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Helen Strong Burrell was born in the family home, on the Southwest Corner of 10th. and Couch. Her parents were Martin Strong and Rosetta [Frazar] Burrell. They were a very well known and respected couple and Portland family. Rosetta's father, Thomas Frazar, was an outstanding citizen of Portland. He was considered to be, wise, thoughtful, fair, intelligent, and of all around good character. During the Civil War he was in charge of the Customs Offices in Portland and Astoria. He was given charge to keep Oregon's gold shipments flowing into the northern coffers and out of southern hands.

Her future husband, Col. Gordon Voorhies, was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky and was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. They met while he was assigned to Fort Vancouver, Clark County, Washington. Their marriage took place in Portland, Oregon, on 25 Oct 1893. The marriage ceremony was performed by the well known Rev. Thomas Lamb Eliot, who was the founding pastor of the Church of Our Father, Unitarian. She was a life long member of the church and her parents were founding members.

In 1896, they were stationed at Fort Walla Walla. It was while living there that Helen gave birth to their second child, a daughter, Marian Hart Voorhies, on 26 November 1896. They spent several years on military posts before returning to the Portland area after Gordon resigned his Commission in the U.S. Army, on 30 Nov 1897. This was before his serving in the Spanish-American War.

Several years later, Gordon and Helen purchased an existing orchard near Medford, Oregon from Joseph Steward. Their tree's produced pears of famous quality. A growers co-operative was formed and they shipped fruit all over the country. Helen's brother, Walter Frazar Burrell and her father, Martin Strong Burrell had orchard investments in the same area. The Burrell's later sold their property for one million dollars. They received such a high price because the orchards were highly productive with hugh fruit shipments to the east coast of the United States.

Gordon, returned to full time military service twice. He advanced to the rank of colonel, during WWI, while serving in France. He was given honor at West Point for his life's service.

Their son, Charles Howard Voorhies III, graduated from Harvard University where he studied architecture and redesigned their Medford home. Later, he became a well known northwest artist and art teacher in Portland. In mid-life the family moved to Spain for a year of extensive painting and development of his art form.

Helen gave birth to four healthy babies, Margaret, Marion Hart, Gordon, Jr. and Charles Howard. They all were christened by, Rev. Thomas Lamb Eliot.

Helen was said to be a philanthropist and a very refined and loving women. My mother had much good to say about her. I believe that they did write to each other once, or twice, a year.

She was asked by the Oregon State Governor to volunteer and became a Commissioner of the Capitol Reconstruction Commission that oversaw the building of the new Oregon State Capital from 1935-1939. She was to represent the 'people of Oregon'. The governor knew her and had great trust that Mrs. Voorhies could help guide and council the comission in a responsible manor.