Isaac Van Voorhis and Elmira Hopkins

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Husband Isaac Van Voorhis ^{1 2}

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           Born: 27 Mar 1823 - Carroll Twp, Washington Co, PA 1
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         Father: Daniel "Uncle Danny" Van Voorhis (1783-1852) 3 4 5
         Mother: Mary Frye (1788-1881) 6

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       Marriage: 26 Aug 1846 2 7

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Wife Elmira Hopkins ⁷

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         Father: Thomas Hopkins (      -      ) 2
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Children

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1 M Samuel Van Voorhis ⁷

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           Died: Bef 1893
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2 M Thomas Van Voorhis ⁷

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         Status: Twin

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3 M Frank Van Voorhis ⁷

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           Died: Bef 1893
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         Status: Twin

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4 M Van Emer Van Voorhis ⁷

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5 F Selina Van Voorhis ⁷

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         Spouse: Henry Huffman (      -      ) 7

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6 F Lizzie Van Voorhis ⁷

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         Spouse: [Unk] Grootman (      -      ) 7

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7 M Charlie Van Voorhis ⁷

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General Notes: Husband - Isaac Van Voorhis

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He lived near Hillsborough, on the National Pike. He was, perhaps, the largest cattle dealer in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Carroll township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, near the head-waters of Pigeon creek. He attended the common school until about sixteen years of age, when he was given entire charge of the stock on his father's immense farm. Before assuming the duties of this position, he started on a trip to Kentucky, intending to purchase cattle, but finding nothing to suit him in the "Blue-Grass region" he journeyed northwest to Ohio, and there purchased 150 head of stock. On his return home, when about half way, the boy was met by his father and brother Jerome, who took charge of the herd, giving the young "cowboy" instructions to "face about" and purchase another lot. Accordingly he made a second successful trip, to the satisfaction and delight of the family, who had been half doubtful of the result of the experiment. The youthful drover afterward made frequent western trips, soon accumulating a snug sum of money. He was the first to drive cattle to the East, seventy-five miles below St. Louis. He would start on horseback from the "Big Muddy," swimming the rivers, and on one occasion, on crossing the Muskingum, which was full of floating ice, his cattle sank in a quick sand, and he himself had a narrow escape from drowning. In 1846 he left the paternal roof, and began business for himself by investing in land in Somerset township, Washington County. About this time he received $3,000 as his portion of his father's estate, and then began a career almost unparalleled for unfailing business success. His life was devoted to rearing, fattening and dealing in stock. In boyhood he earned the first horse he ever owned by splitting rails for 50 cents a hundred. It is needless to add that since the proud day when he received the deserved reward for blistered hands and aching limbs, Isaac Van Voorhis has never been without a good horse. He reared and broke many of high breed and speed, that afterward made good record, one of the most valuable being "Gray Hawk," which he sold for $3,000 to his brother Harvey, a resident of Kansas. His real estate came to consist of 800 acres of very valuable land, upon which was erected one of the finest houses in Washington County. This home was situated on the highest point between the Alleghany Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Van Voorhis also owned a large farm near Chicago, Illinois, which he stocked with western cattle.
He visited nearly every state in the Union, and in his travels swam every river between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi river.
He enjoyed the enviable distinction of having taken a greater number of prizes for stock at the county fair than any other farmer of Washington County. He bred Hambletonian horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland China pigs. Politically he voted the Republican ticket, but was averse to holding office, although he was induced to serve as school director for twelve years. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church. Among the celebrated men who visited at his home were Gen. Grant and James G. Blaine.

1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 633.

2 John S. Van Voorhis, The Old and New Monongahela (Pittsburgh, PA: Nicholson, Printer and Binder, 1893), Pg 195.

3 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 695.

4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 633, 1059.

5 John S. Van Voorhis, The Old and New Monongahela (Pittsburgh, PA: Nicholson, Printer and Binder, 1893), Pg 187.

6 John S. Van Voorhis, The Old and New Monongahela (Pittsburgh, PA: Nicholson, Printer and Binder, 1893), Pg 194.

7 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 634.