In this section of the country, teeming with successful farmers and
orchardists, one of the foremost places should be given to James Edward
Venerable. Starting out in life with the great handicap of orphanhood, he
has now reached the place where he holds the distinction of being the
largest shipper of fruits and vegetables in the Cobden district. This
splendid rise is the result of his own courage and determination,
strengthened by the fight against adverse conditions. The respect with which
he is regarded in the community is sufficient proof that his struggle for
success has not only resulted in a fine business, but also in a strong and
upright character.
Mr. Venerable was born at Metropolis, Illinois, on the 18th of April, 1858,
being the only child of Benjamin and Eliza (Crittenden) Venerable. His
father was a native of the Blue Grass state, who had been attracted by the
rich farm lands of Southern Illinois and had migrated to this section before
the Civil war. But this peaceful life was not to last, for when the Civil
war broke out the farmer dropped his plow, enlisted in a cavalry regiment
and served through a large part of the war in the Union army. He fell at
last in a skirmish with the guerillas. He and his wife had left by death the
young boy, James, adrift on the world when but eighteen months old.
During his youth the lad was a welcome inmate in the homes of three
families, but he always considered that of Mrs. Betsy Lamer, in Union
county, his real abiding place. Until he became of age the boy worked for
various farmers, thus serving his apprenticeship and gaining the practical
experience which was to serve him in such good stead during his later life.
By frugality and stern self denial he saved sufficient money to buy his
present home farm of forty acres. He immediately followed the trend of the
times into specialization, devoting his time to tomatoes, so successfully
that he was able to increase his acreage to its present size of two hundred
and seventy acres. This land is planted with seventeen hundred apple trees,
three thousand peach trees, twenty-five hundred pears, and the remainder of
the farm in a valuable diversified crop, which includes asparagus and
rhubarb. In 1911 the apple trees produced a rather poor crop, which he sold
for five thousand dollars, but the peach crop was very fine, bringing him
three dollars a bushel, the total being between eight and ten thousand
dollars. At one time he also grew sweet potatoes in large quantities, but
now he does not raise any for the market.
Mr. Venerable believes strongly in fraternalism, his affiliation being with
the Ancient Masonic order, Cobden Lodge, No. 446, Chapter No. 46, at Anna,
and he also has the honor of being a Knight Templar of Cairo Commandery, No.
13. He has always stood for the principles of true sportsmanship, and his
own healthful out of doors life has caused him to wish to give his friends
an opportunity to possess some of its benefits. To this end he founded the
Cobden Gun Club, further displaying his altruistic spirit by buying and
developing the land which the club now owns. Although many fine shots have
become members of the club since its beginning, his reputation as one of the
best marksmen still remains undisputed.
In 1881 Mr. Venerable was married to Nancy Elizabeth Randleman, the daughter
of Martin and Clara (Lamer) Randleman. Four children were born to them: Iva,
James Earl, Willis and Herbert Wallace.
Starting as a farm laborer at fourteen dollars a month, going into debt for
his first farm, and sturdily bearing this double load until he had paid off
his indebtedness, his courage and perseverance make him a figure whom the
young men of his community might well use as a model.
Extracted 13 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 3, pages 1122-1123.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
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Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
