OurNorthernRoots
Honorable William M. Vrooman
1848 - 1934 (85 years)-
Name William M. Vrooman Title Honorable Birth 4 Oct 1848 Jackson County, Michigan 
Gender Male Death 10 Aug 1934 Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan Burial Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan Notes - Hon. William M. Vrooman, Mayor of Dowagiac and an infuential business man of this city, was born in Jackson County, Mich., October 4, 1848, being the son of Charles W. Vrooman, a native of New York and a pioneer of Michigan. William M. was reared in Jackson County, and his schooling was obtained in the district schools, but his education has been gained principally by observation and experience. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Vrooman purchased land in Jackson County, and engaged in farming there for three years, after which he came to Dowagiac and engaged in the hardware business in this city for eighteen months. Returning to Jackson County, he located on the old Vrooman homestead and remained there until the fall of 1882, when he sold the property and again came to Dowagiac. Forming a partnership with G. E. Bishop, under the firm name of Bishop & Vrooman, our subject conducted a flourishing business until the winter of 1890, when the partnership was dissolved. Buying out the firm of Bliss & Gilbert, Mr. Vrooman has since conducted business alone. On Front Street he has a commodious and conveniently arraigned storeroom, twenty feet front and one hundred feet deep, and he utilizes the basement and upper floors. In addition to this, he has a large warehouse, where he stores his agricultural implements, etc. He carries on an extensive and lucrative business in agricultural implements and carriages, and also keeps on hand a complete assortment of hardware and tinware, as well as stoves and ranges. At the present time six men are given steady employment and a flourishing business is conducted. October 4, 1870, Mr. Vrooman married Miss Eliza, daughter of Allen McMichell, and a native of Jackson County, Mich. Two children have blessed the union, Bert A. and Bessie, who are attending school at Dowagiac. Politically, Mr. Vrooman is a Democrat, and is actively interested in local politics. In the spring of 1891 he was elected Mayor of the city and is still serving in that position, having been instrumental in securing many municipal reforms and much-needed improvements. In 1887 he became Treasurer of the city and filled that position one year. He also served for one year as Supervisor, and in all the official positions occupied by him has served with credit to himself and to the universal satisfaction of the people. In regard to social connections, he is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the order of United Woodmen of America. 1900 Merchent on a Hardware Strore in Dowagiac,MI.
(Portrait and Biographical Record..., Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1893)
Person ID I25484 OurNorthernRoots Last Modified 6 Jul 2025
Family Eliza Maria McMichael, b. 18 Nov 1852, Spring Arbor Twp, Jackson County, Michigan d. 29 Dec 1942, Cassapolis, Cass County, Michigan (Age 90 years) Marriage 4 Oct 1870 Children > 1. Bert Allen Vrooman, b. 2 May 1875, Summit Twp, Jackson County, Michigan d. 16 Mar 1958, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan (Age 82 years)2. Frederick Vrooman, b. 14 May 1876, Jackson County, Michigan d. 20 Jan 1877, Jackson County, Michigan (Age 0 years)3. Bess May Vrooman, b. 16 Apr 1882, Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan d. 24 Apr 1968, Winter Park, Orange County, Florida (Age 86 years)Family ID F7669 Group Sheet | Family Chart
- Hon. William M. Vrooman, Mayor of Dowagiac and an infuential business man of this city, was born in Jackson County, Mich., October 4, 1848, being the son of Charles W. Vrooman, a native of New York and a pioneer of Michigan. William M. was reared in Jackson County, and his schooling was obtained in the district schools, but his education has been gained principally by observation and experience. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Vrooman purchased land in Jackson County, and engaged in farming there for three years, after which he came to Dowagiac and engaged in the hardware business in this city for eighteen months. Returning to Jackson County, he located on the old Vrooman homestead and remained there until the fall of 1882, when he sold the property and again came to Dowagiac. Forming a partnership with G. E. Bishop, under the firm name of Bishop & Vrooman, our subject conducted a flourishing business until the winter of 1890, when the partnership was dissolved. Buying out the firm of Bliss & Gilbert, Mr. Vrooman has since conducted business alone. On Front Street he has a commodious and conveniently arraigned storeroom, twenty feet front and one hundred feet deep, and he utilizes the basement and upper floors. In addition to this, he has a large warehouse, where he stores his agricultural implements, etc. He carries on an extensive and lucrative business in agricultural implements and carriages, and also keeps on hand a complete assortment of hardware and tinware, as well as stoves and ranges. At the present time six men are given steady employment and a flourishing business is conducted. October 4, 1870, Mr. Vrooman married Miss Eliza, daughter of Allen McMichell, and a native of Jackson County, Mich. Two children have blessed the union, Bert A. and Bessie, who are attending school at Dowagiac. Politically, Mr. Vrooman is a Democrat, and is actively interested in local politics. In the spring of 1891 he was elected Mayor of the city and is still serving in that position, having been instrumental in securing many municipal reforms and much-needed improvements. In 1887 he became Treasurer of the city and filled that position one year. He also served for one year as Supervisor, and in all the official positions occupied by him has served with credit to himself and to the universal satisfaction of the people. In regard to social connections, he is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the order of United Woodmen of America. 1900 Merchent on a Hardware Strore in Dowagiac,MI.
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Event Map 
Birth - 4 Oct 1848 - Jackson County, Michigan 
Death - 10 Aug 1934 - Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan 
Burial - - Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan = Link to Google Earth Pin Legend 
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