Charles appears in the 1871 Ontario Census as follows: Barnum, Charles, Age [32] Birthplace [O] Religion [CE] Ethnic Origin [German] District [58] Subdistrict [F] Page [9] County [HLB] Description [Stanhope Twp.]. The 1881 Census found him in Minden, Peterborough East, where he was listed as a farmer and a member of the Church of England.
Charles was born in Murray township, Northumberland County, Ontario, according to Church of England records.