Born December 24, 1886, in a log cabin in Maquoketa, Iowa, Vernon Grant came to Barnes County with his parents, Samuel and Una (Wright) Grant in 1892.
Samuel Grant was a miller by trade. He had heard from Mrs. Grant's sister's husband, an engineer on the N.P. Railroad, about the opportunities in Barnes County. Settling first in Valley City, Samuel Grant worked for the Russell Miller Milling Company during the winter of 1892-1893. Vernon entered school, located in the upper story of a building which later became the Bailey Pop Factory, where the Northwestern Bell Telephone building now stands.
In 1893 the family moved six miles south to the Marsh Mill site, where Samuel operated the mill, which was powered by a dam and a water wheel. Bothered by rheumatism, Samuel was forced to leave the mill employment. Feeling somewhat better in the spring, the family purchased the Northeast Quarter of Section 27 in Cuba Township.
While at Marsh's Mill, Vernon attended the King School and the Drake School. Upon moving to Cuba Township, he attended the Cuba School in District 33.
The family lived in a small 1½ story house on the farm and Samuel and family farmed here until 1900, when Samuel became the grain buyer for the Atlantic Elevator. Vernon attended the Valley City Normal School for a time and at the age of seventeen, his father passed away on December 12, 1903.
Vernon and his mother continued farming and as time passed, more land was purchased and a large house was built in 1916.
Vernon at one time worked for the Valley City Times-Record. One of his jobs was to deliver copy to the Chaffee Department Store. Here he met Leona Paxson, a secretary to Mr. Chaffee. They were married January 17, 1917. To this union were born six children, of whom four have survived and have families.
Kenneth built a new home in Norma Township, about ten miles south of the Peake interchange and farms with his son Ken Jr. who now owns the old home farm. This makes the fourth generation of occupancy of this homestead. Wilma is teaching in Minot, North Dakota. Wayne is manager of a radio station in Hampton, Iowa and Newell is the publisher of the Breckenridge-Wahpeton Daily News.
Vernon was a progressive farmer, raising pure-bred cattle, hogs and poultry. He was the first in the county to grow alfalfa, corn and Reed's Canary grass. He was the township clerk for 32 years and a member of the school board for 23 years. A charter member of the Barnes County Livestock Association. He served as Director and Vice President of first Winter Show Board.
Retiring from farming in 1943 he engaged in the Insurance and Real Estate business for several years.
He is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Lodges and also a member of the Valley City Kiwanis Club with 20 years of perfect attendance.
Vernon and Leona are active in the Epworth United Methodist Church, having served on many boards and commissions over the years. Vernon was a member of the Building Committee for the new Methodist Parsonage.
Vernon served on the Selective Service Board for five years during World War 2.
Vernon Grant and Leona Grant are now retired and live in Valley City.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 81