Dr. George S. Otis was born in Wisconsin in 1846. He graduated from the Boston Veterinary College about 1861 and came to Chicago about 1867 to open his practice. He was renowned for his expertise in all the diseases and injuries of horses. His first office was located on 12th Street in Chicago and by 1874 he had moved his home to Downers Grove. The Burlington train, now Burlington Northern, made it practical to work in the city and live in the western suburbs, a practice that continues to this day. In November 1875, Dr. Otis joined the Chicago Veterinary College on Wabash Avenue in Chicago. He worked there only for 6 years as he died at the young age of 35 from heart disease. Otis Avenue in Downers Grove is named in his honor.
Dr. Otis was married to Ellen Goeway from New York. They had one son, Robert Roy Otis. After the death of Dr. Otis, the family moved to Minnesota to live with the mother of Ellen.
