This photo appears to have been taken at Frank & Tirzah’s farm; I think that is their dog. Mildred is all dressed up – notice that she is wearing a fur wrap, something she wore to church for most of her adult life.
This document served as both a marriage license and a certificate of marriage.
We don’t have any photos of the wedding ceremony, but the newspaper coverage was quite thorough. Perhaps a thousand words is worth a picture? Neither of the wedding articles that were published was able to spell “Votaw” correctly, not even once. The article about the engagement party got it right, though.
Harold and Mildred were married on Harold’s 23rd birthday, June 25, 1926, after a courtship that had begun in their first grade classroom in Wichita, Kansas. They’d waited an extra year to marry, because Mildred had to take a year off college due to the death of her mother Anna Stout. Harold had lived much of his life in California, but was happy to settle with her in Plainfield, Indiana.
Most of the pictures on this page are undated; some of them could have been taken before the wedding, others after. But all of them show a couple of people who were very much in love – just as I remember them.
This is the shortest haircut I have ever seen on Mildred.
Like her sister Tirzah, Mildred loved hats – she once worked in a hat shop. But Mildred preferred the smaller, more close-fitting hats. She wore a fur collar whenever she could, and loved to dress up.
Harold and Mildred honeymooned to Washington D.C. and other destinations on the East Coast. Below are transcriptions of two letters sent during the honeymoon – one from Harold to Tirzah and Frank, and the return letter from Lewis.
Friday July 2nd
Dear Tix & Frank
We’re spending a day of complete rest to-day. Got a room & Midge has laid down all day. Her cold is much better – but she came sick early this morning. About the usual thing she says. Feeling pretty good this evening. We slept from 12 to 4 p.m. Going down town for an hour now.
We’ve seen lots of interesting things in Washington. Climb the top of the Capitol Dome yesterday. Had nice picnic lunch with Kenworthys and another family here last evening. Went to Sen. Watson’s (Ind.) office & secured letters of introduction to White House also Pres-yacht the “Mayflower” which we will use tomorrow. Wish you could see some of these places. It’s a glorious trip.
My darling little wifey is a brave girl – She’s had a hard time this week but with cold ‘most gone she surely will be feeling good in a couple of days & enjoy the balance of the trip more. We is having a wonderful time & happier than ever before. Don’t worry – I’ll take care of my sweetheart girl.
Love, M & H
Wednesday, July 7, 1926
Dear M and H:
Tirzah is too busy canning cherries and raspberries to write. I try to help her some. This is 8 days of hot weather here. A good rain came Sat. night and a nice shower yesterday. I went to my date at Center Sun. and with F & T to Martinsville Sunday afternoon. I am having a fine time – stay till your money gives out. Presents still coming in – one cost 82 cents to haul from Lynn, Mass.
Mord Carter gone to the pen. Plenty of beans. I had Co. Sat. night and for breakfast Sun. and a lady caller today. I got favorable mention last Sunday. What more can I write? Time would fail me to tell of the good eats, good kicks, good laughs, good sweats etc. I am having. Tirzah has to keep Richard 3 weeks and Boyse 1 week. Pity her, poor child. She is talking of bobbing her hair and getting an all summer wave.
With much love
Dad
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