Thomas Jefferson BARR, Congress, NY (1812-1881)

BARR, Thomas Jefferson, a Representative from New York; born in New York City in 1812; attended the public schools; moved to Scotch Plains, N.J., in 1835 and conducted a roadhouse; returned to New York City in 1842; assistant alderman of the sixth ward in 1849 and 1850 and alderman in 1852 and 1853; served in the State senate in 1854 and 1855; elected on January 6, 1859, as an Independent Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Kelly; reelected to the Thirty-sixth Congress and served from January 17, 1859, to March 3, 1861; was not a candidate for renomination in 1860; appointed a police commissioner of New York City in 1870 and served until 1873, when the police board was abolished; was subsequently employed in the customhouse; died in New York City, March 27, 1881; interment in Calvary Cemetery, Long Island, N.Y.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present