Judge R. Barnum's Obiturary, Hastings, Barry County, Michigan

Copyright © 1998 by Debra Eddy. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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[The Hastings Banner, Aug. 23, 1922, pg 16, col 4]
JUDGE R. BARNUM, son of Alonzo & Sophia Barnum, departed this life at
his residence, 305 E. High Street, Hastings, August 11th, on his 80th
birthday.  Born 1842 August 11th, a daughter was born on August 11th, he
enlisted for service in the Civil War on August 11th, his 20th birthday,
and departed this life, as stated, on August 11th.

Born in Woodland Township, Barry County, he has, with the exception of
his school years at Leoni & Olivet, spent his life in this county. 
Becoming a member of the United Brethren church at 15 and one of the
founders of the class at North Castleton, his membership there was
continued to the end.  During the year of his birth his father, Alonzo,
assisted in establishing the Methodist Episcopal class at Hastings,
later becoming a pastor of the U.B.'s he preached at the Jordan and
Wellman schools.

He was married in 1866 to Miss Lavina Myers, who lived but 5 years, and
died without living issue.  Miss Emily Miller of Mendon became his
second wife in 1876, who with the four children, L.H. of Lansing,
Charlotte V. of Hastings, H.H. of Woodland, and C.F. of Lansing still
survive.

The Red Ribbon movement of 1879 enlisted his support and from then on
prohibition work.  His devotion to the cause of prohibition was a matter
of principle for he felt "Woe is me if I preach in not the gospel of
temperance," and time, strength and means were freely given.

In 1862 he enlisted at Woodland in Company I, 26th Michigan Infantry
Volunteers for the duration of the war, being wounded at Spottsylvania
and honorably discharged June 4th, 1865.

Brother, A.L., who at the time the war broke out, was the minister of
the U.B. church in charge of the work at Gaines, enlisted in the 6th
Michigan Calvary and was killed at Winchester September 19, 1864.

The following letter was received the day of the funeral:

Soldiers Home, Grand Rapids
August 14, 1922

Mrs. Judge R. Barnum and family:

May we bow our head with you in this your great bereavement.  I gladly
admit that I am a better man for having known and served with Comrade
Barnum.

Respectfully,

A.B. VanDee, Co. I, 26th MI Inf. Vols.

It is a matter of common knowledge that no wayfarer was ever turned away
unfed.





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