A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
From Ensign, D.W. & Co., Philadelphia, Press of J.B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia (1880), 'History of Shiawassee and Clinton Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers.' A Reproduction by Unigraphic, Inc. (1975), p.208-209 and portraits/farm sketch p. 204.
Isaac S. Barnum, the youngest in a family of five children (three sons and two daughters) was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Aug. 17, 1827. His father, John B. Barnum was born in Dutchess Co., N.Y., March 28, 1798. His mother, Urana (Sutherland) Barnum, was also born in Dutchess Co., N.Y. They were married about the year 1818, and lived in New York until 1836, when they came to Michigan, and settled in Burns township, Shiawassee Co.
When twenty-one years of age Isaac, who up until this time had remained at home, began taking contracts to "break land" for new settlers in that vicinity. He followed this occupation for three years. His father in the mean time having helped him to forty acres of land, he purchased an additional 40 acres adjoining. But he was not yet satisfied. In 1852 he hazarded his little store of hard earned means, and started for California. The trip from New York City to San Francisco, via Cape Horn, extended over a period of one hundred and fifty-two days. The vessel stopped twelve days at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and twelve days at ValparaÃso, Chile, giving the passengers (of whom, when leaving New York, there were three hundred and twelve) a fine opportunity to see those cities and the surrounding country. Thirteen passengers died of yellow fever on the voyage, and were buried at sea. Upon reaching California Mr. Barnum turned his attention to mining, which he followed the first year of his stay. The second year he secured a good salaried position, which he retained until his return home, when he found that he had realized by his venture two thousand dollars clear of all expenses. On his return trip he came via the Niagara route, the journey occupying twenty-six days.
On the 28th of June, 1855, Mr. Barnum married Amelia, daughter of Robert and Sarah Crawford, pioneers in the township of Burns.
Robert Crawford was born in Ontario Co., N.Y., March 17, 1794. Sarah, his wife, was born Aug., 14, 1798, and died Jan. 18, 1880. Mr. Crawford is still living.
Mrs. John B. Barnum died May 24, 1848, and her husband Feb. 5, 1865. Abiger P. Barnum, eldest son of John B. and Urana Barnum, died and was buried at sea. To Mr. And Mrs. Isaac Barnum have been born the following children: Ella, born April 19, 1858; Nellie May, Jan. 6, 1867; Osmond S., born April 17, 1875, died Feb. 26, 1877. Mr. Barnum's farm now consists of two hundred and thirty-two and a half acres of land in one of the most fertile and highly cultivated portions of the township. In politics he is a Democrat, and in his religious belief is liberal. Mrs. Barnum is a member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Barnum remarks, with satisfaction, that although fifty-two years of age, and having been actively engaged in business with nearly all classes of men since he first commenced breaking land, he has never been compelled to go to law, either in his own defense or in the prosecution of others, and has never invested but one dollar in legal advise.
He was buried in Byron Cemetery. Gravestone number 202, a large stone, reads simply: Barnum, with a Masonic logo on the west side. Gravestone number 203 reads: Father, Aug.17, 1827 - May 22, 1895. At rest.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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