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