Joseph Bradley Varnum, Jr.

Joseph Bradley Varnum Jr.

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• Joseph Bradley Varnum Wikipedia Page

Joseph Bradley Varnum Jr. (June 9, 1818 Washington, D.C. – December 31, 1874 Astoria, Queens, then Long Island City, now in Queens, New York City) was an American lawyer and politician.

Life

He was a grandson of Joseph Bradley Varnum. He graduated from Yale College in 1838, where he was a member of Skull and Bones. He studied law at Yale and with Roger B. Taney in Baltimore, Maryland, and was admitted to the bar in 1840. He practiced law in Baltimore for several years before moving to New York City, where he acquired a large practice.

He was a Whig member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co.) in 1849, 1850 and 1851. Varnum was chosen Speaker pro tempore in June 1851, and presided over the Assembly for the duration of the special session. He was again a member of the State Assembly (New York Co., 13th D.) in 1857, and was the Know Nothing candidate for Speaker. At one time he was a member of the Common Council of New York City.

In 1871 he took an active part in the agitation against corruption in the government of New York City. He was a contributor to magazines and newspapers, and published in book form The Seat of Government of the United States (New York, 1848) and The Washington Sketch-Book.

Varnum died on New Year's Eve, 1874. He was buried in Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

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The Evening Star, January 1, 1875 Locals The Evening Star, January 2, 1875
Mr. Joseph B. Varnum, a native of Washington, died in Astoria, L.I. yesterday morning.

The Late Joseph B. Varnum, whose death at Astoria, Long Island was briefly mentioned in yesterday's STAR was a native of this city. He graduated at Yale, and afterwards was a member of the bar of New York. Deceased was a grandson of General Varney, of the revolutionary army. He was a member of the New York Legislature for several sessions, and in 1857 was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated. He was a man of much literary culture and prominently associated with the City Reform movement. He was 56 years old.

The Evening Star, January 2, 1875

The Late Joseph B. Varnum, whose death at Astoria, Long Island was briefly mentioned in yesterday's STAR was a native of this city. He graduated at Yale, and afterwards was a member of the bar of New York.

Deceased was a grandson of General Varney, of the revolutionary army. He was a member of the New York Legislature for several sessions, and in 1857 was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated.

He was a man of much literary culture and prominently associated with the City Reform movement. He was 56 years old.

The Evening Star, January 5, 1875

The Funeral Ceremonies over the remains of the Hon. Joseph B. Varnum were performed in New York Sunday afternoon in the Madison Square Presbyterian Church. After Dr. Adams' sermon, Mr. Varnum's favorite hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee," was sung and then the body was taken to the Marble cemetery for temporary interment prior to being brought to this city for burial.

The coffin was covered with black broadcloth heavily mounted with silver, and the silver plate bore the simple words: "Joseph B. Varnum, born April 4, 1818. Died Dec. 31, 1874."

The Evening Star, January 23, 1875

The Late Joseph B. Varnum's Will

An exemplified copy of the will of the late Joseph B. Varnum, formerly a resident of the District, who died in
New York, December 31st last, was filed yesterday in the office of the Recorder of Deeds. He bequeathes to his son, James M., the sum of $12,500 to be raised by mortgage on the property known as "Vernon Row," corner of 10th street and Pennsylvania avenue; also, all his oil paintings and his watch and jewelry. Several special requests are made, and the balance of his estate is bequeathed to be equally divided between his five children.

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