John Stewart Barry (January 29, 1802– January 14, 1870) was the fourth and eighth governor of Michigan. He was the only governor in Michigan during the 19th century who served three terms. His main achievement was improving how the state managed its money after problems with internal improvements.
Early life in New Hampshire and Vermont
Barry was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, to John and Ellen (Steward) Barry. When Barry was young, his family moved to Rockingham, Vermont, where he worked on his father's farm and attended school in the local schools. He married Mary Kidder of Grafton, Vermont, and in 1824 moved to Georgia, Vermont, where he taught school while studying law. He began to practice law, and while in Georgia, he worked for the governor's office. Barry was mostly of English ancestry but also had some Welsh heritage. Most of his ancestors came to New England from England as Puritans during the 1630s and 1640s. Out of his 32 great-great-great-grandparents, 31 were Puritans from England, and 1 was an Anglican from Montgomeryshire, Wales.
Life and politics in Michigan
In 1831, he moved to White Pigeon, Michigan, where he became a merchant and was involved in politics. In 1834, Barry moved to Constantine, Michigan, and opened a general store in that village's first frame-built building. He served as justice of the peace in 1831 while living in White Pigeon and held this position until 1835. Barry was an important member from the 13th district at the 1835 convention that created Michigan's first constitution.
When Michigan became a state in 1837, Barry was a state senator in 1836 and 1840 and was known as a leader of the state Democratic Party. In 1840, Barry became deeply interested in growing sugar beets and traveled to Europe to learn more about their cultivation.
4th and 8th Governor of Michigan
He was chosen by the Democratic Party to run for governor in 1841. He won the election and was elected again in 1843.
During Barry’s first term, the University of Michigan moved to Ann Arbor from Detroit. It opened for students in 1841. The Michigan Central and Michigan Southern Railroads grew significantly during this time. By 1845, at the end of his second term, the state’s population had reached more than 300,000.
After a period of not serving, Barry was elected governor again in 1849. He served from 1850 to 1852, becoming the first Michigan governor to hold non-consecutive terms. During his third term, the Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) was created in Ypsilanti. A new state constitution was approved in 1850. Barry lost the election in 1854 and ran for governor again in 1860 but was not successful.
He also ran for U.S. Representative from Michigan’s 2nd congressional district in 1856 but lost to Republican Henry Waldron.
Throughout his career, Barry supported the Wilmot Proviso, a proposal to stop the spread of slavery. He remained a member of the Democratic Party and aligned with the "ultra" wing of the party during the Civil War. He attended the Democratic National Conventions in 1856 and 1864.
Retirement and death
Barry retired from public life after the Republican Party became more powerful during Reconstruction. He continued his business selling goods in Constantine. He died on March 30 at the age of 67. His wife had passed away a year earlier. The home Barry lived in, called the Governor John S. Barry House, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.