The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-12
H. P. vR0OMAN'S DEATH
Springfield Paper Comments on Life
Work of Former Kansan.

The Springfield Mass, Republican.
prints the following concerning Judge
H. r. Vrooman, formerly Of Topeka
and Council Grove. who died March 8:
The death early yesterday morning
at the Springfield hospital Of Judge
H. P. Vrooman of Kansas removed
at the age of so man who was wide
ly known throughout the west and had
taken an active part in public affairs
since the days Of the civil war; He
was extraordinarily young and active
for his years, and until lately had
kept up his practice of the law. Last
fall he came to Massachusetts, with his
family to be with one of his STEP
daughters who is studying music, and
mad spent the winter at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis Regal in West
Springfield with his wife, who is Mrs.
Royals mother. He was able to go
about with freedom and to make jour-
neys unattended until about two weeks
ago, when he was seized with a sud
den and acute attack of the disease
which proved fatal A cold caught
earlier in the winter was the immedf-
ate cause. He was taken promptly to
was at first hoped for, so that those
of his family who had been summoned
from distance left after short stay,
but several days ago symptoms of blood
seen to be imminent. One of his sons
was with him at the last, and others
of the family will arrive in time for
the funeral which will be held this
morning.
Hiram Perkins vrooman was born
in 1928 near Johnstown, Montgomery
county N. Y, where his father, of MO-
hawk valley Dutch family, and a de-
scendant of the Flemish hero Egmont,
who is the subject of Goethe's tragedy,
family moved to Ohio, which was then
attracting many settlers, and at
Maumee in that state he began in 1850
to study law, while supporting himself
by teaching school. He completed his
law course in Michigan, and in 1854, at
the age of 20. was admitted to the
bar in Detroit. From 1854 to 1858 he
practiced law in Monroe county, Mich
igan, where he was at once elected
county attorney on a Free Soil ticket.
In 1868 he removed to Macon county,
Mo-, where he at once resumed the
practice Of law. In 1858 he was ap-
pointed, by Governor Fletcher or MIS-
souri,, judge of the court OF common
pleas, to fill vacancy, and IN the same
year was elected to that office on an
Independent reform ticket for the full
term of six years, from 1858 to 1874. In
that time he made the unusual record
of having but one decision reversed by
higher court.
tive part in politics, and was one OF
the first promoters OF the Greenpach
party. In 1870 he was associated Win
Carl Schurz in leading a Liberal Re-
publican movement In missouri, anu
was nominated for lieutenant governor,
but declined to run. In 1siz ne was
a member of the liberal state central
committee, and a delegate to the ma
tional convention. In 1878 came the
great panic, and Judge Vrooman a.
moving in 1875 to Kansas, where in
1876 and again in 1878 he was candl-
date for chief justice of the state on
the Greenback reform ticket. In lSso
he was candidate Tor governor gee4
senting the same party, and In 1854
he was nominated by the PromD1tlon
party for chief justice of Kansas, and
ran 5000 votes ahead OF the genera
ticket headed by st. John. In 1871 ne
was brought forward as candidate
for senator to succeed ]. ]. Ingalls,
He was at all times an active and IN
9uential figure in politics and a proml-
nent lawyer. His private LIE was one
of modest helpfulness, and ne was
able to give many young men start
in life helping them to an education
or to an opening for career.
Judge Vrooman was twice married
By his first wife, Sarah BURLINGTON, ne
had six sons, Of whom f1ve survive MIN
and have won distinction in various
fields. These are Frank Burlington OF
California and Washington, d. C., Rev.
Harry c. of Florida, Walter, VINO was
associated with large cooperative en-
terprises in Missouri, Rev. Hiram OF
Providence, R. L, and Carl s. of Wash
ington, D. c. The sixth son, Roy, died
in Boston some years ago. With his
second marriage, to Mrs. E. M Cady
of Kansas, there was numerous lam
iIv of stepchildren, of whom Miss Ruth
Cady has been the only one left at
home out Of large and widely dis
nersed family group. Rev. Hiram
Vrooman was yesterday installed as
iii he present to conduct, by his
fathers request. the funeral services.