A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Detroit Annual Conference (Methodist) Forty-Second Session, 1897 pages 46 and 47
Theodore P. Barnum - Bro. Barnum was born on March 3, 1851, in Steuben County, New York. the family came to Michigan in 1856, settling on a farm near Long Lake, in Genessee County. He was converted in his young manhood in special meetings held by Rev. Wm. Fox of precious memory. Soon afterwards he was licensed to exhort, and gave evidence of talents adapted to the work of the ministry, but after a while, becoming discouraged and despondent, he ceased to work in this capacity. But during the pastorate of Rev. E. Simpson he was greatly blessed and encouraged by him to go on in the work, which, after earnest prayer and inquiry with God, he did. he was licensed as a local preacher by the Linden Quarterly conference during Bro. Simpson's second year as pastor, and was admitted to the Detroit conference on trial at Bay City in 1880. Two years later he was received into full membership and ordained deacon by Bishop Peck. The appointments of our brother during his ministry were as follows: Mt. Morris, two years; Pine Run, one year; Hadley, three years; Vernon, three years; Fowlerville, five years; Perry, where he died in the latter part of his third year.
Bro. Barnum's education was in the common schools. He was diligent student after entering the ministry, pursuing the courses of study that would be most helpful to him in his calling, and became a workman that had no occasion to be ashamed. He was always successful, leaving every charge which he served in much better condition than he found it. he was an excellent preacher, drawing by a loving, forcible presentation of the truth. While successful in the various lines of work which devolved upon him as a minister, the pulpit was his throne, and he always filled it with great profit to his hearers. Bro. Barnum was not, in the strict sense of the term, a revivalist, and usually employed evangelistic aid. On every charge that he served he was favored with a blesses outpouring of grace, in which believers were quickened and sinners converted to God. He was of a very genial disposition, and made strong friends, both in and out of the church. The large number in attendance upon the funeral services, many of whom had driven from ten to twenty-five miles across the country from former charges, attested the high esteem in which our brother was held.
In 1871 Bro. Barnum was married to a worthy companion, Miss Eva Christian. To them were born five children. He departed this life on the morning of the 19th of June. In the early part of the morning he appeared to be in his usual health, and commenced preparation for a funeral service which was to be held at 10:30 a. m. A little later, however, he was in considerable distress on account of difficulty in breathing. From this he recovered, temporarily, but after a few minutes he was taken with a feeling of faintness and became much worse. His wife, hastening to his bedside, found him dying. She placed her hand upon his pulse, which beat but twice, and our brother was dead. The bereaved ones bear the great grief of his departure only by the help of that blessed Savior to whom the husband has gone. None knew our brother's love for and joy in his home save those who were permitted to share it as intimate guests.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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