McDonough ILGenWeb

VOORHEES, Elmer E., a well-known and prosperous hardware merchant, of Blandinsville, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Raritan, Ill., on November 8, 1865, a son of Jacques and Sarah A. (Voorhees) Voorhees, natives of New Jersey. Jacques Voorhees followed farming for a number of years, and subsequently was engaged for a time in the mercantile business. Elmer E. Voorhees was engaged in the hardware line in Raritan for five years, and was also in the furniture business in Stutgart a year and a half. In October, 1891, he came to Blandinsville and entered into the hardware trade with his brother, Alliscum. Since May, 1900, he has conducted the concern alone, dealing in shelf and builders' hardware, farm implements, buggies, etc.

On February 18, 1888, Mr. Voorhees was married to Maggie M. Beard, who was born and schooled in Batesville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees have one child, Harold. Politically, the subject of this sketch advocates the principles of the Republican party. He served as President of the Village Board one year, and is now School Director. He is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has officiated for a number of years as Superintendent of the Sunday School. Fraternally, Mr. Voorhees is identified with the A. F. & A. M. (member of Blandinsville Lodge No. 233), I. O. O. F., M. W. of A., and Court of Honor. He possesses exceptional capacity in his line of business, and his methods of dealing are deemed thoroughly reliable. He is meeting with merited success.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 1033, extracted 07 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass.