Biographical Sketch of
John William Vroman
Transcribed by Robert Schieber
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 499 - 500
John William Vroman, prominent among the agriculturists and pioneer settlers of Adams county, Wisconsin, is the
gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review. He is a resident of Jackson township, and many are the
stories of early life in Wisconsin told by this leader in the march of civilization.
John William Vroman was born in Sharon, Schoharie county, New York, January 5, 1829, the son of Josiah A. and
Elizabeth (Fritcher) Vroman, both natives of Sharon, New York, where the father was born December 24, 1799, and the
mother in 1803. In 1841 our subject's father, Josiah Vroman, came with his family to Wisconsin, locating at Darien,
in Walworth county, where he lived about ten years and then settled in Adams county. He died at Oxford, Wisconsin,
at the age of sixty-eight years.
John William Vroman settled upon his present farm in 1857, staking off a "squatter's" claim, and a few years later
purchased it from the government at one dollar and a quarter per acre. He is the owner of one hundred and eighty
acres of excellent land, with a high class of improvements and conveniences added by his own industry. He now rents
his farm to his son, and gives his own attention to an apiary, with which he is meeting with success. He spends much
of his time now in fishing and hunting, and in the enjoyment of a well-earned competence. He has been a great hunter
in his day, and when large game was more plentiful than now his chosen sport was the deer hunt. At three different
times in his life he has killed two of these animals at one shot, a fact which is testified to by living witnesses in
whose presence the deed was done. For several years his larder was supplied with choice venison killed upon his own
lands.
Mr. Vroman was married to Miss Mary Murphy May 10, 1852. Mrs. Vroman was born in Albany, New York, December 24, 1828.
Her parents died during her infancy. After many years spent in faithful duty to her family and kindness and Christian
helpfulness to her friends and neighbors, Mrs. Vroman passed away April 21, 1884, her death occurring in Jackson township.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vroman, namely: Mary E., who died September 10, 1872, aged eighteen years;
George W., now a farmer of Adams county; Charles Henry, born September 29, 1857, and died December 28, 1893; Hattie J.,
a professional nurse, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Frank C., who now carries on farming on the old home farm, and was
married December 28, 1892, to Miss Maud Smith, of Oxford, Wisconsin.
Mr. Vroman is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M., in which he has been an officer several years. He voted
for General Winfield Scott for the presidency in 1852 and since that time has lent his support to the men and measures
of the Republican party, never missing a vote at a presidential election. He has held several local public offices, and
enjoys to a high degree the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens, of all political beliefs.Transcribed by Robert Schieber
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