Biography of the Hon. John M. Barrere

Hon. John M. Barrere
Field and Staff
1800-After 1876

Postmaster of Hillsborough, Highland county, Ohio, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, July 11th, 1800. He was the third in a family of twelve children, whose parents were George W. Barrere and Abigail Mills Barrere, who came to Ohio and settled in New Market, Highland county, in the fall of 1803. Until his boyhood days were passed he was occupied mainly in attending school during the winter months and working on a farm the balance of his time.

He was married, August 30th, 1821, to Margaret Morrow, a daughter of James Morrow, an early pioneer of Highland county, Ohio, who removed to that place from Pennsylvania in 1807; he was a useful and loyal citizen, and for a number of years held the office of Justice of the Peace; he died February 22d, 1838.

In the spring of 1822 John M. Barrere erected his log cabin in the midst of a dense forest, his nearest neighbor being one and a half miles away, and lived there until 1830, clearing in that time about twenty-five acres, and encountering such hardships and privations as are unknown to the more recent and fortunate settler. In the course of that year he disposed of his farm and moved to the village of New Market, where he was subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits for about sixteen years. He then sold out his interest in the business and purchased a farm adjoining the village, and returned to his former mode of life. On this property he resided until 1867.

He was made a Mason, and admitted a member of Highland Lodge, No. 38, of Free and Accepted Masons, on February 4th, 1826. He was subsequently exalted to the most sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason; advanced to the degrees of Royal and Select Master, and admitted to the order of Christian Knighthood; he has been an active and working Mason for fifty years, serving as Master of Highland Lodge, No. 38; High Priest of Hillsborough Chapter, No. 40, Royal Arch Masons, and Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of Hillsborough Council, No. 16, Royal and Select Master Masons, for many years, and long a member of the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter and Grand Council of Ohio.

His first election to the Senate of Ohio, in which he served two years, dates from 1843; his second from 1853, when he again served two years. During his first term as a member of the Legislature he secured distinction as a zealous supporter of the general system of State banks. For thirty-five years he has been a consistent and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in its doctrines and communion finds the solution of the great problem of the life that now is and the life that is to come.

In 1861 he assisted in raising and organizing the 60th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied it to the scenes of war as Adjutant, and remained in the service until the fall of 1862. At Harper's Ferry, Virginia, he was wounded, and lost his left hand, and with his regiment was taken prisoner by the Confederate forces. He was subsequently released on parole and returned to his home. Of five sons who served efficiently in the Union army during the progress of the sectional contest, one died of disease, contracted while assisting in the defence of the national flag and the unity of the nation; one was blown up on board of the ill-fated steamer "Sultana;" and one was starved to death in that monstrous enclosure known in the annals of infamy as Andersonville Prison.

In 1863 he was elected a member of the Board of Public Works of Ohio, and was again elected in 1866, serving in that relation for six years. In 1867 he moved to Hillsborough, where he now resides. In 1869 he was appointed Postmaster, and since that date has been constantly engaged in the active discharge of the duties of that office.

The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Ohio of the Nineteenth Century. Columbus, Ohio: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1876, page 372.