Names run through our family like branches off a river. Lots of Williams, lots of James, lots of Michaels, lots of Mays and Sarahs. There were at least three Otas that I was aware of. You could have knocked me over with a feather this week when I discovered that there was a fourth Ota! Her birth predates the first one I knew about by 16 years.
This new information is why I love genealogy. Always new facts, new clues, new paths to follow. So much fun. Such a voyage of discovery!
Here's what appears at Ancestry. I have not proven every detail but as often as possible the primary source is included.
Otillio Ida Best (Ota) was born about 1859 in IL, the first daughter of Henry Abram Best and Margaret E, Powers. The 1860 Census for Madison, IL, shows her as "Ottilia Ida," one year, living with her parents Henry and Margaret. It's fair to assume that she was born near there, as most of the Bests lived in that area—previous and following Census pages show an abundance of Bests.
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4213713_00327?pId=36599813
The 1870 Census shows that the Henry and Maggie have moved to Macoupin County with their family: Otta, 11 (note the spelling), David, 9; Richard, 7; Owens, 5; Annie, 3, Tay, (Fay, male), 8/12. Henry's father Joseph, 76, is also in the household as well as Newton Powers, 26, a school teacher; and Lizzie Maxe, 17, a domestic servant.
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4263684_00026?pId=17323856
On December 9, 1879, Otilis married George T. Rhoads (B. 1857) in Montgomery County, IL.
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=ArchILMarriageRecs&h=1518378&indiv=try&o_cvc=Image:OtherRecord
Haven't found them in the 1880 Census yet—looks like no one else has, either.
The 1900 Census finds George and Otillio in Lincoln, Keokuk, Oklahoma. No kids.
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4119024_00192?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.213206359.212497269.1602194759-2104802773.1602194759&pId=57930580
1910 in Stroud Ward 1, Lincoln, OK:
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4119024_00192?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.213206359.212497269.1602194759-2104802773.1602194759&pId=57930580
1920 in North Keokuk, Lincoln County, OK. No kids.
https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/170287646/person/162212754062/media/4384977_00068?_phsrc=YnU3&usePUBJs=true
George Rhodes died in 1924 and was buried in the Stroud Cemetery, Lincoln County, OK:
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=FindAGraveUS&h=93860969&indiv=try&o_cvc=Image:OtherRecord
The first Ota died in 1925 and was buried beside her husband in the same cemetery:
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=FindAGraveUS&h=93860974&indiv=try&o_cvc=Image:OtherRecord
OMIGOSH!!! OMIGOSH! OMIGOSH!!!
I began to research George T. Rhoads history before he married Otillis Best. Here he is in 1870, and look what his mother's name is!!
It's Otillis, too!
George Rhoads married his mother—no wonder they couldn't have kids!
Rather, he married a woman surnamed "Best" and turned her into a woman with the same name as his mother.
Don't you think that's kinda creepy?
To be continued...
