Karen,
According to David Hough Ela's family history published 1896, Varnum m. 30 July 1881 to Etta J. Stearns, Manchester N.H.
Varnum was son of John H (>Enos>Israel>Israel>Samuel>Israel) and Martha J. Cleasby. Their children included Martha Jane b. 2/1845,Mary Frances b.?,John H b. ?, Charles C. b.? Varnum, Laura Ann b. ?, and Joseph R b.?
No spouses shown for any sons except Varnum.
If this sounds like your branch, D.H. Ela's book starts with Israel of Haverhill, MA with several theories on what the name may have been (Healy, Ely, Elie,and Elagh). The first Ela in the colonies was Daniel mentioned in 1656. He MAY have been Israel's father.