Honorable William M. Vrooman

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)

William married Eliza Maria McMichael on 4 Oct 1870. Eliza (daughter of Allen McMichael and Jennette Lee) was born on 18 Nov 1852 in Spring Arbor Twp, Jackson County, Michigan; died on 29 Dec 1942 in Cassapolis, Cass County, Michigan; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Belle Allendinger. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bess received her AB Degree in 1904 and her AM Degree in 1905 from the University of Michigan. She taught history in Big Rapids, MI for two years, then moved to Indiana in 1908 when she became an instructor in history in the Gary High School. She taught until her marriage in 1912.

Wife of Frank J Sheehan, married in 1912 in Lake Co, IN.

Frank was a practicing attorney in Gary, who later served two years as Judge of the Lake County Juvenile Court.

Bess became pro-active in the fight to save the dunes of Porter County, Indiana and was a prominent club woman. She was a featured speaker when Dorothy Buell gathered women together in her Ogden Dunes house to form the Save the Dunes Council in June 1952.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110543725/bess_may-sheehan

Bess married Frank Joseph Sheehan in 1912 in Lake County, Indiana. Frank was born on 13 Sep 1880 in Springboro, Crawford County, Pennsylvania; died on 3 Mar 1964 in Winter Park, Orange County, Florida; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]