In the 1900 US Census for District 969, Chicago Ward 31, Cook County, Illinois the family of W. E. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #85; Family #130 (6400 Normal Avenue)
Barnum, William E.; Head; White Male, b. Aug 1835; 64; Married 36 years; b. Illinois; Father b. New York; Mother b. Vermont; Machinist; Can read, write and speak English; Owns non-farm home with mortgage
Barnum, Laura; Wife; White; Female; b. Aug 1845; 54; Married 36 years; Mother of 7 children; 7 children living; b. Michigan; Both parents b. New York; Can read, write and speak English
Barnum, Thomas; Son; White; Male; b. Sept 1868; 31; Divorced; b. Illinois; Father b. Illinois; Mother b. Michigan; Printer; Can read, write and speak English
Barnum, Effie A.; Daughter; White; Female; b. Apr 1872; 28; Single; b. Illinois; Father b. Illinois; Mother b. Michigan; Nurse; Can read, write and speak English
Barnum, William E.; Son; White; Male; b. Feb 1873; 27; Widowed; b. Illinois; Father b. Illinois; Mother b. Michigan; Clerk, Supplies; Can read, write and speak English
Barnum, Harriet; Daughter; White; Female; b. Dec 1877; 22; Single; b. Illinois; Father b. Illinois; Mother b. Michigan; Dentist assistant; Can read, write and speak English
Barnum, Wilbur L.; Grandson; White; Male; b. Sept 1895; 4; Single; b. Illinois; Both parents b. Illinois
Greene, Harry; Boarder; White; Male; b. Apr 1872; 28; Married 4 years; b. Illinois; Both parents b. New York; Lawyer, Supplies; Can read, write and speak English
Greene, Laura B.; Boarder; White; Female; b. Sept 1874; 25; Married 4 years; b. Illinois; Father b. Illinois; Mother b. Michigan; Can read, write and speak English
From an unnamed contemporary newspaper: William E. Barnum, July 7, 1913, at his residence, 6400 Normal blvd., husband of Laura A. Funeral Wednesday, July 9, from late residence at 2 p.m., to Oakwoods.
Published 8 July 1913: William E. Barnum, one of Chicago's oldest citizens, dies yesaterday at his residence at 6400 Normal boulevard. He was 78 years old. Mr, Barnum was a member of the Chicago Historical society and a life member of Columbia Yacht club.