Henry W. Barry | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 3rd district | |
In office April 8, 1870 – March 4, 1875 | |
Preceded by | William Barksdale |
Succeeded by | Hernando Money |
Personal details | |
Born | April 1840 Schoharie County, New York, US |
Died | June 7, 1875 Washington, D.C., US | (aged 35)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Kate Thyson Barry |
Profession | Soldier, lawyer, politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1866 |
Rank | Brevet Brigadier General Colonel |
Unit | 10th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry |
Commands | 8th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Henry W. Barry (April 1840 – June 7, 1875) was a Union army officer during the American Civil War, reaching the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. He commanded a regiment of United States Colored Troops. After the war, he became an attorney and politician.
Born in New York, Barry moved to Kentucky as a young man to teach school. He enlisted there in the Union Army during the war, being commissioned as an officer. In 1862 Barry recruited African Americans to Kentucky's militia. After the United States Colored Troops were established in 1863, Barry served as an officer of an African-American unit stationed in Kentucky and Texas.
After the war Barry earned a law degree in Washington, D.C. He moved to Columbus, Mississippi, where he set up a practice and became involved in politics. He served as a delegate to the 1867 state constitutional convention, and was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1868. In 1870 he was elected as U.S. Representative from Mississippi's 3rd congressional district, serving until 1875. He died shortly after, at age 35.