Otto H. Wathen

Otto H. Wathen (1881-1964), was the brother of R. E. Wathen[1] (President of the R. E. Wathen Distilleries).  He lived slightly east of Jeffersonville on Utica Pike in the Duffy-Wathen mansion known at the time as "Riverview Farms"[2] and was the secretary of the distilleries.

During the height of prohibition in Branham's early childhood years, William Branham and his father Charles produced illicit liquor for Wathen.[3]  On the record books, the R. E. Wathen distilleries operated under the disguise of producing alcohol under a medicinal license.  The R. E. Wathen Distilleries were caught supplying the Chicago mob with liquor multiple times during the reign of Al Capone in Chicago.[4]

Off the record, however, Wathen had set up a liquor ring of private individuals producing whiskey and moonshine at their homes.[5]  In 1924, Charles Branham was arrested after his still was discovered.[6]  Otto paid for Charles Branham's bail,[7] but in 1927, Charles was indicted and sent to the state penitentiary.[8]  During this trial, William Branham fled Jeffersonville.[9]