John Grant OTIS, Congress, KS (1838-1916)

1838-1916

OTIS, John Grant, a Representative from Kansas; born near Danby, Rutland County, Vt., February 10, 1838; pursued an academic course at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt.; attended Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., and the law department of Harvard University; was admitted to the bar of Rutland County, Vt., in 1859; moved to Topeka, Kans., in May 1859 and commenced the practice of law; assisted in recruiting the first black regiment of Kansas in 1862; paymaster general of the Governor’s military staff from February 1863 to 1865, with rank of colonel; engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the dairy business near Topeka; was State agent of the Grange 1873-1875; State lecturer for the Grange 1889-1891; elected as a Populist to the Fifty-second Congress (March 4, 1891-March 3, 1893); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1892; engaged in his former business pursuits until his death in Topeka, Kans., February 22, 1916; interment in Topeka Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present