Willie Ottogary facts for kids

Willie Ottogary (born July 1869, died 1929) was an important leader of the Northwestern Shoshone people. He was also a journalist in Utah and a Mormon missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Willie Ottogary's Early Life

Willie Ottogary was the son of O-Ti-Cot-i, who later became known as Peter Ottogary. His father was a respected spiritual leader and brave fighter among the Shoshone. Peter Ottogary was present at a sad event called the Bear River Massacre. This was a conflict that happened in 1863.

In 1875, Peter Ottogary joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS Church. He was baptized by a man named George Washington Hill. After joining the Church, he stopped his work as a shaman. Peter Ottogary later helped build the Logan Temple. He had a farm near Elwood, Utah and lived in the town of Washakie, Utah.

Willie Ottogary went to school in Washakie. There, he learned how to read and write in English. He was baptized a member of the LDS Church when he was about eight years old.

Willie Ottogary: Journalist and Church Leader

In 1906, Willie Ottogary started his career as a journalist. He wrote a regular column for a newspaper called the Tremont Times. His articles were also published in other newspapers. These included the Oneida County Enterprise from Malad City, Idaho, and the Box Elder Journal and Box Elder News from Brigham City, Utah. He also wrote for the Logan Journal in Logan, Utah.

In 1907, Willie Ottogary became a "seventy" in the LDS Church priesthood. This is a special leadership role in the Church. He and his wife, Nancy, were sealed together in the Logan Temple. This is a sacred ceremony in the Church. In 1913, he served a "stake mission." During this time, he helped about 100 Shoshone people join the Church.

Willie Ottogary mostly earned his living as a farmer. He worked on the farm near Elwood that his father had started.

Working for His People

Willie Ottogary cared deeply about his people, the Shoshone. In 1915 and 1917, he traveled to Washington, D.C.. He went there to try and get back lands that were promised to the Shoshone. These lands were part of the Box Elder Treaty from 1863.

During World War I, Willie Ottogary spoke out about the war. He encouraged people to think carefully about joining the military.