Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

position as an apprentice harness-maker until 1916
when he moved to Anamosa to work for the T.S.
McLaughlin harness shop.
After serving in the army in World War II, Fred
moved to Amber, Iowa, where he opened a leather and
harness-making shop. In 1927 he brought his
equipment back to Anamosa and opened his own shop
at 104 North Huber St.
Mr. Otten's main craft. and the most enjoyable for
him, was the making of harnesses, but his last orders
for them came just following World War II. Tractors
replaced horses completely at about this time. and Fred
turned his talents to the shoe repair business. But even
the cobbler's methods had changed since he started in
the leather business. Where heavy thread and nails
were used. cement, glue and presses made neater and
faster work. it was not uncommon for Fred to make
shoes from a rough piece of leather. They would be
ordered of special construction or a special size. These
special orders cost double a factory-made pair of shoes.
but it took at least 24 hours of work to complete them.
including making the pattem and fittings.
When Fred Otten padiocked his door. the little work
shop with it's pot-bellied heating stove, leather goods
hanging from hooks, and an odor of leather in the air,
would become just a memory for all he had quietly and
faithfully served through those 30 years.
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Otten's Harness Shop, 104 North Huber St. (Photo
from a painting by Mae Amelia Rumple and
photographed by Eldon Meeks)
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City Transfer in operation, in front of the Shaw
Building. (Submitted by Bernieceshover)
203