Obituary - Deacon John Oted
Deacon John Oted died April 28th 1870, in the 84th year of his age. He was one of the early settlers of Ellisburg. In 1811 he was appointed sergeant in Captain Gad Actley’s company, 55th regiment of infantry; afterwards he held the positions successively of Ensign, Lieutenant, and Captain, in the same company, at the time of the war of 1812 was declared, he was in Canada; he in company with John Paddock were called upon to take up arms. They stole a bark canoe, but could row only nights, one day they lay on Duck Island, under their canoe, among the thickets for fear of being discovered, and at night proceeded to Sackets Harbor. They informed the unsuspecting troops there of the near proximity of the enemy; they immediately sent a man to Adams, made ready a company to meet the enemy, while he went out, as a spy to the mouth of Sandy creek; the night was foggy, and he succeeded in getting within gun shot of the enemy. They fired upon him and he returned in double quick, and, together with the company lay in ambush ready for the enemy when they should come up Sandy Creek. His family lived within a mile of the battle ground and his house was made a hospital of. At one time the blood on the floor was over the soles of our shoes. Enemies and friends were brought there and cared for with equal kindness; so we find humanity even in war. He followed the water for 22 seasons, and during that time never with an accident or lost a man, until the last season when one man was knocked overboard during a severe gale. As a sailor he was careful vigilant and courageous.
For many years he was a deacon of the Presbyterian church of Ellis Village; when it was disbanded he joined the Methodist Church, of which he remained a consistent member until his death. So passed away one who had endured many of the hardships and trials attendant upon the settlers of a new uncultured country; but we trust he is now happy in fields elyson, walking beside the still waters and green pastures.