Governor Sulzer Impeached

Irving Vann

Irving Goodwin Vann was born on his parents' farm at Willow Creek in the town of Ulysses, Tompkins County, New York, on January 3, 1842. He died at his home in Syracuse on March 22, 1921.

Initially pursuing a career in education, Vann became a high school principal and teacher in Owensboro, Kentucky. In the fall of 1864, he entered Albany Law School, graduating in the spring of 1865. Upon his graduation, Vann accepted a position at the Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C. In less than a year, however, he returned home to central New York, joining the law firm of Raynor & Butler in Syracuse. Thus began an illustrious career in private practice and as a judge in New York State courts, including 16 years on the New York State Court of Appeals.

In 1913 Vann, with D-Cady Herrick [sic] and others, defended Governor William Sulzer during his impeachment trials. Although involved in the preparation of the defense, poor health prevented Vann from being present at the actual court proceedings. After the trial Vann refused to accept any payment for his work, claiming that since he was already an employee of the state, further remuneration was not required.