754 Jenifer Street
Madison, WI, USA

John George Ott House

The John George Ott House is a historic residence located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Description

The house is located at 754 Jenifer Street and is within the Jenifer-Spaight Historic District. It is an example of Italianate architecture.


History

The house was built in 1873 by Swiss immigrant John George Ott. In 1979, it was designated a landmark by the Madison Landmarks Commission. Additionally, the house is located within the Jenifer-Spaight Historic District.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 23, 1982.

National Register of Historic Places - John George Ott House

Statement of Significance:

The Ott house is significant for its association with an historic personage, John George Ott, who was among the first of the non-Yankee settlers in Madison. Ott settled in the Third Lake Ridge, an area which would quickly become the heart of the City's largest Germanic settlement. His life story reflects the story of many non-Yankee settlers who, although they began their life in Madison almost penniless, rose to prominence in the community. Ott's r house represents his success. It is architecturally significant as one of the finest High ‘Victorian Italianate residences in Madison. At the present time, a movement is under way, under the guidance of the wife of Gov. Patrick Lucey, to require the Old Executive Mansion for the State of Wisconsin and restore it and convert it to a state museum open to the public.

History
John George Ott was one of the early German-Swiss immigrants to Madison, coming directly at the age of 13 from his native Schaffhausen, Switzerland in 1850. He was a successful businessman and entrepreneur, seizing his chances where the turns of the local economy seemed to dictate. He began his career in Madison as a store clerk. In three years, he had saved $850, and in his words "was so much encouraged by my phenomenal success, that I undertook to purchase a homestead and built a store in a location which at that time was known as 'in the woods.'"^ For 14 years he operated his grocery business on the Williamson Street frontage of his property, offering such items as whiskey by the barrel. From 1868 and 1872'heoperated a brickyard. It is probable that he made the bricks for 754 Jenifer at his own brickyard. From 1872 until his death^ he made a living selling accident and fire-insurance and real estate.

Ott was active in civic affairs and ethnic organizations as a member of the Old Settlers Club, a founder of the German Masonic Lodge, a founder of the Turnverein and a member of the Madison Maennerchor. He was elected to represent his neighborhood on both the City council for 4i years and the County Board for one term. He also served as a Justice of the Peace.

A concern for his neighborhood and the near east side occupied much of his attention. He organized Sixth Ward residents in the campaign to turn the old village cemetery into the City's first public park (Orton Park, NRHP). He platted Ott's subdivision on Dewey Court and Schley Pass,providing small inexpensive lots for area workers.

The house that Ott built in 1873-1874 represents his successful establishment in the New World. He remained on the east side at 754 Jenifer for the rest of his life. His descendants continued to reside in the home until 1973, one hundred years of continuous attachment to the neighborhood.