A. A. VAN VOORHIES

      Often do we hear it said that those who have attained distinguishing honors or gained marked success were men who arose to eminence through advantageous circumstances, and yet to such carping criticism and lack of appreciation, that fortunate environments encompass nearly every man at some stage of his career, but the strong man and the successful man is he who realizes the intrinsic value of minor as well as great opportunities; who stands ready to take advantage of circumstances and who even molds adverse conditions until they serve his end.  A. A. Van Voorhies is one who has recognized the opportunities for accomplishment in everything presented, and today is recognized  as one of the wealthy merchants in the city of Sacramento.  To plan and control successfully an extensive commercial enterprise requires ability as marked as that which is demanded in professional life.  Mr. Van Voorhies is one who forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution, and manifests in the discharge of his duties keen discrimination and unflagging industry.

      He manifests in his life many of the sterling qualities of his Holland ancestors.  In the year 1660 four brothers of the name Van Voorhies left the little country of Holland for the new world.  One of these, the original American ancestor of our subject, settled in what is now Bergen county, New Jersey, near the present manufacturing city of Paterson.  The grandfather, the father John Van Voorhies, and our subject were all born in the same house in that town. John Van Voorhies married Sarah Storms, who also was a representative of an old Holland family, and during the boyhood days of our subject, the parents removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he acquired his education in the common schools.  At the age of seventeen, he returned to the east after having served an apprenticeship with Mr. Volland, a harness and saddlemaker of Ann Arbor, under whose direction he became an expert workman.

      He continued his trade in the metropolis until 1853, when he resolved to seek a home on the Pacific coast.   The tide of emigration was at that time bearing many of the most resolute, enterprising and reliable young men of the country to the west, and he, too, sought a home beyond the Rockies and became an important factor in the development and upbuilding of central California.  He made the journey by way of the isthmus route, and arrived in San Francisco in November 1853.  Almost immediately afterward he obtained a position in the harness establishment owned by J. Madison, then one of the leading harness hardware dealers on the coast. For two years he remained with that gentleman and then went to Placerville, Eldorado county, where, in 1855, he established a wholesale and retail harness house.  The venture proved a successful one and he carried on business there until January 1, 1869, when he came to Sacramento and purchased an interest in the wholsale harness business of R. Stone & Company.  In 1880 they removed to Nos. 322-324  J street, where they established an extensive plant and made arrangements for carrying on business on a large scale, for their increased trade demanded greater facilities.  In 1882 Mr. Van Voorhies purchased the interest of Mr. Stone and the present firm of A. A. Van Voorhies & Company was established, his partners being L. C. Montfort, R. C. Irvine and G. A. Phinney.  With the passing years and under the able management of Mr. Van Voorhies, one of the most extensive enterprises of Sacramento has grown up.  The output of the factory is very large and a wholesale business is carried on by them.  Their goods are sold to the trade, their patrons being found along the Pacific coast and through many of the western states.  The business has grown to very extensive proportions and a large force of workmen are employed.  The quality of harness and saddlery which they manufacture is one element of their success, combined with this is the well known reliability of the house.

      Mr. Van  Voorhies has been twice married.  In his early manhood, Miss Harriet Wadsworth, a native of Connecticut, became his wife and to them was born a daughter, Harriet, who became the wife of George A. Phinney, of Sacramento.  In 1873 Mr. Van Voorhies was united in marriage to Miss Georgie Montfort, a daughter of Harry Montfort, one of the prominent pioneers of the state, and they now have a son, whose name is Ralph Henry.

      While residing in Eldorado county, Mr. Van Voorhies took an active part in political affairs, but the increasing demand of his business has prevented him in late years from engaging actively in political work.  A prominent Mason, he belongs to Union Lodge, Sacramento Chapter, and Sacramento Commandery, and is a warden of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church.  His Christian belief influences his life.  Although making no pretentions, he nevertheless manifests in his daily conduct the principles which underlie Christianity, and which have been the uplifting power among men through almost twenty centuries.  In manner he is modest and unassuming, and while we wish to enter upon no fulsome encomium, yet the commendation for his fidelity and principles, his honorable business career and his pleasing qualities in social life will be but the reiteration of the judgment passed upon him by his fellow men.

 

Source: “A Volume Of Memoirs And Genealogy of Representative Citizens Of Northern California” Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. Chicago. 1901. Pages 700-702.

 

 

Submitted by: Betty Tartas.