Vern E. Thompson, a leading representative of the Ottawa County bar; has followed his profession in Miami since 1902 and has been connected with the work of the courts both as lawyer and jurist. He was born at Stockbridge, Michigan, November 12, 1878, of the marriage of Sylvester M. and Victoria H. Thompson. For many years the father successfully followed the occupation of farming near Stockbridge and after his retirement he took up his residence in Miami. He was a Republican in his political views and was deeply interested in public and civic affairs. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian and took an active part in the work of the Church, serving as one of its trustees. He passed away in Miami in 1918, but the mother survives and still makes her home here.
In the acquirement of ah education Vern E. Thompson attended the grammar and high schools of Stockbridge, Michigan, and subsequently engaged in teaching for two years, after which he became a student at the University of Michigan completing a law course in that institution in 1902, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. In the same year he entered upon the practice of his profession at Miami in partnership with A. Scott Thompson, a classmate, and this relationship was maintained for five years. In 1908 he was called to public office, being elected the first County attorney of Ottawa County, and his excellent service in that connection led to his selection for the office of County judge. For two terms he acted in that capacity and his course upon the bench received high endorsement, for his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon a comprehensive knowledge of the law and the equity of the case. He is now practicing independently, specializing in mining and corporation law, concerning which he is unusually well informed, and his clientele is a large and growing one.
On the 11th of November, 1909, Mr. Thompson was married at Miami to Miss Etta Manwaring, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a daughter of L. L. Manwaring, who was formerly a resident of Iowa, but since 1907 has lived retired at Miami. To this union have been born four children : Dorothy; Verna May, known as “Polly”; Nellie Rae; and Vern.
Mrs. Thompson is a member of the P. E. O., and Mr. Thompson is connected with the Lions Club, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Miami Lodge, No. 140, F. & A. M., and to Oklahoma Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R, at Guthrie. He is a Republican in his political views and an active worker in the ranks of the party, organizing the first County central committee after Oklahoma was admitted to statehood and becoming its chair-man. He is a prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving for two years as its President and doing everything in his power to promote the prosperity and growth of Miami. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and active in its support, filling the office of President of the board of trustees for several years. He is a loyal American whose patriotism has never been questioned and during the World war he became the first chairman of the Ottawa County Chapter of the Red Cross, while he also acted as chairman of the speakers’ bureau. He is a golf devotee and is often to be seen upon the links of the Rock Dale Country Club, of which he is a popular member. He has been a tireless worker and has gained a position of prominence in a profession which calls for intellectual attainments of a high order and requires persistency of purpose, good judgment and a constantly widening comprehension of the relations and responsibilities which go to make up civilized society. He has been equally successful in business and measures up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship.