John S. Barry

For the American businessman John S. Barry, see John Barry (WD-40). John Stewart Barry (January 29, 1802 – January 14, 1870) was elected three times as Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. He was Michigan's only three-term governor in the 19th century. His main accomplishment was bringing the state out of bankruptcy after the Panic of 1837. Barry was born in Amherst, New Hampshire to John and Ellen (Steward) Barry. While he was young, the fami... more

For the American businessman John S. Barry, see John Barry (WD-40). John Stewart Barry (January 29, 1802 – January 14, 1870) was elected three times as Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. He was Michigan's only three-term governor in the 19th century. His main accomplishment was bringing the state out of bankruptcy after the Panic of 1837. Barry was born in Amherst, New Hampshire to John and Ellen (Steward) Barry. While he was young, the family moved to Rockingham, Vermont where he worked on his father's farm and received an education in the local schools. He married Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vermont, and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vermont, where he taught school while studying law. He began to practice law, and while in Georgia he was also a member of the Governor’s staff. In 1831, he moved to White Pigeon, Michigan where he became a merchant and was active in politics. In 1834, Barry moved to Constantine, Michigan and opened a general store in that village's first frame-built... less