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Below is a family biography included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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Christopher S. Voorheis was born in Pulaski, Giles Co., Tenn., August 8, 1847, the ninth of ten children born to Jacob and Margaret (Farrar) Voorheis. The father was born in New Jersey in 1794, and was educated in Princeton College. He was married in New Hampshire to Charlotte Cossett, sister of Rev. Fransway Cossett. After living for a short time in North Carolina, Mr. Voorheis came to Tennessee, and settled on the Cumberland River below Nashville. Here his wife died. November 21, 1826, he wedded Margaret Farrar, daughter of Field Farrar, who served as county court clerk the greater portion of his life. Mr. Voorheis spent eighteen months in Mexico for his health, and after returning to Tennessee began merchandising at Charlotte. He represented his district in the State Legislature two terms. From 1846 until 1854 he resided in Pulaski, Tenn., after that in Obion County, Tenn. He went to Holly Springs, Miss., at the breaking out of the war, and there died March 26, 1862. His wife was born in Charlotte, Tenn., January 10, 1812, and is still living near the old homestead, revered by her family and respected by her friends. Christopher Voorheis received a common school education, and has made farming his chief business through life, and owns 131 acres of fertile land. September 11, 1871, he wedded Annie W. Jones, daughter of B. F. Jones, a prominent farmer of the county. They have six children: Koert, Geneive, Maney Bell, Jacob, Annie Lou and Maggie Prince. Mrs. Voorheis was born in Murphreesboro, Tenn., February 8, 1852. She and her husband are members of the Baptist Church, and he is conservative in politics.
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This family biography is one of 179 biographies included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Obion County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee
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