Vernon, Henry H., 1846-1934

VERNON, BERRY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/5/2012 at 08:18:57

DEATH CLAIMS AGED RESIDENT
H. H. Vernon Passed Away at Home of His Son Monday
Was 88 Years of Age and Had Lived in Hawarden for 23 Years.--Survived by Six Sons

H. H. Vernon, a pioneer of South Dakota and for thirty-two years a resident of Hawarden, died at 4:30 Monday afternoon [March 12] at the home of his son, Fred Vernon, with whom he has resided most of the time since the death of his wife seven years ago. Mr. Vernon had been in steadily failing health for a number of years.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in this city at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Robt. H. Forrester in charge. The body was then taken to Parker, S.D., where interment was made. Rev. Kerr, pastor of the Methodist church at Parker, read the committal service at the cemetery.

Henry H. Vernon was born in Ohio Feb. 23, 1846, so was past 88 years of age at the time of his death. When still a boy he moved to Linn county, Iowa, with his parents. After growing to young manhood he went to Warren county, Iowa, to work and there he was united in marriage with Ellen M. Berry on June 13, 1869. They located at Vermillion, S.D., in 1870 where they resided for several years and after a few years spent at Springfield and Lennox, they moved to Parker in the fall of 1879 when the town was first started. Mr. Vernon opened a furniture store and factory in Parker, making much of the furniture he handled, such as tables, cupboards, dressers, beds and stands. He was an expert cabinet maker and made most of the coffins used. Some very fine pieces of cabinet work and interior finishing are examples of his skill.

He moved from Parker to Hawarden with his family in 1902 and for a considerable number of years continued actively at work as a carpenter and cabinet maker. Since the death of Mrs. Vernon on Feb. 18, 1927, he has made his home most of the time with his son, Fred F. Vernon of Hawarden, although he has spent a part of the time with another son, Rev. E. E. Vernon.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon, but three of them, all girls, passed away at an early age. The six sons who survive are Bert T. and Clyde I. of Minneapolis; Rev. Ernest E. of Canistota, S.D.; Fred F. of Hawarden; Maurice J. of Long Beach, Calif.; and Robert R. of Chicago. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Asenath Smith of Springville, Iowa, besides eight grandchildren and a large number of relatives and friends.

Mr. Vernon was raised a Quaker but when he came to South Dakota, as there were no Quakers in this part of the country, he united with the Methodist church and ever continued an ardent and faithful member. He was of a deeply religious nature and never ceased in his efforts to urge men and women into the service of Christ and the fellowship of the church.

Source: Hawarden Independent, March 15, 1934.