Military, from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Including Historical Descriptions of Each County in the State, Their Towns, and Industrial Resources. By William H. Egle, M.D., M.A., Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Second Edition, Revised and Corrected. Philadelphia; E.M. Gardner, 1880. This quote was from the section on M’Kean County, by William K. King, Ceres, pages 923-930)
-----------------------
OBITUARY of Joseph Otto, M'Kean County Miner, Jan 1869:
DIED
In Farmers' Valley, Dec. 22, 1868, Hon. Joseph Otto, in the 91st year of his age.
Mr. Otto is the last of the Pioneers or first settlers of M'Kean county. He came into this country in 1810, then an unbroken wilderness, and the next year with five others moved in with their families and located themselves where Farmers' Valley now is, their nearest neighbors being 25 miles distant, through a dense forest without even a path. While others became discouraged and left the country he remained, being determined to sustain the settlement--make himself a home and grow up with the country; and for many years he endured all the privations and hardships of a pioneer life.
When the county became sufficiently populated it was organized, and County courts having been established, Mr. Otto was appointed an Associate Judge, which position with many others of responsibility, he filled with honor and credit to himself, enjoying the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and leading for many years before his death an exemplary Christian life.
----------------------------
Will of Joseph Otto:
I Joseph Otto in the county of McKean State of Pennsylvania being of Sound Mind Memory and understanding Do Make and Publish this my last Will and Testament. I hereby will and bequeath my Personal Property and Real Estate to my children in the following manner to wit
After Paying all necessary Expenses which may occur up to the time of my Death
I give to Elizabeth Sartwell the sum of five Dollars
To Albert G Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Lauretta B Lelund I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Silas P Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Amelia J Ketchum I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Mary An Curtis I give the Sum of one Dollar
To Judith C Day I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To A.J. Otto I give the Sum of twenty Dollars
To Caroline and Ellen Otto I give Equally together my Real Estate being Situated East of the Turnpike Road containing about twenty five acres upon which is my Dwelling House with the Household goods two Barns and the orchard
It is my wish that If Caroline or Ellen ever transfers or sells the above Property they Shall Exempt and Retain the Grave Yard in which most of the family lies. the part of my farm west of the turnpike and about two Acres East of Said Road upon which the Store and old Shop Stands, also Some apple trees was Previously Deeded to A.J. Otto for Value Rec'd and the Bounderies therein Specified
If there is not loose Property Enough to Pay the Sums above mentioned then they must be made up from the Real Estate given to Caroline and Ellen Otto
I Do hereby constitute and appoint A.J. Otto and Augustus Day Executors of my last will and testament
I have but little to leave for my children and Sums I given to Each is in accordance with what I have given them in years past.
Signed & Seald this first Day of January 1867
In the Presence of
Lucien Marean
Wm W. Dibble
-----------
Joseph Otto was likely born in Pennsylvania, probably in Northampton County, as is stated on a daughter's death certificate. It is not known who his parents were. We do know that at some point he came to Columbia County, Pennsylvania where he met and married Mary Brown in 1802. Their first few children were born in that area.
After that, the family relocated to the area of Angelica, Allegany County, New York, where they were enumerated in the 1810 federal census. Joseph and his brothers, George and Matthias then scouted out land in McKean County, Pennsylvania, and determined to settle there. The account below mentions their early settlement:
"In the year 1810 six families from the state of New York, following up the Allegheny from Olean to the mouth of Potato creek, and up that stream some five or six miles, located themselves in the neighborhood now known as Farmer’s Valley. Among them were three brothers, named Joseph, George, and Matthias Otto, whose descendants still reside in that neighborhood. George and Matthias both died many years ago. Joseph lived to be very old, and was one of the prominent men of the county. He held at different terms most of the county offices." (Source: An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil, Political, and Military, from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Including Historical Descriptions of Each County in the State, Their Towns, and Industrial Resources. By William H. Egle, M.D., M.A., Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Second Edition, Revised and Corrected. Philadelphia; E.M. Gardner, 1880. This quote was from the section on M’Kean County, by William K. King, Ceres, pages 923-930)
-----------------------
OBITUARY of Joseph Otto, M'Kean County Miner, Jan 1869:
DIED
In Farmers' Valley, Dec. 22, 1868, Hon. Joseph Otto, in the 91st year of his age.
Mr. Otto is the last of the Pioneers or first settlers of M'Kean county. He came into this country in 1810, then an unbroken wilderness, and the next year with five others moved in with their families and located themselves where Farmers' Valley now is, their nearest neighbors being 25 miles distant, through a dense forest without even a path. While others became discouraged and left the country he remained, being determined to sustain the settlement--make himself a home and grow up with the country; and for many years he endured all the privations and hardships of a pioneer life.
When the county became sufficiently populated it was organized, and County courts having been established, Mr. Otto was appointed an Associate Judge, which position with many others of responsibility, he filled with honor and credit to himself, enjoying the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and leading for many years before his death an exemplary Christian life.
----------------------------
Will of Joseph Otto:
I Joseph Otto in the county of McKean State of Pennsylvania being of Sound Mind Memory and understanding Do Make and Publish this my last Will and Testament. I hereby will and bequeath my Personal Property and Real Estate to my children in the following manner to wit
After Paying all necessary Expenses which may occur up to the time of my Death
I give to Elizabeth Sartwell the sum of five Dollars
To Albert G Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Lauretta B Lelund I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Silas P Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Amelia J Ketchum I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Mary An Curtis I give the Sum of one Dollar
To Judith C Day I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To A.J. Otto I give the Sum of twenty Dollars
To Caroline and Ellen Otto I give Equally together my Real Estate being Situated East of the Turnpike Road containing about twenty five acres upon which is my Dwelling House with the Household goods two Barns and the orchard
It is my wish that If Caroline or Ellen ever transfers or sells the above Property they Shall Exempt and Retain the Grave Yard in which most of the family lies. the part of my farm west of the turnpike and about two Acres East of Said Road upon which the Store and old Shop Stands, also Some apple trees was Previously Deeded to A.J. Otto for Value Rec'd and the Bounderies therein Specified
If there is not loose Property Enough to Pay the Sums above mentioned then they must be made up from the Real Estate given to Caroline and Ellen Otto
I Do hereby constitute and appoint A.J. Otto and Augustus Day Executors of my last will and testament
I have but little to leave for my children and Sums I given to Each is in accordance with what I have given them in years past.
Signed & Seald this first Day of January 1867
In the Presence of
Lucien Marean
Wm W. Dibble
-----------
After that, the family relocated to the area of Angelica, Allegany County, New York, where they were enumerated in the 1810 federal census. Joseph and his brothers, George and Matthias then scouted out land in McKean County, Pennsylvania, and determined to settle there. The account below mentions their early settlement:
"In the year 1810 six families from the state of New York, following up the Allegheny from Olean to the mouth of Potato creek, and up that stream some five or six miles, located themselves in the neighborhood now known as Farmer’s Valley. Among them were three brothers, named Joseph, George, and Matthias Otto, whose descendants still reside in that neighborhood. George and Matthias both died many years ago. Joseph lived to be very old, and was one of the prominent men of the county. He held at different terms most of the county offices." (Source: An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil, Political, and Military, from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Including Historical Descriptions of Each County in the State, Their Towns, and Industrial Resources. By William H. Egle, M.D., M.A., Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Second Edition, Revised and Corrected. Philadelphia; E.M. Gardner, 1880. This quote was from the section on M’Kean County, by William K. King, Ceres, pages 923-930)
-----------------------
OBITUARY of Joseph Otto, M'Kean County Miner, Jan 1869:
DIED
In Farmers' Valley, Dec. 22, 1868, Hon. Joseph Otto, in the 91st year of his age.
Mr. Otto is the last of the Pioneers or first settlers of M'Kean county. He came into this country in 1810, then an unbroken wilderness, and the next year with five others moved in with their families and located themselves where Farmers' Valley now is, their nearest neighbors being 25 miles distant, through a dense forest without even a path. While others became discouraged and left the country he remained, being determined to sustain the settlement--make himself a home and grow up with the country; and for many years he endured all the privations and hardships of a pioneer life.
When the county became sufficiently populated it was organized, and County courts having been established, Mr. Otto was appointed an Associate Judge, which position with many others of responsibility, he filled with honor and credit to himself, enjoying the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and leading for many years before his death an exemplary Christian life.
----------------------------
Will of Joseph Otto:
I Joseph Otto in the county of McKean State of Pennsylvania being of Sound Mind Memory and understanding Do Make and Publish this my last Will and Testament. I hereby will and bequeath my Personal Property and Real Estate to my children in the following manner to wit
After Paying all necessary Expenses which may occur up to the time of my Death
I give to Elizabeth Sartwell the sum of five Dollars
To Albert G Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Lauretta B Lelund I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Silas P Otto I give the Sum of five Dollars
To Amelia J Ketchum I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To Mary An Curtis I give the Sum of one Dollar
To Judith C Day I give the Sum of fifty Dollars
To A.J. Otto I give the Sum of twenty Dollars
To Caroline and Ellen Otto I give Equally together my Real Estate being Situated East of the Turnpike Road containing about twenty five acres upon which is my Dwelling House with the Household goods two Barns and the orchard
It is my wish that If Caroline or Ellen ever transfers or sells the above Property they Shall Exempt and Retain the Grave Yard in which most of the family lies. the part of my farm west of the turnpike and about two Acres East of Said Road upon which the Store and old Shop Stands, also Some apple trees was Previously Deeded to A.J. Otto for Value Rec'd and the Bounderies therein Specified
If there is not loose Property Enough to Pay the Sums above mentioned then they must be made up from the Real Estate given to Caroline and Ellen Otto
I Do hereby constitute and appoint A.J. Otto and Augustus Day Executors of my last will and testament
I have but little to leave for my children and Sums I given to Each is in accordance with what I have given them in years past.
Signed & Seald this first Day of January 1867
In the Presence of
Lucien Marean
Wm W. Dibble
-----------
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