While employed at Higby and Sterns' Drug Store in Detroit, Vernor began experimenting with ginger ale.

After the start of the American Civil War, he enlisted and served with the 4th Michigan Cavalry from 1862–1865, becoming a Second Lieutenant before being discharged.

[1] According to a discredited company legend, when Vernor left to serve in the war he had stored his ginger ale syrup base in an oak cask.

After returning four years later, he opened the keg and found the drink made from it had changed through the aging process.

[3] By 1915, they expanded operations to include a bottling company, which widely manufactured Vernor's Ginger Ale.