A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Stephen Decatur Barnum was most likely named for Stephen Decatur, the American naval hero of the War of 1812, who had died just a few years before his namesake was born. However, it should be noted that The Barnum Family, 1517-1904 calls him L. Decator Barnum, while The Barnum Family, 1350-1907 gives his name as Stephen Decator Barnum.
In the 1860 US Census for Ashland Newaygo, Michigan the family of Stephen D. Barnum was enumerated as follows;
Household #234; Family #153
Barnum, Stephen D.; 30; M; Farmer; Real property $1,000; Personal property $200; b. New York
Barnum, Roby A.; 19; F; b. Indiana
Barnum, Ai; 3; M; b. Michigan
Barnum, Adelisa; 1/12; F; b. Michigan
Newaygans in the Civil War, by John A. Braden, states that Stephen Decatur Barnum fought in the Civil war; he enlisted on 23 Sept 1864 and was discharged 13 Nov 1864.
In the 1870 US Census for Ashland Newaygo, Michigan the family of Stephen D. Barnum was enumerated as follows;
Household #82; Family #82
Barnum, Stephen D.; 40; M; W; Farmer; $4,000; $800; b. New York; Male citizen of the US of 21 years of age and upwards
Barnum, Roby A.; 30; F; W; Housekeeper; b. Indiana
Barnum, Ai; 13; M; W; b. Michigan; Attended school within the year
Barnum, Adela; 1; F; W; b. Michigan
In the 1880 US Census for Ashland Newaygo, Michigan the family of Stephen D. Barnum was enumerated as follows;
Household #199; Family #220
Barnum, Decater [sic]; W; M; 50; Married; Farmer; b. New York; Father b. Connecticut; Mother b. New York
Barnum, Roby; W; F; 40; Wife; Married; Keeping house; b. Indiana; Father b. Massachusetts; Mother b. New York
Barnum, Ai; W; M; 23; Son; Single; Farmer; b. Michigan; Father b. New York; Mother b. Indiana
Barnum, Adella; W; F; 11; Daughter; Single; At school; b. Michigan; Father b. New York; Mother b. Indiana
In the Portrait and Biographical Album of Newaygo County, Mich. appears the following entry: Stephen D. Barnum, farmer, section 33, Ashland Township, was born in Hector, Schuyler Co., N. Y., July 29, 1829. His parents, Czar and Margaret (German) Barnum, were natives respectively of Connecticut and New York, and were of mixed Scotch, French and German ancestry. In 1839 they located on a farm in Lenawee Co., Mich., where Stephen attained to the age of 19 years, attending the district school and working on his father's farm.
Mr. Barnum early resolved to obtain as good a degree of education as was in his power. In 1848 he set out to accomplish his plans and engaged as a farm laborer. He was industrious and economical, saving his earnings to secure his education, and attended the High School at Tecumseh, Lenawee County, where he studied two years. He put his stock of learning to practical use in teaching, which profession he followed until 1855. The confinement of the school-room shattered his health, and he was compelled to abandon his favorite pursuit and seek the woods of Northern Michigan. He came to Newaygo County and located on 80 acres of land in Ashland Township. The place was in its original state, and since he has been its proprietor he has devoted his best energies to its improvement, and has placed 50 acres in the best condition for successful farming.
Mr. Barnum was married Aug. 15, 1855, in Muskegon County, to Roby A., daughter of Michael and Hannah (Carpenter) Kriger, natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively. The daughter was born in Angola, Ind., July 16, 1840. Her parents settled in Hillsdale Co., Mich., when she was in infancy, and afterward removed to Casnovia, Muskegon County, where she resided until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnum have been the parents of six children, only two of whom survive: Ai, born April 11, 1857, and Adella, March 23, 1869. Adelsia was born April 16, 1860, and died Nov. 29, in the same year; Almond, born Dec. 6, 1862, died March 25, 1863; Arthur, born July 11, 1871, died Sept. 21, 1873; Decatur, born Aug. 18, 1873, died March 6, 1874.
Mr. Barnum is a zealous and active Democrat. He has been School Inspector ten years, Justice of the Peace, 12 years, and Superintendent of Schools several terms. He is also Clerk of the Baptist Society, of which Church himself and wife are members.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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