Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 499.
 
JAMES B. VENABLE

     the popular proprietor of the "Wheat Exchange" saloon, Wasco, Sherman
county, Oregon, was born in Klickitat county, Washington, November 23, 1869. His
father, Francis M. Venable, mentioned elsewhere, was born in Pike county,
Missouri; his mother, was Jane (Hubbard) Venable.
     Until he attained his majority our subject remained with his parents and
rode the range for his father. He received a good business education on
Chamberlain Flat, and when twenty-one years of age married and rented the
"Dingle place" near his father's present home. Two Years after he rented
another, the "Hoss place," remaining there one year. Then his father gave him a
quarter section of land, which he worked four years, and then disposed of the
property to John Hull, mentioned elsewhere, and engaged in the saloon business
in Wasco.
     November 13, 1890, at Silverton, Marion county, Oregon, our subject was
united in marriage to Kate Woolen, a native of that place. She was the daughter
of William and Mary (Cooper) Woolen. Mrs. Venable died on her husband's farm,
January 3, 1901, of consumption after an illness of six months. She left four
children, Alva, Oral, Fanny and Harold.
     September 23, 1903 at Wasco, Mr. Venable was married to Ida Mahar. She has
two sisters, Minnie, wife of Charles Seeley, a farmer near The Dalles; and
Nellie, wife of George Robinson, of The Dalles, all engineer. Politically, Mr.
Venable is a Democrat, although not particularly active. He is an energetic,
liberal-minded citizen and generous to a fault.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.