According to family history John first saw his wife-to-be, Percie, when she was a small girl. He waited for her to reach an age to marry and then returned for her.
Verification of Death Particulars. The following is an extract from the registration on file in the Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria, British Columbia, concerning the Death of: John Barnum. Date of Death: May 10, 1928; Place of Death: 3421 William Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Last Residence: 3421 William Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Sex: Male; Age: 91 years, 15 days; Date of Birth: April 25, 1837; Place of Birth: Ontario; Racial Origin: Canadian; Citizenship: Not Stated; Occupation: Retired Farmer; Marital Status: Married; Name of Spouse: Not Stated; Name of Father: Andrew Barnum; Birthplace of Father: Ontario; Name of Mother: Ann Ganford; Birthplace of Mother: Ontario; Place of Burial: Mt. View Cemetery - May 12, 1928; Informant: Mrs. Annetta McCracken, daughter - 3421 William St. The particulars described above are released for genealogical purposes only.
The 1871 Canadian Census for Minden E. Twp, Peterborough County, Ontario, shows this family as: Barnum John, 33, b. Ont, C of E, German [sic] desc, farmer; Percie, 23, b. Ont, C of E, Scots; Emma E., 4, b. Ont; William E, 2, b. Ont; Annette, 10/12, b. June 1870. District [58] Sub District [E] Page [37] County [HLB] Description [Minden Twp.]
The 1881 Canadian Census for Stanhope Twp, Peterborough County, Ontario, shows the family as: Barnum, John, 44, b. Ont, C of E, Eng desc, farmer; Percey, 33, b. Ont, C of E, Scots; Emma 14; William Ernest 13; Annette, 10; Idia, 8; Lydia, 5 and John E., 3/12, b. Feb.
Sometime between 1884 and 1891 John moved his family to Michigan. Then, they moved to British Columbia in 1905, when western Canada was opened up.
John was born on April 25, 1837 according to Church of England records, in the parish of Ameliasburg, near Trenton, which included Murray township and part of Brighton township at that time.
Plot: HORNE2/*/03/009/0014.