A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
From the Illustrated History of Nebraska: a History of Nebraska from the Earliest Explorations of the Trans-Mississippi Region, Volume 2: Thomas Gilchrist Barnum, deceased, Union Cass County, Nebraska, was the only child of Evander W. Barnum and Eliza (Gilchrist) Barnum, who came from New York state and located in pioneer days on preempted lands on the banks of the Weeping Water where Thomas was born March 28, 1861, on the farm where he spent his entire life. He was of a cheerful disposition, liberal, loyal to his friends, and devoted to his family. His nature was shown by the hospitality of his home, which was always open for the young and old, and he was one of the merriest.
Besides the parties for which the home was famous, the farm grove was annually used for the old settlers' picnic, which kept up a close relationship among the pioneers of Cass county. In 1873, he entered the Nebraska City College, where he finished in 1881, and was then taken into partnership with his father, under the style of E. W. Barnum & Son, in the business of the farm and the breeding of blooded stock. In politics he was a Republican, but was independent enough to vote for the man rather than the party. He was married to Miss Hattie A. Pollard, of Nehawka, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Pollard. Mrs. Thomas Barnum is a sister of Congressman E. H. Pollard and cousin of ex-Governor George L. Sheldon. Miss Vernie Barnum, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Barnum, was educated at the Nebraska State University and made a special study of vocal and instrumental music. She is now the wife of Mr. Gilbert Ward Cheney, their marriage taking place on August 21, 1907. On the morning of February 14, 1909, Mr. Barnum was killed in a wreck on the Missouri Pacific railway, within sight of his life-long home. He was buried with the services of the Modern Woodmen and also the Episcopal Church, in which he had been reared. His widow and his aged mother were left alone on the old homestead, the last to bear his name. They were joined later by the daughter and son-in-law, who with their baby girl returned to carry on the business. The Barnum home now shelters four generations: Mrs. Eliza Barnum, Mrs. Thomas Barnum, Mrs. Ward Cheney, and the little daughter, Harriett Cheney.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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