Rev. Joseph Bradley Varnum

1830 - 1896  (66 years)

• Name	Joseph Bradley Varnum
  Prefix	Rev.
  Born	19 May 1830	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2]
  Gender	Male
  Immigration	1843	, USA
  Immigration	1843	, Michigan, USA
  Residence	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-201680
  Died	26 May 1896	Gale, Campbell Co., South Dakota   [1, 2]
  Buried	Gale Cemetery, Pollock, Campbell, South Dakota, United States   [1]
  Person ID	I201680	Generations
  Last Modified	28 Jan 2025

  
  

  Father	Prescott Varnum,   b. 24 Feb 1796, Dracut, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States ,   d. 20 Mar 1861, Metamora, Lapeer, Michigan, United States  (Age 65 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth "Betsy" Clements,   b. 15 Jan 1795, Cape Ann, , MA ,   d. 29 Sep 1879, Metamora, Lapeer, Michigan, United States  (Age 84 years)
  Married	28 Feb 1820  [3]
  Family ID	F56475	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  JOSEPH BRADLEY VARNUM. Adapted from the Michigan Christian Advocate, June 27, 1906. Although born in Canada, at Berlin, Waterloo Co., Province of Ontario, Mr. Varnura's parents were from Massachusetts. His great grandfather was Lt. Ebenezer Varnum, who fought in Capt. Peter Coburn's company from Dracutt, at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and his grandfather was Col. Prescott Varnum of the Regt. of the Seventh Massachusetts militia. His mother was the granddaughter of Col. John Brooks, who was killed by the Indians in the early history of our Country. In his boyhood he was so closely associated with the German settlers at Berlin, that their language became as familiar to him as his mother tongue. In 1843 his parents removed to Metamora, La Peer Co., Michigan. Here he attended the district school, housed in its building of logs, and also spent a term at the school at Romeo, at which place he taught two terms. In 1851 he went to Albion, where he studied three years at the Wesleyan Seminary. He was ambitious to take a course at the State University at Ann Arbor, but poor health and want of means prevented his so doing. While teaching school in 1850, he felt impressed by a sense of duty, to consecrate his life to his Maker's service. To this end he was largely led by the influence of a pious mother, whose own life in Massachusetts had been moulded by religious surroundings. Her teachings guided him in the paths of moral rectitude, and she nurtured the workings of his mind to inward light and life. In the conviction that his life should be that of self-consecration, he made public confession at a place of worship - the same school house where he had studied and romped as a boy. He was made superintendent of the Sunday school and urged to enter the ministry. He was then twenty years old, and was baptized and received into the church at Oxford, by the Rev. George Bradley. Because of his feeling of unfitness he declined several times a license to preach. In 1857, at the earnest intercession of Rev. Joseph Blanchard, he took up the work of local preacher at Forrestville, on the Lake Michigan shore, from which point he had a circuit of missionary work reaching from Lexington to Bay City. He proved his fitness for his calling, from the very first, winning during the first year eighty souls to Christ. He formed classes at Port Sanilac, Cherry Creek, Forrestville, Sand Beach, Willow Creek and Port Austin, and travelled the first year of work 2500 miles on foot. In 1855 he was received as a "practitioner" into the Michigan, and in 1857 into full membership in the Detroit conference, Bishop Waugh confirming him as Deacon. His appointments were: 1855, Brockway mission; 1856, Memphis; 1857-8, Rome; 1859, Franklin. In 1800 he "located" and went to the State of Missouri to take work; but the Civil War breaking out, he returned to Michigan, was readmitted, and appointed to Clarkston, in 1862 to Goodrich, in 1863 to Lainsburg. On March 21, 1861, he enlisted in the 2d Michigan Volunteers, and served in the Army until mustered out in August, 1865, at the close of the War. He was with Grant's army at the siege of Petersburg, and was wounded in the knee and shot through the hip. Resuming his life as a preacher, he served 1865 at North Branch, 1867-8 at Rochester, 1869-70 at Williamstown, 1871 at Southfield, 1872 at Unadilla. In 1873 he was appointed at Oakville, but hoping to benefit his health, which had become impaired by reason of his wounds in the war, he removed to Albion, Iowa. Here he dwelt for eleven years, and having in 1874 been placed among the "Superannuated," he took up and followed the pursuit of dairyman. In 1884, he removed to Gale, So. Dakotah [sic], being among the pioneers in that State, where he became a farmer. He was highly esteemed among the settlers, and honored by an election to the State Legislature, in which he became a member of influence, having been regarded as one of the best speakers in that body. He buried at Gale, S. D., having passed out of life May 26, 1896. From: The Varnums of Dracutt (in Massachusetts), A History of George Varnum, his son Samuel who came to Ipswich about 1635, and Grandsons Thomas, John and Joseph, who settled in Dracutt, and their descendants. Compiled from family papers and official records. By John Marshall Varnum of Boston. Boston: David Clapp & son, printers 1907

  
  

• Sources

  [S3231] Find A Grave, (2018). Findagrave.com. Retrieved 29 November 2018, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104614036. [S2726] The Varnums of Dracutt (in Massachusetts), A History of George Varnum, his son Samuel who came to Ipswich about 1635, and Grandsons Thomas, John and Joseph, who settled in Dracutt, and their descendants. Compiled from family papers and official records., pg 279,280. [S2726] The Varnums of Dracutt (in Massachusetts), A History of George Varnum, his son Samuel who came to Ipswich about 1635, and Grandsons Thomas, John and Joseph, who settled in Dracutt, and their descendants. Compiled from family papers and official records., pg, 262.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 19 May 1830 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Immigration - 1843 - , USA Immigration - 1843 - , Michigan, USA Residence - - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 26 May 1896 - Gale, Campbell Co., South Dakota Buried - - Gale Cemetery, Pollock, Campbell, South Dakota, United States  = Link to Google Earth