Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 503.

 
LADRU BARNUM

     who is the assistant manager of the W. W. & M. Company Bank and warehouse
at Moro, Oregon, is one of the most successful young business men of this part
of the state. He has come to the front rapidly, owing to his worth and stability
and is being prospered in his efforts excellently. Mr. Barnum is a native
Oregonian, being born in Moro, on May 17, 1877, in the only house then standing
in Moro. The postoffice was not established here until some thirteen years
later. His father, Henry B., came to Oregon in the forties when a boy and
settled in Wasco county, in about 1857. He went away once and came back in 1861
and took a squatter's right, later purchasing a quarter section with military
script. He was one of the promoters of the military road and died when our
subject was four years of age. He married Elmira M. Massiker, who was born near
Portland, Oregon. After Mr. Barnum's death, his widow married J. A. West., and
they now live in Tillamook county, this state. Our subject was reared on the old
homestead with his brothers and sisters and received his education from the
public schools. In 1897, he entered the employ of the M. M. Company, having
charge of a store, which they opened at Klondyke in this county. After eight
months of service there, he came to their store in Moro and two months later,
entered the business college of Portland, where he completed the commercial
course, receiving a full diploma. Then he returned to Moro and engaged in the
same company until 1900, when he entered his present position and in this
capacity, he has been operating since. Mr. Barnum has shown himself to be a keen
financier, a man possessed of foresight and excellent judgment, which have
combined to win and make the success that he now enjoys.
     On June 30, 1900, Mr. Barnum married May Kunsman, who was born in Iowa
where also her parents, John W. and Mary (Thorne) Kunsman, were born. The mother
died in Moro, in February, 1904, and the father lives in Wasco county. Mr.
Barnum has two brothers, Elvin E. and Artimus H., who live a few miles east from
Moro. The three brothers own about three thousand acres of land, half of which
is under cultivation. They feed from two to three hundred head of cattle each
winter, generally have about one hundred head of hogs, mostly Berkshires, and do
a general farming and stock raising business. They have three registered bulls
and also raise first class mules. They use about thirty head of cattle and
horses on their estate and are among the heaviest and most substantial operators
of the county. Upon the father's death, the boys inherited three thousand
dollars from the estate which is invested in this large farm. Our subject has a
nice home in Moro and is one of the leading business men of the county. He has
one sister, Ora M.. wife of Louie L. Peetz, who is mentioned elsewhere in this
volume. She was born at The Dalles.
     Mr. Barnum is a member of the A. F. & A. M., being senior warden of the
same and past grand of the I. O. O. F. and belongs to the Encampment of the I.
O. O. F. He is a member of the Elks. Politically, he is allied with the
Republican party and three times has been delegate to the county, conventions.
He is as active in this realm as his business will permit and takes a deep
interest in the improvement and building up of the country for which he has
always labored faithfully and wisely. Mr. and Mrs. Barnum are very highly
respected people and are leaders in society, while they have hosts of friends in
every part of the country, being widely and favorably known.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.