Born in Bengkalis, Riau, Dutch East Indies, to a family of farmers, Soeman studied to become a teacher and, under the author Mohammad Kasim , a writer.
Lahir di Bengkalis, Riau, Hindia Belanda, dari keluarga petani, Soeman belajar untuk menjadi guru dan, di bawah bimbingan pengarang Mohammad Kasim, seorang penulis.