John P. Otis was born in 1913 as Jan Oksztynajtys to Lithuanian immigrants. He worked as a
clerk in an A & P grocery store for over 21 years, as well as working until the age
of 80 as a vault clerk at American Appraisal. With the title of "eminent churchologist," Mr.
Otis is best know for his collection of Wisconsin church histories, which covers
approximately 3,000 churches. In addition to his interest in church histories, Mr. Otis
collected pencil sharpeners. He traveled the 48 contiguous states and Alaska, photographing
lighthouses, covered bridges and many other things. The expanse of his collection is
surprising due to the fact that he never drove a car; it is because of the generosity of his
son-in-law and other people he has met along the way. Mr Otis died in 2002 at age 89.
