Vena, Cyrus, Jr.

Cyrus Vena, Jr. was a carpenter, contractor, and builder who was also one of the first African American city council members in Xenia, OH; he served two terms.

Vena was born in North Middletown, KY; he is listed as a free person in the 1840 U. S. Federal Census. He married Sarah J. Warnell in 1849 prior to the couple's move to Xenia, where Vena built a number of noted buildings. The couple had had seven children when they left Ohio and moved the entire family to Los Angeles, CA. Cyus Vena, Jr. was head janitor in the LA Hall of Justice for 30 years.

For more see p. 135 in The Negro Trail Blazers of California, by D. L. Beasley.