It started innocently, as I was just using Newspapers.com to try to fill in some of the blanks in Dad's genealogy chart. But even when I'm doing something straightforward, I'm prone to falling down rabbit holes. And was this ever a deep one!
On the paternal side of my family tree, the line of men looks like this:
Ashar: 2000-present
It's John Bressler Otto we're going to discuss today. He's my great-great-grandfather and Ashar's great-great-great-grandfather. He's pictured at right in a photo that was posted on Find A Grave by Jim Neely. He was married to Margaret Alice English Otto (1839-1925), and, based on what I pieced together from multiple sources, they had at least seven children, though I'm not fully confident in the accuracy of this list: Charles Percy Otto; John Algernon Otto (1869-1963); Amy E. Otto (1874-1946); Florence Emily Otto (1864-1934); Alice May Otto (1877-1902, died of consumption); Horace Otto; and William Warren Otto (1879-1922). 
My great-great-grandfather — a deacon — excommunicated!
And there was John B. Otto who lived from 1845 to 1910 and was an alderman. He's always listed as John B. Otto in the news articles I found (a clue, but not a definitive one), and I can't make out his middle name from the death certificate shown here. He was single and had no children.
Me: 1970-present
Dad: John Alan Otto, 1947-present
Dad's father (my Pappy): John Alexander Otto (1911-1991)
Dad's grandfather: John Algernon Otto (1869-1963)
Dad's great-grandfather: John Bressler Otto (1837-1906)
We know that John Bressler Otto was a plasterer by trade, according to his death certificate. And we know that he was a private in the volunteer 173rd Pennsylvania Regiment, Company F, during the Civil War. The regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, from July 12-24, following the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
Many decades later, John Bressler Otto was excommunicated from his church.
Maybe!
This is where it becomes a mystery.
When I started this tangled thread of research more than a year ago, I discovered this short article about "John B. Otto" on Page 8 of the February 16, 1903, edition of the Allentown (Pennsylvania) Daily Leader.
Again, maybe.
There's one big hurdle I haven't been able to overcome, and it's that were two men named John B. Otto in the Easton, Pennsylvania, area at this time.
There was John Bressler Otto.
So, who was more likely to be a deacon at First Reformed Church of Easton in 1903?
— John Bressler Otto, a 65-year-old plasterer who was married with children, or
— John B. Otto, a 57-year-old alderman who was single with no children?
I just don't know.
Either way, there was a fascinating uproar involving a John B. Otto.
And it deserves to be retold, whether or not it involves my family tree.
After reading that initial short news article, I didn't learn the full story until I came across a lengthy article on the front page of the March 2, 1903, edition of the Allentown Daily Leader.
It turns out that John B. Otto was excommunicated because he was ... advocating for commonsense public hygiene measures in the midst of a typhoid epidemic.
Crazy!
I've retyped the whole story of the "Fighting Parson" here for your reading enjoyment.
A FIGHTING PARSON
Dr. Kieffer Was the Drummer Boy of the Bucktails
RANCOROUS EASTON CHURCH WAR
Pastor Says Majority Is With Him. Opponents, Less in Number, Contribute 75 Per cent. of the Money -- Say He Is Arrogant
Rev. Dr. Henry M. Kieffer, renowned in Civil War annals as the "Fighting Drummer Boy" of the famous Bucktail Regiment, and for 18 years the pastor of one of the best-known churches in Pennsylvania -- the First Reformed of Easton -- is now the central figure in one of the most remarkable church dissensions on record.
He is bringing the "fighting blood" of nearly eight centuries of warlike ancestors to bear against the assaults of his opponents, and not only the thriving city of Easton, but the surrounding country, is intensely interested in the progress of the battle of the pastor and his supporters against those who are determined that he shall surrender and retire -- a condition which the fighting preacher says is impossible.
Rev. Dr. Kieffer is probably best known to the world of literature through his widely-read book, published two decades ago, called "The Recollections of a Drummer Boy," which was a stirring account of the war experiences of the famous Bucktails during the war.
He added to his fame when he became in 1885 the pastor of the First Reformed Church of Easton, that was built in the first year of American Independence -- in fact, was started about the same time that the echo of the Declaration of Independence went thundering across the world.
It is a church that numbers among its congregation families whose ancestors -- immediate and remote -- have been identified with the struggles of the nation on its various battlefields, and it very well known that while the present pastor and the bone of contention between the opposing factions is directly descended from a long line of warlike progenitors, that he has not a stronger claim to the fighting spirit than many members of his flock.
START OF THE FIGHT
What was it that first started the congregational dissensions that have threatened to split the venerable institution in twain?
To locate positively the beginning of the strife is not an easy matter, but it seems to be pretty well agree that an agitation over the use of individual communion cups fanned the flame of dissension until it is now a blaze which nothing but the complete routing of one of the contesting elements will settle.
The yearly meeting held not long ago was the stormiest one ever known in the history of the First Reformed Church, and as an indirect result Rev. Mr. Kieffer and his supporters have scored against their opponents.
There were -- according to Dr. Kieffer -- votes that represented 315 members of his congregation that demanded he stay in the church and votes representing 119 that demanded he sever his connection with the congregation.
"I come from a line of fighters," said Dr. Kieffer, "and if I had not I would have run off and left this church in the possession of the turbulent spirits who have made this trouble. But I will not surrender the church to them as long as the great majority want me to remain.
"Strife if no new condition in this church, and I do not intend to let the fomenters of such a condition drive me away because I think it is my duty to remain."
The direct results of the last congregational meeting were made evident when the Spiritual Council of the church, through the pastor, publicly censured, deposed from office and excommunicated John B. Otto, one of the deacons and suspended for two years, from all church fellowship, Jeremiah Angelmayer and Allan T. Groman, two of the prominent members.
This action created a sensation in Easton, as all of the parties affected are well known, and it alleged that they had been former close personal friends of Dr. Kieffer.
It is said that the legality of the action will be questioned by the opponents of Dr. Kieffer -- and especially by those directly affected -- and that a criminal law suit would probably be the outcome of the action.
"The legality of the action of the Spiritual Council," said a prominent member of the church "is questioned by the opponents of Dr. Kieffer, because they claim, as the council exists to-day, it is not legally constituted, for the elders composing it are all friendly to Dr. Kieffer and dominated by him.
"There are 134 petitioners against the action, and they are said to represent an element of the church that contributes 75 per cent. of the sum required for its support to the treasury.
WOMEN SIDE WITH PASTOR.
"Those who are backing the petitioners are principally older members of the church and their families, while the supporters of Dr. Kieffer are principally women, and the younger element whom he has confirmed in the past 10 years."
There was a meeting of the East Pennsylvania Classis (?) of the Reformed Church held in Easton, at which Dr. Kieffer and his supporters and the opposition exchanged some very strong views on the question of "charges" against the pastor.
One of the main points of interest in the controversy is that it seems imminent that the famous old church after a life of over 150 years will be disrupted by the strife.
While the differences of opinion that existed between the pastor and certain members of his flock over the individual communion cup question furnished certain "grounds for the condition" that exists now they are held by both sides to have been only contributing circumstances to the main cause.
This, one side avers, is the arrogance and severity of the pastor, and the other side says that is the determination of a set of turbulent spirits to drive from his field of usefulness a sincere and loving spiritual adviser.
INDIVIDUAL CUPS.
The subject of individual communion cups has always been a tender one in the First Reformed Church.
It first appeared on the surface of its affairs about a year ago when certain prominent communicants advocated their use on religious and sanitary grounds.
They were promptly opposed by the pastor and it was not long 'ere the congregation was divided into two camps over the subject.
Dr. Kieffer's main reason for unalterable opposition to the innovation was that it was sacrilegious and contrary to the commands of Scripture.
He made the basis of his defense of the congregational communion cup the thought contained in the 26th chapter of St. Matthew: "And He took the cup and gave thanks; and gave it to them, saying: 'Drink ye all of it.'"
In alluding publicly to the subject that threw the church into "painful commotion," Dr. Kieffer said that it was contrary to the Divine will to countenance such an innovation, and that the spirit of the sacarament would be wrongfully observed if they were adopted.
The matter was finally put to a vote and the majority of the congregation stood by the ancient method of receiving communion.
THE EXCOMMUNICATION.
But this controversy seemed to open the way for other differences between the pastor and certain of his congregation that culminated in the dramatic excommunication of Deacon Otto on February 15 before a full congregation.
The exact language used by the pastor in severing the ties of Christian fellowship between Mr. Otto and his brethren of the First Reformed was as follows:--
"Acting under the direction of the Spiritual Council I very regretfully announce: First, that John B. Otto be, and hereby is, censured; second, that he be deposed of his office as deacon, and, thirdly, that he be hereby excommunicated from the Christian Church."
It was said that such a penalty had never been inflicted upon any member of the church in its history of 150 years and the reading of the sentence of excommunication created a sensation.
The terms of the punished meted out to Messrs. Angelmayer and Groman was communicated to them through the mails and not announced from the pulpit.
PASTOR GIVES NUMBERS.
The pastor claims that he has the support of 315 members out of a total of over 500 in his battle against those he terms are the "turbulent spirits" while 119 demand that he shall sever his relations with the pastorate.
"It is," he said, "practically a battle for the control of the church and I will not turn the people who are in the majority over to the mercies of the turbulent element.
"There are about 80 members who will not take sides in the affair and who refuse to sign any paper and of the 199 who demand my resignation from 30 to 40 per cent. are not entitled to a vote and are simply dead wood in the church. A certain percentage of this 119 has been procured under duress and some of the signatures against me have been procured through business relation and by compulsion.
"I will quote you one instance: The head of one family who signed the petition asking my withdrawal said to me: 'We didn't want to sign this paper we had to or lose our work.'
"They are employed by one of the members who is determined I shall go."
SAY HE IS ARROGANT.
The representatives of the opposition emphatically disclaim such responsibility.
"Dr. Kieffer cannot name one man who signed the petition against him under duress," said one of his opponents.
"We represent three-fourths of the financial support give to the church and we can prove this statement.
"Dr. Kieffer says there are over 500 members, does he?
"Well, his is mistaken, for at no time in the history of the church has the membership exceeded 400.
"He has been high-handed and arrogant in his methods."
"He won't allow us access to the church books and he has done many things that have culminated in the dissatisfaction that exists among his congregation to-day."
"It is idle to say that the disturbance was caused by the communion cup agitation. It was only an incident in the series of misunderstandings that have arisen, and which we fear may disrupt a congregation that has endured for over a century and a half."
DR. KIEFFER'S ANCESTRY.
Rev. Dr. Kieffer is well named the "fighting preacher." He traces his maternal ancestry back to the 12th century, when one of his direct line was a Crusader.
This soldier was George Spengler, born about 1150 A.D., who accompanied the German emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, in the third Crusade against the Moslems in 1189, perished in battle and was buried in the Church of St. Peter, Antioch, in 1190 A.D.
Lazarus Spengler, another maternal ancestor, was coadjutor of Martin Luther and present with him at the Diet of Worms.
His great grandfather, Abraham Kieffer, as a captain in the Revolution and a colleague of George Beaver, the great grandfather of ex-Governor Beaver. At the close of the Revolution they each married the other's sister.
Dr. Kieffer himself fought in the Civil War for three years. He enlisted as a drummer boy at the age of 16, in the Bucktails and served until the end. He was present in all the battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Chancellorsville to the close of the Rebellion, and was a participant in the first day's battle at Gettysburg, when his battalion, out of a total of 397 men, lost 264. He afterward served as chaplain of the Sixth Pennsylvania National Guard for five years and is known to almost every soldier in Pennsylvania.
* * *
And how did it all turn out?
It seems that, within a few weeks, Dr. Rev. Kieffer lost his power struggle.
And John B. Otto's excommunication was overturned.
I found this via an article in the March 21, 1903, issue of The Lancaster Examiner.
RUIN IN COMMUNION CUP.
Classis Drops Dr. Kieffer, and He Says "Good-By."
East Pennsylvania Classis, sitting as a committee of the whole, at Easton, on Wednesday, continued its investigation of the First Reformed Church troubles which origination in a row over individual communion cups. The pastor, Rev. Dr. H.M. Kieffer, took the floor, and commenced where he left off Tuesday night. He denounced Elder Jacob Rader as a troublesome spirit, and handled ex-Deacon John B. Otto, whom the spiritual council of the church had ex-communicated, without gloves. Dr. Kieffer talked four hours, after which his opponents made reply.
Then Rev. Jacob Rupp, of Northampton, offered a compromise resolution, assuming that the Kieffer faction was able to take care of the church, and that even though the petitioners should leave, their going would not be a serious loss to the congregation. This resolution permitted Dr. Kieffer to remain as pastor of the flock, provided that Messers. Anglemyer and Groman, suspended from office by the spiritual council, should be reinstated; granted a re-hearing to John B. Otto, who was excommunicated, and provided that no charge be made against any members of the congregation for what may have occurred prior to this date. This resolution was defeated by a vote of 13 ayes to 15 nays.
The debate then turned on Rev. Mr. DeLong's resolution, providing for a severance of the pastoral relations, to take effect on September 1. After considerable sparring a vote was taken and resulted in 17 ayes, 7 nays and 3 non-voters.
The committee of the whole then rose and reported its action to the Classis. Classis approved the finding by a vote of 19 yeas, 6 nays and 2 not voting. Counsel for Dr. Kieffer noted an appeal to Synod.
Dr. Kieffer said: "Well, brothers, I see that after September 1 I stop preaching here. You have taken a great responsibility off my shoulders. After that you will have to look after my people. I bid you good-by."
At the night session of Classis the complaint of the suspended deacons, Jeremiah Anglemeyer and A.T. Groman, and excommunicated Deacon John B. Otto, sustained, and they were reinstated to office.
* * *
And that's the story! Does it involve my family? I don't know. Either way, it's a fascinating look at the struggles 122 years around power, money, religion and, most notably in my eyes, public health. I'll leave it readers to draw whatever insights and parallels they wish to other moments in history, recent or otherwise.
Please share your thoughts in the comments, especially if you have further information regarding John B. Otto and the First Reformed Church of Easton Communion cup controversy.
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