William C. Barnum served as a private in Company "F", 139th Illinois Infantry. He received a pension as an Army Invalid and his widow later received a pension as an Army Widow.
In the 1875 Kansas Census for Canton, McPherson County, Kansas the family of W. C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #5; Family #5
W. C. Barnum, 28, M, b. Illinois, came to Kansas from Illinois
R. Barnum, 29, F, b. Missouri, came to Kansas from Illinois
W. C. Barnum, 5, M, b. Illinois, came to Kansas from Illinois
J. M. Barnum 12, M, b. Kansas
In the 1885 Kansas Census for Canton, McPherson County, Kansas the family of W. C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #38; Family #6
Barnum, W. C.; 38; M; W; Married; Clerk; b. Illinois; came to Kansas from Illinois; Honorably discharged from the volunteer military service of the United States; Enlisted from Illinois; Company "F"; 139th Infantry
Barnum, Rachel; 39; F; W; Married; b. Missouri, came to Kansas from Illinois
Barnum, William C.; 15; M; W; Single; b. Illinois, came to Kansas from Illinois; Attended school within the year
Barnum, Frederick M.; 11; M; W; Single; b. Kansas; Attended school within the year
Barnum; Kate A.; 9; F; W; Single; b. Kansas; Attended school within the year
Barnum, James M.; 3; M; W; Single; b. Kansas
In the 1900 US Census for Canton, McPherson County, Kansas the family of W. C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #8; Family #8
Barnum, Cal W.; Head; W; M; b. Oct 1846; 53; Married 31 years; b. Illinois; Father b. New York; Mother b. Indiana; Capitalist; Can read, write and speak English; Owns non-farm home free of mortgage
Barnum, Rachel; Wife; W; F; b. Mar 1846; 54; Married 31 years; b. Missouri; Father b. New Jersey; Mother b. Ohio; Can read, write and speak English
Barnum, James M.; Son; W; M; b. Mar 1881; 19; Single; b. Kansas; Father b. Illinois; Mother b. Missouri; Grocery clerk; Can read, write and speak English
In the 1905 Kansas Census for Canton, McPherson County, Kansas the family of W. C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Family #5
Barnum, W. C., Sr.; 58; M; b. Illinois; Came to Kansas from Illinois; Retired
Barnum, Rachel; 58; F; b. Illinois; Came to Kansas from Illinois; Housekeeper
In the 1910 US Census for Canton, McPherson County, Kansas the family of W. C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #72; Family #73
Barnum, William C.; Head; M; W; 63; Married 41 years; b. Illinois; Father b. United States; Mother b. Illinois; Speaks English; No occupation; Can read and write; Owns non-farm home free of mortgage
Barnum, Rachel; Wife; F; W; 64; Married 41 years; Mother of 4 children; 4 children living; b. Missouri; Father b. New Jersey; Mother b. Ohio; Washing; Family washing; Wage earner; Can read and write
In the 1915 Kansas Census for Canton, McPherson County, Kansas the family of W. C. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #8; Family #8
Barnum, W. C.; 68; M; b. Illinois; Came to Kansas from Illinois; Retired farmer
Barnum; Rachel; 68; F; b. Missouri; Came to Kansas from Illinois