The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-04-15


Mount. Funeral services were held
here at noon today in st. Johns Epis-
copal church, after which the remains
were removed to the Pennsylvania rail.
road station and, accompanied by the
family and Senator Wilson, left on the
Chesapeake and Ohio express at half
past 2 o'clock. The honorary pallbear-
ers selected were:
Senators Morrill,, Turpie, J. A. Jones,
Wilson and Cullom, ex-senator Butler,
Judge Lawrence Weldon, Hon. Richard
J. Bright.
Mr.. Voorhees, was 76 years of age last
September, and prior to his retirement
from public life, ON March last, had
been for many years one of the most
picturesque figures in the senate. He
was born in Liberty township, Butler
county, o., and in his early infancy was
carried by his parents to their pioneer
home in the Wabash valley, Indiana.
In l849 he graduated from the Indiana
Asbury (now Depauw) university, and,
studying law, began its practice in 1851.
His first public office was entered
upon in 1858, since which time'he had
been almost continuously in the public
service. That Office was United States
district attorney for Indiana. His con-
gressional career began in 1861. He
served in the house of representatives
for five terms. In his autobiography
he said he was defeated for the Forty
third congress by reason of the nomina-
ton of Greeley on his (the Democratic)
ticket. He came into the senate in
1877 by appointment, to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Oliver p. Nor
ton, and served until defeated this year
by Fairbanks, Republican.
Because of his long experience in the
house he was assigned to the finance
committee, an unusual honor in the
case of q new senator. He retained his
connection with that committee, being
its chairman during the last Democratic
era in that body, and leading figure
in all debates involving questions of
finance or tariff. In one election. 1878,
he defeated General Benjamin Harri-
son for senator
Senator Voorhees, was one Of the ar
dent admirers and supporters of the
greenback currency, and, beginning
his senatorial service with most elo-
quent speech in favor of the preserva-
tion of the full legal tender quality to
this money, he never abated at any
time his earnest advocacy of the green
back.
In appearance Senator Voorhees, was
one of the most striking figures in the
senate. He was familiarly known as
"The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash"
by reason Of his large and magnlfi-
Gently proportioned figure. AS an Or
Rtor he had few peers, commanding a
magnificent vocabulary.
The severe strain, physical and men,
tai, to which Senator Voorhees, was
subjected as the leader Of the majority
in the senate during the campaign in
the passage of the Sherman repeal law,
permanently impaired his health. After
that campaign he was obliged to retire
for long rest to his Indiana home, and
when he returned to Washington again
1t was evident to his friends that the
splendid stock of vitality, which had
always been his most valuable posses.
sion never could be restored.
About ten days ago Senator Turpie of
Indiana, his close friend, took him on q
drive through the parks, and he caught
the cold which brought about his death.