Barry, John P.

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

On the 1st of January, 1915, John P. Barry assumed the duties of the office of register of deeds and at the same time he is engaged in the abstract business in Racine, with which he has long been connected. He was born in Newton, Iowa, August 31, 1881, a son of David T. and Katherine (Flynn) Barry, the former a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married in Chicago and in the year 1872 became residents of Iowa. The father's business was that of railroading for some years and afterward he became an iron molder, working at that trade until the time of his demise on the 7th of November, 1913. His widow now makes her home with her son, John P. The family has resided in Racine since 1891.

John P. Barry was a lad of but ten years when the family home was established in this city, so that he continued his education here as a public and high school pupil. Subsequently he entered the E. L. Casterton Business College, from which he was graduated in 1900, and he completed a course in the Racine City Business College by graduation with the class of 1902. On the 1st of February of the same year he secured a position in the Knight & Peck abstract office, where he remained until May 1, 1911, becoming during that period familiar with every phase of the abstract business. He then opened an abstract office on his own account and still continues. He has a complete set of books and has gained a large clientage in this connection, his business bringing him now a substantial return.

On the 26th of December, 1915, Mr. Barry was married to Miss Eleanor Agnes Graef, who was a registered nurse of St. Mary's Hospital. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of Peter and Katherine Graef, who were residents of Port Washington, Wisconsin, but have now passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Barry both held membership in St. Patrick's Catholic Church and he also belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Royal Arcanum. His political endorsement is given to the principles and candidates of the Republican Party. In 1904 he was a candidate for alderman in the fourth ward but was defeated by the Socialist League by a vote of seventeen. In the fall of 1914 he became the candidate of his party for the office of register of deeds and received the endorsement of the public at the polls, assuming the duties of that position on the 1st of January, 1915. His previous business experience had made him well qualified for this work and he is proving an able official.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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