Varney, William W., Lincoln, James Varney was the ancestor of this family. He came to the town of Lincoln, Vt., from Dover, N. H., about 1796. He married Mary Meader, and settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his grandson, William W. Varney, and Irvin A. Colby. He had a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Lincoln, Vt. Of these children only one son is now living, Daniel Varney, of Fond du Lac,, Wis. William Varney was born on August 15, 1823. He now owns and occupies a part of the old homestead. He was married on February 6, 1850, to Louise E., daughter of Moses and Eleanor Varney, and by her had a family of four children — Charles W., born June 5, 1855; Ada H., born July 27, 1857, now Mrs. Edson M. Irish, of Lincoln, Vt.; Carrie L., born on April 6, 1861, died young; Luna C., born April 11, 1863, died at an early age. Mrs. Varney was born on October 22, 1831. Mr. Varney married for his second wife Jane E. Downer, an adopted daughter of Joel Farr, on July 22, 1866, and by her has had a family of four children — George R., born May 29, 1867; Valentine M., born October 25, 1869; Mary E., born on October 13, 1871; Margery C., born on November 28, 1873; and Frank L., born on August 29, 1875, and died on June 10, 1881. Mr. Varney held the office of constable for two years; also that of selectman for several years, and represented the town in the Legistature two years. He now owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and forty-one acres.
