Venable, Henry Isaac

Venable, Henry Isaac a Presbyterian minister, was born June 28, 1811, in Shelby County, Ky. He was prepared for college at Shelbyville under the tuition of the Rev. Andrew Shannon; graduated from Center College in 1830; and, while a student in college, united by profession with the Church in Danville at about eighteen years of age. He then taught school one year in Clark County, and entered Princeton Seminary, N. J., in 1831. After remaining there one year, he went to the Union Theological Seminary, in Virginia, where he remained two years, and graduated. He was licensed by West Hanover Presbytery April 19, 1834, and was ordained Oct. 10, 1834, by the Transylvania Presbytery, Ky., as an evangelist. Having devoted himself to the work of foreign missions, he embarked at Boston, Dec. 3, 1834, for Zululand, in South Africa, where he labored with great earnestness and self-denial until he was driven from his field by war, when he returned to the United States in March, 183 He then supplied the Church at Paris, Ill., from Oct. 1, 1839, until Dec. 1, 1841. At the latter date, he founded the Edgar Female Academy at Paris, and devoted his time and labors wholly thereto until 1850. This academy grew and flourished, expanding into the Edgar Collegiate Institute. From 1853 to 1856 he supplied the Church at Charleston, Ill.; then Oakland (otherwise called Bethel) Church from April 1, 1856, to May 1, 1860. At the latter date, having accepted a call, he was installed pastor of Oakland Church. This relation was dissolved, because of inadequate support, April 18, 1865, after which he supplied the Church at Newton from 1865 to 1867, then Carlisle and Claiborne churches thirteen months, and York Church (all in Illinois) for one year. In September, 1870, by earnest request of the parties interested, he became principal of the Edgar Collegiate Institute, which he had founded nearly thirty years before, and continued in charge of it u1ntil, not long before his death, he was compelled to desist from all labor. He died at Paris, Edgar Co., Ill., May 22, 1878. His death was peaceful, trustful, and without fear. He was a truly godly man, an earnest and faithful minister of the Gospel, a true and sincere friend, and universally esteemed and loved by his brethren. (W. P. S.)