Vermillion Family Genealogy & History

John Oberland Vermillion, also known as "Texas Jack" or "Shoot-Your-Eye-Out Vermillion," was a notable gunfighter in the Old West. He gained fame for his participation in the Earp Vendetta Ride, where he showed loyalty to Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Vermillion was a special policeman in Tombstone, Arizona, and had close associations with figures like Soapy Smith. His involvement in the Earp Vendetta Ride and the gunfight at Iron Springs, where he bravely retrieved a rifle under heavy fire, are significant highlights of his career.

Vermillion was born around 1845 in Culpeper County, Virginia, and fought for the Union during the Civil War after enlisting in Ohio. Later, he settled in Virginia near Big Stone Gap with his second wife, Nannie Fleenor, and had two children, Opie and Minnie Bell Vermillion.

Joseph Vermillion was a 27-year-old white man who became a notable figure due to his lynching on December 3, 1889, for arson in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Accused of setting fire to barns filled with tobacco and houses in Prince George's County, Vermillion was forcibly taken from jail by a group of masked men. He was hanged from an iron bridge near the railroad depot, marking a grim moment in the history of the area. This bridge gained notoriety as a site of racial violence, being used in another lynching five years later.

Iris Vermillion, born in 1960, is a renowned German operatic mezzo-soprano, recognized for her performances with the Deutsche Oper Berlin and international appearances in Amsterdam and the Salzburg Festival. She gained acclaim for roles in Mozart's operas, such as Dorabella in "Così fan tutte" and Cherubino in "Le nozze di Figaro." Collaborating with maestros like Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Claudio Abbado, Vermillion's distinguished career includes performances in "Capriccio," "Solimano," and "Penthesilea," winning the prestigious Der Faust award. Her recordings, including a Grammy-winning "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," and participation in Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen," showcase her exceptional talent in both opera and concert settings.

Laurel A. Vermillion is a distinguished American educator and academic administrator known for her tenure as president of Sitting Bull College from 2006 to 2024. A member of the Hunkpapa Lakota, Vermillion's career highlights include serving as vice president of operations and academic affairs at the college, as well as her role as principal of Marty Indian School. With a strong focus on education, she was instrumental in supporting the Standing Rock Education Consortium, promoting STEM education across local K–12 and Head Start programs. Vermillion's academic achievements include a Ph.D. in teaching and learning in higher education, showcasing her commitment to student retention and educational leadership.

Laurel Vermillion was born and raised in Kennel, North Dakota, on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Her parents, Henry and Elsie Martin, were ranchers, and Vermillion's early life was deeply connected to her heritage and community. She was raised near the Missouri River and was influenced by her grandparents, with whom she collected water and wild grapes. Vermillion's Lakota name, Oyate Wanyanka Pi Win, meaning 'Seen-By-Her-Nation,' reflects her cultural roots and familial ties.