great-grandparents

Henry and Mary Judith Barcus were grandparents to my mother, Doree Martin Votaw. Their daughter, Mary Frances, became my grandmother, Mary Martin.

The image at left is probably a wedding picture. Elmer and Ruth Votaw had five children: Vera, Vernon, Clayton, Harold, and Howard. On this page we see pictures of the family through the years.

Elmer’s life is one of the most interesting stories in our family history.

At birth, my father was named Lewis Richard Votaw, after his grandfather Lewis Stout. He was the only grandchild that Lewis had, and these photos and postcards give us a glimpse into their relationship.

Married in 1884, Lewis and Anna Stout had three daughters, the youngest of whom (Mildred) became my grandmother. The photo at left, taken in 1893, shows the couple with their first two daughters, Gertrude and Tirzah. This page contains images and documents that illustrate the family’s life together.

Lewis Stout was a pastor in Friends churches for 45 years. He was a good pastor, much beloved by everyone. His love for God’s work and the quality of his ministry gift are clearly shown by articles printed about him, and by his ministry diaries. These are pictured below.

Some of Lewis’ sermons were published in the newspaper in Kokomo while he was pastor at Union Street Friends church. Here are two of them, and a sample of his sermon notes. At the bottom of the page is a Christmas sermon from early in Lewis’ pastoral career.

My grandfather’s father, Frederick possessed a powerful intellect and a wacky sense of humor, both of which were passed on to his son.

Caroline has the best genealogy in our family – her line traces back to a cousin of U.S. President John Adams.

Lewis Stout’s first wife, and the mother of 3 daughters – Gertrude, Tirzah, and Mildred – was a wonderful person.

Lewis E. Stout (Mildred’s father) was a Friends pastor. When he died in 1935, his memory was highly honored.