From the Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin published by The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891 Page 272:

WILLIAM M. FARNING, of section 5, Grant Township, was born in Albany, New York, December 11, 1852, and is a son of Michael and Ann (Markey) Farning, natives of Ireland. The parents emigrated to America in their younger days, and were not united in marriage until after they had crossed the sea. In 1855 they came to Wisconsin, and settled at Weston's Rapids, Clark County, where they resided a few years they then removed to a farm on section 6. When the civil war broke out, Michael Farning was not slow to take up arms in the defense of his adopted county he joined the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company I, as a private and served until 1864, when he died of disease at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His widow still lives on the old home in Grant Township. Mr. Farning was among the pioneer teachers of Clark County, was for many years a surveyor, and held several of the minor offices of the township.

William M. Farning is one of a family of four children: John, a lumberman of Clark County Robert, deceased, and Frank, a farmer of Grant Township. Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the common schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age, and then engaged in the lumber and logging business in which he has since continued for nine years he has operated two saw mills in Clark County, and owns an interest in another one his annual business aggregates 2,000,000 feet of lumber. He started out in life without capital, relying upon his own exertions, and his efforts have been crowned with success. He owns in addition to his saw mill interests eighty acres of land in Grant Township and 120 acres in York Township.

Politically Mr. Farning is identified with the Democratic Party and belongs to Black River Lodge, No. 21. A.O.U.W.

In 1875, November 14, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Dwyer, a native of Michigan, born November 27, 1853, and a daughter of John H. and Catherine (Murray) Dwyer. They have had three children: William, Frank and Janie.