User:Becquerelite/Vernon Pick

Vernon Pick (October 25, 1903 - 1986) was an American prospector, agriculturalist, and handyman. He is most well-known for being the "Uranium King" after selling the rights to his Delta Mine (Loc. Temple Mountain) to Floyd Odlum, head of the Atlas Company Uranium empire, for $9 Million USD, making 6 Million after taxes.

[ Image of him, once I get photos with rights confirmed] Born: October 25, 1903, Colombus Ohio Died: 1986 Lillooet. Married: Ercyl Squire (1928), then Ruth Fredrina Elvira Johnson (Jun 13, 1947) in Hennepin County, Mn Children: Virginia Ruth (November 4, 1930)

Early Years
Vernon James Pick was born on October 25, 1903 to parents Fredrick Pick and Dora May Pick in Columbus, Ohio. From an early age, Pick was raised on a farm in Wisconsin by his parents. A 1920 US Fed Census reveals the family moving to Warroad, Minnesota when Pick was around 16 years old. From here, Pick completed one year of high school before leaving home at the age of 17. Local area historian Mary Warner says.. "He tried a little of everything..."

Pick enlisted to join the US Marine Corps in December 1921. He served in South Carolina, New York, Haiti, Virginia, and Connecticut, until he was honorably discharged in 1924 for "BAD" character. [Cite] He served a few short sen tences at California and New Hampshire prisons. Upon release, he started working as an electrician at Hudson Bay Mining and Smithing Company in Flin Flon, Canada.

In 1928, Vernon pick and his first wife, Ercyl Squire, married. In the 1930 census, Vernon and Ercyl were listed as married husband and wife. Their daughter, Virginia Ruth, was born on November 4, 1930. The family then moved to Hennepin County, where Vernon Pick started a motor rewind shop.

The Great Depression Era
Due to the steady demand for motor rewind and repairs in American homes during The Great Depression, Vernon Pick's motor business stayed relatively successful. Business for motors was steady, since they were becoming increasingly common in household objects. The business success allowed Pivk to choose a location for a storefront at 215 East Lake Street, Minneappolis, Mn. The 1940 US Census shows that he, Ercyl, and Virginia were living at 4432 Aldrich Avenue, Mn, at the time.

Two Rivers Township
[|Two Rivers Township] is a township in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States. In 1941, Vernon pick "found two rivers" located near Royalton, Mn, and decided he had found the perfect place to build a self sustaining property. On June 22, 2023, he purchased from William Hall, the Two Rivers Township, section 8, T127N, R29W, a 15 acre piece of land on one side of the river for $1,100 USD. A few days later, June 26, 1941, he purchased 15 more acres of adjacent land from Royal Hall.