Nodaway County, Missouri History of 1882 Biographicals
(transcibed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)
[page 625] Hopkins Township - Merrill Otis. Among the oldest and most respected citizens of Nodaway County may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 1, 1825. He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. Upon arriving at maturity he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has devoted himself to this branch of business through life. Moving westward to Missouri in 1858, he settled in Nodaway County, near Xenia. The county was then almost a wilderness, and the task of making a home and improving a farm was not an easy one. Mr Otis purchased a tract of 800 acres of land, and commenced its cultivation. From that time until the present he has been identified with the growth and prosperity of Nodaway County, and it is to such energetic citizens as he that this county is indebted for the position she occupies as one of the foremost in the state. Mr O. has divided his land among his children, and has but forty acres at present. This land is well improved, and upon it is a good orchard. He takes quite an interest in educational matters, and has several times filled the position of school director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1851 to Miss Tamer Myers, who was born and raised in the same place as himself. She died on the [page 626] 19th of August, 1877, leaving seven children: Reason, Sarah A. (now Mrs Oliver Rumzy), George W., Edward, Jasper N., Absalom, and Mary F.