Biography of Francis H. Varner - Craighead Co, AR

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Submitted by: Unknown < >
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 360

Francis H. Varner, whose extensive farm is second to but one on Buffalo
Island, was born in Dunklin County, Mo., September 6, 1842, and is the
son of Thomas Varner, a native of Georgia. The father's first wife lived
but a short time, and he was afterward married to Susan Moore, a native
of Virginia. They were married in Dunklin County and there engaged in
farming for several years, but soon after the birth of Francis H. moved
to Buffalo Island, in 1844. Here the father engaged in farming, besides
practicing his profession as physician and surgeon until his death, July
3, 1876. His wife survived him several years, dying January 30, 1885.
Francis H. is the oldest of the family of seven children—five boys and
two girls—all of whom are now living and residents of this island. He was
actively employed on the farm until after his father's death, and
educational advantages being at that time very limited received but a
meager education. He has improved several large farms and of 800 acres
has about 175 cleared, and has also a good residence and out-buildings.
In connection with his farm he has a cotton-gin and grist-mill. In the
latter part of the late war he entered the Confederate service, and
surrendered at Wittsburg, Ark. April 13, 1867, he married Tennis C.
Lambert, who was a native of Tennessee, but was reared in Arkansas. She
died June 10, 1883, leaving the following children: Mary Ann (wife of
Dawson Brooks), born January 30, 1868; William T., born January 25, 1870;
Corintha J., born October 23, 1873; Tabitha E., born July 28, 1876, and
Ava V., born August 9, 1879. Two children died in infancy. December 24,
1885, he was married to Margaret Armstrong, nee Privett, who is a native
of Alabama and the widow of W. J. Armstrong. She is the daughter of A. R.
Privett, who was born in North Carolina March 19, 1806, and died in Union
County, Miss., December 24, 1877. Mr. Varner is a member of the Christian
Church and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal.