WI BIO - Dane Co - VERNON, Ralph C.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 187-188

Ralph C. VERNON, of Madison [Dane County], Wisconsin, was born in Middleton, 
Dane County, Wisconsin, 30 January 1859. His parents were Daniel and Mary 
Ann (GOODWIN) VERNON, natives, respectively, of Lancashire and Derbyshire, 
England. The father died before the subject of this sketch was twenty years 
of age, but the devoted mother still resides in Madison where she is an 
object of tender solicitude by her surviving children. This worthy couple 
were the parents of fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters, two of 
the former being now deceased.

Ralph C. VERNON was the eighth child, and received a limited education, he 
and his brother Joseph attending school only during each alternate winter. 
This meager foundation was supplemented by a term in business college at 
Madison when he was seventeen years of age; and further augmented by two 
terms in the high school in 1877.

While yet under twenty years of age, he [Ralph C. VERNON] engaged in buying 
livestock, in which business he has been more or less extensively engaged 
ever since. He was for a long time alone, but in March 1879 he formed a 
partnership with Richard GREEN, with whom he was successfully and largely 
engaged. In 1883 Mr. VERNON formed a partnership with M. F. VAN NORMAN, of 
Middleton Township [see also the Dane County, WI, biography of Michael F. VAN 
NORMAN], with whom he continued until December 1886, during which time he 
probably bought and sold more livestock than any other person in his vicinity.

It was then that his [Ralph C. VERNON's] public career commenced, being 
appointed Deputy Sheriff by Hon. John M. ESTES, in 1887, which position he 
held one term. In 1888 he was elected Sheriff by the Republican party, at 
which time he received a majority of 917 votes, that being 500 ahead of his 
ticket. He discharged the duties of this position for one term, and since 
that time has been engaged in the real estate business; at first alone, but 
in 1891 he formed a partnership with H. C. ADAMS, with whom he has since 
continued. Mr. VERNON was, and still is, a member of the Drainage 
Commission, having charge of the draining of the lakes around Madison. 
Socially he belongs to the [p 188] Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the 
Redmen, the Woodmen, and is actively identified with the Freemasons.

He [Ralph C. VERNON] was married 05 February 1880 to Emma E. GORDON, an 
estimable lady, born and reared in Middleton Township, Dane County, 
Wisconsin, and a daughter of James O. GORDON, a well-known citizen of Madison 
[Dane County, WI]. They have one child, Jennie E., aged seven years. The 
devoted wife and mother [Emma E. (GORDON) VERNON] departed this life 16 
November 1890, leaving an aching void which time can never repair.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly