From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 160
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

Louin Edgar Vermillion, MD

For almost a quarter of a century Dr. Vermillion has been a resident of Kansas and today he ranks with the ablest physicians and surgeons of this portion of the state.  He was born in Loudon county, Virginia, April 30, 1850, his birthplace being near Buckland, the family residence.  On both the paternal and maternal sides he is descended from old and prominent families of his native state, his ancestors having located in the Old Dominion prior to the Revolutionary war.  Jonathan Vermillion, the Doctor’s father, was a miller by trade, and in his business affairs won a high degree of success.  He was born in Virginia, and there wooed and won Miss Elizabeth Warford, who was connected with the Lees and other prominent families of Virginia.  She acquired her education there and was a lady of culture, who proved to her husband a faithful companion of the journey of life.  In his political views Jonathan Vermillion was a stalwart Democrat, and his religious belief was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.  He was active and zealous in its work and had much influence among the young people by reason of his genial ways and hearty sympathy and the interest which he took in the boys and girls through youth as they approached manhood and womanhood.  Socially he was identified with the Masonic fraternity.  He died in 1868, at the age of fourty-four years, and his wife passed away at the age of forty-eight, loved and respected by all who knew her by reason of her many good qualities of head and heart.  This worthy couple were the parents of three children: Louin E, of this review; Oscar, of Sullivan county, Indiana; and Mrs. Annie Pascoe, of Great Bend, Kansas.

In taking up the personal history of Dr. Vermillion we present to our readers a life record which cannot fail to prove of interest, for the subject is so widely and favorably known in this portion of Kansas.  He was reared in Virginia and in Clark county, Illinois, near York, pursuing his education in the common schools and in the high school and academy near his home.  Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began study under the direction of Dr. Beard, of Rice county, Kansas, and further continued his studies in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, where he was graduated with honor in the class of 1890.  In the meantime, however, in 1890, he had begun practice in Mitchell, where he remained until 1892, when he came to Lyons and opened an office.  From the beginning of his practice here he has met with a high degree of success.  When called upon to attend some difficult cases he soon demonstrated his ability to handle the intricate problems that fall to the lot of the medical practitioners and has since enjoyed a constantly increasing success.  By reading and study he keeps in touch with the advanced thought and progress made by the medical science as exemplified in the work of the fraternity, and his labors have been of great value to the community in which he is located, as well as proving a source of good income to himself.

In 1871 Dr. Vermillion was united in marriage to Miss Amelia G Ball, who was born in York, Clark county, Illinois, a daughter of Aaron and Susan (Bennett) Ball, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York.  Her father is now deceased.  Unto Dr. and Mrs. Vermillion were born four children: Jonathan, of Kansas City, Missouri; Carl, who is living in Lyons; Mrs. Mary Suttle, of Rice county, Kansas; and Clyde, who is yet under the parental roof.  Mrs. Vermillion died February 19, 1883, and October 5, 1887, Dr. Vermillion was united in marriage to Miss Ida Nichols, of Kingsville, Missouri.  To this union have been born six children, viz: Archie, Harry Percival, Grace, Charlie, who died at the age of three years, Louin Edgar, Jr, and Frank.  The Doctor exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of those orders, which recognize the brotherhood of mankind and the claims of humanity for forbearance, charity and aid.  He is likewise a representative of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is serving as trustee.  The Doctor is now acting as physician for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company and his standing in his profession is indicated by the fact that he is chairman of the Rice County Medical Society.  He is a man of fine personal appearance, being six feet and two inches in height and weighing two hundred and thirty pounds.  His manner is frank and courteous, and he wins friends wherever he goes.  As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive.  The causes of education, of temperance and of morality are all dear to his heart, and he is a champion of every measure calculated to prove of general good.