Cumberland County, Maine - Andrew Jackson Otis
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Biography
Andrew Jackson Otis
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 315


Andrew Jackson Otis, a veteran agriculturist of Standish, Cumberland County,
Me., was born August 8, 1815, in Barrington, N.H., son of Job and Sally
(Kimball) Otis. His great-grandfather on his father's side, Joshua Otis, married
in 1745, Jane Hussey, of Dover, N.H.; and in 1752 they moved to that part of
Barrington that is now included within the limits of Strafford. Joshua Otis,
with most of his brothers, served in the war of the Revolution. His wife died in
1790, but he lived until 1810. They reared ten children, Micajah, the
grandfather of Andrew J., being the second son and child.

Micajah Otis was born in Barrington, N. H., and there owned a good farm of two
hundred acres, a large part of it under cultivation. He was a man of eminent
piety, and for many years a preacher in the Free Will Baptist denomination,
having charge of the Barrington church until his death. His wife, Sarah Foss, a
daughter of Joshua Foss, of Barrington, was also a member of that church. They
were the parents of six children, Job being their first-born.

Job Otis was born in Barrington in 1790, and far outlived the old-time allotted
years of man's life, dying in 1854. He was a well-to-do farmer, succeeding to
the ownership of the homestead on which he was born and reared. He was a man of
strong individuality, noted for his practical wisdom and ability, was a Democrat
in politics, and occupied an important position in the management of local
public affairs. In 1808 he was elected Selectman, an office which he held four
consecutive years; and in 1819 and 1820 he represented the town of Barrington in
the State legislature. During the latter year the town of Strafford was set off
from Barrington; and this new town he represented in the legislature in 1822,
1823, 1828, 1833, 1834, and 1835. In 1835 he was a member of the Board of
Councillors for the State of New Hampshire. He likewise served as a justice of
the Peace for many years. His wife, a daughter of Ephraim Kimball, of Dover,
N.H., bore him nine children, Andrew J. being the only one now living. The
mother belonged to the Free Will Baptist church.

Andrew J. Otis acquired the rudiments of his education in the district schools
of his native town, afterward attending the academy at Strafford. On the
parental farm he was thoroughly drilled in agricultural arts, and during the
first half-century of his life carried on general farming in the place of his
nativity. He was a man of prominence in Strafford, succeeding his father as
justice of the Peace, and being at one time a member of the Major general's
staff, serving as Quartermaster. He also represented his town in the legislature
at Concord, N.H., in 1855. In 1865 Mr. Otis removed to Maine and purchased a
farm of sixty acres in Standish, on which be has since resided, being known as a
thrifty and successful farmer.

Mr. Otis was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah Howe Kimball, daughter of John
Kimball, of Hiram, Me. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Otis have all
passed away from this earthly home. In politics Mr. Otis is a firm adherent of
the Democratic party, and in religious belief both he and his wife are
Universalists.