| Newspaper | Cassville Republican |
|---|---|
| Date | July 13, 1911, Thursday |
| Headline | Grandpa Varner's Birthday |
| Text | On Wednesday afternoon, July 12, was one of the most enjoyable times for some at the home of Grandpa and Grandma Varner's when 50 of their relatives and friends gathered to help grandpa celebrate his eighty-second birthday. Instead of having a big dinner, 9 1/2 gallons of ice cream were made and easily disposed of. Grandpa Varner is one of Barry County's oldest citizens and he and grandma are perhaps the oldest couple in Southwest MO. They were married in East Tennessee in 1840, 62 years ago. They came to Barry Co. 50 years ago. Grandma is 79 years old. They both are enjoying very good health considering their age. To this union were born 12 children, nine of them are still living. They are Mrs. Lou Cowherd of Okmulgee, Okla., Mrs. Hannah Hopkins, Mrs. Nan Baker, P. A. Varner, J. S. Varner, Mrs. Pearl Fulton and Miss Mattie Varner, Mrs. Mary Harben of Tecumseh, Okla., W. E. Varner of Maud, Okla., Grandma and Grandma have living 36 grandchildren and 61 great grandchildren. Research Note: William Moulton Varner was born in Sullivan Co., TN, July 12, 1829 and died Nov 11, 1919. He married Catherine Mary Shipley in Hamilton Co., TN, May 31, 1849. She was born April 13, 1832 in Sullivan Co., TN, and died May 8, 1913 in Barry Co., MO. They are buried at Washburn Prairie Cemetery. Catherine Mary Shipley was the daughter of Orson & Hannah (Hunt) Shipley. William was the son of William and Sebrina Elizabeth (Moulton) Varner. |
| Resource | State Historical Society of MO Microfilm |
| Submitted by | Donna Cooper |
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