BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
A Standard History of Williams County, Ohio
prepared under the Editorial Supervision of Hon. Charles A. Bowersox.
Volume II - Illustrated
Publ. by The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago and New York
1920

MARTIN W. VARNER - Williams County is rapidly taking rank among the most progressive farming sections of Ohio, now progressive not only in the technical processes involved in modern agriculture but also in point of good citizenship.  One of the men who have contributed toward its record in the past decade is Martin W. Varner,  owner of Liberty Farm in Florence Township.  Liberty Farm, a highly cultivated place of a hundred acres, is located near West Edon.      Its owner was born Apr. 24, 1877, in Putnam County, Ohio, son of Isaiah and Fannie (Landas) Varner.  His parents grew up in the same community in Putnam County.  Isaiah Varner was in the Civil war, served all through the Union army, and was once wounded.  In politics he is a staunch republican, affiliated with the Masonic lodge, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Of ten children, eight are still living, the only one in Williams County being Martin W. The others are Maggie, Charles, Jacob, Jerry, Curtis E., Grace and Chester E.      Martin W. Varner spent his early life on the old farm in Putnam County and made good use of his advantages in the common schools.  He was married in 1906, and the following year moved to DeKalb County, Indiana.  That was his home until 1912, when he bought Liberty Farm in Williams County, and in the past eight years he has done a great deal of development and improvement, making his farm a source of profit and one of the real homes of the county.  While a general farmer Mr. Varner has given much attention to livestock, and is also one of the specialty crop men in this section of Williams County, his specialties being onions and potatoes.  In the season of 1920 he had fifteen acres planted to onions, and two acres in potatoes.      Mr. Varner votes as a republican and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edon. Life's heaviest cross to him, and a great loss to the community as well, came with the death of his good wife and the companion of his youth, on May 2, 1920.  They were married Mar. 11, 1906.  Mrs. Varner's maiden name was Myrtle S. Shafer, and she was born in Putnam County, Apr. 16, 1889, a daughter of Samuel and Salome Shafer.  Mrs. Varner by her work and counsel had contributed a great deal to the success she and her husband enjoyed.  She was a devout Christian, and during the World war she covered her section of the county in Red Cross and other war causes.  Her plans and thoughts revolved about doing good and helping others.  She was a wonderful housekeeper and many of her friends learned to appreciate her efficiency in the home and the quality of her hospitality.  Mrs. Varner is survived by two children: Margaret M., born May 7, 1908, and Paul D., born Nov. 1, 1910.  The inspiration flowing from the unselfish love and devotion of the good mother continue to uphold the father and children as they face the tasks and responsibilities of life. Source:  A Standard History of Williams County, Ohio - Vol. II - Illustrated - Publ. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago - New York - 1920 - Page 324

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