Ottinger, George M. (George Martin), 1833-1917

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Photographer. Student and friend of C.R. Savage.

From the description of Photograph collection. (Utah Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 86172056

George M. Ottinger (1833-1917) was an artist, administrator, and photographer in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a Mormon convert who joined the Church in 1861. While he was in Utah, he painted scenery for the Salt Lake Theatre, served as president of the University of Deseret, and was a partner with C.R. Savage.

From the guide to the George M. Ottinger papers, 1874-1912, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

George M. Ottinger (1833-1917) was born on 8 February 1833, in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. At the age of seventeen he signed on as a sailor and spent the next three years, first, on a whaler, and then on various freighters. Back on land, he began tinting photographs which brought him into association with many artists who helped improve his technique and eye for color. On 7 June 1858 Ottinger was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ottinger and his mother set out for Salt Lake City in April 1861 and arrived in September 1861, after two months of preparation and four months of travel. He married Mary Jane McAllister Cullen on 9 January 1862, but Mary died 7 December 1862, after the birth of a son, William, in November. On 3 December 1864, Ottinger and Phoebe Nelson were married by Heber C. Kimball, and they raised a family of six children.

In partnership with C. R. Savage, a photographer, Ottinger tinted photographs at a studio in Park City, where the miners had the money to spend on them. In company with Savage, Ottinger visited England in 1879, as a church missionary, to learn more about art technique. Ottinger was actively engaged in other art pursuits in Utah. He helped found the Deseret Academy of Arts in 1863, the Deseret Art Union in 1865, and the Salt Lake (Utah) Art Association in 1881. Partly because of professional jealousy, none of these groups were particularly long-lived. He was also a professor of drawing at the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah) from 1882 to 1892. In 1877 he made a cast of Brigham Young's hand as well as a death-mask and anatomical measurements.

In 1866 Ottinger was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Nauvoo Legion of Salt Lake, after joining, in 1862, as a high private. Under Territorial-governor West, Ottinger held the unpaid rank of Adjutant General, to help organize the Utah National Guard. Ottinger was active in the volunteer fire company, and its organization. Appointed Chief Engineer of the paid department in 1876, he proceeded to reorganize the system. On 1 March 1879 the city council appointed him Chief Engineer of the Fire Department and Superintendent of the Water Works, at a salary of $900 per year; he held this position until 1890.

Ottinger continued painting and teaching in Salt Lake City as well as giving occasional art lectures to church and civic groups. Ottinger did not feel his work was given the recognition it deserved, even though he won many awards and a few of his pictures were nationally exhibited. Ottinger died on 29 October 1917, at his home in Salt Lake City.

From the guide to the George Martin Ottinger papers, 1833-1899, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf MS 4291, University of Deseret (Salt Lake City). University of Deseret (Salt Lake City) records 1869-1887 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
creatorOf George M. Ottinger papers, 1874-1912 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Thomas, George, 1866-1951. George Thomas papers, 1890-1910. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
referencedIn George Thomas papers, 1890-1910 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and ArchivesUniversity Archives
creatorOf Ottinger, George Martin. Letter, 11 Sep 1875. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
creatorOf Ottinger, George M. (George Martin), 1833-1917,. George M. Ottinger papers. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Chamberlin, Ralph Vary, 1879-1967. Papers, 1940-1967. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
creatorOf Ottinger, George M. Biographical material. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
creatorOf Ottinger, George Martin, 1833-1917. Journal, 1833-1899. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library
referencedIn George M. Ottinger photograph collection, 1861-1890 J. Willard Marriott Library. University of Utah Photograph Archives
creatorOf Ottinger, George M. Photograph collection. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
referencedIn PH 1470, Haag, Richard Theodore 1867-1947. Richard T. Haag photographs circa 1870-1914 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Smith, Mary Bennett. Utah artists / by Mary Bennett Smith. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
creatorOf PH 6230, Ottinger, George Neslen 1871-1949. Art work of George M. and George N. Ottinger circa 1870-1930 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn PH 7954, Clawson family. Clawson family photograph collection circa 1864-1922 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
creatorOf George Martin Ottinger papers, 1833-1899 J. Willard Marriott Library. University of Utah Manuscripts Division
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Chamberlin, Ralph Vary, 1879-1967. person
associatedWith Clawson family family
associatedWith Deseret Academy of Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith Haag, Richard Theodore 1867-1947 person
associatedWith Ottinger, George N. person
associatedWith Savage, C. R. (Charles Roscoe), 1832-1909. person
associatedWith Smith, Mary Bennett. person
associatedWith Thomas, George, 1866-1951. person
associatedWith University of Deseret (Salt Lake City) corporateBody
associatedWith Wallace, Lew. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Utah
West (U.S.)
Salt Lake City (Utah)
Utah
Utah--Salt Lake County
Subject
Religion
Artists, American
Art
Artists
Artists
Arts
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Book of Mormon
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Fine Arts
Fire department
Material Types
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1833-02-08

Death 1917-10-29

Americans

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