California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 GEORGE BUELL OTIS, a pioneer of California and an honored resident of Berkeley, was born in Chittenden county, Vt., near Bolton, September 16, 1844, and is a son of Albert Hins- dale and Mary (Jewell) Otis. The former was born in Massachusetts and was the only child of Joseph and Viola (Hinsdale) Otis, of English ancestry. Albert Hinsdale Otis was reared in Massachusetts and was there educated, graduating from the Wesleyan University with the degree of D.D. In Vermont he married Mary Jewell, who was a daughter of Jesse Jewell, one of the early settlers of Bolton, Vt. In 1838, with his wife, he went to Wisconsin and bought gov- ernment land near what is now Kenosha, but was then known as Southport. In addition to his duties as a circuit rider in the Methodist Episcopal Church, he followed millwrighting success- fully for years. He improved a farm in Wisconsin, to which state his father later went and took the home prepared by the son, who at once made another home on an adjoining farm. Al- bert H. Otis and his wife reared a family of five children, one daughter, Ruby, dying in early childhood. Charles Wesley, born in Wisconsin, is a retired merchant now living in Santa Rosa, Sonoma county; Sarah Anna is the wife of George P. Laird, of Cambria, Cal., a retired dairyman and educator; Philo J., a retired farmer of Fresno county, was formerly a teacher in Oregon; and George B. is the subject of this sketch. The father came to California in 1851, locating in Grass valley. He assisted in building the first quartz mill in California and engaged in mill building for some time. In 1854, via the Isthmus of Panama (having crossed the plains in his former trip to California) he returned to Wisconsin and two years later brought his family to California, settling in Sonoma county, where he followed farming. His death occurred in Alameda county on the site of the University of California, in 1865, while his wife died in 1887, and both are interred in Petaluma. George B. Otis received his education in Wisconsin and Sonoma county, Cal., after which he took a six months' course at the University of the Pacific. In 1864 he went to Nevada and followed mining for a time, but not meeting with success he returned to California and with his brother Philo purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Petaluma. The ranch was later disposed of and in 1866 they drove a band of dairy stock to Salinas valley, where they leased a part of a Spanish grant near Castroville. They there added to their stock and continued the dairy business. It was there that Mr. Otis met and married his wife, formerly Elizabeth Roadhouse, who was born near Stockton, Cal., November 20, 1851, a daughter of Joseph Roadhouse. In 1872 the brothers removed to Santa Clara county, their lease having terminated, and there fol- lowed the dairy business until 1876, when they dissolved partnership. George B. Otis removed to Fresno county and there in time accumulated six hundred acres of land, now owning eighty acres adjoining the town of Selma. There he established his home and in 1880, with three others, platted the town of Selma. It was Mr. Otis who selected the name by which the town is known. There he erected a comfortable home and resided until his removal to Berkeley. George B. Otis is a direct descendant of James Otis of Revolutionary fame. To Mr. Otis and his wife were born four children : Albert Joseph was born in Pajaro valley, Santa Cruz county, January 25, 1871 ; he is unmarried and makes his home in Selma ; George Fredron, born in Santa Clara county, August 7, 1873, is married and has one son, Buell ; he makes his home in Selma, having charge of his father's business there; Elizabeth, born Novem- ber 17, 1878, is the wife of Jacob Boehler, of Watsonville ; and Earl Norriss, born August 16, 1881, is unmarried and makes his home in Selma. Elizabeth and Earl were born in Selma, Fresno county, in what was formerly part of the original courthouse. Mr. Otis assisted in building up the town of Selma and gave of his time and means to advance its interests. He has never aspired to public office, although he has always been an ardent Republican. He and his family are members of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is an active member of Selma Lodge No. 309, I. O. O. F., being a charter member and one of the organizers of same. He has passed all the chairs of the lodge and is also a member of the Encampment, and has attained the Canton.