Nelson Holmes Van Vorhes (January 23, 1822 – December 4, 1882) was an American newspaperman and politician who served two terms as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1875 to 1879.
Biography
Born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Van Vorhes moved to Athens County, Ohio, in 1832 and engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Apprenticed to a printer for six years.
He was editor and proprietor of The Athens Messenger 1844-1861.
He served as member of the State House of Representatives 1850-1872 and served four years as speaker.
Van Vorhes was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879).
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1878 to the Forty-sixth Congress.
He died in Athens, Ohio, December 4, 1882, and was interred in West Union Street Cemetery.