Most of Dick’s cousins lived in California while he was growing up in Indiana, so there were not many opportunities for them to be together until Dick got older.
1928-1943
Dick Votaw: High School, Travel, and War Years
Dick started high school in Indianapolis shortly after the U.S. entered World War II. Pictures and artifacts of that time are on this page, and some travel photos.
Dick and His Family
We have so many pictures of Dick with others in his family – it was not easy to choose which ones to include. It was a great family!
At the Jessup Farm in Plainfield
While he was growing up, Dick Votaw spent many weekends and summers at his Aunt & Uncle’s farm near Plainfield, Indiana.
The Votaw Pharmacy
After they were married, Harold and Mildred opened the Votaw Pharmacy on the west side of Indianapolis. The ad in the window is for Gillette blades – it says “You can’t buy blades in your bathroom.”
Dick Votaw: Middle School Years
From this period of Dick’s life we have quite a few pictures, some newspaper clippings that feature him, thanks to his mother, and a long section of his autobiography.
Dick Votaw: The Early Years
You know how the first child in a family always gets the most pictures taken? Imagine what it’s like for an only child! Yes, we have a lot of pictures of young Dick Votaw. We also have his autobiography. The first part of it is reprinted here.
Letters from Dick Votaw
Dick enjoyed typing letters to Aunt (Tirzah) and Uncle (Frank Jessup). Nine of these letters have been saved, and they tell us quite a bit about Dick’s life during his junior high school years (1939-42).
Mildred in Ministry in Indiana
Mildred inherited speaking and leadership gifts from her father, a Quaker pastor. She was active both in church ministry and as a citizen wherever she lived.
Young Doree Martin
Her parents loved taking photos and film, so we have some great pictures of Doree (“Mom” to me) when she was a little girl.
The Martin Family in Pomona
In this photo we can see Herb & Mary Martin, with their children Bert and Doree, and Herb’s mother Caroline Martin. They are standing in front of the Martin home in Pomona, where Doree lived from the time she was born until she married in 1951.
Young Bert Martin
My uncle Bert Martin was born the same year that my father was born: 1928. We have some good pictures of him as a boy (this one was taken in 1936), and quite a lot of video.
Doree the Poet
Between 1937 and 1942 Doree wrote a series of poems which were kept in a slim “Autographs” book. The poems were illustrated by her mother.
Dick Writes a Detective Story
On a short vacation to Aunt & Unc’s farm in Plainfield, Dick tries his hand at writing a detective story.
The Wisdom of Doree Martin (age 3-8)
Doree’s mother (Mary Martin) recorded these sayings in Doree’s baby book.
Dick Stands on Running Board
a classic car – wonder what it was like to drive?
Dick and His Mom, Dressed for School
fashion in the 1940s