SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Otto J. Gutsch, M. D., Page 233

OTTO J. GUTSCH, M. D., of Sheboygan, has been engaged in the practice of his profession in this city since January 1, 1888.  He was born in the Chair City, March 2, 1865, and is a representative of one of the early, well known families of this place, both of city and county.  His father, Leopold Gutsch, was born in Baden, Germany, December 20, 1818, and in 1847 emigrated to the United States.  Coming directly to Sheboygan, he soon after, in company with his twin brother, Francis Gutsch, established a brewery business, which has continued till the present time.  A more extended account of the business is found in the sketch of Adolph F. Gutsch.  Leopold Gutsch was married in Sheboygan in 1849 to Barbara Brechtel, who was born in the same place as her husband.  They grew up together and were schoolmates in their youth, were betrothed, and by agreement she followed her prospective husband to the New World, where they were married on her arrival in the year given.  This was one of the first German weddings in Sheboygan.  Mrs. Gutsch was a worthy wife and mother, whose death occurred November 15, 1888, after a married life if nearly forty years.  The father now lives with his youngest son, Hans F. Gutsch.  Mr. and Mrs. Gutsch were the parents of eleven children, four of whom died in infancy.  Three sons and four daughters are living.

    Dr. Gutsch received his early education in the public and parochial schools of his native city, and was then for some time a student at the college in the town of Herman, Sheboygan County.  He pursued a year's course of pharmacy in Milwaukee, and went thence to Minneapolis, Minn., and entered the Minnesota College Hospital, where he took two courses of lectures.  In 1884 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the City of New York.  Here he also took two courses of lectures, graduating May 13, 1886, and by virtue of his high standing received an appointment to Bellevue Hospital, where he remained eighteen months.  At the expiration of that time he returned to Sheboygan and engaged in practice.

    In 1888 the Doctor was married to Miss Jennie Vogel, of Columbus, Wis.  Dr. Gutsch is a member of the Sheboygan County Medical Association and of the Alumni of Bellevue Hospital, New York City.  In 1893, he was appointed one of the Surgeons of the United States Pension Examining Board at Sheboygan, being chosen Secretary.