Story of Ethel Molly Westerhouse and Ralph Isac Votaw

 Amos and Sophia Westerhouse only daughter and second oldest was Ethel Westerhouse. 

As a young girl, Ethel, worked on her parents' farm, helping with farming and other chores around the home. She attended school at the Hopewell East School #68, located two miles north of her home. At the age of eleven, Ethel moved with her family to a farm, located at 2372 North 900th Road, in the Captain Creek area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  After graduating from eighth grade on 24 Jun 1909, she continued to work on the family farm. 

Ethel Westerhouse

Ralph was born 29 Mar 1897 in Albia, Monroe, Iowa before his family moved to Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.

Ralph Votaw Delayed Certificate of Birth

Ethel married Ralph Votaw 31 May 1917 at her parents' home. She and Ralph Votaw settled on a farm located in the Hesper area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. They became members of the Hesper Friends Church. 

Ethel Westerhouse and Ralph Votaw marriage license - 25 Apr 1917

Ralph registered for the World War I draft 5 Jun 1918. The front side of the card shows name Ralph I Votaw, home RR #1 Eudora, Kansas. Age 21, birth Mar 29 1897, birth location Albia Iowa USA, citizen natural- born, race white, occupation farmer, Eudora, Kansas. The back side of card shows height medium, build medium, eyes blue, hair light brown.

Ralph WWI draft card (front)

Ralph WWI draft card (back)

Ralph registered for the World War II Draft on 15 Feb 1942.  The Registration card shows his name as Ralph Votaw; his age 44; living at R.R. #1, Eudora, Kansas; he was born on Mar 29 1897 in Iowa; telephone as Eudora exchange and number 5915; Ethel Votaw, Eudora, Kansas will always know his address; employed as farmer; race of white; color of his eyes are blue; his hair is brown color; he has height of five feet and ten inches and weight of 160; Has a Ruddy complexion.

Ralph Votaw WWII draft card (front)

Ralph Votaw WWII draft card (back)

Ralph and Ethel Votaw sixtieth wedding anniversary 

Eudora Enterprise - 18 May 1979
 

Ethel Votaw obituary (Lawrence Journal World) - 18 Feb 1980

Ethel Votaw funeral card - 20 Feb 1980

Ralph Votaw obituary (Lawrence Journal World) - 25 Jun 1981

Ralph Votaw funeral card - 27 Jun 1981

Ethel and Ralph Votaw gravestone at

 Hesper Friends Church Cemetery (Hesper, Kansas)

Ethel and Ralph described

Ethel baked delicious pies, was a good cook, raised chickens, and sold the eggs. Ralph was a farmer and served as a trustee of the Eudora Township board for 27 years.