From The Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Iowa, Thursday, March 1, 1934: Ell Barnum, for thirty-eight years a resident of Hawarden, passed away suddenly early Tuesday (February 27) morning at the home of his son, Eldon Barnum from heart failure. Mr. Barnum had been enjoying his usual health all winter and had attended to his daily tasks with customary regularity. He retired as usual Monday night but about 3 o'clock Tuesday morning his son was awakened when he complained of a pain in his chest. It was suggested then that a physician be called but Mr. Barnum demurred and he was given a hot water bag and in a short time felt very much relieved and his son went back to bed. When the son arose in the morning he found that his father's life had ebbed away. Apparently he had not moved after receiving the ministrations in the early morning hours.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 this afternoon at the Methodist church in this city, with Rev. R. H. Forrester in charge. Interment will be made in Grace Hill Cemetery.
Ell Barnum was born at Mount Ida, Wis., April 4, 1859, so was nearly 75 years of age. He grew to manhood in Wisconsin and on Sept. 23, 1883, was united in marriage at Mount Ida with Sarah Jane Cooper. They made their home at Fennimore, Wis., for a number of years. In the spring of 1896 they moved to Loup City, Neb., but remained there only a few months, coming to Hawarden in the late summer of that year, and his home has ever since continued to be in this city. Mrs. Barnum passed sway Nov. 5, 1930, and since her death he had resided with his son and family. He is survived by six children, William Barnum and Mrs. Frank Hout of Hawarden; Mrs. Wm. Yaeger of Minneapolis; Mrs. H. M. Everett of Kirkland, Wash.; Mrs. Fred Bedard of Beresford, SD and Eldon Barnum of Hawarden.
All of the children except Mrs. Everett are here for the funeral. He also leaves 22 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, besides one sister, Mrs. Dan Streeter of Fennimore, Wis.
Mr. Barnum was a hard working man all his life. He farmed in the edge of Hawarden for many years and later engaged in teaming and hauling. He was strictly honorable and upright in all his transactions and leaves a host of friends who extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family in their bereavement.