Otto Topp, son of Joseph and Matilda Luttschwager Topp, was born March 9, 1882 in Sherman, Iowa. While living there he was the manager of a grain elevator and the Sherman Mercantiles until 1910. In 1909 he was united in marriage to Anna Voigt at Kankakee, Illinois.
In 1910 the family moved to Grace City. He built the first store for general merchandising. The town was an inland town until 1912 when the railroad came through. He had to haul his merchandise from McHenry until then. He operated the store for thirty-two years.
The couple had four children: Lawrence, Esther, Myrtle, and Calvin.
Mr. Topp was elected to the State Senate for the 32nd district in 1934 serving four terms. He was the first Democratic Senator elected from the 32nd district.
Mr. Topp died on August 14, 1945, and his wife July 19, 1975.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 65B