Biographical Sketch of Adam Vernaz, Johnson County, Missouri, 
Warrensburg Township

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.

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Adam Vernaz, a prominent citizen of Warrensburg, Missouri, is of Swiss
descent.  He was born October 3, 1863 in St. Louis, Missouri, son of
Pierre and Callette (Pithoud) Vernaz, natives of Switzerland.  Pierre
Vernaz was born in December, 1823, and Callette (Pithoud) Vernaz was 
born in 1828.  They were united in marriage in Bulle, Switzerland, and
about 1844, when Pierre Vernaz was twenty-one years of age, emigrated
from Switzerland to America.  They came to America on a sailing boat
and were thirty-one days on the way.  Mr. Jaccard, of the Jaccard 
Jewelry Company, of Kansas City, Missouri, came to America from Switz-
erland on the same boat.  To Pierre and Callette Vernaz were born the
following children: Eva, Dwight, Oklahoma; Adam, the subject of this
review; Mrs. Van Meter, Dwight, Oklahoma; and Mrs. W. W. Scott, of
Darlington, Oklahoma.  Her husband is Indian agent there.  J. C. Vernaz
the fourth son of Pierre and Callette Vernaz died in Warrensburg, Mo.,
in 1906.  After the Civil War Pierre Vernaz went west with a government
train and when near Ft. Laramie, Wyoming, was attacked by the Indians.
Mr. Vernaz was shot through the left hand, crippling him for life.  He
had no way of procuring medical attention until he returned to St.
Louis, Missouri, and when he went to the hospital it was too late to 
cure the wound.  Prior to the accident, Pierre Vernaz had been a tailor
but he was obliged to give up his trade because of the crippled hand.
His death occurred in December, 1906, at Warrensburg and in 1907 his
wife died.  Adam Vernaz came to Warrensburg with his parents in 1867,
when he was four years of age.  The Vernaz family located in the old
town, Adam receiving his education in the village school.  After leav-
ing school he entered the employ of Baldwin & Richards, proprietors of
the Warrensburg "Standard."  Later he was employed at the "Journal 
Democrat" office.  In 1904 he went into partnership with his borther,
Julius C., who for about eight years had been in the drug business.  In
1907 the death of Culius C. Vernaz dissolved the partnership and Adam
Vernaz has continued the business alone.  He carries a splendid and
complete line of drugs and the basement of the building, which is loca-
ted at 116 West Pine street, is well stocked with oils and dry paints.
January 10, 1887, Adam Vernaz and Fannie O'Brien were united in marr-
iage.  Fannie (O'Brien) Vernaz is the daughter of James and Rebecca
(Swan) O'Brien, of Sedalia, Missouri.  She was born in Canada.  Mr.
O'Brien died about 1903 in Sedalia, Mo., and his remains are interred
in the cemetery at Sedalia.  His widow survives him and resides at
Sedalia.  To Adam and Fannie Vernaz have been born three daughters, all
of whom are engaged in teaching: Juanita, a teacher in the public
schools of Warrensburg; Lucille, who is teaching in the Home Economics
department in the schools of Bolivia, Missouri; and Mercedes, who spec-
ialized in music at the Warrensburg State Normal and is now supervisor
of music in the Kirkwood public schools, Kirkwood, Missouri.  Mr. and
Mrs. Vernaz reside in their home at 109 West Russell Avenue, in Warren-
sburg, where they are held in high esteem and have countless friends.

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