His death certificate records George Varvel, age 53, born in 1861 in Ohio, died 22 April 1914 in West Union, Tiffin township, Adams Co., Ohio, married, father Wes Varvel born in Ohio, mother fields say “illegitimate birth name of mother unknown”, cause of death pulmonary tuberculosis, informant Josephine Varvel, West Union, burial in Dunbarton.

Since he was recorded in the 1860 census as age 3, he cannot have been born in 1861. He was probably born in 1856 or 1857.

The statement about his mother is odd, since George was born well after his parents were married, and when children are born out of wedlock, it’s generally the father who is unknown, not the mother. If it’s true, the only way I can think of that it could arise would be if Wesley had an affair, and the mother left the child to be raised by Wes and Rose (either because she died or could not support it), and while Wes and Rose knew the mother’s name, Josephine didn’t.

1880 census of Adams Co., Ohio, Meigs township, enumerated 16 June, lists on p. 14 as family #126/128:
Varvle, Geo W., 23, works on farm, b. Ohio Ky Ohio; Mahala, 28, wife, b. Ky Ohio Ohio; John W., 8, son; Allen B., 6, son; Rosanna M., 2, dau; Isa, 10/12, b. Aug, dau. All children born Ohio Ohio Ky.

1900 census of Adams Co., Ohio, Meigs township, enumerated 9 June, lists on p. 10A as family #213/218:
Varvel, George W., 44, b. Aug 1855, Oh Ky Oh, widowed, day laborer; Harvey, brother, 32, b. Jan 1868, Oh Ky Oh, widowed, day laborer; Jennie, dau, 16, b. July 1883, Oh Oh Oh; Robert, son, 12, b. May 1888, Oh Oh Oh; Rosanna, mother, 79, b. Mar 1821, Oh Va Va, widowed, mother of 10 children, 10 living; Vernon, neice (sic), male, 1, b. Apr 1899, Oh Oh Oh.

Vernon is the son of George’s brother William. Although William was still living, his wife Margaret had recently died in March 1900, so presumably Rosanna and Jennie were helping to care for the baby.