A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Hiram served during the US Civil War as a private in Company "C", 5th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry ("Curtis' Horse").
From the Biographical Album of Gage County Nebraska: H. Sizer Barnum, proprietor of the Pioneer Livery Stable, is also the owner of a fine stock farm of 120 acres lying two miles north of the city of Blue Springs. He gives his attention mostly to time breeding of fine horses, having two imported stallions, and is a member of the Imported Horse Society. There are few men who have been more industrious or energetic in the building up of this important industry in this section.
Hiram, the father of our subject, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1811. There also he was educated, studied law, and upon reaching manhood made his way to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was married to Miss Irena H. Howard. They became the parents of five children, two of whom died at an early age. The father of our subject operated as a broker, but left Buffalo in 1838, and returning to his native State, lived there for a time in Trumbull County, then removed to Akron, Summit County, and was engaged in the practice of law for a number of years. He finally returned to his native county, and settling down upon a farm there spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the ripe old age of seventy-six years.
Hiram Barnum was a man of fine capacities, prominent in local and political affairs, he held the various offices of his own township in Trumbull County, and was widely and favorably known throughout that region. His wife, Irena, was born in New York in 1807, and is still living at the old homestead in Trumbull County, Ohio. This tract of land was cleared from the wilderness by Eli Barnum, the grandfather of our subject, who was a native of Danbury, Conn. He continued a resident of New England until his marriage, then emigrated to Ohio, and in the woods of Trumbull County purchased land three miles from any other settlers. From this he built up a fine farm and erected a flouring-mill on Eagle Creek. Later he sold a part of this property to a colony called the Trumbull Phalanx. He spent his last years in Trumbull County, and died at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. The house where he last lived was a large frame structure, the first frame house built in Braceville Township with an "L," and had within it the huge fireplace common to those days. It was the resort of the people of that region for miles around, and witnessed many a cheerful gathering.
The paternal grandmother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Mary Dibble. She became the mother of nine children, all of whom lived to mature years. Grandmother Barnum survived her husband for a period of ten years, dying at the advanced age of eighty-five.
The subject of this sketch was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1837. He was but one year old when his parents moved to Ohio, settling in Braceville Township. His education was continued in the schools of Akron, Summit County, and after their removal to the farm he became familiar with its various labors. He remained with his parents until the spring of 1859, then coming West, crossed the Missouri River at Nebraska City on the 20th of April of that year. He took up his location in this county on the 24th of May following, thus being one of the earliest pioneers of Southern Nebraska. In Blue Springs Township there were then only Henry Elliot, with his father and brother, a family by the name of Eavener, and another by the name of Poff. His nearest neighbor was two miles distant from the tract of land which he secured from the Government.
The Indians had not then left this section of country, being settled on a reservation, and caused the settlers much apprehension on account of their depredations and hostility to the whites. Wild animals also were abundant. For fifteen years Mr. Barnum contended with the elements of the soil and other inconveniences attendant upon pioneer life, then began to realize the fruits of his labors. By careful cultivation his land yielded abundantly, and he erected the buildings necessary for his convenience and comfort. He occupied this home until 1871. In the meantime, after the outbreak of the late Civil War, he enlisted on the 1st of September, 1861, in the 1st Battalion of Nebraska Cavalry, afterward transferred to the 5th Iowa Cavalry, and did good service as a soldier in the States of Kentucky and Tennessee until Nov. 11, 1862, when he was compelled to accept his discharge on account of disability. Two brothers of Mr. Barnum were also in the late war. One, Samuel H., was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, and died soon after from his wounds. The daughter Kate is a teacher in the grammar school at Blue Springs.
Mr. Barnum was married April 19, 1863, to one of the most estimable ladies of Blue Springs, Mrs. Myra H. Rappleye, and of this union there were born four children, one of whom died in infancy; those surviving are Kate, Eli H. and Roza. The family in the winter of 1871 left the farm and removed to Blue Springs, where Mr. Barnum put up a small house and a hay stable, and thins [sic] inaugurated the business from which he now derives a handsome income. He went to Bloomington, Neb., in 1873, laid the foundations for the second building in the town, and also established a livery stable there later, which he operated three years. He deals largely in Clyde, Norman and Percheron horses, and exhibits some of the finest animals in Southern Nebraska, of immense size and great beauty. His farm furnishes fine pasturage for these animals, and he also has convenient stables, and all the other appliances necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. His stables contain some high-bred trotting stock, in the care and training of which he exercises the most excellent judgment, and has gained for himself an enviable reputation throughout the State. His brood mare stands second to none in the country.
Mr. Barnum in addition to his extensive private interests has held the various township offices, and is everywhere spoken of as one of the liberal and public-spirited men of Gage County. Quiet and unassuming in his manners, he is one of the few who gain hosts of friends who respect him for his good qualities alone. He still has in his possession a certificate of election to the office of the Register of Deeds in Gage County, before its organization, and which had to be acknowledged in Pawnee County. This bears the date July 16, 1859, and was signed by Julius Tyler, Clerk. It is a document carefully preserved, and one with which he would not part for considerable money. In Blue Springs Township he has served as Assessor, Supervisor and Treasurer of the School Board.
Mrs. Barnum was born in Derbyshire, England. Her mother was Frances (Hollingworth) Shelley, and the parents emigrated to America when she was a young girl of fourteen years. They settled on a tract of land in Portage County, Wis., and Myra remained under the parental roof until her marriage to L. C. Rappleye, who died in 1861. Her father followed farming until his death, which occurred about 1884. The mother resides with her son, R. E. Shelley, in Holmesville, Gage Co., Neb., and has arrived at the ripe old age of seventy-two years.
Blue Springs Cemetery is located on section 8 of the Blue Springs-Wymore Township, about one mile north of downtown Blue Springs.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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