Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
OTT, Carrie
OTT, Carrie. (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 9, 1879--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 24, 1978). "Queen of FARMERS' MARKET." Ott, a spry cheerful gardener was known at FARMERS' MARKET for her kidding conversation, sweet corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. She began selling produce at Farmers' Market when she was twelve years old and helping her parents. She later sold produce from her own gardens every week until she was eighty-eight. (1)
Frugal living and inheritance allowed her to accumulate 229 acres of land scattered around the city in nine sites. Some of the land had been purchased by Ott in 1939, the year her husband was killed by lightning while cutting lettuce. (2) She retired from attending the FARMERS' MARKET in 1964. (3)
On March 10, 1980, nearly one and one-half years after her death, the land was sold at an auction held in the basement of the CHATEAU (THE). The sale price of $782,416 exceeded the appraised value by 136 percent. Upon her death this kindly woman, remembered for putting an extra tomato or two in each sack of produce she sold, left an estate valued at over $822,000. (4)
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Source:
1. Buckley, E. A. "The Queen is 97," Telegraph Herald, May 9, 1976, p. 3
2. Ibid.
3. Obituary, Telegraph Herald, August 24, 1978, p. 11
4. "Carrie Ott's Land Yields its Largest Harvest: $782,416," Telegraph Herald, March 11, 1980, p. 1