Otto C. Wierum

Otto C. Wierum, a member of the Century since 1921, attributed the prosperity of his spirit to an abiding faith in the goodness of his fellow men. Never tolerant of evil, he was ever tolerant of eccentricities which mark the human spirit. He possessed an urbanity which placed the dignity of right and kindness above commonplace considerations. A wise and fierce fighter for justice, he was also the advocate of humanity.

In 1891 Otto married Mary Briggs. The charm and faith exemplified in their quiet happy life of more than fifty years together gladdened his years and the hearts of all of us who knew their devotion. They had five children, and the joy of Otto’s last years centered largely in the progress of his nine grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

He was in the Club a great deal—particularly after his wife died. He played chess with the chess-players, and he played cow-boy pool in the billiard-room. But mostly he talked; and on long summer evenings he would be found on the back porch conversing with that circle of philosophers—always ebbing, always being renewed—that gathers there in escape from the great city. The younger members idolized him. He was kind and warm and understanding. His coevals delighted in him, and sought him out, and bound him to them.

He was forever propounding curious questions which made one think. And when the discussion was joined, he was always the liberal, proposing solutions and courses of conduct that were somehow reminiscent of the Sermon on the Mount. He was rich in friends—far beyond what is vouchsafed to the rest of us; and it is pleasant to think that he was dependent on them as they were on him.

Wise, well-read, staunch in argument, faithful in all things, Otto once quietly remarked: “All that need be said about me is: ‘He believed in God, in the life eternal and the goodness of his fellow men.’”

He was very perfect, gentle knight.

George W. Martin
1951/1952 Century Association Yearbook