Person Information

Biography

His father Joseph Bradley Varnum Sr. was a prominent politician in early America. (Varnum Sr. submitted constitutional amendment that abolished the slave trade in 1808 while a member of US House of Representatives.) He fought in the War of 1812 and afterwards stayed west to work as an agent for John Jacob Astor, head of the American Fur Company. In 1817 he retired from the fur trade and moved to New York City, where he engaged in business regarding banking and railroads.  He was an important stockholder in the New York and Wabash railroads. He worked for the War Department in Washington D.C., as an Indian Agent; had various business ventures including in the fur trade and dry goods business; he married Mary Graham, and they had six children: Mary Mott (nee Varnum), Joseph B. Varnum (deceased at 1 year in 1827), Joseph B Varnum, Louisa Varnum, James Lorimer Varnum, Margaret Ann Underhill (nee Varnum).

Joseph Bradley Varnum is mentioned in Frances Miller Seward's 1835 diary. She writes on her to do list: "Prepare affdvts [affidavits] &c in Varnum's motion" (page 4). She also writes earlier on "the Varnum matter" (page 1). The motion she is referring to is unknown. He is also mentioned by Fanny Adeline Seward in her 1862-3 diary along with the Milton family (at least two daughters and three sons, but unknown at the time of this entry).

Letter References

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
His father Joseph Bradley Varnum Sr. was a prominent politician in early America. (Varnum Sr. submitted constitutional amendment that abolished the slave trade in 1808 while a member of US House of Representatives.) He fought in the War of 1812 and afterwards stayed west to work as an agent for John Jacob Astor, head of the American Fur Company. In 1817 he retired from the fur trade and moved to New York City, where he engaged in business regarding banking and railroads. He was an important stockholder in the New York and Wabash railroads. He worked for the War Department in Washington D.C., as an Indian Agent; had various business ventures including in the fur trade and dry goods business; he married Mary Graham, and they had six children: Mary Mott (nee Varnum), Joseph B. Varnum (deceased at 1 year in 1827), Joseph B Varnum, Louisa Varnum, James Lorimer Varnum, Margaret Ann Underhill (nee Varnum). Joseph Bradley Varnum is mentioned in Frances Miller Seward's 1835 diary. She writes on her to do list: "Prepare affdvts [affidavits] &c in Varnum's motion" (page 4). She also writes earlier on "the Varnum matter" (page 1). The motion she is referring to is unknown. He is also mentioned by Fanny Adeline Seward in her 1862-3 diary along with the Milton family (at least two daughters and three sons, but unknown at the time of this entry).
Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
The Development of Chicago, 1674-1914
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Milo Milton Quaife
Publisher Location: 
Chicago
Publisher Name: 
The Caxton Club
Year: 
1916
Start Page: 
75
End Page: 
75
Citation Notes: 
http://books.google.com/books?id=gN2KXCl-Yo8C&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=joseph+bradley+varnum+1785-1867&source=bl&ots=JMhgH0j9QV&sig=3fnPsrSqKyWnVcgZ2BFbr7xEYIM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Cco-U-WTF-K62AWv9ICwCA&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=joseph%20bradley%20varnum%201785-1867&f=false
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203205850/joseph-bradley-varnum
Title of Webpage: 
Find A Grave
Website Viewing Date: 
Friday, April 7, 2023 - 15:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Friday, April 7, 2023 - 15:45
Citation Notes: 
http://www.dracutlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The-Varnums-of-Dracut-John-Marshall-Varnum.pdf This book has dates that directly contradict the dates listed on FindAGrave.com for Varnum, however the Find A Grave bio cites New York City Municipal Death records.
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
The Butler family
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Albert Wilmot Rook
Publisher Location: 
Chicago
Publisher Name: 
The Lakeside Press
Year: 
1901
Start Page: 
35
End Page: 
35
DOI: 
http://books.google.com/books?id=bf86AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&dq=mary+butler+joseph+varnum&source=bl&ots=tgQ8CKMMo4&sig=n9D1zuC2yzGO1F0sm_ysW2XuUMU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7Mg-U9aqIea22AWr_YHgBg&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=joseph%20varnum&f=false
Citation Notes: 
http://www.bradleyfoundation.org/genealogies/Bingley/tobg66.htm Descendants of Danyell Broadley de West Morton