Walter Vrooman

Walter Watkins Vrooman (1869 – 2 December, 1909) was an American socialist educationalist who co-founded Ruskin College with Charles A. Beard in 1899.[1] He then returned to America, where he set up a second Ruskin College in Trenton, Missouri.[2]

Walter Vrooman
Born1869
Macon, Missouri
Died2 December, 1909
OccupationEducator

Walter was the son of Judge Hiram Perkins Vrooman and Sarah Buffington. Carl Schurz Vrooman was his younger brother. The family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where another brother, Hiram Greeley Vrooman, joined the Associate Reformed Church and became a preacher. He also founded the Union for Public Good in conjunction with B. O. Flower.[3] Amne Grafflin was attracted to this organisation and accepted the position of secretary. She was the heiress to George Grafflin, who was a dry goods and fertilizer merchant. Shortly after he died, Amne married Walter in February 1897.[4]

The Grafflin inheritance

George W. Grafflin had died intestate in November, 1896. His estate was valued as being between $600,000 and $1,000,000. Amne announced her proposed marriage to Vrooman in January 1897. Her brother William Grafflin was very upset by this. As Vrooman was living in St. Louis, where Amne would shortly join him, Amne agreed to give William power of attorney for her. As William had been a partner in the company with his deceased father, this was to enable him to deal with day to day issues of the company. However after she moved to St Louis, she regretted this decision, but when she attempted to have the power of attorney rescinded, the court refused to do so.[5]

Works

References
  1. "Ruskin College". Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. Buehler, Michael. "Walter Vrooman promotes Concrete Socialism". Boston Rare Maps. Boston Rare Maps. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  3. Felt, Jeremy P.; Paulson, Ross E. (December 1968). "Radicalism & Reform: The Vrooman Family and American Social Thought, 1837–1937". The Journal of American History. 55 (3): 645. doi:10.2307/1891042.
  4. Sullivan, Kelly. "Before fall, outspoken socialist made local stop". Johnston Sun Rise. Beacon Communications. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  5. "Vrooman v. Grafflin, 96 F. 275 (1899) Aug. 26, 1899 · United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · No. 285 96 F. 275". cite.case.law. Harvard University. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
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