Dr. Vernon Laurence Treynor, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Council Bluffs, was born in this city on the 28th of September, 1866, and is a son of Thomas P. and Mary E. (Smith) Treynor. The father was a native of England, and the son of an officer in the British Army. Coming to the United States at the age of sixteen years, he located in Ohio, where he made his home until after his marriage, and in the spring of 1853 came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Council Bluffs. When a young man he engaged in business as a carriage builder but subsequently turned his attention to newspaper work, owning a controlling interest in the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil. As a prominent and influential citizen, he took quite an active part in public affairs and for eight years filled the office of Postmaster of Council Bluffs under both administrations of President Grant. On his retirement from that office he located on a farm, where he made his home until his death in January, 1892. His wife, who was born in Ohio of Dutch and English stock, is also deceased. She was a devoted wife and mother and like her husband was held in high regard by all who knew her.

Reared in the city of his nativity, Dr. Treynor is indebted to its public schools for his early educational privileges, and after completing his literary course he took up the study of medicine, graduating from the medical department of the Iowa State University with the degree of M. D. Since then he has been actively engaged in the practice in Council Bluffs and has met with most gratifying success.

On the 13th of October, 1891, Dr. Treynor was united in marriage to Miss Susie C. Clark, of Iowa City, and to them have been born four sons but two are now living, namely: Thomas P., born April 29, 1895; and Jack, born September 21, 1897.

In addition to his large private practice the Doctor has served on the staff of the W. C. A. and St. Bernard's Hospital; and as surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies. For some time he was professor of physiology in the Omaha Medical College and also in the Dental College of that city, is now professor of clinical medicine in the College of Medicine, University of Nebraska; has served as coroner of Pottawattamie County; and for two terms served as city physician of Council Bluffs, during which time he made a strenuous effort to improve the sanitary conditions of the city and enforce the quarantine laws.

In 1904 Dr. Treynor was elected by the legislature a member of the board of regents of the Iowa State University but has found little time to devote to outside matters other than refer to his profession. He has, however, taken a very active and prominent part in the work of various medical fraternities, having served as president and secretary of the Council Bluffs Medical Society; as secretary of the Iowa State Medical Society; as president of the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley; and also as president of the Southwestern Iowa Medical Association. In addition to these societies he is also a member of the Iowa State Association of Railway Surgeons, the International Association of Railway Surgeons; and the American Medical Association. He is not only prominent in professional circles but is also popular socially and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; and the Woodmen of the World.