Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Otis F. Deal

There is something especially sad in the death of a young man who is in the full vigor of life and promise; and when the crushing news came to the friends of Otis F. Deal that he who had left them but a few hours before, the impersonation of manly strength and enthusiasm, had fallen at the touch of the fell destroyer, the blow was almost unbearable. Few young men in Richmond or in the employ of the Panhandle Railroad were more popular or respected, for he had a kind word for everybody and was always ready to lend a helping hand to a comrade or fellow traveler along life's journey.

In tracing the history of Otis F. Deal it is learned that his birth occurred April 28, 1868, and that he was thus less than twenty-three years of age when his happy useful career came to a close on that disastrous 25th of February, 1891, in the railroad accident at Hagerstown, Indiana. Yet he had accomplished infinitely more than most men of thirty or thirty-five, and had developed business qualities which would have done credit to one of twice his age and experience. As a student he was naturally gifted and won the highest encomiums of his teachers. After completing his high-school work in Richmond he entered Earlham College, where, in addition to pursuing two distinct courses of study, he made up some preparatory work, and at the time of his graduation, in June, 1887, carried off the honors of the class of twenty-five members (the largest class ever graduated from the college) though he was the youngest person in the class.

Two weeks prior to his graduation he entered the employ of the Panhandle Railroad as a rod-man, and was rapidly promoted to more responsible positions. About two years before his death he was made engineer, having charge of a division from Indianapolis to Cincinnati and Logansport, and was in line for the superintendency, as his services were thoroughly appreciated by his superiors, who rightly judged him capable of occupying positions to which they would not have dreamed of calling any other man of his age and limited experience. As an instance of the remarkable confidence which they reposed in him, it may be cited that on one occasion he was sent to Indianapolis as a lobbyist, to prevent the passage of a measure detrimental to the interests of the corporation, and that he succeeded in his intervention. Nor were his abilities confined to railroading affairs. He was the originator and prime mover in the American Tin Plate Company, of Elwood; in the Plate Glass Factory of the same town, and was associated with the Elwood Land Company. In the Plate Glass company and the Elwood Land Company he was a stockholder, and had been tendered the management of the first named plant, the matter not having been determined upon at the time of his death. When Gas City, Indiana, was a town of the future, Mr. Deal went there, as a civil engineer, and succeeded in laying out the place and in giving it a start toward prosperity. His exceptional ability made him in great demand, and his time was more than occupied by the innumerable enterprises which were constantly being urged upon his attention.

In the home and among his friends the lovable traits of character and disposition of Otis F. Deal shone forth undimmed. He was a loyal and dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a consistent Christian, and a more sincere friend is rarely met. From his youth he was an earnest, graceful, extemporaneous speaker, and he wielded the pen with a master hand, his thoughts being expressed in a clear-cut, happy manner. The best and noblest elements of manhood were exemplified in him, and thus, though he has passed from our vision, the memory of his upright, beautiful life remains.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899