(Obituary of:) Gen. Harrison Gray Otis

For more than thirty years president and general manager of The Times-Mirror Company, departed this life July 30, 1917, at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 20 days. The end came at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Chandler in Hollywood, where he had been living for several months and was the result of a rupture of the heart, coming just after the General had eaten breakfast in bed. That he recognized it as fatal was indicated by his remark, in a low, unexcited tone, "I am gone." Mr. and Mrs. Chandler hastened to his bedside but death ensue almost instantly. Up to the day of his death Gen. Otis gave such attention to The Times as his health would permit, his physical condition being somewhat impaired during the last three years. He was always loyally supported by a devoted staff which he himself had trained and that still remains on guard. The last few months of his life were busy. He reconstructed The Illustrated Weekly Magazine, directed the development of his ranch, Milflores, in the San Fernando Valley and participated in several notable public functions.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, August 1 in the First Congregational Church. There, to the bier of the soldier, journalist-patriot, came a great concourse of people, representing almost every walk in life. Hundreds of people were unable to get inside the building. Eloquent addresses by Dr. Hugh K. Walker and Dr. Charles E. Locke, both of whom had known Gen. Otis well, expressed esteem, admiration and affection. Listening, hundreds of Times employees were thrilled sadly, for he had been their mentor and friend, the master craftsman whose teachings made them better and more efficient workers.

Gen. Otis was a Union soldier and officer throughout the Civil War, brigadier-general and major-general of United States volunteers in the war against Spain. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was honorably discharged and pension. Prominent members of the family were James Otis, famous as a Revolutionary patriot and orator and the first Harrison Gray Otis, once a United States Senator. In the Civil War he participated in many battles and skirmishes, was twice wounded and rapidly promoted. He was foreman of the Government printing office at Washington, 1869-1870 and chief of a division in the United States Patent office, 1871-1876. He became a fourth owner of the Los Angeles Times in 1882 and in 1884 joined the organization of The Times-Mirror Company. He was president and general manager of the company from 1886 to the time of his death. He was president of the Southern California Association of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and of many other military and civic organizations.

For more than a quarter of a century, Gen. Otis was a towering figure in the city of Los Angeles. During the later years of his life, the influence of his personality outgrew boundaries; he became a national figure. Besides his work of building up a great newspaper he participated in many constructive enterprises in Southern California. He loved the truth. He loved Los Angeles and Southern California and helped to make them strong. His motto, "Stand fast, stand firm, stand sure, stand true."