John Henry Otto was born Sept. 12, 1822, in Westphalia, Germany. He served five years in the Prussian Army, two years as a first lieutenant, taking part in the first war of Prussia against Denmark in 1847 and in the war of the revolution in Baden in 1848, under Prince William, later emperor of Germany.
Immigrating to America in 1853, Otto moved to Wisconsin the following year, settling in Appleton where he engaged in the cabinet-making business. He made practically all of the desks for what was then Lawrence University.
On Aug. 12, 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 21st Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered in as third sergeant, Sept. 5. He was promoted to second lieutenant, Nov. 22 of that year; to first lieutenant, Nov. 28, 1864; and to captain, April 28, 1865, at Richmond, Virginia. He was in command of his company from the Battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19-20, 1863, until the close of the war. He was discharged with the regiment, June 8, 1865 at Washington, D.C., and mustered out at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee.
After his return to Appleton he engaged in the hardware business and later was appointed assistant postmaster, a position he filled from 1868 to 1874. In 1889 he moved to Grand Rapids, now Wisconsin Rapids. It was there, at the age of 80, that he wrote his Civil War memoirs, making two complete copies in longhand for his two sons, August C. and George M. Otto.
He died Jan. 20, 1908 and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids.
