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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of SHIAWASSEE and Clinton Counties, Michigan
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia; 1880

     208-209

                            ISAAC S. BARNUM

        ISAAC S. BARNUM, the youngest in a family of five children, -
     three sons and two daughters, - was born in Delaware Co., N.Y.,
     Aug. 17, 1827.  His father, JOHN B. BARNUM, was born in Dutchess
     Co., N.Y., March 28, 1798.  His mother, URANA (SUTHERLAND) BARNUM,
     was also born in Dutchess Co., N.Y.  They were married about the
     year 1818, and lived in New York until 1836, when they came to
     Michigan, and settled in Burns township, Shiawassee Co.
        When twenty-one years of age ISAAC, who up to this time had
     remained at home, began taking contracts to "break land" for new
     settlers in that vicinity.  He followed this occupation for three
     years.  His father in the mean time having helped him to forty acres
     of land, he purchased an additional forty acres adjoining.  But he
     was not yet satisfied.  In 1852 he hazarded his little store of hard-
     earned means, and started for California.  The trip from New York City
     to San Francisco, via Cape Horn, extended over a period of one hundred
     and fifty-two days.  The vessel stopped twelve days at Rio de Janiero,
     Brazil, and twelve days at Valparaiso, Chili, giving the passengers
     (of whom, when leaving New York, there were three hundred and twelve)
     a fine opportunity to see those cities and the surrounding country.
     Thirteen passengers died of yellow fever on the voyage, and were bur-
     ied at sea.  Upon reaching California Mr. BARNUM turned his attention
     to mining, which he followed the first year of his stay.  The second
     year he secured a good salaried position, which he retained until his
     return home, when he found that he had realized by his venture two
     thousand dollars clear of all expenses.  On his return trip he came
     via the Nicaragua route, the journey occupying twenty-six days.
        On the 28th of June, 1855, Mr. BARNUM married AMELIA, daughter of
     ROBERT and SARAH CRAWFORD, pioneers in the township of Burns.
        ROBERT CRAWFORD was born in Ontario Co., N.Y., March 17, 1794.
     SARAH, his wife, was born Aug. 14, 1798, and died Jan. 18, 1880.  Mr.
     CRAWFORD is still living.
        Mrs. JOHN B. BARNUM died May 24, 1848, and her husband Feb. 5,
     1865.  ABIGER P. BARNUM, eldest son of JOHN B. and URANA BARNUM, died
     and was buried at sea.
        To Mr. and Mrs. ISAAC BARNUM have been born the following children:
     ELLA, born April 19, 1858; NELLIE MAY, Jan. 6, 1867; OSMOND S., born
     April 17, 1875, died Feb. 26, 1877.
        Mr. BARNUM'S farm now consists of two hundred and thirty-two and a
     half acres of land in one of the most fertile and highly cultivated
     portions of the township.  In politics he is a Democrat, and in his
     religious belief is liberal.  Mrs. BARNUM is a member of the Baptist
     Church.
        Mr. BARNUM remarks, with satisfaction, that although fifty-two
     years of age, and having been actively engaged in business with nearly
     all classes of men since he first commenced breaking land, he has
     never been compelled to go to law, either in his own defense or in the
     prosecution of others, and has never invested but one dollar in legal
     advice.

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