A Miami County Newspaper
November 7, 1935

PLEASANT VENABLE

Pleasant Venable, who was 98 years old last April, died at 3 o'clock Friday morning of a kidney ailment, from which he had suffered for three years but not seriously until last week. He had been confined to his bed since that time, at his home, 709 Drury Lane.

Mr. Venable, Troy's oldest citizen, was born to free colored parents in Serry count, N.C., and during the Civil war was forced to fight as a sailor in the Confederate navy. Previously he had been employed on a tobacco wagon since he was 12 years old.

As little tobacco was grown in the south at that time, a wagon would load up with northern-grown tobacco and tour the southern states, selling the product. For more than 10 years Mr. Venable was employed in this fashion.

In 1866, at the close of the war, he came on foot to Ohio and took up farming, as he had done on his father's farm in North Carolina. Seventy years ago he removed to Troy and after a short period of farming near here took up the work with which he was most closely identified in this city, hauling.

Until six years ago, when he retired, Mr. Venable operated as a teamster here, and at one time he had as many as nine men employed. He was highly respected by all who knew him and became an active and valued member of Richard's Chapel M. E. church. He was also made an honorary member of the local colored Masonic order.

Mr. Venable is survived by his daughter, Miss Virginia, with whom he lived, and a niece and nephew of Jamestown. Four granddaughters also survive him. Of seven brothers and sisters, after the war he lost trace of all but one, who, came to live in Jamestown.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Richard's Chapel. Rev. Charles Wilkins was in charge and burial was made in Riverside cemetery.