The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 678
A portrait of August M. Otto appears in this publication.

AUGUST M. OTTO.

Among the successful orchardists and bankers of the Naches valley is August M.
Otto, a native of Wisconsin, who was born in Prairie du Chien, May 25, 1865, his
parents being Henry and Ann (Hoffman) Otto, the former a native of Germany and
the latter of Illinois. As pioneers they removed to Wisconsin and there the
father was quite prominent, successfully conducting a hotel and also serving as
county treasurer in his district and as mayor of his town. Both he and his wife
have passed away.

August M. Otto received a public school education and after laying aside his
textbooks in 1883, when eighteen years of age, began work by entering the
employ of the Northern Pacific Express Company, with which organization he
remained until 1906, or for a period of twenty-three years, thus demonstrating
his ability and loyalty, his long years of service standing as incontrovertible
proof of the appreciation his work received from his superior officers. During
the two following years he was connected with the Wells Fargo Company in Nevada.
Previous to this time, in the employ of the Northern Pacific Company, he had
been at Spokane in 1889 and in 1901 had been in Seattle, acting in the capacity
of general agent in both places. He remained in Seattle until 1907, when he was
appointed agent at Goldfield, Nevada, but in 1909 left the company and carne to
Yakima county, where in the spring of that year he bought twenty acres of
valuable land on the upper Naches. Ten acres of this is devoted to orchard and
from this enterprise he derives a very gratifying income, the rest of his land
being devoted to mixed farming. He has erected commodious barns and installed
modern equipment and his residence is one of the best of the neighborhood, being
supplied with hot and cold running water, electric lights and other
conveniences.  Mr. Otto is also prominent in financial circles, being president
of the Naches State Bank, to which position he attained in January, 1917, having
since had much to do with the successful conduct of this enterprise. The bank
was established in 1910 with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars and is well
worthy of the confidence of the public.

On September 14, 1893, Mr. Otto was united in marriage to Sadie B. King, who
like her husband is a native of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and is a daughter
of L. O. and Sarah B. (Belden) King, both natives of Cleveland, Ohio. The
parents became pioneers of Wisconsin and in that state they passed away.

In his political affiliations Mr. Otto is a democrat and has always loyally
adhered to the principles of that party. He is very prominent in Masonic
circles, having assisted in organizing Naches Lodge No. 211, A. F. & A. M., and
having served as master from 1915, the year of its organization, until 1919. He
is also a member of the chapter and commandery at Yakima and belongs to El Katif
Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Spokane. Along the line of his business he is a
member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union, receiving and giving new ideas
in regard to horticulture through contact with others engaged in that business.
He also was at one time president of the Naches Commercial Club, which was
organized in 1911, largely through the instrumentality of Wallace Goodsell, who
died in December, 1916, since which time Mr. Otto has taken a most laudable and
leading part in the affairs and purposes of this club, which has done most
valuable work in securing for Naches City efficient railroad, freight and
express service and has also ever interested itself in road building and many
other things undertaken for the benefit and welfare of the public. Mr. Otto's
part in this connection can not be overestimated, as he has given much time and
thought to valuable projects, even at a personal sacrifice. He is ever
interested in public affairs and has cooperated in many movements which have
contributed toward the development and growth of his section. A loyal American
citizen, he is now numbered among the substantial residents of the Yakima
valley.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.