The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-01-17
Death Of Cant. ott,nger.

] O98Cn OF OApCs OEG1uk0Ts
Captain Douglass Ottinger a we'll
known resident of Mount Holly, and one
of its most distinguished citizens, died at
his home on upper Main street on Friday
afternoon.
For over five years he had been suffer
er from Bright's disease, which was the
indirect cause of his death.
His last illness began about two months
ago, since when he has been confined to
! he house. A congestive chill on Friday
ended his career.
Douglass Ottinger was born at German
town, Pa, December II, 1904. His father,
Christopher Ottinger, was a native of
Bethlehem, Pa, from which place he en-
listed as a soldier of the Revolutionary
war, spending the next winter at Valley
Forge, and being promoted to Sergeant.
His mother was a daughter of Major John
Douglass, who also served under General
Washington.
Deceased was almost literally brought
up on the seas, having entered the mer
chant marine when a mere lad. In 1882
he was commissioned by President An
drew Jackson as Second Lieutenant and
assigned to the revenue cutter Benjamin
Rush" He received his commission per-
sonally from the hands of President Jack
son, spending an hour in a general con-
versation with the great statesman, of
rhO,r ba1 nd cd
Captain Ottinger was particularly noted
for his work in connection with the life
saving service, His seems to have been
career that was destined to save lives on
the ocean. He was personally instrument
al in saving twenty -one vessels and many
lives from shipwreck. Some of his ex-
periences in this work were unusually
daring and dangerous, but he always, by
his indomitable will, succeeded in all his
undertakings.
1t was eminently fitting that such man
should be placed in charge of the estab-
lishment of the United States life-saying
service, task assigned to him in October,
1848. He selected the New Jersey coast
as the starting point of the service, and
soon had it organized. Realizing the
stern necessity of some continuance to
carry people from shipwrecked vessels to
the shore, he invented the now well known
Elife-saving car, which soon became ia
nous all over the world. Much to the
Captains satisfaction its merit was soon
demonstrated, for in a severe winter storm
in 1849, it was instrumental in rescuing
200 persons from the wrecked ship Ayr
shire"
The original car was built at the New
York Novelty Works by Joseph Francis.
In 1851, while Captain Ottinger was on
the Pacific Ocean, Francis made claims to
the invention and applied for a patent on
| it. When Captain Ottinger heard of the
affair he asked for an investigation, and
as a result of the inquiry, he received the
certificate from the patent offices for the
Invention of the life or surf car. In
1859 he received $40, 900 and the thanks of
Congress as a reward for his invention.
| During the civil war he was particularly
active in the government service, holding
number of positions of responsibility,
among them the command for fifteen
months of the fleet of revenue vessels off
the Carolina shores.
The revenue service is ofttimes a dan
gerous one, and many acts of personal
heroism are related of Captain Ottinger
No storm seemed too great or no duty too
dangerous to cause him to shirk. His
strongest characteristic was a determina-
ton not to be thwarted by any obstacles,
and his presence of mind and quick action
made him a valuable officer in difficult
moments.
Captain Ottinger discovered and named
Humboldt Bay, California, while on a
furlough
He superintended the construction of
several boats in the revenue service. He
designed and commanded the revenue
steamer Commodore Perry, which made
speed of nineteen miles an hour, then
considered a wonderful feat, and was
classed as one of the most seaworthy boats
of it's size in the world.
Much of the Captains service was on
the great lakes, where he was the execu-
tive officer on many different government
vessels.
After a long and useful career he was
retired in 1881 from the revenue service
by the rules of the Treasury Department,
since when he resided in Mount Holly
In 1880 Captain Ottinger was united in
marriage with Emily, daughter of Rev.
Stacey Watkinson. She died in January,
1888. They had no children, but adopted
Virginia Watkinson, niece of Mrs. OF
finger She married Major T. j. Hoskin
son.
The funeral took place from Capt. OF
fingers late residence on High street, yes
terday afternoon. The burial service OF
the Episcopal Church was said by Rev.
James Stoddard, rector of st. Andrew
Church. The remains were taken tC
Erie, Pa, where Capt. Ottinger's wife is
buried, The pail bearers were John r.
Howell, William B. Abbey, DR.. William
P. Melcher, Benajah P. Wills, Edgar
Shreve and Edward p Holeman.
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