My Genealogy Hound

J. C. Vorhes, who has extensively engaged in the real estate business at Rochester, Oakland County, has long been a resident of this community, where he is widely known and highly respected. He bears an honorable record for service in the Civil War.

Mr. Vorhes was born in Livingston County, New York, November 2, 1834, and is a son of William and Eliza (Coovert) Vorhes, being descended on both sides from colonial families of prominence. The Vorhes are of Holland ancestry, the first members of the family to come to this country settling at New Amsterdam, now known as New York City. The Cooverts were prominently identified with the Revolutionary War.

William Vorhes, father of our subject, located in Utica, Macomb County, Michigan, in 1836, and there followed farming until his death, at the age of 84 years. His wife died three months later, at the age of 83 years. Five sons were born of their union, namely: Nathaniel, of Kingston, Michigan; Lester, of Tuscola County, Michigan: J. C., our subject; Frederick; and Peter. The two last named died shortly after a reunion of the five sons was held in 1901.

J. C. Vorhes was reared on a farm and beginning at the age of 18 years served an apprenticeship to the carriage making trade at Romeo and Troy, Michigan. He subsequently conducted a shop at Troy until 1861, when he left his business in charge of a brother and on May 26th enlisted at Detroit in C. O. Loomis’ Battery for service in the Civil War. They went to Cincinnati, thence to Dennison and took part in a number of engagements. They spent the first summer at Beverly, West Virginia, having engagements at Rich Mountain, Elk Water and Greenbrier, West Virginia. In December, 1861, they were transferred to Bacon Creek, Kentucky, and in February took part in the battle of Bowling Green, Kentucky; of Perryville; of Stone River, Tennessee, December 31, 1862; Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee; Chickamauga; Chattanooga; Athens, Alabama; and several minor; engagements. At Stone River he was thrown from the gun carriage and his hand severely injured, and at another time he received a wound in the left leg from the explosion of a shell, and from this has never fully recovered. At Chickamauga, with almost an entire Confederate brigade opposed to them, the entire battery, with the exception of one gun, was captured, and Mr. Vorhes was fortunate in making his escape, men falling on all sides of him as they attempted to make their retreat. After three years’ service as cannoneer in this famous old battery, which was the pride of Michigan troops, our subject was discharged at Chattanooga. He had been elected division artificer at Murfreesboro, but refused to leave his company, preferring to remain in active service in the field.

After the close of the war Mr. Vorhes engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania one year, then in Canada for a like period. He then came to Rochester, Michigan, where he engaged in carriage building and conducted a shop for 25 years, employing considerable help, but in 1890 retired from that business on account of his health. Since 1901 he has engaged in the real estate business, and is meeting with deserved success. He is a Republican in politics and has served on the School Board for six years; for four years he has been trustee of the village board. He is also a justice of the peace.

Mr. Vorhes was married in 1867 to Mary Mathews, of Troy, Michigan, and they have two children living: Fred, of White Pigeon, Michigan; and Molly, who is at home. Mr. Vorhes is a member of William P. Everett Post, G. A. R., of Rochester. In religious attachment he is a Baptist, and for a period of 15 years has been a deacon in the church. He is not only a sagacious business man, but one of honor and integrity, whose word is as good as his bond, and he enjoys the confidence of the entire community.