Barret, John R.

Born: 1825-08-21 Greensburg, Kentucky

Died: 1903-11-02 New York, New York

Flourished: Belleville, Illinois

Alternate name: Barrett

John R. Barret, a lawyer and congressman, attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, before moving to St. Louis in 1839. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1843 and began studying law. Barret won election to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1852, serving four terms. Barret ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1858 as a Democrat, and although he defeated Francis P. Blair, Jr. for the seat, the outcome of the election was contested. Barret served from March 1859 to June 1860 and lost his seat to Blair in 1860. However, Blair resigned and Barret returned to the House from December 1860 to March 1861. After losing the next election round, Barret moved to New York City. He married Matilda Nicholas in 1864.

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774-2005 (Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 2005), 614; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), St. Louis, MO, 505; U.S. Census Office, Twelfth Census of the United States (1900), Manhattan, New York City, New York, NY, 213; Kentucky, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965, 14 December 1864, Jefferson County, (Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, 2016); Gravestone, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, KY.