Philip E. Varner
Though taking pride in the fact that he is a Native Son of California, Mr. Varner is equally proud of the fact that he is the son of one of the state’s pioneer settlers, not one of the earliest perhaps, but at least one who has accomplished much for the good of his fellowmen since taking up his residence in this western commonwealth. His grandparents on the paternal side wee of German and Scotch birth respectively and their son, Samuel Varner, has exemplified in his life all the sturdy qualities that these two stanch races are noted for. He was born in Ohio June 2, 1844, and was therefore little more than a lad when the opening of the Civil war aroused him to action and witnessed his enlistment in the service of his country. His life on the battlefield of nearly four years tells a story of hardship and danger that few of his comrades were able to withstand, and the courage and bravery with which he performed all of the duties required of him on the field of battle have been no less conspicuous in the duties of private life as they have come to him. From Ohio, Samuel and Margaret (Stoffal) Varner removed westward to Kansas in 1867, and from there in 1875 again took up the westward march that was to bring them to their present home in California.
In the same year in which his parents came to California Philip E. Varner was born in Green valley, Sonoma county, December 12, 1875. The first thirteen years of his life were associated with that immediate vicinity uninterruptedly, but at the end of that time he started out to make his own way in the world and has succeeded in accomplishing the purpose which he then determined upon. Going to Occidental, this county, he secured employment more congenial to his tastes than he had found farming, and after remaining there eight years, changed his location as well as his line of employment, working as a teamster in the navy year at Vallejo for three years. It was after this varied experience that he came to Santa Rosa, with which locality his interests have since been identified. The restaurant business engaged his attention for the first eight years, after which he sold out his business and for one and a-half years thereafter was engaged in the management of the St. Rose hotel, giving it up at the end of that time to establish the fuel and grain business of which he is now the proprietor. This is one of the live, enterprising business establishments of Santa Rosa, and the proprietor is enjoying a business commensurate with the labor and efforts which he exerts.
In 1900 Mr. Varner was married to Miss Jennie Smith, a daughter of Fran Smith, a native of Maine, who with his wife is now making his home in Santa Rosa, Cal. Politically Mr. Varner is a Republican, active in the ranks of his chosen party, as he is indeed to whatever he lends his name and influence. In 1908 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Sonoma county, a position which he has filled for the past two years, and he has also acted in the capacity of deputy county clerk. By right of his birth in California Mr. Varner is eligible to membership in the Native Sons of the Golden West, a privilege of which he has availed himself, and Santa Rosa Parlor No. 28, has no more enthusiastic member.
History
of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Compan8, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
July 13, 2011 Pages 703-704
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