Claude Grady Varn

Claude Grady Varn, son of Frederick Newton Varn, CSA and Mary Louisa Seward, was born 24 Aug 1890, Fort Meade, Polk CO, FL, died 05 Jan 1979, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 10 Jun 1915, Marjorie A Boor, dau of William Henry Boor and Cora A Kinney, born 22 May 1895, Sandusky, Erie CO, OH, died 31 Jul 1929 in childbirth, Butte, Silver Bow CO, MT. Both are buried in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

He received a general education in the public schools of Fort Mead, FL and after completion of high school there, matriculated at Stetson University in DeLand from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in the class of 1914. That same year he was admitted to the State Bar and became associated with the law firm of Landis, Fish and Hull in Deland. He continued with the firm for three years removing to Bunnell, FL in Jul1917.

He moved his small family into the Moody residence on the corner of Moody Boulevard and Main Street. Two months later he was appointed local attorney for the Florida East Coast Railway taking charge of all the legal matters for the Flagler System in Flagler County.

Mr. Varn was appointed by Gov Sidney Johnston Catts, attorney for the Flagler County Board of Public Instruction and attorney for the Board of County Commissioners (1917-1926). He was the attorney for the City of Bunnell when the county was formed. In Mar 1918, he moved his law office from the Tribune Building (SW corner of Moody Blvd and S Bay Streer) into the new Bank Building (NW corner of Moody Blvd and N Bay Street).

He served as District Price Attorney for Florida with the Office of Price Administration during World War II and similarly with the Price Stabilization Board during the Korean War. Claude maintained law offices at Bunnell, Daytona Beach and St Augustine.

He was active in the 1920's in furthering the construction of Ocean Shore Boulevard, now known as Highway A1A, from St Augustine to Daytona Beach and south, including the Mantanzas Inlet Bridge, which shortened the road distance from Jacksonville to Miami by 26 miles as compared with the shortest route at the time via St Augustine, Hastings and Bunnell.

He backed a bill in the Legislature which created a special road and bridge district, part in Flagler and part in Volusia counties and even a trip to Tallahassee to get the Governor's signature on the bill. When the road was opened on 20 Mar 1927, it ran for 41 miles from the north Flagler CO line to Ponce De Leon Inlet - - and Claude Varn and Company is credited with building the Matanzas Inlet swing bridge, a toll span for many years.

Mr. Varn was associated with Judge Fish in numerous real estate investments in St Johns and Flagler Counties, Florida. He founded and owned several corporations instrumental in the development of northeast Florida.

Claude G Varn and Rudolph D Peterson organized the Flagler County Abstract Company in 1917 and sold their stock to Orlando Francis Alford in 1927.

In Apr 1922, the Bunnell Bottling Works owned and most successfully operated by Mr Albert M Smith since 1920, was purchased outright by Col Claude G Varn, president of the Bunnell Refrigeration Company.

Claude’s wife, Marjorie A. Varn, was named as a School Trustee when Bunnell High School was erected in 1924.

In 1963, the bridge over Matanzas Inlet was named in his honor by the following act:

CHAPTER 63-746

SENATE BILL NO. 1031

AN ACT relating to the state road department, naming the bridge on highway A1A over the Matanzas river in St. Johns County; directing the state road department to affix a plaque to the bridge.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1. The bridge on highway A1A over the Matanzas river in St. Johns County is hereby dedicated and named the Claude Varn bridge.

Section 2. The state road department is directed to affix a proper plaque to the bridge mentioned in section 1 bearing the name of Claude Varn.

Became a law without the Governor’s approval.

Filed in Office Secretary of State June 6, 1963

THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, May 17, 1979

HOW STATE ROAD A1A GOT ITS START BY IN THE EARLY 20'S
By Gordon Kipp, Editor

A scenic highway from Ocean City to Mosquito Inlet was pretty much of a dream in the early 1920's.

Later those place names changed to Flagler Beach and Ponce de Leon Inlet and the oceanshore boulevard became a reality, now popularly known as State Road A1A.

And how all this came about is quite a story.

The late Claude G Varn of St. Augustine was one of the prime movers in getting the road started. He backed a bill in the Legislature which created a special road and bridge district, part in Flagler and part in Volusia counties.

As a matter of fact, Varn made a special trip to Tallahassee Jun 5, 1923, to get the Governor’s signature on the bill creating the special district which was designed to construct a 30 mile hard surface road subject to a referendum election and bond issue.

When the road finally was opened to traffic about five years later, on March 20, 1972, it ran for 41 miles, from north Flagler County line to Ponce de Leon Inlet.

A lot happened in between

First of all, once the bill had been signed into law, an election had to be conducted among the freeholders who were qualified electors in the affected district.

Opposition to the project reared its head in Volusia County, but Flagler County rallied behind the roadway.

A full scale advertizing campaign was carried out, including several full page ads in the Flagler Tribune.

One such ad read as follows:

“Long ago in the days when the world relied upon the windmill, society little dreamed of present day wonders made possible by the magic of the modern genie, “Progress.” Ocean City has been touched by the magic wand and has responded almost to a man. Community advancement has become paramount in the minds of the public asa well as the leaders in the development of this section of the Florida east coast.”

“The proposed 30 miles scenic Ocean Shore Boulevard is the inevitable outcome of the rapid expansion of the Florida East Coast and will pave the way to still greater achievements. Thousands of acres of valuable property, now undeveloped, and practically untaxed, awaits its coming. No other one public improvement could bring such great, immediate benefits to Flagler County and to every individual owner along the proposed route.

A canvass of the freeholders of Flagler County along the peninsula, upon which this great driveway will occupy the ocean shore for 30 miles southward from Ocean City Beach, reveals a unanimity of thought and action for its construction and that leaves never a doubt in the minds of its projectors as to the will of the people, and assures the carrying of the special election to be held on Tuesday, July 10, 1923, overwhelmingly in favor of this great scenic highway.

The publicity committee of the Ocean Shore Boulevard Association has prepared facts and figures which will be furnished to the skeptically inclined that prove that the opening of these many miles of ocean frontage will immediately add untold wealth to this section and furnish a much greater area to share our present taxes; the building of such a scenic highway will more that pay for itself out of enhanced values in the now undeveloped territory.”

When the election results were in from the July 10 election, the issue had carried by the narrow margin of eight votes. It lost in Volusia County by five votes but received a unanimous vote in Ocean City.

Bond trustees elected from Flagler County were Ed Johnson (William Edgar) and L. O. Upson (Lawrence Owen).

A front page editorial of July 12 remarked: “All Flagler County is rejoiced at the outcome.”

Those were the so called “boom” days in Florida real estate, so action didn’t follow too swiftly.

On Jan. 15, 1925, a contract was awarded to C. M. Rogers of Daytona Beach to do preliminary engineering work on the proposed project.

In May of 1925, the 1923 act was extended to extend the highway to the north Flagler County line and in July, a bond issue of $750,000 was advertised.

The National Bank of Commerce in New York City handled the bond sale and managed on Aug. 6 to get $755,133 and interest.

It was March 25 of the following year when Fred (W) Hooper and George Moody got a contract to build a road from the Matanzas Bridge to the north county line, a distance of a little more than two miles and on April 1 a contract was let to CAC Construction Company of Daytona Beach for the 41 miles of paving.

CAC later sublet the contract to three other contractors, who started laying the asphalt surface, Oct. 28.

Because the project already had appreciated in value, a second series of bonds was sold for $585,000 in December of 1926.

The road was opened to traffic March 20, 1927, with all the attendant hoopla suitable for the occasion, with the newly reorganized Flagler County Chamber of Commerce taking a prominent part in the planning of the proceedings.

That year, 1927, was a big year in many ways for Flagler County. It also marked the building of the Courthouse in Bunnell and the ocean pier at Flagler Beach.

But, for many persons, the most remarkable accomplishment of 1927 was the Ocean Shore Boulevard, the scenic highway that opened up the ocean front to visitor and permanent resident alike.

And a few dreamers of the early 20's watched their forecasts become reality. Varn, who died only recently must have been gratified to see that his labors were justified.

THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, May 31, 1979

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Mr. Kipp:

I read the from page article concerning State Road A1A with a great deal of interest and nostalgia for I can remember as a small boy seeing the Matanzas Inlet Bridge under construction. My father, the late Claude G Varn, was, at the time, practicing law in Bunnell (and subsequently in Daytona Beach during the construction of the Ocean Shore Boulevard).

Although the Ocean Shore Improvement District has the right of eminent domain, I believe that most, if not all, of the right of way was acquired by negotiation with the property owners which was probably an arduous task.

When first constructed, the road made sharp right angle turns around the U.S. Coast Guard Station between Flagler Beach and Daytona Beach; while the station is no longer there, I believe there are gentle curves around the site now, the state having modified the sharp turns when it took over the road.

As I recall, the revenues from the toll bridge at Matanzas Inlet were to retire the bonds authorized bu the special act of the Legislature to which you referred.

The construction of Ocean Shore Boulevard did open 56 miles of ocean frontage for development but the “Bust” of the late ‘20's and the depression the ‘30's delayed that development. In my opinion, however, another boom for Flagler County is now in its early stage.

Thanks for the nice comments concerning my father.

Wilfred C. Varn
Tallahassee

Issue;

1. Marjorie Amelia (Peggy) Varn, born 19 Jul 1917, FL, died 10 Aug 1917, Flagler CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

2. Wilfred Claude Varn, born 14 Mar 1919, DeLand, Volusia CO, FL, died 30 May 2009, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL, married 12 Nov 1948, Panama City, Bay CO, FL, Betty Jean Davenport, dau of George Edward Davenport, born 07 May 1921, FL, died 11 Nov 2008, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL. Both buried Roselawn Cemetery, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL.

Lt Wilfred Varn served in the US Army, overseas in the Pacific Theater, including New Guinea, Luzon, Phillippines, Australia, and in Occupied Japan in WW II. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Varn's last duty assignment took him to Washington, D.C., as Judge of the Army Court of Military Review. Upon retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, an honor for which he was unashamedly proud.

He attended Emory University at Oxford, Stanford University, and earned his law degree from the University of Florida in 1947. In 1947, Varn began practicing law in Panama City where he met his beloved wife of 59 years, Betty Jean Davenport.

The Varns moved to Tallahassee in 1954, where he served as Assistant U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. In 1961, he entered the private practice of law and was a partner in the law firm of Ervin, Varn, Jacobs, Odom & Kitchen for many years.

A faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee for 55 years, Varn taught Sunday school and served five times as Senior Warden. He was a delegate to many General Conventions of the Episcopal Church, and served the Episcopal Diocese of Florida on the Executive and Standing Committees. For many years, he served as Vice Chancellor of the Diocese.

An active community leader, Varn was a member of the Kiwanis Club since 1949 and honored as Distinguished Layperson of 2000. He helped organize Goodwill Industries in Tallahassee and served as President for the first two years. Varn also was the first legal counsel for the Junior League of Tallahassee, serving in that capacity for thirty-four years.

Varn was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity, the Florida Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Issue;

(1) Mary Patricia (Pat) Varn, born 02 Jan 1951, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL.married Paul Moore

(1) Wilfred Claude (Fred) Varn, Jr, born 09 Oct 1952, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL, married Gena (LNU)

(3) George Seward Varn, born 15 Mar 1956, Tallahassee, Leon CO, FL, married Sandi (LNU)

3. Corise Patricia Janice (Tossie) Varn, born 10 Sep 1921, DeLand, Volusia CO, FL, died 10 Jun 2005, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, buried US National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Lt Corise (Tossie) Varn served in Waves during WW II in the Pacific Theater, including Hawaii. She was a graduate of Bunnell High School and attended Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

In August, 1942, she was accepted as midshipman in the newly created arm of the U.S. Navy, the WAVES. Upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, she was commissioned ensign. She served in various areas and was one of the first three WAVES officers to be assigned outside of the continental United States. At the end of World War II, she had attained the rank of lieutenant.

After World War II Corise entered the University of Florida and was the first woman editor of the Florida Law Review. She was tapped for Phi Beta Kappa, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the UF School of Law and was awarded a fellowship at Yale University. After graduation Lt. Varn returned to the Navy, serving in offices of Chief of Naval Operations and Judge Advocated General, and was liaison for the Navy with Congress for three years.

When she retired, Corise held the rank of Commander and was one of the three highest ranking women officers in the U.S. Navy at that time.

4. Marilyn Janice Varn, born 09 Dec 1923, DeLand, Volusia CO, FL, died 22 Mar 2023, Flagler CO, FL, buried Graig/Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flageler CO, FL, married 15 Mar 1944, First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Raymond Francis (Ray) Colee, Jr, son of Raymond Francis Colee and Lydia (LNU), born 23 Jun1921, St Johns CO, FL, died 13 Jun 1969, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, buried Evergreen Cemetery, St. Augustine, St. Johns CO, FL.

Her uncle was William Wisner Wilson, USCG who was the best man at the wedding. She graduated Bunnell High School as valedictorian and later attended Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee. While there she pledged Delta Delta Delta. In Mar 1944 she was employed with the personnel director of the St Johns shipyard in Jacksonville.

She was a member of the General Joseph Eggleston Johnston Chapter #2317, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL joining with eligibility based on the service record of Frederick Newton Varn, courier (he was 16 yrs of age), Capt Hendry's Company, Munnerlyn's Battalion, FL Home Guard. Her supplemental lines were: Zachariah Seward, 2nd Lt, Company E, 7th FL Inf Reg; Josiah Varn, Pvt, Company E, 7th FL Inf Reg; William Baker Varn, Pvt, Company E, 7th FL Inf Reg and Richard Allen Seward, Pvt, Company E, 7th FL Inf Reg.

She served as President (1984-1988); Secretary (1992-1994; 1997-1998; 2000-2004) and Recorder of Crosses (1988-1996). She held the following Division offices: Chaplain (1987-1988); Recorder of Crosses (1988-1990); 2nd Vice President (1992-1994); and President (1996-1998)

General offices held: Convention Treasurer (1993); President's Council President (1996-1998). She has been awarded the Winnie Davis Meda (Chapter - Oct 1993) and the Honorary President (General - Nov 2003).

Ray graduated from Riverside Military Academy and, afterwards attended the University of Florida, where in the spring of 1943 he received his BS degree in commercial art. While in Gainesville, he became a member of Sigma Nu Social Fraternity and was the originator and first president of the St Augustine Club there. Issue;

(1) Robert Raymond Colee, born 14 May 1945, East Coast Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married Anne Rodes

(2) Lydia Janice Colee, born around 1948, FL, married Aug 1967, Duval CO, FL, Lawrence Joseph Filzen, son of Joseph N. Fitzen & Marjorie E. LNU, born 29 Jul 1944, IL

Marilyn Varn Colee married 2nd, Joseph Larimore (Larry) King, son of Thomas Larimore King and Carrie Mae Mercer, born 28 Jan 1926, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, died 17 Dec 2012, Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House, Palm Coast, Flagler CO, FL, buried Craig/Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Flagler CO, FL.

Larry was first married to Sara Ann Irvin and had three children. He married second, Millie Ann Palmer. See sketch on Thomas Larimore King for additional information on this family.

5. Helen Eloise (Honey) Varn, born 13 Sep 1926, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, died 24 Oct 2021, Flagler CO, FL, married 07 Aug 1948, Grace Methodist Church, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, James Samuel (Jim) Holton, son of Raymond Oliver Holton and Edna Oliver, born 22 Nov 1923, died 12 Aug 1993, St Johns CO, FL. She was with with the Bunnell High School Class of 1944 graduating from Ketterlinus High School, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL with the KHS Class of 1944..

Helen sttended the University of Alabama where she was a member of Detla Gamma Soriety. He served in the US Army in WW II. While he attended the University of Florida she worked in the UF's Registra's Office. Upon Jim's graduation they moved to St Augustine, FL. Helen worked at an abstract company and was an active member of the Junior Service League. Later they moved to Polk CO, FL where Helenbecame a successful real estate broker. In 1985, she was named to the Million Dollar Club, Lakeland Board of Realtors.

Upon retirment, Helen and Jim moved to Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL. Issue:

(1) Mary Helen Holton, born St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 15 Jul 1978, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, James Stanley Arbogast

(2) James Holton, born St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married Chris

(3) Marjorie Anne Holton, born St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 28 Feb 1987, Palma Ceia Methodist Church, Tampa, Hillsborough CO, FL, William George "Bill" Cammann

6. Marjorie Lilian Varn, born 31 Jul 1929, Butte, Silver Bow CO, MT, died 17 Sep 2013, Hospice Care at Florida Memorial Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married James Dwight Leonard, son of Walter Biglow Leonard and Josephine E. Vanderlip, born 16 Jul 1925, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, died 02 Sep 2006, Lake City, Columbia CO, FL. Both are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL.

Marjorie graduated from Ketterlinus High School in 1947. While in high school, she received the title of "Miss St. Augustine". She attended the University of Florida, the first year they admitted women and joined the Delta Delta Delta Sorority while there. Prior to graduation she moved to Washington, D.C. to attend George Washington University. While in Washington, she accepted a job with the government as an operative with the Central Intelligence Agency which took her to Vienna, Austria and Berlin, Germany immediately after World War II.

James graduated from Ketterlinus High School in St Augustine and served during World War II in the Philippines with the 503rd Parachute Rgt. Upon his discharge, Jim attended the University of Florida, pledged to Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and graduated with a B.A. in journalism, with minors in public relations and advertising.

He worked for The St. Augustine Record until 1950, when he moved to New York City to begin a life-long career in marketing/advertising. While in New York, he worked with Fawcett Publications, McGraw-Hill and Hayden Publishing Company.

His marketing career took him and his family from New York to New Orleans, La., and back again to resume work in New York, and finally to Ft. Lauderdale, where he finished his career at Peninsula Federal Savings and Loan in Miami as Vice President/Marketing.

He enjoyed several years of retirement until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's-type disease in 1995. He and his devoted wife, Marjorie, returned to St. Augustine in 1996. Issue:

(1) Elizabeth "Lyza" Leonard, married Wayne Winston

(2) Marjorie "Jori" Leonard, married Gregory Snell. Issue;

(A) Gregory Snell, Jr.

(B) Maris Snell

(C) Arden Snell

Claude Grady Varn married 2nd, 02 June 1930, Synder Memorial Church, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, Mary Belle Barber, dau of Jeptha Dennis Barber and Minnie Sweat, born 04 Apr 1901 Appling CO, GA, died 03 Apr 1987, St. Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

 

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census Published Articles.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1900 United States Federal Census, Fort Meade, Prencinct 2, Polk CO, FL; 1920 United States Federal Census, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL; 1930 United States Federal Census, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL; 1935 Florida State Census, Bay CO, FL; 1935 Florida State Census, St Johns CO, FL;

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; Florida Marriage Collection, 1927-2001;

Social Security Death Index; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998 ;

The Bunnell Home Builder, Jul 1917, Sept 1917, Mar 1918; The Daytona Beach News-Journal, 22 Sep 2013; The Flagler Tribune, 20 Mar 1919, 06 Apr 1922, 03 Aug 1922, 18 Sep 1924, 22 Oct 1925, 30 Mar 1944, 19 Aug 1948, 02 Mar 1950, 17 May 1979, 31 May 1979; The St Augustine Record, 25 Jun 2005,16 Jun 2005; The Tallahassee Democrat, 01 Jun 2009;

The Story of Florida, pg 496; Geraldine Vaughn, Profiles, General Joe's Daughters, (Gen Jos Eggleton Johnston Chap 2317, UDC, Bunnell, FL, 2005).

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com