1891 HISTORY OF CLARK & JACKSON CO., WI; pg. 330

JOHN T. FARNING, a prominent lumberman and proprietor of a sawmill on section 27, Eaton Township, was born in Vermont, March 11, 1856, the son of Michael and Ann (Markey) Farning, both natives of Ireland. The father came to America when a young man, and in the fall of 1856 emigrated to this county, and the following spring settled on section 6, Grant Township, where he cleared a farm. He taught school during the winters, having been a college graduate and a very fine scholar. He was a soldier in the late war, in Company I, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and participated in many battles, including Vicksburg, Shiloh, Corinth and many others. He was wounded at Vicksburg, from which he afterward recovered, but died from chronic diarrhea while in the service. Of Mr. and Mrs. Farning's four children, three survive: William, John and Franklin. One son, Robert, died at the age of twenty-nine years.

The subject of this sketch has lived in this county most of his life, excepting four years spent in Marshfield, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the livery business. In 1887 he bought a saw-mill in this county, and the following year moved to this city, where he saws and ships his lumber mostly to Janesville. He was married May 1, 1888, to Martha Christie, a daughter of James Christie, deceased. They have one child, Annie Belle, born October 19, 1889.