He ‘froze his little village in time’
Embracing technology led to successful career as a photographer
It’s long been common for sons to follow fathers’ career paths and develop similar skills. The parent is usually happy to have next-generation kin taking over, ensuring the family firm’s perpetuation.
In Wellesley village in the late 19th century, one such family handover was well secured. Charles Frederick Ottman and wife Elizabeth Ziegler raised a baker’s dozen of children, including a half-dozen sons.
Their first-born was given both of dad’s names, thus in 1879 Charles Frederick Ottman Junior’s training began: eventually, it was hoped, he would take over the family harnessmaking business. Two decades flew by and Charles Junior (hereafter, just Charles) was indeed working for the family firm … briefly. His health had never been robust and the Ottman business required sturdy workers.
Charles, like many late 19th-century young techno-nerds, found fascination in the rapid and everchanging hobby of photography … his fragile physique had no problem using cameras. With practice, Charles developed a good eye for balanced and sophisticated views.
Tracing his 1901-1906 career in photography in old Wellesley Maple Leaf newspapers, shows Charles always moving ahead. From straightforward snapshot portraits, probably with a simple Kodak Brownie, he progressed to newer technology cameras and equipment. Large mounted photos, as well as cabinet cards on studio mounts bearing his embossed signature, captured weddings, new buildings, leisure activities, farm life, picturesque views, picnics, auctions, etc.
Whatever was happening in Wellesley (village and township), Charles was usually there with his camera and his ever-improving photographic eye.
He also began issuing and selling postcard views using his original photos.
When his father’s new Ottman Block on Queen Street (now Queen’s Bush Road) opened, it housed the family harness and saddle business along with a relative’s tailor shop, but up on the top floor was Charles F. Ottman’s photograph studio and gallery. That was early 1904 and business for young Charles picked up.
A very poignant photo exists that Charles took in March 1906 of his 13-year-old sister in her coffin. The next four months were tough: not only was he mourning Luvina’s death, but Charles knew he would soon join her.
Greg Mercer phrased it perfectly in a Feb. 7, 2016 Waterloo Region Record article: “… cut short by tuberculosis at the age of 27 but not before he managed to freeze his little village in time.”
Which is why Charles Ottman is remembered today. His photographs are the best record there is of Wellesley area life 120 years ago. Following Charles’ death, sister Henrietta kept the photograph studio operating for a few years.
Many of his original photos are now in the collection of the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society (WTHHS) at the old SS#16 school.
In addition, family descendants have provided high quality scans of Ottman photos taken from their own collections.
During her years as curator, the recently retired Nancy Saunders Maitland created a home at WTHHS for many of his original images, plus those family keepsakes that had spread throughout Canada with his many siblings’ descendants.
Charles Senior’s dream of a family business did not end when Charles Junior died in 1906. Several other sons joined the company over the years, but the elder Charles stayed on the job until 1937, 60 years after he founded it.
That’s when son number five, Louis, took over and kept the business going. Charles Senior and Elizabeth both died in 1945.
Along with his parents and several relatives, Charles Junior is buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran cemetery in Wellesley. He was inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame in 2019.
The WTHHS historical room is open on the last Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
A Charles Ottman gallery of photos is on its website: wellesleyhistory.org.
Look under photographic collections.
Nancy Saunders Maitland wrote a detailed appreciation of Charles in the 2016 journal of the Waterloo Historical Society, and also provided background to help me understand this no-longer-overlooked Waterloo County photographer.
Charles Ottman’s photographs are the best record there is of Wellesley area life 120 years ago