Charles Otto
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
MONTANA GENWEB ARCHIVES 
May be copied for non-profit purposes. 

Charles Otto has long been a resident of Montana and is 
well known here. For a number of years he has been identified
with Missoula, where he now lives. Of his life we present 
the following sketch: Charles Otto was born in Baden 
Germany, November 26, 1838, the son of German parents, 
his father being a large lumber dealer in that country. 
It was on the 2nd day of August 1855 that young Otto 
landed on American soil, he being then a lad of seventeen 
years, starting out to make his own way in the world. From 
New York City he went to Cincinnati, where he obtained 
employment in a brewery and where he became thoroughly 
familiar with all the details of that business. In 1857 
we find him at Springfield, Illinois. There he worked on 
a farm during the summer and at the coopers trade in 
winter. In 1859 the Pike's Peak excitement and his love 
for adventure brought him out West and he turned his 
attention to mining. In the mines, however, he made no 
more than wages, and as the occupation was not altogether 
suited to his taste he sold his claim and crossed the 
plains to California. He remained in California until 
1863, his time being divided between mining and working 
in a brewery. His mining experience here was more 
successful that it had been elsewhere. Indeed, he 
found some pieces of gold that were worth from $60 
to $70. In 1863 Mr. Otto went to Virginia City, 
Nevada and secured employment in the Philadelphia 
Brewery; but the close confinement did not agree 
with his health, so he left the brewery and began 
hauling quartz from Gold Hill to CarsonRiver. He 
remained in Nevada until 1866 when he came to 
Montana, landing at Helena on the 9th of June and 
camping on Rodney Street. At that time there was 
but one residence in the town. Mr. Otto had come 
to Helena with a freight train, bringing with him 
400 pounds of tobacco, expecting to sell it ata 
large profit, but as the market was already supplied 
he made nothing on his venture. Again he turned his 
attention to mining. He worked at Confederate bar and 
at other places, but the cost of provisions was high 
and he did not makemuch. In the spring of 1868 he 
removed to Radersburg, where he worked for $4 per 
day on the night shift. After this he prospected 
with a company in the Big Dry Gulch, but as he met 
with but little success he went to Cable City and 
began hauling quartz to the mill below the town. 
In this occupation he continued until December, 
when he returned to Helena. In Helena he for a 
time worked for a contractor, was afterward employed 
in sawing ice for John Horsky, drove a beer wagon 
three years, and then for three and a half years 
worked in a brewery. Still later he worked in a 
brewery at Phillipsburg and one at Deer Lodge. 
July 12, 1877, he arrived in Missoula and on the 
19th of that monthbegan working in the brewery of 
John Hughes. In 1879 he purchased the brewery and 
conducted the business successfully until 1885, 
when he sold out, his successors being Wagner & 
Pelekan. After that he turned his attention to 
real eastate deals. In company with other prominent 
citizens of Missoula, he purchased a valuable tract 
of land on Front Street, a part of which has been 
sold and the rest improved. Mr. Otto has declined 
$10,000 for the property hestill owns on Front 
Street. He also has a ranch on Miller Creek, six 
miles from the city. He was one of the founders of 
the Western Missoula National Bank and in this 
institution has been a stockholder and a director. 
While he has in a measure retired from active 
business, he is giving some attention to the 
raising of fine fruits, among which are apples, 
pears, cherries and plums. Mr. Otto is a charter 
member of the I.O.O.F. at Missoula. His political 
views are in harmony with the principlesadvocated 
by the Democratic party, with which he has been 
identified ever since he cast his first vote. 

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