A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
In the "Commemorative Biographical Record of New Haven County, Connecticut" (pub. 1902) is found the following entry:
"Eli C. Barnum, the efficient secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Naugatuck Water Co., was born in the town of Kent, Litchfield Co., Conn., Dec 14, 1844. He is a grandson of Richard and Anna (Blakeman) Barnum, farming people of that town, who were the parents of six children. Beecher, the oldest, was the father of the gentleman whose name appears at the beginning of this sketch. Mills was a farmer in Litchfield, and died in East Hartland, whither he had retired to pass the rest of his life. Calvin, also a farmer, passed his life in Litchfield, dying unmarried. Emeline became the wife of Daniel Chamberlain, a farmer of Kent. Curtis was a wheelwright in that town. Adeline married a Mr. Hurd, of the same place.
"Beecher Barnum was born in 1800, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, and died in Cornwall Bridge, Conn., in 1858. By trade he was a millwright. He married Sophia, daughter of Eliud Combs, of Danbury, and of the five children born to them, Eli C. was the youngest, the others being Lafayette, Lewis, Marcus and Mary. The three elder sons were engineers; all are deceased. Mary, the only daughter, married Levi Barnum, of Bridgeport, where she still resides.
"Eli C. Barnum was educated in the schools of Kent and Danbury, the parents moving to the latter place for a time when he was a lad of ten years. The family soon returned to Kent, however, remaining there until the death of the father, which occurred when our subject was scarcely fourteen years old. Mrs. Barnum and the children then removed to Bridgeport. Thence Eli C. went to Botsford Station, Conn., where for three year he worked as clerk in the dry goods store owned by Frank S., and later George, Andrews. In 1869, through patient industry, joined to regularity of habits and economy in expenditure, he found himself able to engage in business on his own account, in co-partnership with Calvin Hotchkiss, the style of the firm being Hotchkiss & Barnum. They conducted a general store. Four years later Mr. Barnum purchased Mr. Hotchkiss' interest, and for twenty years managed the business alone. Meanwhile, in 1890, he was made secretary and treasurer of the Naugatuck Water Co., then an infant and comparatively unimportant concern. Mr. Barnum, however, was quick to perceive the possible future of the corporation, and in 1893 he disposed of his store, and has since devoted his whole time and energy to the upbuilding and development of the company, in which he has been remarkably successful. He is a citizen of public spirit, and the people of Naugatuck have shown their confidence in his capability and probity, by repeatedly electing him to local offices, the duties attaching to which he has always discharged with fidelity and ability. He is a member of Sheperd's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the I. O. R. M.; is a Republican in political creed; and a Congregationalist by religious profession. For about twenty-five years he has been treasurer of the Ecclesiastical Society.
"In 1868 Mr. Barnum was married to Miss Eliza Ward, daughter of Lauren Ward, and a niece of William Ward, a biographical sketch of whom may be found elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Barnum have had two children, Frederick W. and Earl M. The first named is an employee of the Water Company."
Source Information: 1880 Census Place Naugatuck, New Haven, Connecticut, Family History Library Film 1254103, NA Film Number T9-0103, Page Number 296D Eli BARNUM Household, Male, Other Information: Birth Year <1844>, Birthplace CT, Age 36, Occupation Retail Grocer, Marital Status M
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
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