Marcus Otterbourg (March 11, 1827 – December 7, 1893) was a German-born Jewish-American journalist, diplomat, lawyer, and judge.
He moved to Paris, France, when he was thirteen and lived with his brother, the medical doctor Solomon Otterbourg.
[4] During that time, Otterbourg befriended fellow German immigrant Carl Schurz, and together they became active in the new Republican Party and met a number of prominent western figures, including Abraham Lincoln.
He again attempted to resign in the summer of 1866 as his wife and children were back in America and couldn't afford to live on his consular salary.
When Grant refused to join the planned expedition, General William Tecumseh Sherman was selected instead.
He worked on solving the forced loans issue, sought to aid American and European residents in Mexico City (especially when European diplomats fled the city), and unsuccessfully tried to save Emperor Maximilian's life, although as he was only Consul he had little authority.
When Campbell returned to the United States Ottenbourg began petitioning Seward to name him Minister so he could better serve America's interests.
Edward L. Plumb, the Secretary of Legation and acting chargé d’affaires, wrote a letter to Seward opposing the nomination based on the false accusation Ottenbourg was in the pay of the French.
In 1873, Mayor William Frederick Havemeyer appointed him Police Justice with the encouragement of Alderman Oswald Ottendorfer.
[1] His funeral was held at the Liederkranz club house and the eulogy was delivered by Commissioner of Immigration Joseph H. Senner.