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Submitted: 6/11/04 • Approved: 2/29/16 • Last Updated: 3/25/18 • R7230-G0-S3
b. ca 1827, Lowell, Mass
d. Feb. 21, 1908, Ariz. Territory
Age at Death: 80 years
COD: Burned to death in his home
Occ: Photographer - 1st one in Prescott, Ariz.
Site # C/15/48
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James C. Otis, was Prescott's very first photographer. Born in 1827, he came here from his native Lowell, Massachusetts in 1864 at age 37 with the pioneers and then set up shop. He lived here, taking pictures continuously for fifty-four years, until he was killed at the age of 81 in a house fire on the evening of February 21, 1908 on the west side of the 100 block of North McCormick Street. He and his house both burned and were reduced to ashes while he slept. The replacement home built since 1908 is now an abandoned, minuscule, nondescript, yellow-frame house built forward of the original Otis setback.
James Cox Otis died intestate with no wife or children (a confirmed, lifelong bachelor) and was summarily buried the following morning in Citizen's Cemetery on Sheldon Street, near the east side of the front gate. As what remained of his residual estate was also completely destroyed.
Bill Gaillard
East Prescott Historical District
Citizens Cemetery records & plot map
Contributed on 6/11/04 by jlbranson78
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Record #: 7230