Albert Dominic Ottinger was born on his father's farm eight miles south of Oriska, in 1893. His parents were Peter and Margaret (Gauche) Ottinger. Albert attended school in Oriska, where his father had a general store which also housed the post office. After graduating from the Fargo Business College, he attended and graduated from the Palmer Chiropractic College in 1917. He spent two years in the Army in France and upon his return started his practice in Page, North Dakota. Here he married Ruth Cooper in 1924, daughter of Henry Cooper, an early Methodist minister. In 1920 A. D. Ottinger moved his practice to Valley City, continuing until he retired in 1968.
Two children were born to Albert and Ruth. Roy A. born November 18, 1925, is also a chiropractor and married to Harriet Noltimier, daughter of Eric and Elsie Anna Noltimier. They have seven children. Laura Margaret, the daughter of Albert and Ruth Ottinger, is married to Donald Steen of Lake Heron, Minnesota, and they have one son.
Albert was active in all civic affairs and especially in the Methodist Church. Ruth was choir director in the church for twenty-six years, as well as president of the Woman's Temperance League for seventeen years.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 188