507 N 20th 

855 N 18th 

1245 N 17th 

Vernon Printz Mentzer was born 30 Nov 1896 in Youngstown, Ohio, to George F. and Martha E. [Printz] Mentzer. He had one brother, Wayne. As a young child, Vernon lived with his parents and grandparents in Beaver, Ohio, where his father and grandfather worked as farmers.  

By 1910, the Mentzer family had relocated to Salem, Oregon, where Vernon’s father found employment at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Vernon, then 13, attended Englewood School and played baseball for the school’s team. As he grew older, he joined the workforce, first working for the W.H. Dodge company in 1915, and later following his father’s footsteps by working at the woolen mill by 1917.  

According to his World War 1 draft registration card, Vernon was described as tall and slender, with dark hair and blue eyes. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 5 Sep 1918, joining Company K of the 12th Infantry. His service was brief, as he was discharged on 21 Jan 1919. Upon returning home, Vernon resumed his work at the woolen mill.  

On 21 Mar 1918, Vernon married Edyth [Edith] Warner. At the time, Vernon was 21, working as a textile worker, while Edith, 25, was employed as a stenographer. The couple settled in Salem, where Vernon continued his career at the mill.  

By 1930, Vernon and Edith had two sons, Arthur and Robert, and owned a home at 535 N 17th St. in Salem. Throughout the years, Vernon advanced in his profession, earning the title of assistant foreman in the dye department in 1938, and later becoming foreman in 1958.  

The 1940 census recorded the family living at 1245 N 17th St., with their teenage sons. Vernon worked as an assistant dyer, and by 1950, their son Arthur, then 26, still lived at home. Vernon remained dedicated to his work at the woolen mill, holding the role of dyer.  

Sadly, Edith passed away on 31 Jan 1963, at the age of 70 due to a prolonged heart condition. Vernon continued on for several more years, passing away on 28 Dec 1972, at the age of 76. The couple was laid to rest at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon. 

1915  Mentzer Vernon P, laborer, W H H Dodge, rms 946 N 17th 

1917  Mentzer Vernon P, dryer, TKWM Co, rms 946 N 17th  

1921  Mentzer Vernon P, dryer, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 946 N 17th  

1924  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith), laborer, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 507 N 20th  

1926-27  Mentzer Vernon P, dyer, T K Woolen Mill Co, r 12th & Ferry 

1928-29  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith) dyer, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 855 N 18th  

1930-31  Mentzer Vernon P (Edyth W) assistant dyer, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 855 N 18th  

1932  Mentzer Vernon P (Edyth W) dyer, T K Woolen Mill Co, 855 N 18th  

1934  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) dyer, TKWM Co, h 855 N 18th 

1936-37  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) helper, TKWM Co, 1245 N 17th  

1938-39  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) assistant foreman, TKWM Co, h 1245 N 17th  

1940  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) assistant dyer, TKWM Co, h 1245 N 17th  

1942  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) assistant foreman, TKWM Co, h 1745 N 17th  

1945  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) dyer TKWM Co, h 1245 N 17th  

1947  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) color mixer, TKWM Co, h 1245 N 17th 1949  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) dye houseman, TKWM Co, h 1245 N 17th 

1951  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) dyer, TKWM Co, h 1245 N 17th 

1953-54  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) dye man, Thos Kay Woolen Mill, h 1245 N 17th  

1955  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) dyer, Thos Kay Woolen Mill, h 1245 N 17th  

1956  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) textile worker, Kay Woolen Mill, h 1245 N 18th [s/b 17th] 

1958  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) foreman, Thos Kay Woolen Mills, h 1245 17th NE 

1960  Mentzer Vernon P (Edith W) foreman, Thos Kay Woolen Mills, h 1245 17th NE 

1910  Vernon P. Mentzer. Age: 13. Birth Date: 1897 in Ohio. Single, son to HOH. Home in 1910: Salem Ward 6, Marion, Oregon. Additional household members: George F. Mentzer, age 38 (father), Martha Mentzer, age 36 (mother), Wain [sic], age 5 (brother), Henry Printz, age 78 (grandfather).  

1920  Vernon P. Mentzer. Age: 23. Birth Year: abt 1897 in Ohio. Married, HOH. Home in 1920: Salem Ward 6, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Textile Worker, Woolen Mill. Additional household member: Edyth W. Mentzer, age 27 (wife).  

1930  Vernon Mentzer. Age: 33. Birth Year: abt 1897 in Ohio. Married, HOH. Home in 1930: 535 N 17th, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Home owned. Occupation: Textile Worker, Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Edith Mentzer, age 38 (wife), Arthur Mentzer, age 6 (son), Robert Mentzer, age 4 (son).  

1940  Vernon Mentzer. Age: 42. Birth Year: abt 1898 in Oklahoma [incorrect]. Married, HOH. Home in 1940: 1245 N 17th, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Home owned. Occupation: Assistant Dyer. Highest grade completed: High School, 1st year. Additional household members: Edith Mentzer, age 48, Arthur Mentzer, age 16 (son), Robert Mentzer, age 14 (son)  

1950  Vernon P. Mentzer. Age: 53. Birth Date: abt 1897 in Ohio. Married, HOH. Home in 1950: 1245 N. 17th Salem, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Dyer, Woolen Mills. Additional household members: Edith W. Mentzer, age 58 (wife), Arthur C. Mentzer, age 26 (son). 

Edith Wilhelmina Warner Mentzer  Birth: 1892 in Ohio. Death: 31 Jan 1963 (aged 70-71) Marion County, Oregon. Burial: Belcrest Memorial Park, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Plot: Block 14, Section 54, Lot 6. Memorial ID: 80747018. 

Capital Journal 23 Mar 1918, p. 10 – Marriage License 

Oregon Statesman 24 May 1919, p. 21 – WWI Assignment 

Capital Journal 2 Feb 1924, p. 9 – Bicycle stolen from woolen mill 

Oregon Statesman 21 Jun 1962, p. 28 – Building permit 

Oregon Statesman 1 Feb 1963, p. 16 – Obituary, Edith 

Oregon Statesman 29 Dec 1972, p. 20 – Obituary, Vernon 

0079.001.0002          Photo 

M3 1987-016-0006  Photo 

M3 1992-101-0029  Photo 

M3 1992-100-0025  Stencil 

M3 1992-117-0003  Photo 

M3 1994-016-0026  Oral History (Dora Barnes) 

MMMA.200               Institutional Scrapbooks