Ottomar Zistel, 1861-1906

Ottomar Zistel was born in Ohio in 1861 to Louis Zistel and Anna Rosenkranz Zistel. He had a twin brother named Oswald. Louis and Anna were both natives of Germany. Louis was active in business ventures in Sandusky. He operated a saloon, was also associated with fishing and boating businesses. In 1890, Ottomar Zistel married Amelia Kratz. They had two children, Leona and Errol. The 1900 U.S. Census lists Ottomar Zistel as a pop manufacturer. On November 21, 1906, Ottomar Zistel and his friend Fred K. Marshall were in a boat, returning from a hunting trip. The boat capsized and they drifted about in the storm for hours. Ottomar and Fred were able to reach the shore of Cedar Point, but after they reached dry land, Ottomar died from exhaustion. Fred Marshall had assisted Ottomar Zistel to a nearby shanty, owned by Fred Freeman. Mr. Freeman tried to revive Ottomar, but it was too late. Fred Freeman cared for Fred Marshall throughout the night, and the morning, Coroner McClelland was called to the scene. An account of the accident appeared in the November 23, 1906 issue of the Sandusky Register.

Ottomar Zistel was well known in Sandusky. He was only 45 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife Amelia, and his two children. Funeral services for Ottomar Zistel were held at the Zistel home on Washington Street. Services were conducted by Rev. Ainlsee of the Emmanuel Church. Ottomar Zistel was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. Amelia Zistel remarried, to William P. Walsh. After Amelia's death in 1949, she was buried beside her first husband Ottomar Zistel.