Proteus Barnum lived in DuPage, Whiteside, Cook and Livingston counties during his lifetime. He was a member of a mechanically-inclined family and for part of his life he worked as a machinist.
In the 1850 US Census for Addison, DuPage County, Illinois the family of Proteus Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #1204; Family #1223
Protius Barnham, 27, M, Farmer, Real Property $400, b. Vermont
Eliza Barnham, 20, F, b. Canada
Alice Barnham, 1, F, b. Illinois