Otho Michaelis was valedictorian of the Free Academy of New York. (Class of 1862) Following his graduation, be entered the military. In the Summer of 1863, he was part of the Gettysburg campaign. He served as General Geo. Thomas' chief of ordnance. Is it important to note that Otho Michaelis was the first non-West Point graduate to enter the ordnance corps. He was at Little Big Horn, days after Custer's defeat. He served in several federal arsenals across the US. He had many interests and excelled in all of them. They included ordnance, electricity, meteorology, chess and many other topics. He was considered by many to be one of the most prominent amateur chess players in the United States. He married Kate Woodbridge in 1868 and they had nine children. Three of his children died while they were living in Augusta, Maine. There son Guy died of consumption, Helen lived only a day and Margaret died after she fell through the ice on a pond. Michaelis tried to save her but had to be rescued himself. He died the following year and is buried at Forest Grove Cemetery. The family monument list the entire family (all nine children, including those who are buried in other states.)

Otho Michaelis was valedictorian of the Free Academy of New York. (Class of 1862) Following his graduation, be entered the military. In the Summer of 1863, he was part of the Gettysburg campaign. He served as General Geo. Thomas' chief of ordnance. Is it important to note that Otho Michaelis was the first non-West Point graduate to enter the ordnance corps. He was at Little Big Horn, days after Custer's defeat. He served in several federal arsenals across the US. He had many interests and excelled in all of them. They included ordnance, electricity, meteorology, chess and many other topics. He was considered by many to be one of the most prominent amateur chess players in the United States. He married Kate Woodbridge in 1868 and they had nine children. Three of his children died while they were living in Augusta, Maine. There son Guy died of consumption, Helen lived only a day and Margaret died after she fell through the ice on a pond. Michaelis tried to save her but had to be rescued himself. He died the following year and is buried at Forest Grove Cemetery. The family monument list the entire family (all nine children, including those who are buried in other states.)