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Nelson Holmes Van Vorhes
NHVanVorhes.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 15th district
In office
March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879
Preceded by William P. Sprague
Succeeded by George W. Geddes
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the Athens County district
In office
December 2, 1850 – January 1, 1854
Serving with H. S. Bundy
Preceded by Anselm T. Holcomb, Joseph K. Will
Succeeded by Samuel B. Pruden
In office
January 7, 1856 – January 1, 1860
Preceded by Samuel B. Pruden
Succeeded by A. B. Monahan
In office
January 3, 1870 – January 4, 1874
Preceded by William P. Johnson
Succeeded by Charles H. Grosvenor
Speaker of the Ohio House
In office
January 1, 1856 – January 3, 1858
Preceded by Francis C. LeBlond
Succeeded by William Burnham Woods
In office
January 1, 1872 – January 4, 1874
Preceded by A. J. Cunningham
Succeeded by George L. Converse
Personal details
Born (1822-01-23)January 23, 1822
Washington County, Pennsylvania
Died December 4, 1882(1882-12-04) (aged 60)
Athens, Ohio
Political party Republican
Other political
affiliations
Whig

Nelson Holmes Van Vorhes (born January 23, 1822, died December 4, 1882) was an important politician from Ohio. He served as a U.S. Representative for his state. He was also a newspaper editor and a soldier.

Early Life and Career

Nelson Van Vorhes was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1822. When he was about 10 years old, his family moved to Athens County, Ohio. There, he worked on a farm.

Learning a Trade

When he was young, Nelson spent six years learning to be a printer. This means he learned how to set type and print newspapers. From 1844 to 1861, he owned and edited a newspaper called The Athens Messenger.

Serving in Ohio

Nelson Van Vorhes was very active in Ohio politics. He was a member of the Ohio State House of Representatives for many years, from 1850 to 1872. During this time, he also served as the Speaker of the Ohio House for four years. The Speaker is like the leader of the state's law-making body.

He also tried for other political jobs. In 1853, he ran for Ohio Secretary of State as a member of the Whig Party, but he did not win. In 1854, he was chosen to be a probate judge, but he later left that job.

Military Service

During the American Civil War, Nelson Van Vorhes joined the Union Army in 1861. He started as a private, which is the lowest rank. He later rose through the ranks to become a colonel. A colonel is a high-ranking officer. He led the 92nd Ohio Infantry regiment.

However, his health became poor, and he had to leave the army in the summer of 1863.

National Politics and Later Life

After his military service, Nelson Van Vorhes continued his political career. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Serving in Congress

In 1875, Nelson Van Vorhes was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Ohio in the U.S. Congress for two terms, from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1879. He tried to be re-elected in 1878 but was not successful.

Nelson Holmes Van Vorhes passed away in Athens, Ohio, on December 4, 1882. He was buried in the West Union Street Cemetery.

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