The Eureka Heritage Society's Newsletter,
The Heritage Herald, Winter 1999
EHS Green Book Silent Auction
A limited number of copies of the prized First Edition of EHS's Eureka, An Architectural View in hardcover will be offered at silent auctions during the year 2000. The first book will be auctioned at the February 26th Annual Meeting.
A Business of Yesteryear
Arthur X. Otto came back to his roots in 1985 when he
settled in Eureka. It all started with his grandfather Charles
Valentine Otto, born in Kentucky, a grocer by trade, making a journey to
Eureka in the 1880's. Mr. Otto was drawn to the area through contact
with relatives (the Duffs) who were local residents. He went to work
for W. A. Littlefield who joined forces as owners of the Littlefield and
Otto Grocery Store located at the corner of 4th and F Streets in Eureka.
The grocery store was a leading business which had, by all accounts, a
wide and growing patronage extending beyond the local field. Both
men were energetic and had one of the best grocery houses in Eureka.
The store carried every item called for by every class of
consumers. Their leading specialties were fine teas and
coffees, best brands of flour and a fine assortment of lunch and picnic
goods. They also handled large quantities of feed and were extensive
buyers and retailers of farm, garden, and dairy products in Humboldt
County. Their wagons were constantly flying about the city loaded
with goods for their large delivery trade. Many citizens and
businessmen of Eureka found Messrs. Littlefield and Otto both highly
regarded socially and as reputable merchants who stuck very closely to the
golden rule in their dealings with others.
The Littlefield and Otto Grocery Store ads appeared in the
local Eureka newspapers, as well in the Ingomar Theater
programs.
By 1902 Charles V. Otto was the sole proprietor of the store and
advertising "Fancy Groceries, Wholesale and Retail".
In 1893 C.V. Otto married a local Eureka resident, Miss Lizzie Espie.
They made their home at 633 California Street, Eureka, a house which is
still extant, although greatly modified from its original appearance.
Mr. Otto was also a Sergeant in Company A, 10th Infantry
Brigade, 5th Div. of the National Guard and Naval Battalion, Eureka,
California, June 30, 1890. On October 31, 1892 he was promoted to
Lieutenant and October 31, 1894, became Acting Commanding Officer
Charles Adrian Otto, the son of C.V. and Lizzie Otto was born December
12, 1896. His career would take him far from Eureka, back to the
eastern part of the country. When his son, Arthur eventually
returned to live in Eureka, our family had come full circle in a journey
over three generations and 100 years.
... Betty Otto