CORNELIUIS VOORHIS, first Mayor of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1813. Early in life he moved to Springfield, Ohio, and engaged in mercantile business. While there he was married to Miss Minerva J. Coy. Thence he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and became connected with the enterprising and well-known dry goods firm of Eddy, Jameson & Co., of that city. In 1848 the spirit of adventure induced Mr. Voorhis and family to go farther west. Ascending the Missouri, they landed in what was then known as Kanesville, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, a settlement more particularly of Mormons and Indians. Mr. Voorhis was the second white man to reach this settlement to make it his home. Again he successfully engaged in trading and mercantile pursuits. He was elected the first Mayor of Council Bluffs, and served one year - 1853-54. He continued in the mercantile business until1857. In 1859-60 he was city recorder, and in 1860-61 was sheriff of Pottawattamie County. In this city he engaged more or less in active business pursuits until 1873, when he and his family moved to Harlan, Shelby, County, Iowa, remaining there until his deceased, July 12, 1873, at the age of fifty-nine years, nine months and sixteen days. His remains were brought to this city and buried in Fairview Cemetery, this community testifying to his work and giving profound expressions of grief at his departure.

His wife, Minerva J. Voorhis died September 25, 1881, aged sixty-one years, nine months and five days. His daughter, Alla Bell, died January 18, 1862, aged six years, four months and twenty-nine days. Another daughter, Fanny May died November 19, 1863, aged five months and one day. His son, Cornellius D. Voorhis died February 2, 1889, aged thirty-eight years, four months and five days. He has two living: James W. Voorhis and Mrs. Mary E. Keller, wife of V.L. Keller, Esq., of Council Bluffs. CORNELIUIS VOORHIS, first Mayor of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1813. Early in life he moved to Springfield, Ohio, and engaged in mercantile business. While there he was married to Miss Minerva J. Coy. Thence he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and became connected with the enterprising and well-known dry goods firm of Eddy, Jameson & Co., of that city. In 1848 the spirit of adventure induced Mr. Voorhis and family to go farther west. Ascending the Missouri, they landed in what was then known as Kanesville, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, a settlement more particularly of Mormons and Indians. Mr. Voorhis was the second white man to reach this settlement to make it his home. Again he successfully engaged in trading and mercantile pursuits. He was elected the first Mayor of Council Bluffs, and served one year - 1853-54. He continued in the mercantile business until1857. In 1859-60 he was city recorder, and in 1860-61 was sheriff of Pottawattamie County. In this city he engaged more or less in active business pursuits until 1873, when he and his family moved to Harlan, Shelby, County, Iowa, remaining there until his deceased, July 12, 1873, at the age of fifty-nine years, nine months and sixteen days. His remains were brought to this city and buried in Fairview Cemetery, this community testifying to his work and giving profound expressions of grief at his departure.

His wife, Minerva J. Voorhis died September 25, 1881, aged sixty-one years, nine months and five days. His daughter, Alla Bell, died January 18, 1862, aged six years, four months and twenty-nine days. Another daughter, Fanny May died November 19, 1863, aged five months and one day. His son, Cornellius D. Voorhis died February 2, 1889, aged thirty-eight years, four months and five days. He has two living: James W. Voorhis and Mrs. Mary E. Keller, wife of V.L. Keller, Esq., of Council Bluffs.

Cornelius Voorhis, the subject of this sketch was a man of sterling integrity, fine business capacity, quiet in his demeanor, possessed of wonderful energy, sagacity and determination, and as a pioneer, merchant, counselor, friend and citizen, was always abreast of the needs of the hour.

Cornelius Voorhis, the subject of this sketch was a man of sterling integrity, fine business capacity, quiet in his demeanor, possessed of wonderful energy, sagacity and determination, and as a pioneer, merchant, counselor, friend and citizen, was always abreast of the needs of the hour.