Otken, Charles H
clergyman, educator, college president, author, was born Feb. 26, 1839, in New Orleans, La. He received the rudiments of his education in the public and private schools, and attended the Mississippi college of Clinton. During 1867-77 he was principal of the Peabody public school of Summit, Miss.; was founder of the Lea Female college of Summit, and served as its president for seventeen years. Since 1894 he has been president of the McComb Female institute, Miss. He has been trustee of the university of Mississippi for four years, and a trustee of the Mississippi college for twelve years, from which latter institution he received the degree of LL. D. He is the author of a work on economics entitled The Ills of the South; and has contributed essays and various articles to the Times-Democrat of New Orleans, and other publications. In 1864 he was ordained a clergyman in the baptist church; has filled several pastorates in Mississippi; and for twelve years gave his whole time to teaching. He was twice offered the position of state superintendent of public education in Mississippi, but declined the honor.