The birthday boy for today’s post is Otto Gottlieb Thomas, who was born on June 16, 1889. That makes today his 137th birthday. Otto was the son of John and Anna (Moeller) Thomas. Both of his later military records say that he was born in Daisy, Missouri. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim. We can take a look at an image of his baptism record from that congregation’s books.
Otto is found in the 1900 census at the age of 11. His father was a farmer in the Hubble Township.
The Thomas family made a move during the next decade. When the 1910 census was taken, we find them living in the Council Grove Township in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. That township was located in the Oklahoma City neighborhood. Otto was working with his father on his farm.
Otto had his World War I draft registration completed in June of 1917. That was just a matter of months prior to his marriage. He is given an address in Oklahoma County and was called a furniture repairman. He was employed by the Harbour-Longmire Furniture Company. in Oklahoma City.
I located this photo showing the Harbour-Longmire Furniture Company building in Oklahoma City. I have since discovered that this building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Otto got married not long after his World War I draft registration was completed, so we will now look at the woman who would become his wife. Her name was Mary Nitzel, who was born on May 12, 1891 in Oklahoma. Mary was the daughter of James and Louisa (Opel) Nitzel. I was not able to determine where she was baptized. Mary is found in the 1900 census at the age of 9. Her father was a farm laborer in the Frisco Township in Canadian County, Oklahoma. That township is also near the city of Oklahoma City…