James S. Venus

James Venus, cigar manufacture, was born in Shrewsbury Township, near Mount Zion, May 30, 1851, and was the third son of the six children of Henry and Ann (Sykes) Venus, of York County and England, respectively. Until fifteen years of age he remained in Shrewsbury Township, then went with his parents to Carroll County, Md. He received a good English education in both districts, and in 1870 he removed again to York County. In 1873 he began to learn photography at Shrewsbury, and followed it six years. In 1878 he learned cigar making, and in 1879 began manufacturing, and at present makes about 200,000 a year. September 17, 1876, he was married to Sallie E. Eaton, daughter of Hohn Eaton, of York County. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Venus is a prominent Odd Fellow, and has held all the chairs in Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 143.


Taken from the book, “History of York County, Illustrated 1886” by John Gibson, Historical Editor