Zenus Barnum

Background

He was born on December 9, 1810, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the son of Richard and Roseanna (Jemison) Barnum.

Education

Of his youth and schooling little is recorded except that he was educated to be a civil engineer.

Career

He became a contractor and builder, taking part in the construction of several of the early railroads in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1840 he moved to Baltimore to become a partner with his uncle, David Barnum, owner of Barnum's City Hotel, established in 1826. As the associate of David he succeeded, after an interval of some years, his cousin Theron (1803 - 78) who later became widely known as the owner of Barnum's Hotel in St. Louis. Baltimore was preeminently the convention city of America; the first six National Democratic Conventions (1832 - 52), the anti-Masonic Convention of 1831, and the Whig Conventions of 1831, 1844, and 1852 met there, and as Barnum's Hotel was the most popular gathering place for the delegates, the fame of uncle and nephew as hospitable Bonifaces was carried to the remotest parts of the nation.

On May 10, 1844, David died, and Zenus became sole owner. About the same time, with two friends, he organized the North American Telegraph Company and contracted with Alexander Bain for the use of his patents in telegraphy on a line to be run from Washington to New York. This line, popularly known as the "Bain Line, " was hastily built, reaching New York in December, and under the vigorous presidency of Barnum the company became a strong competitor to the Magnetic Telegraph Company, owned by the group headed by Samuel F. B. Morse. In an infringement suit brought by Morse against Bain the priority of the Morse patents was completely established and on January 1, 1852, the Bain Line was incorporated into the Magnetic Telegraph with Barnum as president. His management of Barnum's Hotel had for several years been merely nominal, and in 1857 he had turned over the property to Andrew McLaughlin (probably a brother-in-law). A few years later he seems to have withdrawn from active business, but on McLaughlin's death, Jauary 29, 1863, he resumed the management of the hotel, which he retained until his death.

Achievements

• In both telegraphy and railroading he was a pioneer, and he came to be known as an organizer and executive of marked ability.

Personality

He was a "friendly man, " of generous disposition and of a winning geniality of manner.

Quotes from others about the person

• "He was distinguished, " said the Baltimore Sun, "for his eminently sound judgment and enlarged practical views. "

Connections

He was married, March 9, 1848, to Annie McLaughlin.

Father:

Richard Barnum

Mother:

Roseanna (Jemison) Barnum

Uncle:

David Barnum

Wife:

Annie McLaughlin

Cousin:

Theron Barnum

References

• THE TELEGRAPH IN AMERICA, ITS FOUNDERS PROMOTERS AND NOTED MEN