Biographical Sketch of
Jacob Ransom Vroman
Transcribed by Joan Benner
Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia,
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 360 - 361
Jacob Ransom Vroman, for over sixty years a resident of Wisconsin, is thoroughly familiar with the development
of that region, and has assisted in raising the standard of excellence in all public matters within the State,
and as an agriculturist of enterprise and experience has made of the wild lands of that vicinity a thriving,
productive district. He is now owner of a fine estate in Jackson township, Adams county, and his farm bears
evidence of careful management and watchfulness over the details of his work.
Mr. Vroman was born in Sharon, Schoharie county, New York, July 14, 1831, the son of Josiah and Elizabeth
(Fritcher) Vroman, both natives of Sharon, New York. The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Vroman, Sr., was
a man fo great physical strength, and was six feet, six inches in height. He followed the occupation of a
farmer, and his ancestors were from holland, and settled in America at an early day. Several members of the
family were active in Revolutionary times, and served in the war, and are prominent in the annals of Schoharie
county. The father of our subject came to Wisconsin about 1838, and settled in Darien, Walworth county, where
he was a pioneer and remained ten years, engaged in farming. He came to Adams county in the spring of 1850,
and took a squatter's claim in Jackson township, where he lived some years. His death occurred in Oxford,
Wisconsin. He was a consistent member of the Congegational church, and was prominent in public affairs, and
served in numerous township offices. In early life he was a Whig, but afterward a Republican. Our subject's
maternal grandfather, David Fritcher, was one of two men who distinguished themselves during the Revolutionary
War by going to the Indian camp near Sharon, New York, and decoying the savages into an ambush of American
soldiers. They were pursued by the Indians about two miles, and his companion was forced to crawl into a
hollow log to escape death at their hands, but Mr. Fritcher continued the flight until they were trapped.
Our subject's mother passed away two years after the death of her husband, aged sixty-four years. She was
the mother of the following children: Nancy, who married John Mereness, and who died in 1850, at Darien;
Peter N., deceased; Josiah A., deceased; John W., an agriculturist of Jackson township, a sketch of whose
life appears elsewhere int his volume; Jacob R., David died at the age of seventeen years; and Mary died
at the age of eleven years.
Jacob R. Vroman went to Walworth county with his parents, and well remembers much of the early history of
that county. The journey to their new home was made by team to Buffalo, New York, and thence shipped to
Detroit, and drove by team from there to Wisconsin. Near Buffalo he saw a railroad for the first time. He
made a visit to Adams county in 1849, with his father and brother, John, and the following spring the family
moved thither with teams. Deer were plentiful and soon fell prey to their guns. Our subject has killed deer
every season until 1898, and has probably killed as many as any other hunter in the county. On one expedition
which lasted two months, in company with two men, ninety-six deer were killed, all within Wisconsin. On the
same trip they also killed three elk, the only ones ever shot in the state, as far as is known. He has also
killed bears near his home and during the early days other game. He entered claim to his present farm in 1850,
and purchased the land at the U/ S. Land Office at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, after the survey had been made
about four years later. He and his brothers run a line from the Fox River, in Marquette county, in order to
approximately locate the section lines, before making claims. Our subject now owns one hundred and eighty
acres, well improved, and a good set of buildings. He has invested in other wild lands from time to time
and once owned over seven hundred acres.
Mr. Vroman was married November 2, 1856, to Fannie Jones, daughter of Asa Kingsley and Mercy (Streeter) Jones.
Mrs. Vroman was born in Rockingham, Windham county, Vermont, and came to Adams county with her parents in 1851.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vroman, as follows: Minnie J., now Mrs. Frank McConick, of Friendship;
Clara Maria, now Mrs. A. E. Stafford, residing on the homestead farm; and Clifford J., who died at the age of
two and a half years.
Mr. Vroman took an active part in the organization of the townships of Jackson, New Haven, Dell Prairie and
Springville, which were organized into one township with the first election at Dell Prairie Corners, and Mr.
Vroman was chosen the first township clerk. About two years later, the township was divided into four townships
and he was clerk of Jackson township, with Asa K. Jones as chairman. Our subject has filled nearly every office
in the township and for a time was a member of the board of county poor commissioners. He has always been a
Republican and his first presidential vote was cast for General Scott in 1852. He remembers the adoption of the
state constitution in Wisconsin, and has always shown marked interest in public affairs. He donated the ground
for the site, and considerable money for the erection of the Presbyterian church near his home. He has been a
member of Oxford Lodge, A. F. & A. M., since 1864, and for many years was secretary of the local lodge. He is
also connected with the chapter of that order at Portage.Transcribed by Joan Benner
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