Forget Me Not: Thomas C. Ott, 1927 MS

Thomas Ott was a "pioneer citizen" of Osyka. When I see those words in a newspaper article I pay close attention. It often means I am finding one of our early family members. 

 

Thomas Charles Ott

25 Jan 1854 LA – 4 December 1927 MS

Son of Samuel Edward Ott & Elenor Esther Addison

Husband of Emily Jones

 

My 2^nd cousin, 3x removed

 

Tom Ott Dies At Osyka

 

The death of Thomas Ott, one of the pioneer citizens of Osyka, occurred Saturday and he was buried at Osyka Sunday. He was 74 years of age and a life – time citizen of that locality. Everyone knew him as Uncle Tom, and everyone was his friend who came in contact with him. For many years he was in the saw mill business at Osyka, until a few years ago when he sold out his interest in the mill to Walter Ott. Hundreds of people who go to Osyka will miss the familiar figure of Uncle Tom and his cherry words of greeting.

 

 

Source: Tom Ott Dies At Osyka (McComb, MS, Semi - Weekly Journal, 7 Dec 1927) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Feb. 2023.  

 

Children of Tom & Emily:

 

Charles Monroe Ott

William Jones Ott

Annie E. Ott

Carrie Pearl Ott

Seaborn G. Ott

Harry Leon Ott

 

 

 

Forget Me Not: Julia Tate Ott, 1939 TN

This brief obituary is very interesting. I had Jesse A. Ott in my records but not his wife. What I find interesting is Jesse died in 1878 at the age of 28 from Yellow Fever. His widow lived for over 60 more years. The obituary does not mention a second husband. Julia lived for a very long time after Jesse’s death.

 

 

Julia Ann Tate Ott

c 1856 MS – 11 July 1939 TN

Widow of Jesse Alexander Ott

Pike Pioneer Passes Away in Memphis

 

Mrs. Julia Ott died in Memphis yesterday at the age of 83 years. She was the former Miss Tate of Pike county, lived in Osyka for a long time, and was the wife of J. Alex Ott, who died with yelloe fevver in 1878.

 

Mrs. Ott was the grandmother of Commissioner Davis of Memphis, the aunt of Charlie Tate and great aunt of Nick Tate of this city. Funeral services were to be held in Memphis today.

 

Source: Pike Pioneer Passes Away in Memphis (McComb, MS, Enterprise - Journal, 12 July 1939) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Feb. 2023.  

 

 

After reading this obituary at Newspapers.com, I went back to the website and searched Memphis newspapers and found this obituary for Julia.

 

 

Commissioner Davis’ Grandmother Dies

 

Services For Mrs. Julia Ott Will be Held Today – Mrs. Julia Ott, grandmother of Commissioner Davis, died at 5:02 0’clock yesterday morning at Baptist Hospital following a three week’s illness. She was 83.

 

Mrs. Ott had undergone an operation and a blood transfusion. She lived in Osyka, Miss. Her home town, most of her life. She moved to Memphis 28 years ago and made her home with her son – in – law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Davis, 1418 South Lauderdale. She was a Baptist.

 

She leaves her daughter, Mrs. Davis; her son, Omer O. Ott; and three grandchildren, Mrs. E. P. Hanna, Miss Marie Davis and Commissioner Davis, all of Memphis.

 

Pallbearers will be George L. O’Connor, Chauncey Barbour, Jesse Kuhn, A. I. Conrad, Hugh Sanders and J. J. Schuburg.

 

 

 

Source: Commissioner Davis’ Grandmother Dies (Memphis, TN, The Commercial Appeal, 12 July 1939) 10; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Feb. 2023.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timeline: The Ott Family

Timeline of the Ott Family 

1699                Birth of Melchoir Ott, Switzerland

1725                Birth of Jacob Ott I, son of Melchoir

1742                Swiss astronomer, Anders Celsius, invented the centigrade thermometer

1755                14 Aug. Birth of Jacob Ott II, son of Jacob I, Orangeburg, SC

1755                23 Oct. Death of Melchoir Ott, age 56, Orangeburg, SC

1776 - 1783     Revolutionary War; Jacob Ott II served under Col. Francis Marion 

1774                Birth of Jacob Ott III, son of Jacob II, Orangeburg, SC

1800                24 Apr. President John Adams approved $5,000 for books for the use of Congress and the Library of Congress was begun

1811                Robert Livingston & Robert Fulton had exclusive charter to navigate MS River with steam powered vessels

1813                5 Sep. Birth of Charlotte Temple (Ott) Brumfield, daughter of Jacob III, LA

1812 – 1814    War of 1812. Jacob Ott III & his son, Joel, served in LA Militia

1815                Jan. Battle of New Orleans was fought; after Peace Treaty had been signed

1820                12 Sep. Death of Jacob Ott III, age 65, in Mt. Hermon, Washington, LA

1822                24 Dec. The Night Before Christmas written by Clement Moore

1835                Marriage of Charlotte Temple (Ott) Brumfield & Nathaniel Brumfield, LA

1838                27 Sep. Birth of Jessie Alexander Brumfield, son of Nathaniel & Charlotte

1850                Population of Louisiana: 517,762

1852                8 Feb. Death of Nathaniel Brumfield, age 39, in LA

1853                Yellow Fever Epidemic killed 11,000 in New Orleans

c 1854             Marriage of Charlotte Temple (Ott) Brumfield & Elijah Brumfield, brother of Nathaniel

1855                Leaves of Grass written by Walt Whitman

1861 - 1865     Civil War; Samuel Edward Ott served

1868                Louisiana readmitted to the Union

1874                April. Severe floods hit LA

1880                1 Jan. Construction of the Panama Canal began

1883                18 Nov. Five standard time zones established by the US & Canada

1895                Death of Charlotte Temple (Ott) Brumfield, age 81, LA

1900                Summer Olympics held in Paris, France; women took part for the 1^st time

1903                The Ford Model A automobile was produced & sold for $750

1914                27 May. Death of Jessie Alexander Brumfield, age 75, in MS

This Chart shows the link between the Ott family & my paternal grandfather. 

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Military Service: Captain Nelson Ott, USAF WWII

 

Captain Nelson Tate Ott

10 March 1917 LA – 25 June 1996 LA

Son of Charles Jacob Ott & Lillie Nelson Tate

 

World War II US Air Force Pilot & Instructor

 

Nelson Tate Ott Sr., 79, of Osyka, died June 25, 1996, at Baton Rouge, La., General Health Center.

 

Visitation is 6 – 9 tonight at Hartman Funeral Home of McComb. T Services will be at 11 a. m. Friday at Osyka Baptist Church, with the Rev. Joe Trull officiating. Burial will be in Osyka Cemetery.

 

Mr. Ott was born March 10, 1917, in Hackley, La. He was the son of Charles Jacob and Lillie Tate Ott. He was reared in Osyka.

 

He was a graduate of McComb High School, where he excelled in football. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) where he lettered four years in football.

 

He was a captain in the U. S. Air Force. He was a pilot and instructor at Foster Field, Texas. He flew a P – 47 in combat in the European Theater, where he received numerous citations.

 

After World War II, he returned to Osyka with his wife, June, who was a 1^st Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force. There he taught school and coached for 35 years in the surrounding areas of Mississippi and Louisiana. He retired as principal of Osyka Elementary School.

 

He served as alderman for the Town of Osyka. He was a member of Osyka Baptist Church.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Rebecca Ott Best, Gena Ott Trask and Zelma Ott; and his brother, Charles Jacob Ott Jr.

 

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, June Balogh Ott of Osyka; four daughters, Doris Ott Harris of Houston, Texas, Sara Ott Wall of Denham Springs, La., Becky Ott Applewhite of Summit and Donna  Ott of Osyka Ott Speed of Chatawa; one son, Nelson Tate Ott Jr. of Osyka; one son – in – law, Jack Speed of Chatawa; one daughter – in – law, Ruthie Ott of Osyka; seven grandchildren, Mandy Wall, Leigh and Lesley Harris, Courtney and Allison Applewhite, and June and Dan Speed; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. 

 

Source: Nelson Tate Ott Sr. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 27 June 1996) 8; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed May 2022. 

 

Forget Me Not: Kenneth Ott, 1971 LA

This obituary gives us a list of survivors which is always useful with genealogy research. However, I wish it told more about Kenneth's life. I'd like to know more about the man. Of course, I always wish for more information in obituaries! ha! 

 

 

Kenneth Ott

28 August 1900 MS – 9 December 1971 LA

Son of Samuel Adolphus Ott & Georgia Ritchie

 

My 2^nd Cousin 3x Removed

 

Funeral services for Kenneth Ott, 71, were held at 3 p. m., Saturday in the Osyka Baptist Church. 

 

Mr. Ott died at 10 p. m. Thursday in Osyka following a short illness.

 

Born Aug. 28, 1900, he was a native and lifelong resident of Osyka.

 

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Kenneth Ott; two stepsons, June Austin Spears, New York, James Monroe Spears, Osyka; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Blackwell, Baton Rouge, La., Mrs. Ruth Varando, New York; one brother, Richie Ott, Osyka; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret McNees, Osyka, Mrs. Ruby Dean Williams, Osyka, Mrs. Harriet Carruth, Dixie Springs; 19 grandchildren and one great – grandchild.

 

Rev. Richard Gordon officiated. Burial was in the Osyka Cemetery with Hartman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Source: Kenneth Ott Rites are Held (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 13 Dec 1971) 3; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed March 2022.

 

 

 

 

Military Service: William Mayo Ott, World War II

On 18 February 1943 William Ott, aged 19 years old, went to Houston, Texas and enlisted in the U. S. Army. Fold3 tells us he was in the Medical Administrative Corps. After the war he did become a doctor. His obituary tells us he served in the Army Air Corps. At some time he became a pilot. His obituary says he served in the China – Burma – India Theater. He served until 26 March 1946 and remained in the Army Reserves.

Dr. William Mayo Ott

 

18 October 1923 LA – 24 October 1996 TX

Son of W. O. Ott & Margaret Jane Smith 

 

World War II, Army Air Corps

 

 

  

William's obituary:

 

Services for Dr. William Mayo Smith, 73, longtime Kilgore physician, will be 2 p. m. Saturday, Oct, 26, 1996, at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Buddy Duggins, Father Mark Kusmirek and Deacon Bill Holda officiating. The burial will follow in the Kilgore Cemetery. Dr. Ott died in his home surrounded by family on Oct. 24 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Bogalusa, La., Oct. 18, 1923 and was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. 

 

He attended Texas A & M University and joined the Army Air Corps at the onset of World War II, serving in the China – Burma – India Theater.

 

He completed his education at the University of North Texas and graduated from Southwestern University Medical School in 1954. After completing an Internship at Baylor University Hospital, he established his general practice in Kilgore where he practiced medicine for 38 years. 

 

He was a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and the Gregg County Medical Association. Dr. Ott served as a Chief od Staff at Laird Memorial Hospital and was awarded a Life Membership to the Texas medical Association. He was also a designated FAA Aviation Medical Examiner. 

 

Dr. Ott participated in many activities which involved his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included sailing, where he was one of the founding members of the Tyler Yacht Club, and golfing. He was also a longtime pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

 

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Brennan Ott; six daughters, Jane Lane of Liberty City, Patricia Irving of Kilgore, Liz Jodry of Magnolia, Kathryn Toon of Kilgore, Laura Nivin of Plano and Lynn Ott of Plano; three sons, Bill, Jim and John Ott, all of Kilgore; four sons – in – law, Mark Lane, Mike Jodry, Steve Toon and Steve Nivin; two daughters – in – law, Debbie Allen Ott, and Judith Dupree Ott; sisters, Jane Taylor of Mexico, Peggy Willing of Anchorage, Alaska, and Mary Ann Bynum of Williamsburg, Va.; nine grandchildren, Chris and Amy Ott, Lindsey and Clint Toon, Sarah and Chelsea Irving, Hunter Pollard, Jackson Lane and Matthew Jodry.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Oscar Ott, his brother, Dr. David Ott, and daughter, Mary Kathleen Ott.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the charity of choice.

 

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening between 6 – 7 p. m. 

 

Sources:

 

Dr. William Mayo Ott. (Longview, TX: Longview News – Journal, 25 Oct 1996) 30; Newspapers.com: accessed May 2022. 

 

Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File; digital record, Fold3.com: accessed May 2022, William Ott. 

 

World War II Army Enlistment Records; digital record, Fold3.com: accessed May 2022, William Ott. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forget Me Not: Frank R. Ott, 1959, MS

 

Frank Ross Ott

8 April 1880 MS – 20 June 1959 MS

Son of Samuel Edward Ott & Elenor Esther Addison

 

Services for Frank Ross Ott, 79, of Osyka, retired farmer who died Saturday at his residence were held at the Osyka Baptist Church at 4 p. m. Sunday.

 

Burial was in the Osyka Cemetery.

 

The Rev. Ralph Webber, officiated. He was assisted by the Rev. Clyde Rodgers, and the Rev. O. W. Wardlow.

 

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mattie Edwina Ott, Berkerly [sic], Calf.; two daughters, Mrs. George E. Armstrong, New York City, N. Y.; Mrs. O. L. Colee, Magnolia; one brother, W.  D. Ott; one grandchild.

Source: Frank Ross, 79, Buried in Osyka (McComb, MS: Enterprise - Journal, 22 Jun 1959) 8; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed March 2022.

Related Posts:

• Samuel Edward Ott, Sawmill
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Military Service: Brig. Gen. Isaac William Ott, WWII, USAF

Finding this information about my distant cousin is exciting & makes me proud to have a connection to such an outstanding man. 

Brig. Gen. Isaac William Ott

6 April 1903 MS – 7 March 1976 TX

Son of Albert E. Ott & Emma Cutrer

Work War II Veteran

 Isaac W Ott   Photo from Newspapers.com

 

Brig. Gen Isaac William Ott (USAF Retired), an Osyka native and commander of the U. S. Air Force service command for the entire European Theatre from 1943 to 1945 during World War II, will be buried Tuesday afternoon in Osyka with military services. 

 

Gen. Ott died Sunday at the age of 72 in the Wilford Hall Hospital, Lackland Air Force Base, Tex.

 

The son of the late Albert Earnest and Emma Cutrer Ott, he was the recipient of many high awards for distinguished service during World War II. He also was cited by the University of Kentucky as one of its most outstanding alumni from 1865 to 1965. 

 

Gen. Ott, born April 6, 1903, attended public school in Osyka, Louisiana State University and was later graduated from the University of Kentucky. Following his college career, he enlisted in the Air Force as a cadet pilot at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Tex. He served several years as a flight officer stationed in Panama and at other posts.

 

After training in aviation engineering, Gen. Ott served at Brook Field, Kelly Field and England where he assumed the post of an assistant deputy commander of the Eighth Air Force service command with the rank of brigadier general. He later went on to command that theatre during World War II. 

 

Gen. Ott is survived by a brother, Albert E. Ott, Jr., and a sister, Mrs. Flint Wilson Sr., both of Osyka; two daughters, Mrs. Stewart Felvey of Brenham, Tex., and Mrs. David Scott of Edwards AFB, Calif., wife of astronaut David Scott who commanded the U. S. Apollo XV flight to the moon; seven grandchildren and numerous cousins.  

 

Funeral services are planned for 2:30 p. m. Tuesday from Hartman Chapel with graveside military services to follow in Osyka Cemetery.

 

Pallbearers will be Col. Walter W. Ott, Nelson Tate Ott, Karl J. Ott, Jr., Col. David K. Scott, Bernard Williams, Flint Wilson, Jr. and William K. Anderson Jr.

Source: Military Rites Set for General. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 8 Mar 1976) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed May 2022.

Isaac William Ott on left; Walter Wesley Ott in center

Photo from Fold3.com

  

Related Posts:

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Forget Me Not: Capt. John J Ott, Jr., 1974 MS

World War I was called the war to end all wars. John Ott knew just how wrong that was. Not only was he alive for two world wars, he served in both. 

 

John Jacob Ott, Jr.

26 February 1884 MS – 8 May 1974 MS

Son of John Jacob Ott & Martha Cutrer

Veteran of World War I & II

 

Funeral services for Capt. John Jacob Ott Jr., (U. S. Army, ret.) 90, were held at 3 p. m. today in Hartman Chapel.

 

Capt. Ott, a native of Osyka, died early Wednesday morning in Beacham Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.

 

He was born Feb. 26, 1884. He was a resident of Osyka at the time of his death.

 

A veteran of World War I and II, he was a Shriner for 50 years in Oklahoma City, Okla., and a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge.

 

Capt. Ott was employed at one time as vocational advisor at the VA Hospital in New Orleans, La.

 

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Katherine Ott Jr., Osyka; one son, Emile Cutrer Ott, Jackson, and three grandchildren.

 

The Rev. John L. Stuart and the Rev. Drew Blanton officiated. Burial was in the Osyka Cemetery with Hartman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 

 

Source: Capt. John Jacob Ott Jr. Dies (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 9 May 1974) 7; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed March 2022.

Related Posts:

• Jacob Ott II, Revolutionary War Soldier
• John Jacob Ott, Sr.

 

 

Military Service: Lt Col Walter Ott, WWII USAF

Walter Ott served our country during World War II as a pilot in the US Air Force. His obituary gives some highlights of his career. Fold3.com gives us photos of Walter. Researching Walter's service was the first time I found photographs on Fold3. I was very excited to be able to see this amazing man.

Lt. Col. Walter Wesley Ott

16 February 1917 – 30 October 2006

Son of Walter D. Ott & May Cutrer 

 

 Walter Ott on left; England.  Photo from Fold3.com

 

McComb, Miss. – Lt. Col. Walter Wesley Ott, a military pilot who ferried such celebrities as Bob Hope and Irving Berlin during World War II, has died. He was 89.

 

Ott died Monday. He was a test pilot for the Air Force for 22 years, but made a name for himself as a pilot for some of the era’s biggest stars – James Cagney, Bing Crosby, Mickey Rooney and Hope.

 

He was chosen during World War II to shuttle the celebrities to USO events because of his flying skills, according to his wife, Elizabeth Ott.

 

Elizabeth Ott said that as a leader in the military, her husband was protective of the young pilots under his command when it came to testing unproven new aircraft.

 

He was the test pilot on more than 50 flights during his career, she said.

 

Ott’s son, John Ott of McComb, said his dad’s fondest Thanksgiving was during the war when he had lunch with his childhood idol, Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh was the hero to many flying enthusiasts after becoming the first pilot to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.

 

 

 

Walter Ott in center.   Photo from Fold3.com

 

Source: Walter Wesley Ott, 89, pilot for celebrities. (Ft Myers, FL: News – Press, 3 Nov 2006) 18; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed May 2022.

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Military Service: Percy W. Ott, World War I

A three page report on the service of Percy can be found on Fold3. It is a detailed report of his service overseas during World War I. Best of all, the report was written and signed by Percy. 

 

 

 Captain Percy Wright Ott

24 September 1889 Mt. Hermon, LA – 19 April 1977 Baton Rouge, LA

Son of Elbert Weston Ott & Martha E. Leggett

 

My 2^nd cousin, 3 x removed 

 

Percy W. Ott served a Captain during World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces as chief engineer. He enlisted 15 August 1917. On 1 September 1918 he sailed for duty as an Adjutant, 1^st Battalion, 603^rd Engineers. On 13 September the transport ship Ortega cast anchor in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. Percy, “was willing to admit, with everyone else onboard, that this part of Scotland was the most beautiful bit of land he had ever seen.” The regiment disembarked the next day in Glasgow and took a train to Camp Winnall Downs at Winchester, England.

 

Percy’s account of this time includes details of the regiment’s movements from the training in England to France. He served as regimental adjutant. He assigned men to their “billets.” He wrote that: “The regiment never went into action as a whole, but every man got his chance to do his bit.” They maintained the bridges in the vicinity of Verdun. “On the afternoon of Nov. 6 Captain Ott was at Brieulles, where the detachment 603^rd Engineers had just joined the 7^th Engineers, and got his first taste of real warfare and learned the gentle art of dodging bullets.”

 

“After the armistice the regiment continued to work in scattered detachments, and Captain Ott made immemorable trips up and down the Mause and over the old battle areas.”

 

This document was dated 16 December 1918.

 

Source: WWI American Expenditionary Forces, Officer Experience Reports; digital image; Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed March 2022) Percy W Ott.

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