Career
He ran for the constituency of Yale-East in 1894 following a redistribution, but was defeated by Donald Graham. On 4 March 1863 Vernon wrote to the Colonial Office enquiring about land regulations in British Columbia, where free grants of up to 1,440 acres (6 km2) were available to military settlers with at least the rank of captain. Vernon"s original homestead of 160 acres (06 km2), near the city which bears his name, grew to become the 13,000 acre (53 km²) Coldstream Ranch, which he sold in 1891 to Lord Aberdeen.
In 1876, he was named Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works in the provincial cabinet and served until 1878.
He later served in the same cabinet post from 1887 to 1894. After retiring from politics, Vernon served as Agent General for the province of British Columbia in London from 1895 to 1899.
They had two daughters: Gladys Louise (1878–1892). And Beatrice Alma Ashley (1881–????), who went on to marry Captain Montague Furber.
Vernon died in London in 1911.
The northern Okanagan city of Vernon was named after him.
