Vennebergm  
 
 

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     MARTIN VENNEBERG.  About twelve miles northwest from Chelan, on a beautiful spot, well situated for view and in the midst of fertile land, is the estate of the subject of this article, who is one of the leading agriculturists of the lake region.  Mr. Venneberg practices diversified farming, in which he has good success.  He handles some stock, has the best of fowls, geese, Toulouse, chickens, Buff Cochin, is the pioneer apiarist of the section and has some good Italian swarms now.  The farm is well kept, and manifests the thrift and industry of the owner, while the tasty buildings and other improvements show the skill and sagacity of the man.
     Martin Venneberg was born in Holstein, Germany, on December 10, 1863, the son of John and Caroline (Kaufmann) Venneberg, both natives of the same place.  They now dwell in Wisconsin, having come thither in 1885.  Our subject was well educated in the public and private schools of his native place.  He preceded his parents by four years to Wisconsin, where he worked in the woods winters.  Later he spent four seasons on the lakes.  In 1889 he came to the vicinity of Waterville, and filed a preemption.  Selling this, he engaged in the meat business in Douglas, after which he came to his present place, being the first white settler above the Indian allotment on the east side of the lake.  He at once set to work to make a good home, and the result is the tasty and valuable place we have mentioned.  In addition to this, Mr. Venneberg has been handling stock, and now has a large band.  He also owns sheep and hogs.  He has just commenced the Angora goat business and has some of the finest thoroughbreds.
     Mr. Venneberg has one brother, Charles, and four sisters, Lucy Hintz, Augusta Hansen, Annie Wolfe, and Mary Robinson.
     On May 3, 1883, Mr. Venneberg married Miss Louisa Dose at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who is a native of London, England.  She was born on an anniversary of the Queen's birthday, May 24, 1865.  Her parents, Carl and Louisa (Timm) Dose, were natives of Germany.  The father lived in England for some time, then came to the United States and followed his trade, cabinet making, until his death, in 1894, at Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  The mother was married in London and died in New York City when Mrs. Venneberg was fourteen.  Mrs. Venneberg has two brothers, George and Julius.  Six children are the fruit of the marriage of our subject: Carl, aged ten; Otto, aged eight; Willie, aged six; Emma, aged four; Luella, aged two; and Julius.  Mr. Venneberg is a member of the W. W., and is a socialist.  He has frequently held various county offices and is recognized as a man of stability and uprightness.