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HARDY C. VORIS.
Newspaper work is essentially transitory in its nature. The newspaper article that may be read with the most absorbing interest today by thousands is tomorrow forgotten by the eager public, as it is then no longer “news” and some more recent event has taken its place as the center of public attention for a few brief hours. Consequently the newspaper article possesses none of the stability of other literary effort. Rarely is it kept for general reference except in the files of the newspaper office itself. It is read, makes more or less of an impression for a time, and is then superseded by the next issue and thrown aside. To make a permanent impression upon this particularly kaleidoscopic field of the world's work requires something more than mere talent; it requires absolute genius, and the fact that a publisher and editor can make a deep and lasting impression upon the public conscience, an imprint that influences public opinion and acts as a factor in determining the outcome of large issues, shows him to be possessed of that genius. Such has been the record of Hardy C. Voris, editor of the Waterloo 'Repubtican, of Waterloo, Illinois, a strong party newspaper which he has conducted for the past twenty years. Mr. Voris was born June 21, 1863, at Waterloo, a son of Z. J. and Edith (Rogers) Voris, and is descended on both sides of the family from ancestors who came to this country at an early day and took a prominent part in its development.
Coert Alberts van voor Hees, the paternal ancestor, resided in front of the village Hees, near Ruinen, Holland, prior to 1600; the word ''voor" meaning “in front of.” Steven Coerte Van Voorhees, his son, emigrated from Holland to America in 1660, and settled at Flatlands, Long Island, and since that time various branches of the family have spelled the name in different ways, such as Voorhees, Voorhies, Voorheis, Voorhis, Vorhes, Voris, Vorus and Vores, and many have prefixed the Van to each of these styles. The original progenitor had three sons, one of whom settled in Kentucky, one remained in the East and one went to Ohio. The branch of the family with which this article has to deal belong to the Kentucky settler, and Senator Voorhees of that state belongs also to this line.
Z. J. Voris, the father of Hardy C., was born in Moredock precinct, November 20, 1840, and, reared to' agricultural pursuits, has made that his life work. He now resides on his ranch at Sheridan, Texas. On August 6, 1862, he was married to Miss Edith Rogers, daughter of Dr. John and Jane (Hilton) Rogers. Dr. John Rogers was a pioneer physician of Monroe county, having come here from New London, Connecticut, where he was born, a son of Rev. Peter Rogers, chaplain and one of the life guards of General George Washington. Peter Rogers was descended from Rev. John Rogers, one of the English martyrs, and a descendant of Roger of France, who went to England with William
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the Conqueror. Mrs. Edith (Rogers) Voris died in March, 1888, having been the mother of five children, namely: Hardy C.; Mrs. R. J. Williams, a resident of Los Angeles, California; Harry, who is deceased; Don, who makes his home in St. Louis; and James P., who died in infancy. Z. J. Voris was married (second) to Miss Rowena Tolin, who survives. They are members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Voris is a Republican in his political views.
Hardy C. Voris spent his early life on his father's farm, and his education was secured in the public schools, he being a member of the first graduating class of Waterloo High School, in June, 1879. While attending school he was engaged in work in a printing office, thus learning the trade, and after he had taught school for a period covering six years he again went back to that occupation, which he followed in various fields. In 1890, recognizing the need and opportunity for a Republican newspaper in Monroe county, he purchased the old Advocate, at Waterloo, and on January 1st began the publication of the Republican, this being the first time the paper had changed hands since its inception in 1858. When the Republican first entered the field Monroe county was an almost invincible Democratic stronghold, but now it invariably shows a Republican majority, and while it 'will not be said that this change in political affairs has been brought about solely through the infiuence of this sheet, it may be truly stated that no other journal has accomplished so much for the ''Grand Old Party in this section during this time. A born newspaper man, Mr. Voris has given his readers a clean, reliable periodical, and that his efforts have been appreciated has been shown by the enormous increase in circulation which the paper has enjoyed and the confidence placed in the principles it advocates. An interesting object in the offices of the newspaper here is the oldest press in Southern Illinois, which is still doing yeoman duty as a proof press.
On October 27, 1890, Mr. Voris was married to Miss Lethe M. Brey, daughter of the late Judge Paul C. and Sophie (Durfee) Brey, and two children have been born to this union: Lucile and Bryant. Mr. Voris' untiring work in behalf of Republican policies was recoguized by his appointment to the office of postmaster of Waterloo, a position which he held for thirteen years, and during his administration he was the prime mover in securing the installation of the rural free delivery service here. Since 1905 he has served as president of the school board, and has shown himself a capable and conscientious public official.