Vernon L. "Vern" English

The Clark County (IL) Democrat, 15 March 1899

Vern English was born in Casey, Jan. 15, 1871. He was the only child of Abel and Barbara English. In 1873 the family moved to Marshall and here Vern grew to the stature of manhood, getting an education in the public schools and learning lessons of self reliance each day, as he was the sole stay of his mother, his father having died when he was but a boy. When 15 years of age he began work for I. F. Pritchard and the able manner in which he performed the duties here devolving upon him foreshadowed the business capablility that made him in after years so valued an employe.

In 1889 he and his mother moved to Terre Haute, where he at once went to work for Havens and Geddes, the wholesalers. He worked two years in the house and then went on the road. It seems he had a last found his true vocation for he at once became known as one of the most successful traveling salesmen in the employ of the firm. He retained his position with this firm for a number of years and then was employed by C. L. Braman & Co., with whom he was working when death closed his useful life.

On June 26, 1895, Vern married Miss Cora Robinson of this city. They made their home in Terre Haute until July, 1897, when they moved to Marshall to live with T. J. Golden.

Vern had an attack of grip in December last, but soon got over it. On Feb. 28th while on a trip which he was urged not to take on account of feeling so ill, he was taken with a chill at Brazil and had two severe hemorrhages. Though hardly able to sit up, he determined to come home and when he arrived took to his bed. He was seriously ill for several days but finally rallied and on Thursday evening he was feeling so well that he determined to dress himself and so surprise his wife, who was resting in another room. He had nearly completed his toilet when he was seized with faintness and sat down. His mother heard him say, twice: "I'd be all right if I could only get my breath." Then he suddenly threw his head back and she saw that the end had come. The shock to mother and wife, both of whom had had their hopes raised to almost certainty by Vern's improved condition and the encouraging report of the doctor, was terrible.

The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon, Rev. Atkinson officiating. There was an immense concourse of friends to pay the last tribute of respect. The services at the grave were conducted by the T. P. A. lodge of Terre Haute and the knights of Pythias as he was a loved and honored member of both orders. One hundred and twelve persons came over from Terre Haute, most of them travelling men. The procession to the grave was one of the longest ever seen in Marshall.

The T. P. A. and Knights of Pythias of Terre Haute both paid loving tributes to their dead brother in lodge halls and in the newspapers.

From the Clark County (IL) Democrat, 15 March 1899

One hundred twelve people came over from Terre Haute Sunday to attend the funeral of Vern English. The party chartered two special cars. A large number of those who came were members of the Post of the T. P. A. of which Vern was a member, and many of the others were Knights of Pythias. Hon. T. J. Golden entertained fifty of the traveling men to dinner at the Marshall House and eighteen K. P.'s took dinner at the same hotel as guests of Launcelot Lodge K. of P. The Marshall House cared for all the visitors in a hospitable manner.

From Clark County (IL) Democrat, 15 March 1899

Frank Stover and family, Fred Cook and family, George Cline and family, Susan Boggs and son Harry, Mrs. Cassie Dowing, and Rel Stover were among those who came over from Terre Haute on Sunday to attend the funeral of Vern English.

From Clark County (IL) Democrat, 22 March 1899

On yesterday I. F. Pritchard received a letter from one of the party of Terre Haute citizens who attended the funeral of Vern English, which spoke in terms of praise of Mr. Pritchard's method of conducting a funeral, and speaking of the canvas used the party said, "it is as neat as smilax and ferns and a great deal cheaper and quicker."

--
The people of Marshall experienced a deep shock...sudden death of Vern English on Thursday morning. Word had gone out...

He thought himself strong enough to walk without assistance, but his mother kept close by his side. He only took a few steps then sat down in a chair and rested his head upon his hands. His mother was alarmed and put her arms around him. He straightened back and said, If I could only get my breath I would be all right." They telephoned at once for the doctor, who came immediately, but saw it was too late. Death's cruel, relentless grasp was on the vitals of the sick man and no power on earth could loosen it. In less than half an hour from the time he rose from the bed so full of joyous hope, he was laid back upon it a lifeless corpse.

The funeral was held at his late residence, Sunday afternoon at half past one o'clock, Rev. Atkinson officiating in the religious services, and the ceremonies were under the charge of the Travelers' Protective Association of Terre Haute and the Knights of Pythias, of both of which organizations he was an honored member. The remains were laid to rest in the Marshall cemetery. The days was inclement, but, notwithstanding, there was a large attendance of relatives and friends.

Vern was the only son of Able and Barbara English as was born in Casey, Jan 15, 1821. The family moved to Marshall two years later. The faterh was in the employ of .. Pritchard for several years. Soem time before his death, he became quite feeble and Vern went into the shop to help him, and continued in Mr. Pritchard's employ until 1889 when with his mother, he moved to Terre Haute. Not long after this, he went into the store of Havens A. Geddes and after two years service as clerk had so won the esteem of his employers that they gave him a place as one of their traveling salesmen. After seven years with them in this capacity, he accepted a like position with C. L. Braman, in whose employ he was when he was stricken with his fatal disease.

June 26, 1895, he was married to Miss Cora Robinson, niece and adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Golden. The marriage was a happy one and the young wife, who has not had good health for several years, was greatly prostrated by her sudden bereavement. Besides his wife, he is deeply mourned by his widowed mother, to whom he was devotedly attached.

He will be sadly missed by a wide circle of young friends, among whom he was deservedly poplular.

Vern was a young man of industrious habits, genial and companionable, of honorable, manly bearing. During his illness, he refused to take intoxicants as stimulants, firmly expressing his belief that something else would served the purpose better.

The warmest sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved mother and wife in this hour of their deep affliction.

Source: Clark County Herald (Marshall, IL), 16 March 1899, p. 4