Voris - Samuel Edgar
Source: The Indianapolis Star - Friday 28 May 1920 p 19
Crawfordsville, Ind., May 27 - Samuel Edgar Voris, one of the most prominent citizens of Crawfordsville, died at his home here today, after an illness of four weeks. His death was caused by complications, resulting from a recent attack of acute indigestion. Mr. Voris was one of the most respected and best known business men of this city. Since the organization of the Tribe of Ben-Hur in 1914, Mr. Voris had been supreme keeper of tribute. Mr. Voris was twice mayor of Crawfordsville, twice postmaster and was elected as a representative from Montgomery county to the state Legislature in 1911 and 1913 on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Voris was a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Murat Temple of Shriners at Indianapolis, Kinghts of Pythias, Elks, Red Men and a number of other fraternal organizations. He was an active business man, and was incorporator of the Indiana and Ohio Livestock Insurance Company. He was an extensive traveler and prominent trapshooter. He won several state championships, and held the world's record for live sparrow shooting in doubles. Mr. Voris was born in Dayton, O, Aug. 18, 1854 and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Voris. Before coming to Crawfordsville he spent part of his life in Nebraska, South Dakota and Ohio. The widow, Mrs. Jennie W. Voris; one son, Merritt W. Voris of Detroit, Mich., and one daughter, Mrs. Naomi Voris-Swartz of this city, survive. Funeral arrangements will be announced upon the arrival of the son from Detroit. Masonic, Knights Templar and Ben-Hur fraternal organizations will have charge of the services.
Thanks muches, Ginny A - kz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday May 27, 1920
Samuel Edgar Voris, one of Crawfordsville's most prominent citizens, died this morning at 3 o'clok at the home, 408 W Main Street, after an illness of about 4 weeks' duration. Mr. Voris suffered an attack of acute indigestion some time ago which was followed by complications resulting in his death. It was thought by attending nurses and physicians, however, that he was convalescing rapidly, and he had been allowed to sit up for a few minutes for the past sevveal days, and his death came as a severe shock to members of his family, and his many friends in the city. Voris was one of the citys most widely known and highly respected business then. He has been supreme keeper of tribute for The Tribe of Ben Hur since its organization in 1894 and of the millions of dollars that he has handled directly during that time he has never lost a single penny of either the investments or interest. His business record with that order is without flaw and his death will be a great loss to them. He was twice mayor of Crawfordsville and from 1893 until 1897 was postmaster. He was elected as a representative to the state legislature in 1911 and 1913, and during both terms was chairman of the insurance comittee in the legislature. The deceased was a member of all the Masonic bodies, the Knights Templar, Shrine and 32nd degree Masonry. He was also a member of the Elooks, Knights of Pythias, Red Men and quite a number of other fraternal orders in the city. He took an active interest in all business affairs of the city and was always connected with any progressive civic movements. He was conneted with quite a number of business organizations and was one of the incorporators of the Indiana & Ohio Live Stock Insurance co. Mr. Voris was widely known throughout the country as an expert, trapshooter. He has participated in quite a number of meets and several times he has won events with competition from all over the United States, In 1878 he was a member of Gen Lew Wallace'snoted rifle team. In 1898 Mr. Voris toured Europe and the Orient, and during that trip was granted an audience with the sultan of Turkey and attended a meeting of the Masonic bodies in the original Masonic room at Jerusalem besides visiting all the visiting all the points of note in both continents. Mr .Voris was born in Dayton, Ohio August 18, 1854, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Voris. He lived there until about the first of April 1876 when he went to Ft. Kearney, Neb. From there he went to the Black Hill country in SD, with an overland wagon train. This party consisted of 62 men, three women and two children and twice during the trip they were attacked by Indians. They had 26 wagons and were 31 days on the road. Mr. FVoris had the honor of being in the wigwam of Spotted Tail one of the big chiefs of a noted tribe of Indians at that time. Not finding this country as profitable as he antipated Mr. Voris came to Crawfordsville from Hymera Ohio in July 1877 as agent for the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company for this district. He held this position until 1905. Mr. Voris was married on May 18, 1880 to Miss Jennie M. Whittaker of this city who survives him. To this union two children were born, Merritt W. Voris of Detroit, Mich and Mrs. Naomi Voris Swartz of this city, both of whom survive. No definite arrangements for the funeral service will be made until the son from Detroit arrives in the city, but it is thought at the present time that services will probably be held sometime Saturday afternoon at the asonic Temple. The Knights Teplar and the Ben Hur will have charge.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 5-27- 1920
In the death of S.E. Voris Crawfordsville loses one of its most prominent and best known citizens, a man in whom his fellows had implicit confidence as was testified by the fact that they had honored him and themselves by electing him mayor and member of the legislature and reelecting him to those offices. His other public service was some 25 years ago when he was appointed postmaster. He performed the duties of his office in an impartial manner that won for him the esteem of the public regardless of party affiliation. His long term as keeper of tribue for the Ben Hur association was responsible for much of the success of that sterling organization. He worked long and untiringly for its success, winning the high esteem of his associates. During his public and private life he traveled extensively and had a wide acquaintance not only in the state but in the nation. He was an enthusiastic devotee, of clean sports taking the deepest interest in trap shooting which may have been due to his early experiences in the west when it was essential that every man should know how to shoot both quickly and accurately. But he was a man of peaceful disposition in spite of his love for firearms and the trophies he won were at the various tournaments in which he ws exceedingly successful, winning the Grand National Championship as well as numerous medals for expertness. He had lived a long and useful life and when the final summons came he had won and retained the respect and esteem of his fellow men. "Well done good and faithful servant." He has passed to the great reward and a multitude of friends will mourn