Otterson, James

Otterson, James a Presbyterian minister, was born in New York City Oct. 11, 1791. He graduated at Columbia College, New York; studied theology with Dr. J. M. Mason; was ordained by the Associate Presbytery of New York, and installed as the successor to Dr. Proudfit, pastor of the Church of Broadalbin, Fultor County, N. Y., in 1821. About the year 1827 he was called to the united pastorate of the Reformed Dutch churches of Hempstead and Oyster Bay, on Long Island, N. Y.; in 1834 he succeeded Dr. Van Vranken as pastor of the Church in Freehold, N. J.; he next took charge of the Church at the White House, in Hunterdon County, N. J.; in 1845 he was called to the Church in Johnstown, N. J.; his last charge was in Wilmington, Del., which he relinquished in 1863, and retired to the house of his son, a prominent member of the bar at Philadelphia, Pa. He died Sept. 17, 1867. Mr. Otterson possessed a clear, analytical mind, which showed the effect of early culture. He was a good scholar, a sound and able theologian, and a very instructive and edifying preacher. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1868, p. 133. (J. L. S.)