From The Buffalo Journal, Vol. 9, February 7, 1895.

In Memoriam.

Died---at his home on Pulaski Lake this county, after a short illiness, Feb. 3^rd, 1895, John Varner aged 60 years, 6 months and 22 days.

Mr. Varner was born in Westmorland county, Pennsylvania July 11, 1834. From there he went to Venango county where on the 28^th day of February 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Hickman, who still survives him.

He enlisted in the Union Army, Feb 23, 1874, and then became a member of Co. "K", 4^th Reg. Penna. Vol. Cavalry and served until July 1^st, 1865, when he was honorably discharged.

With his family, he removed to Wright Co. Minn., in 1866 bought a farm on the shores of Pulaski Lake, built for himself and family a neat, comfortable home and there continued to reside until the time of his death.

There were born to him five sons and six daughters, all of whom are yet living except one son. Two daughters and one son are married and the youngest child, a girl, is about eight years old.

He was a member of John W. Cochrane Post, G. A. R. of this village, according to whose burial service his remains are today (Wednesday) laid away in the new, Lakeview cemetery, there having first been religious services at the home the Rev. H. A. Noyes officiating.

Mr. Varner was an honorable, upright citizen, respected by all his neighbors and a man who had many friends.

Obituary of Frances HICKMAN VARNER, wife of John VARNER:

From The Buffalo Journal, Vol. XLII, #27, June 28, 1928.

FUNERAL RITES OF FRANCES HICKM’N VARNER, SUNDAY

PASSES AWAY AT HER PULASKI HOME LAST FRIDAY AT 84 YEARS

Funeral services were held Sunday for Frances Hickman Varner, who died at her home at Pulaski last Friday afternoon, at 84 years.

The funeral rites were held at the home at 2:15 p.m., and at the Presbyterian church at 3:00 o’clock, Rev. R. Roberts officiating. The text was from Luke 24-29, "Abide With Us, For it is Toward Evening."

The quartette sang, "Safe in The Arms of Jesus," at the home, and at the church rendered: "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," "Abide With Me," and "The Christian’s Good Night."

Frances Hickman Varner, daughter of William and Sarah Hickman was born on January 9^th, 1844 at Pine Grove, Venango County, Penn., and died at her home at Pulaski Lake, on Friday afternoon, June 22, at the age of 84 years, 5 months, and 13 days.

On February 28, 1863, she was married to John Varner, who shortly afterwards enlisted in the Civil War. After his discharge, at the close of the war, he came West with two brothers, traveling all the way with teams of horses and wagons, and located in Wright County, Minnesota. About a year afterwards, in the spring of 1866, the young wife and her first born child, Sheridan, followed the husband to his new home in the West, traveling by steam boat to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and then on the Great Northern to Bog Lake, the journey taking six weeks. They bought land on the shore of Pulaski Lake and built a home, where, from the day to the time of her death, has been to her "Home Sweet Home." Who can estimate the joys and sorrows, the cares and trials, the anticipations and vexations, endured during all these years by this Mother of eleven children, ten of whom were born in this "New Home in the West." "Others have labored, we are reaping the fruits of their labors." We enjoy the scenic beauty of Pulaski, we partake of the fruits of the fields, without a thought of the hardships endured, hours of labor given, the ceasless watching, planning, expectations, and disappointments of the pioneers of the early days, who have made possible this "Beauty Spot in God’s Creation." We are able to say the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage, because in the yesterdays, there were fathers and mothers like this one we lay to rest today, who endured hardships like good soldiers, leaving to posterity a land flowing with milk and honey, a place of wondrous beauty compared to what it was 65 years ago. The Saviour’s words concerning a good woman of His day is appropriate to this mother, "She hath done what she could." She leaves to mourn her departure, nine children, two having preceded her in death. They are as follows: Sheridan, Simeon, Addie Engels, Grace Kopff, Frances Stevens, Alice Flynn of Buffalo; Minnie Wilkins of Excelsior, Minn; Charles, of Oregon; John of Balfour, N.D. All these children have been very attentive to Mother during her long illness, giving of their time and strength unstinstingly, and the sons in-law and daughters in-law doing likewise, all of which was fully appreciated by Mother Varner. There are 34 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren, from whom grandma, who loved them all, has gone, but not forgotten. There is also one sister, Mrs. Ella Stoves of Seneca, Penn. As a neighbor, a friend, and Christian, Mother Varner will always be lovingly remembered, by all who knew her. She died in the triumphant faith of the children of God—O’death where is thy sting—O’Grave