SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Henry D. Otten, Page 662

HENRY D. OTTEN, a leading merchant of Sheboygan, dealing in dry goods and groceries, established business in this city in 1876.  Mr. Otten was born in the city of New York, January 31, 1850, and is a son of Henry and Rebecca M. C. (Deickmann) Otten.  (See sketch of father elsewhere in this work.)  He came to Sheboygan with his parents in January, 1852, while an infant.  He attended the public schools of this city, and took a course at Ripon College, after which he was employed as clerk in the general store of George End, of Sheboygan, for a few years.  He then went to New York, and for two years was employed in the well-known dry-goods house of A. T. Stewart.  On returning to Sheboygan, he clerked for E. Lohman, a merchant, until 1876, when he engaged in the mercantile business in company with Henry K. Voigt, under the firm name of Voigt & Otten, which connection continued three years, since which time he has been alone in business.

    Mr. Otten has a large, well-stocked store, which has a frontage on Eighth Street of fifty feet, with a depth of one hundred feet; really two storerooms, connected by a central opening.  His trade is large and increasing, and he is known as one of the enterprising and successful merchants of Sheboygan.  In addition to his mercantile business, he is largely interested in real estate in the city, and is also a stock-holder in the Garton Toy Manufacturing Company, and in the American Chair Manufacturing Company.

    On the 18th of July, 1876, Mr. Otten was married in Sheboygan to Miss Laura Rabe.  Mrs. Otten was born in the Chair City, and is a daughter of Albert and Fredericka Rabe.  In politics, Mr. Otten is independent.  He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church.  Since the above sketch was written, Mr. Otten has sold out his mercantile business, and is enjoying a well-earned rest.