AKRON, Ohio — A Civil War veteran and former Summit County judge will be honored during an in-person ceremony, co-hosted by the Akron Municipal Court and Glendale Cemetery.

The tribute for Common Pleas Judge Alvin Coe Voris will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Civil War Memorial Chapel at the historic cemetery. The tribute will be followed by a walking tour of the cemetery grounds. 

What You Need To Know

  • The tribute for Judge Alvin Coe Voris will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Civil War Memorial Chapel at Glendale

  • Speakers will discuss Voris’ service, the history of the chapel and cemetery, and women in the military

  • Voris enlisted as a sergeant in 1961 and rose through the ranks to brevet-major general commanding a division

  • Voris was wounded and nursed to health by Clara Barton who founded the American Red Cross

Voris, who died in 1904, served in the Ohio Legislature and enlisted in an Ohio Regiment at the start of the Civil War, rising to brevet-brigadier general.

Akron Municipal Court Judge Jerry Larson, who also presides over the Valor Court, a specialized veteran’s treatment docket, thanked all veterans for their service in a news release.

"I am grateful for our staff and the Glendale Cemetery leadership team who are working together to bring attention to Alvin Coe Voris' journey," he said.

Speakers for the event include:

  • Glendale Cemetery COO Steven Kaut, who will give a brief history of the cemetery
  • Glendale Cemetery board member John Frank, who will explain the importance of the Civil War Memorial Chapel
  • Akron Municipal Court probation officer Dennis Parks, who will tell the story of veteran Alvin Coe Voris
  • U.S. Navy, Lt. JAGC veteran and Akron Municipal Court Magistrate Jennifer D. Towell, who will discuss the history of women in the military

Voris was born in Stark Country in 1827 and moved with his family to Bath Township when he was a child. Voris attended Oberlin College and served as a deputy clerk and acting probate judge in Summit County until 1852, according to historical records.

Voris enlisted in the war in September 1861 as a sergeant in the 29th Ohio Infantry Regiment. He rose through the ranks, first promoted to second lieutenant and then appointed lieutenant colonel in the 67th Ohio Infantry regiment on Oct. 11, 1861, according to records.

The bell tower, which tolled for every funeral in Glendale until the late 1800s was built to complement the Civil War Memorial Chapel. (courtesy of Glendale Cemetery)

In 1863, Voris was ordered to move his infantry to Hilton Head, South Carolina, making camp at Morris Island near Fort Sumpter. There, during an attack on Fort Wagner, also on Morris Island, Voris was wounded, and subsequently nursed back to health by Clara Barton, the nurse who founded the American Red Cross.

Voris then returned to Washington D.C. and took part in the final campaigns of the war in Virginia. During those years, Voris rose to the rank brevet-brigadier general and finally to brevet-major general commanding a brigade, then a division, according to records.

After the surrender at Appomattox, Voris was assigned command of a military sub-district in Virginia. Upon returning home, he resumed his law practice and in 1873 he was elected common pleas judge for Summit, Medina, and Lorain counties.

A collection of his letters to his wife, Lydia Allyn Voris, between 1960 and 1865 is available at the University of Akron Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Digital Collections.

Glendale Cemetery is located at 150 Glendale Ave. near downtown Akron. Masks will be required inside the chapel, which is not heated, organizers said.