Nelson Holmes VAN VORHES, Congress, OH (1822-1882)

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

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present