Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Varley, Thomas  1824 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 6:33 pm

Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890

THOMAS VARLEY. Among the pioneers whose names are identified with that of 
Wheatland as its builders, none occupy a more honorable position than that of 
this gentleman, who for many years has been a tiller of the soil in this 
locality and has thereby secured a competence, his farm on section 28, being a 
most desirable one in ever respect. Our subject is of English origin, born in 
Yorkshire, June 27, 1824, a son of William and Mary Varley. He was reared to 
manhood in his native country and has been employed in farming pursuits from 
early boyhood. He had but a rudimentary education in the schools of England, 
but after he came to this country he attended school two winters and during 
the two months of each season applyed himself closely to his books and rapidly 
improved in scholarship. He has always been fond of reading and aims to keep 
wellposted of affairs of general interest. In 1850, in the prime of early 
manhood, he determined to seek his fortunes in America, and taking passage to 
Hull on a sailing vessel, after a voyage of about seven weeks landed in New 
York City. He came directly to Will County from there and when he arrived here 
found that he had but two shillings left, and as he was suffering with a felon 
on his hand he was obliged to pay out that money to have it removed. He thus 
started in life hereunder discouraging circumstance. Nothing daunted, however, 
with characteristic British pluck and tenacity of purpose he immediately 
sought work and soon became employed as a farm hand. He saved his money and in 
time had earned enough to send for his wife and children, who joined him in 
1854. After the arrival of his family he farmed as a renter for about four 
years and then bought land in Wheatland Township. He subsequently purchased 
his present farm in 1865, and since has built up a substantial home by hard 
and persistent labor, aided by his faithful wife. The two hundred and forty 
acres comprising his farm are under excellent cultivation, and neat and 
conveniently arranged buildings adorn the place, and everything about it shows 
the care of the owner. Our subject was married in England, March 5, 1844, to 
Martha Cravan, a native of that country. Six children were born to their 
union. Margaret, John, Charles, Mary, wife of Peter Cheese, of Colorado; Jane, 
wife of Edward Levee, and the mother of three children—Harvey, Frank and 
Nelson; and Martha, wife of Robert Pennington, of Kane County, Ill. May 23, 
1878, the wife who had been our subject's helpmate for so many years, departed 
this life, leaving behind her a wealth of love and affection and many warm 
friends who mourn her loss. "Her work is compassed and done; All things are 
seemly and ready, And her summer has just begun. "But we cannot think of her 
idle; She must be a home-maker still; God giveth that work to the angels Who 
fittest the task fulfill. "And somewhere, yet, in the hill tops of the country 
that hath no pain She will watch in her beautiful doorway To bid us a welcome 
again." In a career, honorable alike to himself and to the community, Mr. 
Varley has shown those valuable traits of character without which success is 
unattainable; and the perusal of this biographical sketch leads one to feel 
that he is a man of sound intelligence and high worth, whom his fellow-
citizens may well hold in respect and esteem. He is classed among the oldest 
pioneers of the neighborhood and while witnessing the gradual growth of the 
country from its primitive wildness to its present high state of cultivation, 
he has done much pioneer work to forward its improvement. He has served as 
School Director and has been Road Commissioner of the township for several 
years. He long since identified himself with the Republican party and has 
remained a true supporter of its principles.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 
 


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