Charles F. Votaw, a well-known and substantial farmer of Jackson township and owner of a well improved farm in that township, is a member of one of Jay county's pioneer families, the Votaw's having been here since the year following the organization of this county. Mr. Votaw was born in Jackson township on August 9, 1861, and is a son of Quimby B. and Mary (Mason) Votaw, who were among the pioneers of Penn township and later became residents of Jackson township. Quimby B. Votaw was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and early was trained as a carpenter and cabinet maker. He also became a landowner in Ohio, the owner of eighty acres of land, but in 1837 he disposed of his interests there and came over into Indiana, one of the considerable number of persons from Columbiana county who became residents of Jay county in pioneer days. Upon his arrival here he bought a farm in Penn township and made his home in that township for several years, later moving to Jackson township, where he had bought a quarter section of land and where he spent the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having two sisters, Elizabeth and Emma.
Reared on the home farm in Jackson township, Charles F. Votaw received his schooling in the old Union school house and from the days of his boyhood has devoted himself to farming. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age when he bought a "forty," which he still owns, and started in on his own account. For ten years thereafter he made his home on a rented farm, and also farmed his ''forty," or until he bought another "forty" and established his home on the place on which he is now living in Jackson township. Mr. Votaw's operations prospered and he has added to his land holdings until now he is the owner of a well-kept farm of 200 acres, on which he is living practically retired, renting his fields. Mr. Votaw is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Sardinia Christian church.
On August I, 1886, Charles F. Votaw was united in marriage to Mary E. Pond, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, daughter of John G. and Rebecca Jane (Monger Pond. Mr. and Mrs. Votaw have a pleasant home and have ever taken a hospitable interest in the general social affairs of the community in which they live.
SOURCE: Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II, pp.382-383. Transcribed by Eloine Chesnut.
Buried in Twin Hill Cemetery