George Lyman, eldest child of Lyman and Elizabeth (Field) Van Voorhis, was born at Charleston, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, April 21, 1871. He was very young when his parents returned to the state of New York, and his education was obtained at the Victor high school, later the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, and finally the Brock State Normal School, which he left prior to graduating. From early manhood he has been actively engaged in the interests of the Republican party. During this time he taught school during the winter months, and worked on the farm during the summer, a course of affairs which was continued until his election to the office of sheriff. He served as supervisor of the town of Victor from March, 1901, until the end of 1905, was elected sheriff in 1906, his term expiring in 1909. He is a member of the Congregational church, and is affiliated with the following organizations Milnor Lodge, No. 139, Free and Accepted Masons, of Victor, New York; Geneva Lodge, No. 1054, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Camp No. 9574, Modern Woodmen of the World, of Canandaigua, New York: Mendon Grange, No. 83, Monroe county, New York.
Mr. Van Voorhis married, at Mendon, New York, October 20, 1896, Vernie B., born in Monroe county, New York, daughter of Charles and Mary (Gillett) Strong, the former a produce dealer. Children: Lyman Spencer, born January 9, 1899; Charles Leslie, April 4, 1900; Harold Osborn, October 7, 1902.