From the Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois, Thursday, April 9, 1925: Emeline Barnum was born August 11, 1844 at Lexington, Greene County, New York and passed away at her home in Sterling April 6, 1925. If she had lived until her next birthday she would have been 81 years of age. She was one of a family of eight children. A brother Willard H. Reynolds of Kingston, NY is the only surviving member of the family.
On February 19, 1865, she was united in marriage to Henry M. Barnum. Shortly afterward in company with the husband, widowed mother and two sisters, they came to Illinois and began housekeeping in the Deacon Acey home in Rock Falls. Later they lived on various farms south of Rock Falls until 1900 when they moved to Sterling. They enjoyed nearly 50 years of pleasant married life. On December 28, 1867, Mrs. Barnum was baptized into the membership of the First Baptist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnum were born seven children. Those surviving are Mrs. Rena Tenney of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Mrs. Julia Grate of Everett, Washington, Mrs. Mary Wixom of Des Moines, Iowa, and Wilbur H. and Daisy of Sterling. Two daughters, Erminnie and Dora preceded her into the heavenly home.
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Her listing on Find A Grave.com for Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, Illinois gives her parents as Simeon Reynolds and Julia Middough.