San Francisco County
Biographies
THOMAS H. B. VARNEY
THOMAS
H. B. VARNEY, wholesale and retail bicycle dealer, No. 1041 Market street, is one of the
prosperous business men of San Francisco. In 1883 he established a hardware business in
this city, and subsequently, in connection with it, began dealing in
bicycles. The latter soon became the
leading feature of his business, and in 1891 he sold his hardware stock and
since that time has given his attention exclusively to handling bicycles. In July, 1891, he moved to his present
quarters, invested more capital, and his establishment is now the leading one
of the kind in the city. He handles the
Warwick Perfection bicycle, made in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the
Rambler’s safety bicycle, manufactured by the Gormally & Jeffery Co. of
Chicago. In connection with his store he
has a bicycle school, a room 150 feet long, in which he teaches ladies and
gentlemen to ride the various kinds of wheels.
All scholars are required to engage the time ahead, so that each learner
has his own special half hour, and at that time no other one is allowed on the floor.
Mr. Varney employs several agents, and does a business that extends all
over the Pacific coast.
He
was born in Petaluma, Sonoma county,
California, November 12,
1858. His father, Robert Varney, a
native of Vermont, came to California in 1850.
To him and his wife, nee Elizabeth Burnett, a native of his own
State and, like him, a descendant of English ancestry, were born two sons and a
daughter, all of whom are residents of San Francisco. Coming to this city when he was two years
old, Mr. Varney was reared and educated here.
He married Ada Hall, a native of California, and has three
children.
Politically
he is a Republican.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2,
pages 671-672, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Donna L.
Becker
California Biography
Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
Golden
Nugget Library