1914 Biography - James E. Barry

Barry, James Edward, of Crowley, La., the dean of the bar of Acadia parish, and the oldest, in years of practice, among the lawyers of the district, was born Jan. 19, 1844, in Bossier parish; the son of Edward Barry, who came to Louisiana from Norfolk, Va., (where he was born in 1808) and after passing some time in Texas, settled in Bossier parish, La., about 1838. He had practiced law in his native state, but taught school for some time in Texas before locating at Minden, La., which was on the parish line between Bossier and Claiborne parishes. Later, removing to Columbia, La., he was elected district attorney, and later, district judge for the parishes Catahoula, Caldwell and Franklin, serving during 8 years. Edward Barry was a widower when he left Virginia. A few years after locating in Bossier parish, he contracted a second marriage with Miss Martha Fletcher, a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., who died in Caldwell parish, in 1889, in her 71st year. After leaving the bench, Judge Barry resumed the practice of law, and died in 1867, in Caldwell parish. His father, James Barry, had emigrated from Ireland to Virginia, and was a merchant. James Edward Barry, the subject of this sketch, was educated in private schools in Caldwell parish. In 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate army, as a private in Company C, 3d La. volunteer cavalry, serving in the division west of the Mississippi river, for the greater part of his enlistment, in the commissary department until the close of the Civil war. He was paroled at Alexandria, then went back home, and engaged in various occupations, including 2 years as a farmer in Caldwell parish. Henry Clay Warmoth, at that time governor of Louisiana, appointed Barry to be clerk of court, filling an unexpired term of 3 years, at the expiration of which he was elected for 4 more years. While occupying the office of parish judge, which was abolished by the state constitution of 1879, he passed an examination before the supreme court, and was admitted to the practice of law in 1881. In Caldwell parish, Judge Barry was parish treasurer, and also served as president of the parish school board. Having been impressed by the glowing accounts of prosperity in the recently-created parish of Acadia, he removed to Crowley in 1886, and the following year his family joined him. As advisor to the police jury he first made his his entry into public life in Acadia parish, and in 1889 was elected superintendent of the public parish public schools, a position he filled with great ability for 17 years, laying the foundation for the excellent system now in vogue. The schools grew in number; the standard for teachers was improved, and modern methods were introduced. While serving as superintendent, Judge Barry was elected mayor of Crowley for 1 term. It was during his administration that the waterworks system and standpipe were constructed. In 1875, occurred the marriage of Judge Barry and Miss Mary Longmire, born in East Feliciana. Their family consisted of 11 children, 6 of whom are living: J. Frank, residing at Crowley; Mary Celeste, wife of Frank A. Nassans, of New Orleans; Louis B., of Katy, Tex.; Amy L., Kate, and Joseph B. Barry, residing at Crowley. Judge Barry is affiliated with the democratic party, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 37-38.