Biography - Charles Voris
HON. CHARLES VORIS. The town of Windsor, Shelby County, is conspicuous
for the number of young men that take a leading part in commercial life. It
is comparatively a young town and fresh, vigorous young blood sustains its
interests, and the moderation of middle age receives the reverence that is
due it. Our subject is one of the men of more advanced years, who holds the
important position of Postmaster in the town of Windsor. He was born in
Summit County, Ohio, March, 21, 1838, where his early life was spent on a
farm. When about eighteen years of age, he left home to take a position in
life for himself. At this period, the most sanguine time of youth, all
things seemed possible to him, and the golden possibilities seemed just
beyond his reach, lying waiting for him to stretch out his hand in their
direction.
Mr. Voris' first venture was in Galesburg, Knox County, this State, but
there he only spent about six months, and then worked for a while on a farm.
Minnesota was next in the way of his perigrinations, and there he lived
about six months, when he returned to Galesburg, residing there a short
time. He next went to Taylor County, Iowa, and there was engaged in opening
up a farm. To this he devoted three years, and in February, 1860, he came to
Windsor and engaged in the grain and lumber business, and in connection with
this, in 1862, he opened a dry-goods store. He continued in the lumber
business about two years; while engaged in this line, carrying a very good
stock, his mercantile business was conducted under the best auspices. He
continued in the grain trade for fourteen years, and during that time he
also was engaged in the banking business with J. D. Bruce, with whom he was
also in company in his other lines of commercial life. The firm was known as
Bruce, Voris & Co. They dissolved partnership in 1873 and since that time
Mr. Voris has been engaged in the real-estate business and in farming. He
has always been an active agent in the affairs of town and county.
He of whom we write was elected to the General Assembly in 1866, re-elected
in 1868, and in 1870, received the honor of election to the Senate from the
Seventh District, and in 1872 was again returned from the Thirty-first
District. During this term he was Chairman of the special committee on
stock-yards, and acted on other important committees. During his services as
Senator, he did efficient work in gaining advantages for his district, he
served on the Railroad and Penitentiary Committees, and on Corporations, he
was also a member of the committee on the rules that should govern the
Senate.
Mr. Voris has served in various local offices, and for some time has been a
member of the City Board. His appointment as Postmaster was confirmed in
July, 1889. It is hardly necessary to say that he has taken an active
interest in political affairs as he had been so identified with the
Government of the State. He is an ardent advocate of the principles of the
Republican party. He has been solicited by the Central Republican Committee
to assist in the present campaign in Ohio.
He of whom we write obtained the charter for the Bloomington and Ohio River
Railroad, now known as the Wabash, running from Bement to Effingham, and of
this road he was the first President. For ten years he was engaged in the
milling business in Windsor, and during that length of time, the reputation
that he had previously built up as a business man of sterling integrity and
unquestioned honor, was confirmed. His products were always of the best
character, and his dealings with all parties was characterized by an
uprightness and sense of honor that could only redound to his favor.
Mr. Voris' marriage took place in Shelby County, his nuptials being
celebrated November 6, 1860. His bride was Miss Mary Jane Templeton, who was
a native of the county in which she was married. Only two children were born
of this union: Annette and Julia, the latter deceased.
Our subject, on his mother's side, has a complete family record comprising
over eleven thousand names from the landing of the "Mayflower" to 1874; and
over seven thousand names on his father's side, from 1638 to 1883.
Extracted 11 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 323-324.
