Thomas Venn

DEATH NOTICE: see the Cape Archives, MOOC 6/9/298, No 1840. OBITUARY: see the Daily Dispatch, 21.10.1891 and 24.10.1891. See also the East London Standard , 22.10.1891.

Thomas Henry Venn was born in Cape Town in June 1836.

He settled at East London where he became an agent for several Cape Town firms and then took charge of the firm Dicksons and Company. He later established his own landing, shipping and commission agency in partnership with his brother, George Venn. They were also partners in the firm T. & G. Venn, wine and spirit merchants.

From 1873 till 1874 he was on the Board of the East London Landing and Shipping Company. In February 1878 he and his brother were declared insolvent and their joint estates were sold by auction. He served as consular agent for the United States and was a member of the Southern Cross Lodge of the Free Masons.

In May 1873 Venn was elected to the first Municipal Board as a representative for Panmure. He remained in office for the full duration of the Triennial Council but did not seek re-election in February 1877.

He died on 20 October 1891 due to suffocation from a constriction of the windpipe. He was then 55 years of age of 55. He was buried at East London.