A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
From the NY Times, July 29, 1904: Isaac W. Barnum, inventor of the hemming attachment for sewing machines, and who is said to have possessed a fortune of half a million dollars a few years ago, died in poverty yesterday in a room which he rented at 400 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn. Mr. Barnum who was born in Bethel, Connecticut eighty years ago, became wealthy through his invention. Those who knew him say that he was careless with his money, and his fortune gradually slipped through his fingers, a considerable portion of it being sunk in western real estate. Mr. Barnum went to Sanborn, South Dakota, in 1880 and bought a large tract of land there, building a Congregational Church in the middle of the property. He hoped to realize much profit on the land, but several years later the Church moved to another part of the town and his property depreciated in value. There was a controversy at the time over the moving of the church and it is said that some sort of a money settlement was made with Mr. Barnum. Several months ago Mr. Barnum brought an action against a relative whom he accused of breaking an agreement to support him for the remainder of his life. Mr. Barnum asserted that he had turned over to his relative what remained of his fortune with that understanding. The referee in the case, however, decided against the old man. For many years, Mr. Barnum lived in a house on Halsey Street in the Bedford district and was a familiar and picturesque figure in that neighborhood.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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