Otis Guernsey

Otis Guernsey
Born	Template:Birth date Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Died	March 4, 1975(1975-03-04) (aged 81) Edgartown, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Businessman, collegiate football player
Known for	President of Abercrombie & Fitch; Yale Bulldogs fullback

This article is about the football player. For his son the author, see Otis Guernsey Jr..

Otis Guernsey (born June 16, 1893 – died March 4, 1975) was a prominent American businessman and collegiate football athlete who held the position of president at Abercrombie & Fitch. He played as a fullback for the Yale Bulldogs football squad.

Early life

Born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 16, 1893, Guernsey was the son of Nathaniel T. Guernsey and Martha (Love) Guernsey. His father served as vice president and general counsel for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Otis had a younger brother, Nathaniel T. Guernsey Jr., who also participated in Yale football and distinguished himself by setting the record for the men's 60-foot plunge in 1923 as part of Yale's swimming team.

Football

Guernsey stepped into the role of fullback at Yale after Dave Dunn sustained an injury. Throughout the 1913, 1914, and 1915 seasons, he was recognized as the standout halfback of the Yale football teams and additionally served as their field goal kicker. Notably, he established a Yale record by kicking the longest field goal at that time—an impressive 53 yards—during the October 13, 1915 contest against Princeton. His performance in that game earned him acclaim as the "hero," having successfully converted two field goals from distances of 55 and 42 yards which contributed to Yale's 13–7 victory.

During the 1915 season, Guernsey experienced interruptions due to illness and later suffered a dislocated shoulder in the November 20 game versus Harvard. Throughout his career, he was frequently compared to Harvard's Charles Brickley, who was also known for his kicking abilities, with both athletes regarded as rivals on the field.

Squash

After completing his studies at Yale, Guernsey began playing squash and took part in the Squash National Class B Championship. He later participated in the National Squash Tennis Association's 1922 Fall Squash Tournament, where he was defeated by Charles M. Bull Jr. Subsequently, Guernsey contributed to the Yale Squash Team's victory in the Champions Class League during the 1922–23 season.

Military service

During World War I, Guernsey held the rank of major within the 315th Field Artillery. In World War II, he served in the New York Guard, achieving the rank of brigadier general.

Business career

From 1919 to 1922, Guernsey was employed by the General Chemical Company, followed by a tenure at J. L. Mott Iron Works between 1922 and 1924. He then joined Abercrombie & Fitch and advanced to assistant vice president by 1927. When Ezra Fitch divested his share in 1928, selling it to his brother-in-law James S. Cobb, Cobb assumed the presidency, and Guernsey was promoted to vice president. Throughout the Great Depression, Guernsey played a key role in negotiating with creditors, which was instrumental in preventing the company's failure. He served as president of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1940 until 1961, after which he was appointed chairman.

Personal life

In 1916, Guernsey married Margaret C. Henderson, and they had three sons together. One of their children, Otis Guernsey Jr. (1918–2001), gained recognition as a writer. The couple eventually divorced, and in 1956, Margaret remarried Yale professor Lemist Esler. Guernsey passed away on March 4, 1975, at his residence in Edgartown, Massachusetts.