Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 159.  Jefferson County.

JOHN W. BARR, of Louisville, judge of the United States district court, is
a native of this state, born in Versailles on the 17th of December, 1826.
For more than a century the family have been connected with Kentucky.  His
grandfather, a native of Pennsylvania, took up his residence in Fayette
county, this state, in 1787, and spent the remainder of his life on a farm
near Lexington.  The judge's father, William Barr, was born on that farm,
in 1796, and acquired a good education in private schools.  His business
career was spent as a merchant in Versailles and Louisville.  He remained
in the former city until 1840, and then, selling his store, went to
Mississippi, where he engaged in cotton planting.  He married Ann Watson
who was born in Virginia in 1808, a daughter of Dr. John and Nancy
(Howe) Watson.  Her father was a native of Maryland and in early manhood
removed to Woodford county, Kentucky where he successfully engaged in
the practice of medicine until his life's labors were ended.  Mrs.
William Barr was educated in Woodford county, and in 1825 the parents of
the judge were married.  Her mother, who was a consistent member of the
Presbyterian church, died in Versailles, in 1829, at the early age of
twenty-one years.  Mr. Barr was a stanch Whig in politics, giving an
unwavering support to the principles of that party, but political office
never had strong enough attractions for him to draw him away from his
business.  He died in Washington county, Mississippi, in 1844.
     Judge John W. Barr acquired his literary education in the private
schools of his native county.  Wishing to enter upon a professional
career, he prepared for the bar at Transylvania University at Lexington,
where he graduated at the age of twenty years.  To his old home in
Versailles, he returned and established a law office, but soon sought
broader and more varied fields of usefulness in Louisville.  For almost
half a century he has been identified with the bar of this city, and the
place that he occupies today as judge of the United States district
court is a tribute to his superior ability and fitness.  He formed a
partnership with Joseph B. Kinkead, a connection that continued for eight
years.  Their business relation was then dissolved, but their warm
personal friendship continued until the death of Mr. Kinkead a few years
since.  Until 1864 Judge Barr continued alone in the practice of law,
and then formed a partnership with Hon. John Kemp Goodloe.  Four years
later, in 1868, the firm was joined by Judge Alexander P. Humphrey, the
three gentlemen remaining together in this relation until 1880, when Mr.
Barr was raised to the bench by the appointment of President Hayes to
succeed Judge Bland Ballard, deceased.  His law practice was usually in
the higher courts, and embraced some of the most important litigation
of his district prior to 1880.  It thus proved an excellent school of
preparation, fitting him for his judicial duties, and since he has
occupied the bench he has won a reputation as one of the ablest district
judges in the country.  His calm, cool nature, free from mistakes of
impetuosity, his clear reasoning and unbiased judgment peculiarly fit
him for his judicial duties, while his comprehensive knowledge of law
in its various branches and his keen analytical mind enable him to grasp
readily all the points of a case.
     In November, 1859, Judge Barr was united in marriage with Miss
Susan Rogers, daughter of Colonel Jason Rogers, of Louisville. Educated in
the best schools of Louisville and New York, she possessed not only the
culture that comes from liberal mental training but also that innate
refinement of nature which unconsciously commands respect at all times.
Her consistent Christian life was the exponent of her unfaltering faith in
the doctrine of the Presbyterian church, of which she was a member.  She
died in 1871, leaving seven children,--two sons and five daughters--namely;
John W. Jr., Anna W., Caroline H., Susan R., Josephine P., Elise R. and
Jason Rogers.  The Judge and his family attend the College Street
Presbyterian church.
     In early life Judge Barr voted with the Whig party, but when that
party in Kentucky was absorbed by the American party he voted the
Democratic ticket.  He was during the late civil war an earnest and ardent
Unionist, and took part in raising and organizing Union troops, and when
the Republican party was formed in the state of Kentucky he joined its
ranks, and has since been a consistent and earnest advocate of it
principles.  Through his exertions the Board of Louisville Sinking Fund
Commissioners was established, and he was its president from 1868 to
1872.  He was a number of times a member of the Louisville city council,
and aided in several efficient reforms in the city government.  For twenty
years he was a director of the Bank of Kentucky.  In all of his relations
in public and private life he has enjoyed the respect and confidence of his
fellow citizens.  In manner he is kindly; in disposition, genial and easy
of approach; and when on the bench, dignified, courtly and earnest, fully
sustaining the majesty of the law and the dignity of the court.

Barr Goodloe Watson Howe Kinkead Humphrey Ballard Rogers
=
Versailles-Woodford-KY Fayette-KY MD NY PA MS

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