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FRANK
H. VERNIA, one of the well-to-do and prosperous
farmers of Ross township, is one of those men who thoroughly
understand the business they are pursuing, and he is rapidly
progressing toward a comfortable competence. Besides
general farming he is also extensively engaged in fruit
growing. In 1867 he came to Ross township, where he
bought a tract of forty acres of timber land, which he sold
in 1883, and purchased his present farm of sixty acres,
forty of which he has tiled and placed under a high state of
cultivation. He is the architect of his own fortune,
having started in life with but little capital beyond his
own industry and laudable ambition to rise in the world.
He was born at Monroe, Mich., July 27, 1845, and is a
son of John and Mary (Shinaver) Venia, natives of
Canada, who at an early day located upon a farm in Michigan,
where the father died in 1852. The mother still
resides near Monroe, that State, and is now the wife of
John Boimier. By her first union she had
ten children, two of whom are now living: Godfrey,
who resides at Whiteford Center, Michigan, and Frank H.
The educational privileges of our subject during his youth
were very limited, he being able to attend school for only
about six months; but, through reading and observations in
later years, he has become a well informed man. On leaving
his native State he located in Lucas County, Ohio and at
Sylvania, Ohio, on August 27 1862, he enlisted in the 18th
United States Regulars for three years. He became a member
of the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in all the
battles from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to Jonesboro, Georgia,
under General Sherman. At the latter he was
taken prisoner, September 1 1864, and was confined to
Andersonville for twenty two days. After being exchanged, he
went to Atlanta, where he was granted a furlough, and after
a visit to Toledo, he rejoined his regiment at Lookout
Mountain, where he was honorably discharged, August 27 1865.
Returning to Toledo, Mr. Venia worked
there for $20 per month gardening, until coming to Ross
Township in 1867. In 1882, he again made his home in Toledo
for a time, and was there engaged in Contracting, furnishing
all the heavy timbers for elevators, bridges, and other
improvements at that place. He now devotes most of his
time and attention to fruit raising, having all kinds of
fruit on his farm, and has been very successful in this
venture.
In Washington Township, Lucas County, in 1868, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Venia and Miss
Hattie E. Johnston, a native of Toledo, and a daughter
of Martin R. and Harriet E. (Breed) Johnston, who
were from the New England States, and located in that city
in the early 40's. Her father engaged in gardening near
Toledo, where his death occurred in 1882. His wife also died
in that city, in 1890. Five children were born to Mr. and
Mrs Venia (four of whom are still living): Martin R.,
who died at the age of eleven years and seven months;
Carrie, wife of W. L. Alexander, of Crestline,
Ohio; Frank E., who is married and resides in Ross
Township; and Harvey R. and Edith, at home.
Mr. Venia is quite prominently identified with
the interests of the community in which he lives, and has
assisted materially in the development of his portion of the
county. He bears a high character for sterling integrity, is
entirely a self made man, and well deserves the success that
has come to him. In political questions he casts his ballot
in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party,
and has been called upon as Trustee, Assessor and Constable
in his Township.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1193
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver |
Source: