Doctor John Stodgell Van Voorhis (1826-1917)

Doctor John Stodgell Van Voorhis (1826-1917). . , Belle Vernon's historian began practicing medicine here in 1847 upon graduating from today's W&J College. He married Betsy Plumer Smith that fall. His 1893 The Old and New Monongahela relates how Betsy's great grandfather Alexander Lowrey disowned grandmother Margaret for eloping with George Plumer in 1762, the first English child born on the frontier. The family's reconciliation and Van Voorhis' stories of growing up on Pigeon Creek near Monongahela City typify his biographical approach., He tells us Henry Speers Junior settled West Belle Vernon now. Speers and brother Noah founded Belle Vernon in 1812. Noah's son Louis farmed, sold sand, built boats, mined coal and laid out North Belle Vernon in 1872. Louis' financial embarrassment in 1877 and glass factory owner William Eberheart's in 1852 were downplayed by Dr. Van Voorhis Belle Vernon's tireless promoter. A primary developer of the town's natural gas, water and bridge companies, its cemetery and railroads on both sides of the river, Dr. Van Voorhis was an eloquent speaker at school dedications and fourth of July celebrations.