Martin Wilber Barnum 1843-1904

BARNUM, STEEL, HAZEN

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 11/11/2006 at 17:33:07

Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, IA; Wednesday, June 29, 1904

M.W. Barnum’s Sudden Death.

M.W. Barnum died quite suddenly at the St. James hotel Thursday evening. At 10:00 p.m. a physician was summoned to treat him and at 11:30 life was extinct. His death was the result of heart trouble from which he had sufered more or less since June 14. His remains were taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Steel, on the south side. The funeral was held Sunday. It was under the directions of the Knights of Pythias, of which he was a member. The services were conducted at the M.E. church by Rev. S.R. Beatty. The interment wa in evergreen cemetery. The pall bearers were: C.E. Cohoon, E.L. Marsh, John Kurvink, L.H. Mayne, Geo. Downs and F.W. Dietz.

Martin Wilber Barnum was born in the state of New York in 1843. He moved to Bridgeport, Wisconsin, when a young man. He was married to Miss Etta Hazen, of that place, in 1867. Three daughters were born to them, two of whom died when young. The third, Mrs. Steel, lives in this city. The deceased was the youngest of a family of eight children- four brothers and four sisters. Only one of the number still survives. Mr. Barnum was engaged in the general mercantile and machinery business at Eastman, Wisconsin, for fourteen years. After retiring, he traveled for several years. He came to Emmetsburg in 1896 and entered the employ of Mugan & Steil as solicitor, continuing in the work for eight years.

Mr. Barnum was naturally a kind hearted man. He was liberal to those in need and was perhaps his own worst enemy. He did not belong to any church, although he contributed towards the support of religious organizations. He doubtless felt, as most people do in their last moments, a desire to live that they may have an opportunity to make their peace with God. The relatives who survive have the sympathy of all who know them.