Ortman was born on 19 March 1801 in Planá, Bohemia. During his career, he worked as a pharmacist in Karlsbad (now Karlovy Vary) and later Elbogen (now Loket; since 1842). From 1857 to 1861 he served as mayor of Elbogen.[1][2] He died in Elbogen on 21 November 1861.
Historically, numerous new genera were named to honor him; Ortmannia Opiz, 1834;[3] Ortmannia Rathbun, 1901; Ortmannia de Loriol, 1906; Ortmannia Schrammen, 1924; Ortmannia Chiesa, Parma & Camacho, 1995; Ortmanniana Frierson, 1927; Ortmannicus Fowler, 1911; Ortmannispongia Schrammen, 1936; however, only the last three are still valid names as of 2024.
