Hiram M. Van Arman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hiram M. Van Arman
|
|
|---|---|
| 6th Secretary of Arizona Territory | |
| In office April 17, 1882 – November 6, 1885 |
|
| Nominated by | Chester A. Arthur |
| Preceded by | John J. Gosper |
| Succeeded by | James A. Bayard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 17, 1839 Euclid, Ohio |
| Died | April 28, 1904 (aged 65) Oakland, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Isabella Haines
(m. 1868) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United StatesUnion |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1862 |
| Rank | |
| Unit | 58th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
Hiram Miller Van Arman (born February 17, 1839 – died April 28, 1904) was an American politician and journalist. He served as the Secretary of Arizona Territory from 1882 to 1885. Before his political career, he was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also worked as an editor for several newspapers in Nebraska and California.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Hiram Van Arman was born on February 17, 1839, in Euclid, Ohio. His parents were Richard R. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Van Arman. In 1846, his family moved to Galena, Illinois, where he received his education.
When the American Civil War began, Van Arman joined the army. He became a lieutenant in the 58th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He fought in the Battle of Fort Donelson. Later, he was seriously wounded during the Battle of Shiloh. Because of his injuries, he was medically discharged from the military on June 20, 1862. For the rest of the war, he worked as a military recruiting superintendent for Illinois's 2nd congressional district.
Life After the War
In 1868, Van Arman moved to Nebraska. There, he worked as an immigration agent until 1871. After that, he became the editor of the Nebraska State Journal in Lincoln.
Hiram Van Arman married Isabella Haines in Lincoln on August 20, 1868. They did not have any children.
Three years later, Van Arman moved to San Francisco, California. He became an editor for the Evening Post newspaper. He soon made his home in Oakland, California. Besides the Post, he also edited the Chronicle Bulletin and the Golden State Sentinel. The Golden State Sentinel was the official publication for the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also edited a sports paper called Pacific Life. During this time, he wrote a book about California's public lands. He was also very active in Republican politics.
Secretary of Arizona Territory
On February 14, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur chose Van Arman to be the Secretary of Arizona Territory. An Arizona newspaper described him as "forty three years old, weighs two hundred and three pounds, stands five feet eight and a half inches high." He took his oath of office in Prescott on April 17, 1882.
Financial Challenges in Office
When Van Arman started his job, he found that his office had very little money. The previous secretary told him there was only $550 left for his office's budget for 1881–1882. This amount did not even include money for postage. To make things harder, Van Arman could not access the records from the previous secretary.
For example, in the summer of 1882, one hundred rifles were sent to Prescott by the War Department. It was normal for the territory to pay the shipping fees. Van Arman, acting as Governor while Governor Tritle was away, had to find the money. It took him some time to find the funds. He then sent a telegram to the U.S. Treasury Department. He said, "I have found a way out of the difficulty and will get the guns." He also mentioned that the territory was "quite poor in purse although rich in mineral wealth."
Improving the Office
Van Arman's office was first in a school building. The school wanted him to leave. So, he found a new office space on June 1. He also noticed that the territory's property had no insurance. Prescott was built mostly from wood and had little fire protection. To fix this, Van Arman bought a $2000 insurance policy for $18. He also bought a strong, double-door safe for $450. This safe gave the territory a secure place to store important documents. Finding the money to pay for these things was another challenge.
Working with the Legislature
For the 1883 session of the territorial legislature, Van Arman arranged for them to meet in Prescott's city hall. This was a private building. The lawmakers were happy with the new space. It had freshly wallpapered walls and carpeted hallways. It also had lamps, stoves, and plenty of firewood.
Van Arman tried to give all territorial printing jobs to newspapers that supported his political party. He wrote to the legislature about this. He said he did not want to help newspapers that criticized the Republican party and federal officials. In the end, printing contracts for the session went to companies in San Francisco and Nebraska.
The 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature also caused financial problems for Van Arman. Members of the session asked for $4000 more in travel expenses than he thought they should get. He settled with most members based on estimated travel distances. However, he had trouble with the Council President, F. K. Ainsworth. Ainsworth lived in the capital but claimed he could ask for travel expenses from any county in the territory.
End of Term and Later Life
In 1884, the Arizona Sentinel newspaper suggested Van Arman should run for Congress. However, the Democrats won the White House in the 1884 election. This meant Van Arman's term as Secretary would soon end. He formally resigned on November 6, 1885. When the new secretary, James A. Bayard, arrived in Prescott, Van Arman met him at the train station.
Soon after handing over his office, Van Arman returned to California. In 1886, he worked as a traveling passenger agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He first covered an area from Detroit to St. Louis. Later, he was moved to Chicago. After William McKinley became President, Van Arman was considered a top candidate to become Governor of Arizona Territory.
Hiram Van Arman passed away in Oakland, California, on April 28, 1904. His body was cremated. Although his family owned a burial plot in Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery, his ashes were never placed there.
