Biography of John Ottinger, Independence Co, AR

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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 706 

Joseph Ottinger. Within the limits of Independence County, Ark., there
is no man of more progressive spirit or of greater recognized worth than Mr.
Ottinger. Born in Cocke County, Tenn., June 15, 1838, he is a son of Michael
and Elizabeth (Winter) Ottinger, also Tennesseeans, the former's birth
occurring in Greene County, in 1802. He was also educated in this county, and,
as he grew up, learned the lessons of industry, frugal habits and
economy–lessons which he ever remembered and which stood him in good stead in
after life. He became a wealthy planter of that State, and at one time owned
1,020 acres of land. He was married in 1823, and eleven children were born to
himself and wife, six of whom are yet living. He held the office of constable
for some time. He and wife were members, in good standing, in the Lutheran
Church. He died in 1877, followed by his wife a few years later, in 1881.
Joseph Ottinger was educated near Newport, Tenn., and for a number of years has
been a resident of Independence County, Ark. He owns 239 acres of average land,
and, from his earliest recollections, has been familiar with farm work (a
secret, doubtless, of his success). He was married near Newport, Tenn., to Miss
Sarah A. Davis, who was born and reared in that State. To them a family of nine
children have been given, eight sons and one daughter, and eight of the family
are still living. Mr. Ottinger is a member of the Masonic order, and has held
the office of secretary and treasurer of his lodge. He is also a member of the
Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are connected with the Baptist Church, and
are always interested in enterprises tending to benefit their adopted [p.706]
county. The maternal grandparents were Pennsylvanians, who were among the
pioneer settlers of Tennessee.