Nelson H. Van Vorhes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nelson Holmes Van Vorhes (January 23, 1822 - December 4, 1882) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.
Born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Van Vorhes moved to Athens County, Ohio, in 1832 and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Apprenticed to a printer for six years. He was editor and proprietor of the Athens Messenger 1844-1861. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1850-1872 and served four years as speaker.
Van Vorhes was elected probate judge in 1854, but resigned. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1858 to the Thirty-sixth Congress. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1860. He entered the Union Army as a private in 1861 and was mustered out as colonel.
Van Vorhes was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1875-March 3, 1879). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1878 to the Forty-sixth Congress. He died in Athens, Ohio, December 4, 1882. He was interred in West Union Street Cemetery.
