In Salem 

1563 Bellevue 

2nd – 

3rd – Carrie W. Majors 

2nd – 

3rd – 6 Oct 1950 in Vancouver, WA 

Edward Phernetton worked as a weaver and finisher from approximately 1910 to the 1920s at TKWM along with siblings Pearl, Clyde, Dora and Josie. 

Edward Christopher Phernetton was born 24 July 1893 in Hot Springs, South Dakota to Edward and Emma [George] Phernetton. He was one of five children born to the family. He attended public schools in Hot Springs, SD before the family moved to Oregon in 1899. In May 1902, father Edward deserted the family. By 1905 the family is listed in the Marion County census with a Salem residence. Sister Pearl is the head of household. Older siblings Pearl, Clyde, and Dora have taken work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill to support the family. They lived at 1413 Bellevue St. 

He attended Salem High School until he joined his siblings at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill from 1910 until 1917. His draft registration card records his employer as the Golden State Woolen Mill in California in 1917. By 1920 he had rejoined the family in Salem and was back to work at TKWM. Ed was a talented gymnast and in 1922 took part in a series of local YMCA fundraising events where he showed off his skill. The Oregon Statesman newspaper reported the following, “Ed Phernetton…led in some handstands and general mat tumbling that made the crowd gasp. It is as clever a work of the kind as any professional ever did in Salem and brought rounds of applause.” 

Ed’s life also had a dark side. He was married three times over the course of his life. The first time to Marie C. Verbick of Salem, in May 1932. They were later divorced. Alcohol, fights and petty theft were an undercurrent of the marriage.  At the time of this research the name of his second wife had not been discovered, though evidence on his third marriage record indicates that he had been married and divorced twice.  His third marriage was to Carrie W. Majors on 6 Oct 1950 in Vancouver, WA. He was working for Portland Woolen Mills at the time. He died 4 Feb 1968 in Multnomah County, OR and was buried at Skyline Memorial Cemetery in Portland, alongside wife Carrie. 

1913 Phernetton Edward C, finisher TKWM Co, bds 1413 Bellevue 

1915 Phernetton Edward C, finisher TKWM Co, rms 1413 Bellevue 

1917 Phernetton Edward C, finisher TKWM Co, rms 1413 Bellevue 

1931 Phernetton Edward C (Marie E), sample dresser, PWM h639 N Kellogg (Portland, OR City Directory) 

1955 Phernetton Edward C (Carrie), weaver, Portland Woolen Mills, h9314 N Kellogg (Portland, OR City Directory) 

1905 Marion County Census Phernelton E [Emma], 44, HOH, born in Wisconsin. Phernelton P [Pearl], 21, Weaver, born in Wisconsin. Phernelton Dorothy, 18. Born in S Dakota. Phernelton Clyde, 13, in school, born in S Dakota. Phernelton Edwd, 11, in school, born in S Dakota. Phernelton Edwd, 11, in school, born in S Dakota. Phernelton Josie, 9, in school, born in S Dakota. 

1910    Edward Phernetton. Age 16. Born 1894 in South Dakota. Home: Bellevue St. Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Single, Son to HOH. Father born in Canada. Mother born in Wisconsin. Occupation: Weaver in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Emma Phernetton, 48. Pearl Phernetton, 26. Dora Phernetton, 22. Clyde Phernetton, 18. Edward Phernetton, 16. Josephine Phernetton, 14. 

1920     Edward C. Phernetton. Age 26. Born about 1894 in South Dakota. Home: Bellevue St. Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Single, Son to HOH. Father born in Canada. Mother born in Wisconsin. Occupation: Weaver in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Emma J. Phernetton, 57. Dora E. Phernetton, 32. Clyde T. Phernetton, 28. Edward C. Phernetton, 26. 

1930    Edward C. Phernetton. Age 37. Born about 1893 in South Dakota. Home: 639 Kellogg St. Portland, Multnomah, OR. Married. HOH. Father born in Canada. Mother born in Wisconsin. Occupation: Textile worker in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Marie C. Phernetton, 28 (wife). 

1940    Edward C. Phernetton. Age 46. Born about 1894 in South Dakota. Home: 9314 Kellogg St. Portland, Multnomah, OR. Divorced. Occupation: Weaver. No additional household members. 

Oregon Statesman 15 Apr 1923 p 5. Marriage License Issued 

Oregonian 24 Jun 1937 p 12. Divorce Granted