Otto, Clifton Crain, 1911-1997.

Clifton Crain Otto was born March 1, 1911 in Bates County, Missouri. In 1917, the Otto family moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, where Mr. Otto graduated from public schools. In 1928, he became an employee of The Western Insurance Companies, with home offices in Fort Scott.

Following a series of promotions in succeeding years, Mr. Otto became President of The Western Insurance Companies in 1955. During the fourteen years of his presidency, The Western quadrupled in size, growing from a small company to one of the nation's premier casualty insurance carriers. A new $1.1 million addition to the Fort Scott headquarters was completed and occupied in 1967. In 1969, Mr. Otto was elected Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Chairman. He then served as Chairman of the Board from 1972 until his retirement in 1976. His history of The Western, titled The Western Story, was published in 1976. In 1986, Mr. Otto was named to the Kansas Insurance Education Foundation's Hall of Fame. He died at Fort Scott on June 6, 1997.

From the guide to the Clifton Crain Otto Collection of The Western Insurance Companies Records, 1921-1998, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)

Clifton Crain Otto was born March 1, 1911 in Bates County, Missouri. In 1917, the Otto family moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, where Mr. Otto graduated from public schools. In 1928, he became an employee of The Western Insurance Companies, with home offices in Fort Scott.

Following a series of promotions in succeeding years, Mr. Otto became President of The Western Insurance Companies in 1955. During the fourteen years of his presidency, The Western quadrupled in size, growing from a small company to one of the nation's premier casualty insurance carriers. A new $1.1 million addition to the Fort Scott headquarters was completed and occupied in 1967. In 1969, Mr. Otto was elected Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Chairman. He then served as Chairman of the Board from 1972 until his retirement in 1976. His history of The Western, titled The Western Story, was published in 1976. In 1986, Mr. Otto was named to the Kansas Insurance Education Foundation's Hall of Fame. He died at Fort Scott on June 6, 1997.

From the guide to the Clifton Crain Otto Collection of The Western Insurance Companies (Fort Scott, Kan.) Audio Recordings, 1962-1977, 1962-1977, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)