Biography of 	OTERI, Joseph, Palermo, Italy, then Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller November 1998

**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************  

Joseph Oteri, an importer of tropical fruit of New Orleans, La., and 
owner of the steamship "Jos. Oteri, Jr.," named after his son aged ten 
years, was born at Palermo, Italy, in 1845.  When about four months old 
his parents came with him to the United States, landing first at New 
York, then coming to New Orleans.  In 1851 they removed to Mobile, 
where they remained until after the epidemic of 1853, when they 
returned to New Orleans.  Here he together with his brother, S. Oteri, 
succeeded their father in the fruit business, supplying settlers during 
the war, and when the Farragut fleet entered the Mississippi river and 
the city of New Orleans surrendered, they supplied the men-of-war with 
fresh provisions.  After the surrender of Vicksburg they established a 
wholesale fruit house on Front street and began to charter small 
schooners, supplying them with provisions of all kinds which would be 
sent to Central America and exchanged for bananas.  On return of the 
schooners the bananas would be disposed of at a large profit.

In 1868 they shipped the entire cargo of the schooner "Jennie Wood,"
consisting of six cars of bananas, to western markets.  In January, the
result of this enterprise proved disastrous, as the bananas were all 
frozen from the extreme cold weather and they only realized the sum of 
$68 net for the entire six cars.  This partnership existed until 1884, 
at which time Joseph Oteri withdrew from the firm and began on his own 
account.  In 1886 he purchased the steamship "Jos. Oteri, Jr.," which 
is and has been running to Central America, in the trade of importing 
bananas, coconuts and other tropical fruits.  Mr. Oteri was married in 
1870 to Miss Luella A. Keightly of Columbus, Ohio, and of English 
parentage.  This union has been blessed with four children (three 
daughters and one son):  Dora,  Lucy Ann,  Alice Luella and  Joseph 
Oteri Jr., all bright and interesting children.  Mr. Joseph Oteri is 
treasurer and fourth sergeant of the famous continental guard's and a 
member of many other organizations, among which are the Southern Yacht 
club and chamber of commerce.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 293.
Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.