George P. Barker
Encyclopedia
George Payson Barker was an American lawyer and politician.
from 1823 to 1826, and then entered Union College
from which he graduated in 1827. While in college, he studied law with Alonzo C. Paige at Schenectady, New York
, after graduating he studied law with Stephen G. Austin at Buffalo, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He practiced law in partnership with Austin until 1832, then with John T. Hudson until 1836. In 1834, he married Abby Coit. From 1837 to 1839, he practiced law with Seth E. Sill and Seth C. Hawley, then with Sill only until July 1847, and finally with George Coit, Jr.
candidates. In 1832, he was appointed first Attorney of the City of Buffalo, later District Attorney of Erie County which office he resigned in December 1836. In 1834, he ran for Congress but was defeated by the Anti-Masonic candidate Thomas C. Love
.
He was a member from Erie County of the New York State Assembly
in 1836. On January 31, 1838, he was commissioned a captain in the New York State Militia, on February 12 he was elected a major, on August 14 a lieutenant colonel, and in June 1839 brigadier general of the 8th Brigade, retiring from the militia when he was elected Attorney General in 1842. In 1840, he ran for Mayor of Buffalo, New York, but was defeated by the Whig candidate Sheldon Thompson
in a close race: 1135 for Thompson, 1125 for Barker. He was New York State Attorney General
from 1842 to 1845. From 1846 to 1847, he was again District Attorney of Erie County.
Life
He attended Amherst CollegeAmherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
from 1823 to 1826, and then entered Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
from which he graduated in 1827. While in college, he studied law with Alonzo C. Paige at Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, after graduating he studied law with Stephen G. Austin at Buffalo, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He practiced law in partnership with Austin until 1832, then with John T. Hudson until 1836. In 1834, he married Abby Coit. From 1837 to 1839, he practiced law with Seth E. Sill and Seth C. Hawley, then with Sill only until July 1847, and finally with George Coit, Jr.
Political career
In 1828, he entered politics joining the Jacksonians, and later becoming a Democrat. In June 1829, he was appointed Clerk of the Village of Buffalo. In 1831 he ran for the Assembly, but was defeated by the Anti-MasonicAnti-Masonic Party
The Anti-Masonic Party was the first "third party" in the United States. It strongly opposed Freemasonry and was founded as a single-issue party aspiring to become a major party....
candidates. In 1832, he was appointed first Attorney of the City of Buffalo, later District Attorney of Erie County which office he resigned in December 1836. In 1834, he ran for Congress but was defeated by the Anti-Masonic candidate Thomas C. Love
Thomas C. Love
Thomas Cutting Love was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Cambridge, New York, Love attended the common schools. He served as a Volunteer in the War of 1812 and was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Fort Erie on September 17, 1814...
.
He was a member from Erie County of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1836. On January 31, 1838, he was commissioned a captain in the New York State Militia, on February 12 he was elected a major, on August 14 a lieutenant colonel, and in June 1839 brigadier general of the 8th Brigade, retiring from the militia when he was elected Attorney General in 1842. In 1840, he ran for Mayor of Buffalo, New York, but was defeated by the Whig candidate Sheldon Thompson
Sheldon Thompson
Sheldon Thompson was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1840–1841. He was born in Derby, Connecticut on July 2, 1785. In early 1810, he moved to Lewiston, New York where he entered into the shipbuilding business and mercantile trade along the Great Lakes. He also entered the salt trade from...
in a close race: 1135 for Thompson, 1125 for Barker. He was New York State Attorney General
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
from 1842 to 1845. From 1846 to 1847, he was again District Attorney of Erie County.
Sources
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/barie-barker.html Political Graveyard
- http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/mayors/Thompson.htm Mayors of Buffalo
- Google Book Life of George P. Barker by George J. Bryan (Oliver G. Steele, Buffalo NY, 1849)