My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. OTT, a well known citizen of Portland, Pa., and proprietor of the Dazy Roller Mill of this place, was born December 23, 1862. His parents, Theodore and Susan Ott, are also natives of Northampton County, and residents of Portland. They were of German-French descent, their ancestors having emigrated from the Old Country in an early day. Peter Ott, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Berks County, but removed to Northampton County and settled in Upper Mt. Bethel Township. He was a farmer by occupation, and the founder of the Ott family in this county. He is now living a retired life in Bangor, Pa., and is in the eighty-fifth year of his age.

Theodore Ott, the father of our subject, is a well known citizen of Portland, and for twenty years was superintendent of the lime manufacturing business conducted by Luther Keller. In his younger days, however, he worked on a farm by the month, but afterward purchased a farm and began tilling and cultivating the soil for himself. He was quite successful in this undertaking, and for several years was considered one of the leading agriculturists of the county. He afterward became identified with the lime works of Portland, of which he is now the efficient superintendent. He has served as a member of the Borough Council, School Director and Collector of the borough, and is at present a Director in the East Stroudsburg National Bank. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, and politically is a Democrat.

William H. Ott, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in the public and high schools of Portland. Soon after leaving school he embarked in the mercantile business in partnership with L. H. Nicholas, under the firm name of Nicholas & Ott. This partnership continued for several years, doing a splendid business, and Mr. Ott became widely and favorably known. Subsequently he became identified with the coal interest of Portland, and for three years carried on that business successfully. In the winter of 1892, he sold out his interest in that business and retired from active work for a short time, but in July of the next year he became the proprietor of the Dazy Roller Mill, and now attends personally to the management of the business. The mill is run by water-power and overshot-wheel, and the roller process is used. He does a merchant and exchange custom work, the best grade of flour manufactured by him being called the “Daisy,” and the next best is the “Big Loaf.” Besides the manufacture of flour, he grinds feed, corn, chops and does general farmer’s custom work. The mill is a large structure, and the capacity is about twenty-four barrels of flour per day. Mr. Ott leased the mill in July, 1892, for a period of six years.

October 18, 1893, our subject and Miss Clara Weidman were united in marriage. She is a daughter of Daniel Weidman, a well known and highly respected citizen of Upper Mt. Bethel Township. Socially Mr. Ott is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. In his political views he is a Democrat, and takes a deep interest in political affairs, but has never aspired to public office. He is regarded with the highest respect, and in his wide acquaintance commands the confidence due his sterling integrity and business ability.