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. 914. JOHN D. VENATOR is a prominent attorney at law residing in Lakeview. He is a native of Lake county, born July 5, 1873, on the old Venator homestead five and one-half miles south from Lakeview. His father was Jezereal Venator, a native of Tennessee, who came to Illinois at the age of nineteen years and crossed the plains in 1852 to the vicinity of Albany, Oregon. Here Jezereal Venator took a donation claim, where he made his home until the outbreak of the Rogue River Indian war. He was actively engaged, and was wounded in this war. He came to Goose Lake valley in the fall of 1870 and located the ranch now known as the "Old Venator ranch" mentioned above, which was the first ranch located in what is now Lake county. This place was originally filed upon by a man named Crane, from whom Crane creek derived its name, who sold it to a Mr. Moon, who erected upon it a log cabin which was the first house built in the county, and which was only recently razed. Mr. Moon sold his claim to Mr. Venator. who engaged in the stock business and lived on the homestead until his death at the age of sixty-four years. Just prior to his death Mr. Venator, senior, started to Harney county on business and it is the supposition that he became lost in the desert and perished for the want of water. His remains were found in a canyon, which has since taken the name of Venator canyon. The mother of our subject, Eliza (Miller) Venator, was born and reared in Illinois. She crossed the plains with her husband, and is now living on the old homestead, aged seventy-two years. Our subject is the youngest of a family of nine children. His brothers and sisters are Ira K., Mrs. Mary Cooksey, Ulysses G., Frederick, and Mrs. Edna R. Vanderpool ; two of the children being dead. Mr. Venator was given a common school education while living oil the old homestead, after which he took a four-year course in the law department of Ann Arbor, being graduated in 1901. He was admitted to the bar of the states of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, while in the east, and upon his return was admitted to the Oregon state bar in November, 1901. In each of the states named he is entitled to practice before the supreme court. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since his return to Lakeview. Mr. Venator is a member and past grand of Lakeview lodge, No. 63. I. O. O. F., of the Lakeview encampment and of the Rebekah degree. He owns one-half interest in the old homestead, which consists altogether of three hundred and sixty acres of the choicest land in Goose Lake valley. The farm is well improved in every particular, and is irrigated by a ditch leading from Crane creek. It is regarded as being the best ranch of its number of acres in the valley. Mr. Venator also owns cattle and horses. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.