Alameda
County
Biographies
HENRY
VROOMAN
The life of Henry Vrooman is one of the most remarkable instances of
advancement from the humble walks of life to the highest pinnacle of fame. The
history of his career seems more like romance than reality. He achieved
greatness; it did not come by chance. He was born in Michigan in 1844, and
accompanied his parents on their journey across the continent, arriving in
Portland, Oregon, in 1852. At eight years of age he was put to work on a farm,
and drifted from one occupation to another until at the age of twelve years he
was driving a logging team in one of the lumber camps of Northern California,
and at the age of thirteen years he owned a team of oxen, which he used as a
contractor until the year 1858. From this time until 1861 he was miner,
woodchopper, butcher, milkman and contractor. In the fall of 1861 he commenced
to learn the blacksmith’s trade and divide (sic) his spare time to study. His
great breadth of mind and keen intellect enabled him to grasp, without seeming
effort, abstruse questions, and he was full of enthusiam
(sic) to gain knowledge. In 1867 he attended the Pacific Business College and
received a diploma. He hammered iron and steel to procure money that he might
gratify his ambition of a collegiate course. He went to Cornell University, at
Ithaca, but was compelled to return to California on account of failing health.
In 1873 he was appointed Engineer of Phoenix Fire Engine Company, No. 1,
Oakland, wrote for the Oakland Home Journal and commenced to read law. Within
one year he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of California, and to
the Supreme Court of the United States in 1881. Mr. Vrooman
was appointed Deputy District Attorney and Deputy City Attorney of Oakland, and
was elected City Attorney of Oakland and District Attorney of Alameda county. In 1882 he was elected to the State Senate, and was
given the complimentary vote for Senator of the United States by the Republican
party in 1885. In January, 1873, he was married to
Miss Emily Jordon, a sister of Hon. Wm. II. Jordon, Past
Supreme Master Workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He
commenced life under adverse circumstances, supported a mother, accumulated
wealth, and a short time before his death, which occurred in April, 1889,
accepted a fee of $25,000 as the leading counsel in an important and warmly
contested suit.
Such, in brief, is a meager sketch
of the checkered life of a remarkable man; farmhand, butcher, woodchopper,
blacksmith, fireman, student, City Attorney, District Attorney and State
Senator, in all these varied and incongruous occupations he has won the respect
of all with whom he has been connected. Sprung from the lowliest walks of life,
he has, by his own unaided efforts, risen to rank with the highest of his
contemporaries. A devoted son, an affectionate husband, a kind and indulgent
father; a man gifted with extraordinary powers of mind and will; of unwavering
fidelity and integrity, his course may well excite the admiration and respect
of a community which has reason to be proud of having fostered such a man.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”, Page 34, Publ. Bancroft
Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia M. Setty.
ALAMEDA
COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
California Statewide