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Biography For Marcus Barnum

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Author:
Bill Hart

Background:

Marcus Barnum was born in Syracuse, NY on March 14, 1834 to Marcus and Elizabeth (Lounsberry) Barnum. He came to Fond du Lac County, WI in 1855. He became one of this area’s most active religious workers thanks to his knowledge of the Bible, his ability as a public speaker, and his belief in Christianity.  He conducted services at the Methodist church when they were without a pastor and was known to deliver masterful sermons.  Marcus H. Barnum was a man of mature years and varied experiences, well-qualified to entertain guests.  He was an enthusiastic sportsman with rod or gun who knew the best places to fish or to find a deer.

Accomplishments:

Marcus Barnum was elected District Attorney of Marathon County in 1857 to serve the 1858-1859 term.

Mr. Barnum enlisted and fought in the Civil War until he was injured. He returned to Wausau, set up his law practice, and entered the newspaper business when he published a new paper called “The Torch of Liberty.”  He later sold that paper to local businessman Edgar T. Wheelock, who changed the name of the paper to the Wausau Record.  Years later, this paper consolidated with the Herald and became the Daily Record.  In 1872 Barnum was once again elected District Attorney of Marathon County and served throughout that year.

 

M. H. Barnum was the owner and sole proprietor of The Pines, a modest summer hotel located on Lake Shishebogama, one of the prettiest of the lakes that dotted the landscape of picturesque northern Wisconsin.  Shishebogama is an Indian word for “wandering waters” or the “lake of many bays.”  About half of the lake was within the Lac du Flambeau Indian reservation, very close to the principal village of the Chippewas.  Other lakes in the area of The Pines were Gunlock, Marion, Mercer, Fence, Crawling Stone, White Fish, Squirrel, and the Flambeau chain of lakes. 

 

The Pines was located on higher land between two bays and was situated so that one always had a view of the lake from any room.  Pure water from the Waukesha Springs furnished The Pines.  The lake produced finely-developed fish including muskies, bass, pike and others.  The Pines had its own garden supplies, its own farms for milk and eggs, and was staffed by only the finest cooks and waiters.

Mr. Barnum was elected to the Wisconsin state assembly for the 1897 - 1898 term.  He was married in Wausau to Miss Phoebette Reynolds.

Marcus Barnum passed away on July 31, 1904.  He is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau, WI.

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Other Information

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Date of Birth: 3/14/1834

Place of Birth: NY

Date of Death: 7/31/1904

Place of Death: Wisconsin

Place of Burial: Pine Grove Cemetery Wausau, WI

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