Last Updated on February 13, 2012 by
Otis, Charles A., Jr.; investment banker; born, Cleveland, July 9, 1868; educated, Cleveland public schools and Brooks Academy, went to Andover and Yale University, graduating in 1890, from the Sheffield Scientific School; went to Colorado, and engaged in the cattle business with D. D. Casement, of Painesville, O.; still associated with Mr. Casement in the Unaweep Stock Range; in 1895, formed a partnership with Addison H. Hough & Co., under the name of Otis, Hough & Co., engaging in the steel commission and agency business; for some years represented Jones & Laughlin, of Pittsburgh, The Pennsylvania Tube Co., and Painter & Sons, and other finishing mills; at the consolidation of the steel companies, and the establishment of their own agencies, the move was made for the selling of the securities of the rapidly-developing companies; to this end he purchased a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, and in 1900, the firm of Otis & Hough, bankers, was formed; first firm in Cleveland to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange; were largely instrumental in forming the Cleveland Stock Exchange; both Mr. Hough and Mr. Otis have been pres. of the Exchange; has disposed of large business interests, and now devotes time to the business of Otis & Co.; interested in the development of the civic life of Cleveland, as well as its sociable and charitable work; pres. of the Babies’ Dispensary and Hospital; his country home, Tannenbaum Farm, is an active interest; it is one of the prominent stock farms of the country, and has one of the finest herds of Berkshires in the United States.