Andrew Emery Voorhees

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Among the prominent business men of Morristown none command a higher reputation for all the qualities that make a good citizen than Andrew E. VOORHEES. In himself a man of great ability and force of character, he comes of a distinguished family. The VOORHEES line belongs to that old Holland stock which in colonial days furnished so virile a race to New Jersey and New York. The qualities of that indomitable race are still to be seen in their descendents, and pluck is one of the commonest characteristics. Identified by descent with the State which gave him birth Mr. VOORHEES has shown himself keenly alive to the responsibilities of his tradition. He is a man whose influence is always on the side of the development and improvement of the community, and he can always be counted on for any project that has for its object the advantage of his adopted town.

Andrew E. VOORHEES was born in Lamington, New Jersey, November 4, 1850. He is the son of Andrew Jackson and Esther Eliza (LOW) VOORHEES, his father having been born in Lamington, New Jersey, February 4, 1826, and dying in November, 1864, when his son was fourteen years of age. His mother was born September 5, 1825, was married October 18, 1849, and died January 10, 1876. Their children are: Andrew E., with whom the present biographical account is concerned; Charles Low, born November 9 , 1852, at Lamington, New Jersey; Maggie, born November 24, 1854. Andrew Jackson VOORHEES followed the occupation of farming the early part of his life, but in 1860 he became interested in the hotel business at North Branch, New Jersey, in which he was engaged during the remainder of his life. In his religious views he subscribed to the Presbyterian creed, and in politics he was a Democrat.

Esther Eliza (LOW) VOORHEES, the mother of Andrew E. VOORHEES, was the daughter of Cornelius and Margaret (BUNN) LOW, her father having been born January 27, 1797, and her mother August 27, 1797, and their marriage having taken place February 7, 1822. Cornelius LOW was the son of Guisbert and Margaret (EMERY) LOW, the former born August 13, 1756, and the latter March 2, 1761, and their marriage having taken place in 1784. Guisbert LOW was the son of Abraham and Arrentjie (KIERSTEAD) LOW, who were married in 1755. Arrentjie KIERSTEAD was the daughter of Hans KIERSTEAD (4), born in 1704, and who had in 1725 married Arrentjie TAPHAN. Hans KIERSTEAD (4) was the son of Hans KIERSTEAD (3), born in 1668, and who had married Nianna VANSCHAIC or VANKIRK, October 1, 1696. Hans KIERSTEAD (3) was the son of Hans KIERSTEAD (2), born October 21, 1647, and who had married Janette LOCKERMAN, February 12, 1667. Hans KIERSTEAD (2) was the son of Dr. Hans KIERSTEAD (1), and married, June 29, 1646, Sarah ROELOFFSON, born December 3, 1630. Sarah ROELOFFSON was the daughter of John and Anneke Jans (WEBBER) ROELOFFSON, who was born in Holland in 1605, were married in 1628, and emigrated to America in 1630.

The paternal grandfather of Andrew E. VOORHEES was Jeremiah C. VOORHEES, born in Bedminster township, Somerset county, New Jersey, April 21, 1782, died January 15, 1852. Their children were: Andrew Dorren, born August 19, 1794, died 1852. He married Margaret Hunt VAN JACKSON, of previous mention; Ruth, born October 11, 1816. Jeremiah C. VOORHEES was the son of Ralph VAN VORHEES, born August 11, 1731, who married Antjie SCHENCK, and resided at Six Mile Run. Johannis VAN VOORHEES was the son of Albert Lucasse VAN VORHEES, born 1650, died 1713, married January 26, 1689, Jeannete MINNES. Lucas Stevense VAN VORHEES was the son of Steven Coerte VAN VORHEES, born 1600, died February 16, 1684, and who emigrated from Holland in April, 1660, and settled at Flatlands, Long Island.

Andrew E. VOORHEES received his education in the public schools of North Branch, New Jersey, where his parents had previously taken up their residence. The circumstances of his father’s death when he was still a young boy engaged him in the hotel business which he pursued ever since. He early became the mainstay of his mother in the hotel which upon the death of her husband she began to manage. This early training was of invaluable service to the youth, and brought out the traits of character which have laid the foundation of his later success. He was with his mother in the management of the hotel at North Branch until 1874, going from home at that time to assume a position in a Somerville hotel which kept him until April, 1879. He moved at that time to Morristown and became clerk at the Mansion House. March 28, 1881, Mr. VOORHEES bought the United States Hotel business from Mr. Henry H. TIGER, and has since then devoted himself to the keeping of that excellent house.

Mr. VOORHEES is a member of Cincinnati Lodge, No. 3, F. and A. M., and of Madison Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M. He belongs also to Ode de St. Amand Commandery, No. 12, K. T., Morristown, New Jersey. He holds membership in the Tapkaow Club, and in the Resolute Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. His family attend the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown.

Mr. VOORHEES married at High Bridge, New Jersey, March 25, 1874, Frances Ann BENNETT born August 7, 1855, at High Bridge, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Nelson and Ann (HUMMER) BENNETT, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation. He had served as captain in the Union army during the Civil War. Besides Frances A., their children were: Johnson Hummer, born May 3, 1838; Sarah Elizabeth, January 23, 1840; John Yauger, June 4, 1843; Isaac Nelson, July 4, 1850. Frances Ann who married Mr. VORHEES was the youngest child of her parents. The daughter of Andrew E. and Frances Ann (BENNETT) VOORHEES is: Minnie Alleana, born at Somerville, New Jersey, February 16, 1876, educated in Morristown and a graduate of the high school, married, April 25, 1905, Joseph Henry COOK, born May 29, 1876, at Lympshire, England. Their children are: Arnold Voorhees, born at Elizabeth, New Jersey, January 30, 1906; Margaret Frances, born at Elizabeth, March 9, 1908.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)