Ellen SULLIVAN married William Henry VARNER in October 1881 in Chatham Twp., Wright County. Ellen died before 1900 in Beltrami County. William continued to farm there in Turtle River Township, never remarrying it appears, at least up until 1920 he didn't--he died in 1940 in Bemdji Township. I haven't pursued finding out what cemeteries are in Turtle River Township or Bemidji Township yet.

It's possible that William and Ellen VARNER had a daughter born about 1891, possibly named Alice or Mattie. I haven't pursued finding a birth record in Beltrami County. It's possible that half-sister Mattie (Martha Magdalena) VARNER (later married a Beatty) may have taken care of the child until she was 4 or 5 and then the child was adopted by people with the last name of EDMINSTER. I have a studio portrait of whom I believe is Mattie VARNER, half-brother William Henry VARNER, and Alice or little Mattie VARNER. I'm hoping that some Wright County or Beltrami County Sullivan researchers have a picture of Ellen SULLIVAN and William VARNER that I can compare my picture to. Thanks so much. Marie Robinson (I am a subscriber to the VARNER-L and the VARNER-John-Mary-Bitz-L)\