John Corbin Barnum's WWI draft registration gives his date of birth as September 20, 1882, although the California Death Index gives a date of birth of September 20. 1879. The latter date seems correct, since it coincides with the date given in the 1900 census for Jackson County, Oregon, as well as the age in his obituary.
John later moved to Alameda County, California, where he died on September 29, 1956. He had one daughter, Jeanette who married Albert Talbot.
From the Oakland Tribune, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 1956: Barnum, John Corbin, in Berkeley, September 29, 1956, of Oakland, beloved husband of Florence M. Barnum, father of Mrs. Albert Talbot of Berkeley, grandfather of John Albert and Richard William Talbot, uncle of Dr. William Barnum of Portland, Oregon, a native of New York aged 77 years. Entombment Sunset Mausoleum.
In the 1910 Census, where he was enumerated with the family of his brother William, his name is shown as Jno. C. Barnum.
In the 1920 US Census for District 105, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon the family of John C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #186; Family #192
Barnum, John C.; Head; Owns home with mortgage; M; W; 39; Married; Can read and write; b. New York; Father b. Canada-English; Mother b. New York; Can speak English; Draughtsman; Iron works; Wage earner
Barnum, Florence N.; Wife; F; W; 26; Married; Can read and write; b. Washington; Father b. Minnesota; Mother b. new York; Can speak English; No occupation
Barnum, Jeannette C.; Daughter; F; W; 1-4/12; Single; b. Oregon; Father b. New York; Mother b. Washington; No occupation
In the 1930 US Census for District 92, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California the family of John C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #47; Family #47
Barnum, John C.; Head; Owns a non-farm home valued at $10,000; Owns a radio set; M; W; 50; 1st Married at age 35; Can read and write; b. New York; Both parents b. New York; Can speak English; Designing engineer; Mechanical; At work on previous day; Non-veteran
Barnum, Florence; Wife; F; W; 37; 1st Married at age 22; Can read and write; b. Washington; Both parents b. New York; Can speak English; No occupation
Barnum, Jeanette; Daughter; F; W; 11; Single; Attended school during the census year; Can read and write; b. Oregon; Father b. New York; Mother b. Washington; Can speak English
On January 24, 1954 John Corbin Barnum wrote a letter to Myrtle Lee, caretaker of the Jacksonville (Oregon) Museum, in which he confirmed the birth and death dates for his parents. He was living at 847 Walker Avenue in Oakland, California, and signed as J. Corbin Barnum. He died just two years later.
John Corbin Barnum wrote a letter to the caretaker of the Jacksonville (Oregon) Museum on 24 Jan 1954. In tht letter he stated that his father, William Solon Barnum, was born in Danville Canada in 1855.