Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 432 - 433

For about thirty-six years the family to which our subject belongs has resided in Sheboygan County, and its members are numbered among its worthy citizens. He is the owner of a valuable farm only one mile distant from the limits of the county seat, his home being situated on section 32, Sheboygan Township. He is numbered among the leading farmers and honored men of this locality, where he has spent his entire life, having been born in this county November 9, 1860. He is the youngest in a family of five sons and two daughters, whose parents were Fred and Anna Gotter. The other children in order of birth are as follows: Gotfried, Frederick, William, Gotlieb (deceased), Elizabeth and Anna.

The father was born in 1816, in Germany, and there commenced the battle of life while quite young. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and spent his entire life as a farmer. His first wages in his native land were only $12 per year. He was married to our subject's mother in Germany, and was a kind husband and father. Mrs. Gotter was born in 1816, and died in 1884. The family came to this State many years ago and have since been numbered among her leading citizens.

Ferdinand Gotter, like his father, was brought up to a practical knowledge of farm work, and received a liberal education in the English and German languages, pursuing his studies in the schools of the district and those of Sheboygan. He assisted his father on the home farm until reaching his majority, since which time he has supported himself.

The marriage of our subject took place March 26, 1882, when Mrs. Abbie (Lederer) Gotter became his wife. She is also a native of this county, and by this happy union have been born a little son and daughter: Hattie, now nine years of age; and Alfred, who is a bright little fellow of six years. Mrs. Gotter had been previously married to a brother of our subject, Gotlieb, who is deceased. By this marriage three children were born: Clara, who is at home; Lillie, now attending the Sheboygan schools; and Jennie, who died at the age of three years. Their father's death occurred November 11, 1880, and his remains were interred in Ozaukee County, near Ft. Washington, where a beautiful monument has been erected to his memory.

Mr. Gotter is a thorough Republican, and cast his first ballot for Hon. James G. Blaine, the great statesman and diplomat of this part of the century. He has always adhered to the principles of the Republican party and is a believer in our fine public-school system. He was strongly in favor of the Bennett Law, and is now Director of the district schools. He holds the entire confidence of the people, by whom he was elected to the position of Township Treasurer, which office he has acceptably filled for two terms. He is a man of firm convictions and has led an upright life. He and his wife are adherents of the Lutheran faith and have ever been liberal contributors to all benevolent institutions which merit their consideration. Their pleasant home is located on their farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres, which is worth from $130 to $150 per acre and has good improvements upon it. This sketch of a sterling farmer, who is a scion of one of the pioneer families, will be read with great interest by the German and American citizens of the county, by whom he is well known.

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