A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Her surname appears thus on her birth certificate.
Sophie McAbee was educated in the Public schools of West DePere, Wisconsin, and held a teacher's certificate from the age of fifteen. She was a graduate of Oregon State Normal School and attended both San Diego Teachers College and Lawrence University in Wisconsin. She received her BS degree in Secondary Education from Oregon State College and her MS degree from the University of Oregon in 1935. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Pi Lambda Theta Sororities.
She began her teaching career in Wisconsin, as a teenager, and was later Principal of schools in Priest River, Idaho; and in Oregon City and McMinnville, Oregon. She was active in educational work in the state of Oregon from 1914 onward. From 1922 to 1948, she was associated with the Oregon College of Education, Department of Education. For the last ten of those years, she served as Dean of Education.
She was active in Camp Fire Girls training from 1926 to 1940. She was also the author of the Oregon supplement to the state civics text used in Oregon Schools for many years. She was a member of the Association of University Women and of the Order of the Eastern Star.
As is the case with many early US families, the parentage of Sophie McAbee and her siblings was a mixture of several nationalities. In their case, the mixture consisted of Native American, French, Irish, US and German. She was highly embarrassed by the presence of Native American blood in her family tree, and went to great lengths to hide it. This, in spite of the fact that her sons Lee and Gordon had very obvious Indian features. Naturally, her actions merely made the rest of the family more curious. So, the percentages were eventually calculated. They are: French, 28 percent; US-born, 25 percent; Irish, 25 percent; German, 13 percent; and Native American, 9 percent.
She died at the age of 77 years and 1 day. California Death Records show: Barnum, Sophia Elizabeth; b. 08/08/1878; mother maiden Garrity, father last Mcabee, F, b. Wisconsin, d. Contra Costa County, 08/09/1955, 77 yrs.
From the Lamron, student newspaper of OCE, 4 May 1947: Mrs. Barnum Retires First of July, 1947. Mrs. Warren A. Barnum, assistant professor of education, is almost as well known nationally as she is locally. Her name is recorded in "Who's Who in Education in America" as well as being honored by "Who's Who in Oregon."
Mrs. Barnum was born in De Pere, Wisconsin. She attended the Lawrence university in Appleton, San Diego teachers college, and received her master's degree from the University of Oregon. [N.B., she also attended the State Normal school at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Oregon State University].
Before coming to Oregon, Mrs. Barnum served as principal in schools of her native state, Wisconsin, as well as in Idaho. She has taught in Oregon for 25 years.
Mrs. Barnum has specialized in more than one way. She is a graduate of the National Campfire training school, and directed the OCE Campfire group from 1922 to 1938.
As to her home life, she married Warren A. Barnum in Priest River, Idaho [sic s/b Wrightstown, Wisconsin], and has four children.
Mrs. Barnum is author of "The Oregon Civics Supplement" now being used throughout Oregon. She is a member of Pi Lambda Theta, Kappa Delta Pi, and A.A.U.W.
Wisconsin Births, 1820-1907. Name: Sophia E. McAbee; Birth Date: 8 Aug 1878; County: Brown; Reel: 0011; Record: 002490.
Wisconsin, Births and Christenings Index, 1826-1908. Name: Sophia E McAbee; Birth Date: 8 Aug 1878; Birth Place: Wrightstown, Brown, Wisconsin; Gender: Female; Race: White; Father's Name: Louis McAbee; Mother's name: Abigail Garrity; FHL Film Number: 1306425.
She was buried in Rose City Cemetery, 5625 NE Fremont Street, Portland, Oregon 97213.
She died at the age of 77 years, 1 day.
From the Sunday Journal, Portland Oregon, 13 August 1955: Former OCE Educator Dies. Oregon College of Education, Monmouth, Aug. 13, - Sophia Elizabeth Barnum, wife of Warren A. Barnum, for many years a resident of Independence, died at the family residence in Richmond, Cal., August 9. Funeral services were held Saturday morning in Portland.
Mrs. Barnum served as elementary school principal in Wisconsin, Idaho and Oregon. In 1929 she joined the teaching staff at Oregon College of Education and was retired as assistant professor emeritus of education in 1947. Mrs. Barnum was active in civic affairs and author of articles in various educational publications.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Mrs. S. J. Patterson, El Cerrito, Cal., two sons, Lt. Com. Donald A. Barnum, Washington, D. C., and Gordon Barnum, Sandy.
From an unidentified contemporary newspaper: Sophia E. Barnum. Funeral services will be held in Portland, Ore., Saturday for Mrs. Sophia Elizabeth Barnum of Richmond, for 28 years an instructor at the Oregon College of Education.
Mrs. Barnum, 77, of 1603 Monterey St., Richmond, moved here from Oregon six years ago. She died Tuesday at her home.
Survivors include her husband, Warren A. Barnum; a daughter, Mrs. Marian Patterson of El Cerrito; two sons, Gordon L. Barnum od Oregon and Lt. Cmdr. Donald W. Barnum of Washington, D. C.; a brother, a sister and three grandchildren.
Friends may call until 10 tonight at the Wilson and Kratzer Chapel, 10240 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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