Peter Van Voorhis was born February 8, 1795 in Fishkill, New York to Abraham and Marretje (Phillips) Van Voorhis. Abraham and Marretje had recently moved to Fishkill from Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. When Peter was two, they moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania. On January 2, 1821, Peter took Margaret Sickman, daughter of Barnhart Sickman, for his wife. Margaret was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1805. In 1822, Peter and Margaret had their first son, Abraham. In 1824 they moved to Stark County Ohio, living in Canton for the first year. In 1826, Peter purchased 80 acres of heavily timbered land in the Mapleton area, south of East Canton in Osnaburg Township. Peter and Margaret were consistent members of the Christian Church and donated the land where the current Indian Run Christian Church stands (off Hillchurch Street in Osnaburg Township, south of Mapleton) Peter died on December 5, 1867 at the age of 72 at his farm outside of Mapleton. Margaret died September 28, 1875 at the age of 70, in Osnaburg Township.

Their marriage produced 14 children, 9 with known descendants. The descendants are as follows: