R B Veneman

VENEMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 01:08:32

R V Veneman, Although Professor R V Veneman has been a resident ob Boone county for a comparatively brief period he has been so closely and prominently connected wit the educational interests of the county during this time that no history of the community would be complete without a record of his career. It is widely acknowledged fact that the most important work to which a man can direct his energies is that of teaching whether it be from the pulpit, form the lecture platform or from the schoolroom. Its primary object is ever the same-the development of one’s latent powers that the duties of life may be bravely met and well performed. It is to the work of instruction the young that Professor Veneman has largely devoted his time, energy and thought, and now he is serving as county superintendent of schools of Boone county in which position he has done much to advance the intellectual standard.
A native of Polk County, Iowa, Mr Veneman was born July 4, 1867. His father W J Veneman, was a native of Indiana, born June 5, 1844, and was a son of Lemuel Veneman. After arriving at years of maturity the father wedded Margaret Kirbey who was born in Pennsylvania in December 1843, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. From 1849 the father was a resident of Polk county, Iowa. He became a well known and prosperous farmer of that portion of the state. By his marriage six children were born. R V of his review, Lemuel and Nelson who are living, who are living in Story county, Hattie the wife of J R Black of Scranton, Iowa, Alberta and Ward both at home. The family reside in Maxwell, Story county, which has been their place of residence since 1871. During the Civil war the father manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting in the spring of 1862 as a member fo Company B, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged on June 5, 1865--the war having ended. He was with Sherman’s army and was captured at Altoona Pass.
Mr Veneman of this review pursued his early education in the public schools of Story county and later continued his studies in Maxwell, Iowa where he was graduated. He next matriculated in the Iowa State College at Ames, and in 1891 began teaching, following that profession continuously until he left for it for his present position. IN 1896 he removed to Boone county and in 1899 was elected superintendent of schools, entering upon the duties of the office in January 1900. So capably did he serve that in the fall of 1901 he was re-elected and is therefore the incumbent for a second term. His methods are practical and progressive and he is introducing many needed reforms and improvements in the school system.
On July 2, 1891 Professor Veneman was united in marriage to Cora Houser, who was born in Wisconsin, August 6, 1868, a daughter of William Houser, of Richland Center, Wisconsin. Her mother bore the maiden name of Virginia Waddell, and in the family were five children: Eliza the wife of Frank Perry of Colo, Iowa, Mrs Veneman, Martha the wife of U G Gilger of Colo, Iowa, Myrtle the wife of W F Shaw of the same place, and Orval C who makes his home there. The home of Professor and Mrs Veneman has been blessed with one son, Roscoe, who was born August 22, 1892. The parents are members of the Methodist church and the Professor belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity Politically he is a Republican. He has given his unfaltering support to the principles of the party because of his firm belief therein.

1902 Boone County History Book