Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 78

Of the industrial interests of Yonkers Isaac H. Venn is a prominent representative, and his enterprise and progressiveness make him a valued factor in commercial circles. He is a native of Wilmington, Delaware, born March 26, 1856, and is of Welsh descent. His grandfather, William Venn, lived at Newport, in Monmouthshire, Wales, and his occupation was that of a cracker-maker. He took part in the charter riots of 1826, and was an influential citizen of the community. He held membership in the Presbyterian church, and died at the age of forty-eight years. His son, Cornelius H. Venn, the father of our subject, was born in Wales, and when twenty-three years of age came to America, locating in Wilmington, Delaware, where he followed the baker's trade for forty years. He has given his political support to the Republican party; socially, is connected with the Good Fellows Society, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian. He married Hannah Hambleton and to them were born five children: Mrs. Elizabeth T. Mahon, Richard T. , Isaac H., Mrs. Mary J. Davis and David H. The father, who was born January 1, 1818, is still living, at the advanced age of eighty years, but the mother passed away at the age of sixty-three years. She traced her ancestry back to the early part of the seventeenth century. The family is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and its representatives were among the earliest settlers of Chester and Bucks counties, Pennsylvania. In the latter lived James Hambleton, a Quaker, and from him was descended Samuel Hambleton, the grandfather of our subject and the son of the eighth John Hambleton. He was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1785, and died March 24, 1851. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Brown, was born May 7, 1788, and died September 9, 1833, after which Mr. Hambleton married Sarah Walton. He was a farmer and nurseryman, and owned a farm in Upper Oxford township, Bucks county, all his life. He belonged to the Hicksite branch of the Quakers and was strongly opposed to all " ologies " and "isms." His children, all born of the first marriage, were Joseph, Isaac. John, Emil, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah and Samuel.

Isaac H. Venn attended the public schools of Wilmington, Delaware, until twelve years of age, and then worked with his father in the bakery, learning the trade in its various branches. At the age of seventeen, however, he began learning the pattern-maker's trade with the firm of Hillis & Jones, of Wilmington, remaining in their employ from 1872 until 1876. Later he crossed the Atlantic to Manchester, England, where he secured employment with the firm of Horner & Barker, manufacturers of sodawater machinery, ultimately becoming superintendent of their large plant, in which capacity he served for two years and six months. Subsequently he was employed for three months as assistant foreman in the pattern-making department of the Meadow -Hall Locomotive Works, and then took charge of the plant of the Mitchell Wisbrodale Foundry Company, near Barnsley.

While abroad Mr. Venn visited various points of historic and modern interest in Great Britain. He saw the famous Blarney stone of Ireland; the various palaces, now old in story; Dunbarton castle, on the Clyde; the tower of London, containing the relics of ancient, mediaeval and modern methods of punishment and execution; Holyrood palace, in Scotland; the home of John Knox, in England; Shakespeare's home, on the Avon; St. Paul's cathedral, covering seven acres; Westminster Abbey; the two houses of parliament; the Crystal Palace of London; and Cleopatra's Needle, the famous Egyptian obelisk which was then being prepared for shipment to New York, on the river Thames. On one occasion he was preparing to go to Australia, but owing to the alarming condition of his mother's health he abandoned the trip.

Returning to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Venn engaged in the installment business in that city, and afterward was connected with the Vulcan Brass Works, having charge of the pattern department for two years. In 1881 he took charge of the Charles Teal Pattern Works, in Philadelphia, and in April, 1883, he came to Yonkers, New York, where he has since made his home. Here he accepted the position of foreman of the pattern-making department of the plant owned by Otis Brothers & Company, and has since remained in charge, having control over eleven employees. His thorough understanding of the business and his many years of experience render him an expert in his chosen field of endeavor, and his skill and ability have contributed not a little to the success of the enterprise with which he has been connected. His thorough reliability has won him the confidence of all with whom he has been associated in business and his standing in the industrial circles of Yonkers is indeed enviable.

In October, 1883, Mr. Venn was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. Broomall, a daughter of Nehemiah Broomall, of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, who was a cousin of Nehemiah Broomall, a miller in Brandywine, and of Judge John M. Broomall, of Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Her father held a number of local offices, and was a member of the Society of Friends. His family numbered seven children: Mary, Thomas, Martha, Ellen, John, Sarah and Jennie. Mr. Broomall died September 21, 1875, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away December 28, 1891, at the age of seventy-four years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Venn have been born four children: Edith, Viola, Farla and Roland. The family is well known in the community and Mr. Venn is quite prominent in the Masonic fraternity. He was initiated in Nepperhan Lodge, No. 736, A. F. & A. M., of Yonkers, and is now a member of Rising Star Lodge, No. 450, of Yonkers. He joined the organization in 1891 and in 1893 was elected senior warden. The same year he became a member of Terrace City Chapter, No. 177, R. A. M., and has filled its various offices, being elected high priest in 1896 and again in 1897. In 1898 he was again chosen to that office, but refused to serve for a third term. In 1899 Mr. Venn was appointed grand master of the first veil of the grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the state of New York. In 1893 he became a member of the Commandery of Knights Templar, filled several offices therein, and is now trustee.