J. Allen Barber

Joel Allen Barber (January 17, 1809 - June 17, 1881) was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.

Born in Georgia (near St. Albans), Franklin County, Vermont, Barber attended the common schools, Georgia Academy, and the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.He studied law. Upon graduation, he read law with George P. Marsh.He was admitted to the bar in 1834 in Prince Georges County, Maryland, where he was teaching school, and commenced practice in Fairfield, Vermont.He moved to Wisconsin in 1837 and settled in Lancaster, Grant County, and continued the practice of his profession. County clerk for four years and district attorney three terms.He served as member of the first constitutional convention of Wisconsin in 1846.

Barber was elected to the State assembly in 1852, 1853, 1863, and 1864, serving as speaker in 1864.He served as member of the State senate in 1856 and 1857. Founded Lancaster Academy.

In 1869, Barber established a law partnership with George Clementson. Soon thereafter, Barber was elected as a Republican to the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1875). While Barber was serving in Congress, George Clementson conducted the legal work of their firm. Barber was not a candidate for renomination in 1874, and upon leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law with Clementson.Barber died in Lancaster, Wisconsin, June 17, 1881, and was interred in Hillside Cemetery.

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