Background
Otis was born in Halifax, Vermont. His father was Elisha Otis, a descendant of the Otis family that is counted among the Boston Brahmin families.
United States representative politician
Otis was born in Halifax, Vermont. His father was Elisha Otis, a descendant of the Otis family that is counted among the Boston Brahmin families.
He attended public schools in Halifax, Albany, Hudson, and Yonkers, New New York
In his early youth, he entered into business with his father and engaged in the manufacture of elevators for nearly fifty years. He served as mayor of Yonkers from 1880 to 1882. He served as president of the New York State Commission to the Exposition Universelle of 1900.
He served as president of Saint John"s Riverside Hospital of Yonkers.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1900 to the 57th United States Congress. Otis was elected as a Republican to the 58th United States Congress and representing New York"s 19th congressional district from March 4, 1903, until his death in Westchester County, New York on February 20, 1905.
He was interred at Oakland Cemetery. He also was related to Amelia Earhart.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Westchester Company, 1st Doctorate) in 1884.