A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
From Portrait & Biographical Album of Hillsdale Co., MI, pages 885-886. Carnegie Dist. Lib., Jackson, MI, R MVO 977.429 P 853: William G. Barnum, late of Cambria Township, was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1827, and departed this life at his home on section 11, this township, March 30, 1883. He was one of the early settlers of Southern Michigan, within whose limits he first came when a lad of eleven years. He settled with his parents amid the timber of Franklin Township, Lenawee County, whence not long after his marriage he removed to this county, and purchased a tract of land in Cambria Township, from which he built up one of its most desirable homesteads. A man upright and honorable in all his dealings, and one who took a deep interest in the welfare of the community around him, he was recognized as one of its most valued citizens, and his name is held in kindly remembrance by hosts of friends.
Our subject was the son of Zar and Margaret Barnum, who were natives also of the Empire State, and who spent the last years of their lives in Franklin Township, Lenawee County. They were well fitted by nature for pioneer life in a new country, being courageous, resolute and patient, and possessing the elements most needed in those times of toil and struggle. Their career was one eminently creditable to themselves and reflects honor upon their posterity.
The subject of this sketch developed into manhood under the home roof, and learned from the father the trade of cabinet-maker, developing later into a carpenter under Mr. Teachout, of Franklin Township. He subsequently took up farming pursuits, and to these devoted his best efforts the remainder of his life. He was married first in Ridgeway Township, Lenawee County, to Miss Hester A. Sanford, the wedding being celebrated at Esquire Hunter's home in the spring of 1851. They settled in Cambria Township, this county about 1853, taking up a tract of uncultivated land, where husband and wife worked together with one common interest, almost day and night, to build up a home for themselves and their children. Mr. Barnum still carried on his trade of carpenter during the day and worked his farm often after nightfall. Within a few years he had brought 120 acres to a good state of cultivation, and effected the improvements so necessary to the comfort and happiness of the household
Of this marriage there were born four children, three of whom are now deceased. The wife and mother passed away at the homestead on the 8th of December, 1860. The only living child, a son, Elmer, married Miss Lilly Rivers, of Amboy Township, and is now living on a farm of seventy acres on section 26, in Cambria Township. Those deceased are: Adelphia, Almina and Alcy.
Mr. Barnum contracted a second marriage, Aug. 7, 1861, in Jefferson Township, this county, with Miss Electa A. Gillett, who was the daughter of a pioneer of Lenawee County, Gilbert Gillett, now deceased, and was born in Madison Township, Lenawee County, Sept. 2, 1838. The maiden name of her mother was Laura M. Bowen. She is still living and a resident of Reading Township. Mrs. Barnum was well educated and followed teaching before her marriage. She is the mother of two sons, Frank G. and William Z., who were both born on the old homestead where they now live, the former April 30, 1863, and the latter June 28, 1864.
Since the death of their father the boys have come into possession of the homestead, to which they have added eighty acres, besides various improvements in the way of farm buildings. They are young men of excellent judgment, enterprising and industrious, and like their father before them are bound to succeed in life. William Z., on the 25th of September, 1887, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Lamb, who was born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 30, 1869, and who came with her parents to America when a little girl six years of age. These latter were John W. and Mary Ann (Stone) Lamb, who are now residents of Cambria Township. Mr. Lamb is a blacksmith by trade, which he is following successfully, and is numbered among the worthy and well-to-do men of this section. William G. Barnum uniformly voted the straight Democratic ticket.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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