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Voorhies, Pothier Jean (1887-1968). Collection, 1926-1947, n.d.

 Collection
Identifier: UAAMC-COLL-0426

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of Voorhies’s business records, mainly the records of the Lafayette Lumber Company. The company at various times manufactured wooden fixtures and furniture for local consumption, constructed residences and commercial buildings for clients, and bought and sold real estate. One section of the records includes correspondence (incoming and outgoing) with former employees serving in the military during World War II. There is a small section of Voorhies’s personal papers, mainly correspondence dealing with treatment for his cataracts.

This collection was donated by the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority, which renovated the Lafayette Lumber Company building for housing in 2017/18.

Dates

  • 1926-1947, n.d.

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Pothier Jean Voorhies was born in St. Martinville, LA, on 5 July 1887, the son of Edward Gregory Voorhies and Alice Mouton Voorhies. He attended Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where he played football and baseball, was a member of the first graduating class in 1903, and was the first president of the Society of the Alumni. He married Lucy Eve Comeaux (1890-1957) and they had two sons and two daughters. Voorhies died in Lafayette on 16 November 1968 and was buried at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Voorhies spent his adult life in Lafayette as a businessman and civic leader. His principal business activity was the Lafayette Lumber Company, where he served as President and General Manager from 1914 until his death. He also served on the Board of Directors of Home Savings and Loan Association from 1914 to 1952. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce and served as its President in 1932. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Woodmen of the World, Kiwanis and Rotary organizations. He served as district vice chairman of the Boy Scouts of America for 23 years. During World War II, he was Commander of the South Louisiana District of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for the area between Southwest Pass and Morgan City.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (2 feet of materials contained in 2 boxes and 3 oversize folders)

Language of Materials

English

Title
Pothier Jean Voorhies Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Zack Stein
Date
10/16/2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection Repository

Contact:
Edith Garland Dupré Library
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
400 East St. Mary Blvd.
Lafayette LA 70503 United States
337-482-6031