A Young W. Grant McNair (?)

 

Is it or isn't it?

In scrolling through some images on the Brodhead Historical Society website, I came across this photo which is simply titled "Varom Club Boys." 

There are no names or dates, but the man in the bottom row, second from the left, really stood out to me as he strongly resembles the only photo I have of Grant (which was published in The New York Times in 1916).

The two photos above are a couple of decades apart. Grant was born in 1866, so he would be just about 50 years of age in the New York Times published portrait.

From my research so far, I know Grant lived in Brodhead well into 1890's per a Congressional record in which Grant is recorded as a citizen of Brodhead. He was leading a petition in regards to the historic 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.

Both men's jawlines, mouths (the dip in the lower left lip), wide set eyes, and raised left eyebrows strike me as being the same person.

What do you think?

Is the mystery Varom Club Boy our W. Grant McNair?

And if so ...

Does anyone know what a Varom Club is?? : ) 

Perhaps named after a sport, interest, or person?

Sources 

• Brodhead Historical Society
• The New York Times | August 23, 1916

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