BIOGRAPHIES:  George Gibson VARNUM, Pepin, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Pepin Co. Archives File Manager on 19 November 2004
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**Posted for informational purposes only - submitter is not related to the
subject of this biography and has no further information.

George Gibson Varnum, farmer, Pepin, was born in North Washington,
Butler county, Pa., February 7, 1839, a son of Philip and Martha
(Shields) Varnum.  His grandfather, Enoch Varnum, was a native of
Holland.  George G. attended the district school until 1854 when the
family removed to Pepin.  In February, 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Varnum both
died, leaving six children, all of whom, except the subject of this
sketch, returned to Pennsylvania.  George worked as a farm laborer
until the breaking out of the Rebellion.  He was the first man from
the township to respond to the call for volunteers, enlisted July 16,
1861, in Company B, Sixth Wisconsin volunteers.  He was appointed
fife major and took part in the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull
Run, South Mountain and Antietam, and was discharged October 31,
1862.  He re-enlisted in the same company, January 7, 1864, and was
appointed principal musician.  He was in the battles of the
Wilderness (three days), Spottsylvania, Laurel Hill, Cold Harbor,
Petersburg, Weldon R. R., Hatch's Run, Five Forks, and was present at
Lee's surrender, and finally discharged July 14, 1865.  Returning to
Pepin he purchased his present farm in seciton nineteen, township
twenty-three, range fourteen, in 1867.  He has also carried on a
steam thresher for thirteen years.

February 19, 1868, Mr. Varnum married Miss Caroline Otilia Holden,
who bore him five children:  Milton H., bonr January 1,3 1869; Nelson
O., Febuary 16, 1872; Clare C., November 7, 1874; William F.,
September 14, 1879; Vinnie, July 8, 1881, died March 26, 1882. 
October 29, 1881, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife
who departed this life after a lingering illness of seven years.  She
was followed five months later by her youngest child and only
daughter, as stated above.  These losses, with that of his parents
have caused Mr. Varnum to feel deeply the rod of affliction.  In
politics he is a consistent republican, and has served the town as
treasurer and supervisor, being chairman for four years.  He belongs
to the Masonic brotherhood.

-Transcribed from the "Historical & Biographical Album of the
Chippewa Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2," pages 682-683.


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