Biographical Sketch of

John Barry

Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 655 - 656


John Barry, a banker and attorney of Montello, is numbered among the prominent business men of that village 
and since 1883, the banking interests of that village have been represented by John Barry & Son. The first 
bank was opened by E.B. and C.S. Kelsey in 1857, but after four or five years they discontinued business. 
In 1880 E.G. Newhall and A.E. Morse opened a private bank and were succeeded by the present firm on the 16th 
of July 1883. Under the management of each of the above named parties the bank has borne the appellation of 
the Montello Bank, and is now one of the leading moneyed institutions of the county. 

Our subject is a native of Queenstown, Ireland, his birth having occurred in that country January 2, 1839. 
His father Michael Barry, who is now a resident of the Town of Harris Marquette County, was born in County 
Cork, Ireland, in 1804, and married Margaret Harrigan. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that business 
in his native land until 1850, when with his family, consisting of wife and five sons; he crossed the Atlantic 
to America. His destination was Milwaukee, Wis., and on landing he resumed his journey without delay and 
continued to reside in that city two years or until the spring of 1852, when he came to Marquette County and 
settled on a farm in the town of Harris. He lost his wife a number of years ago but he is still in robust 
health for a man of his advanced years. 

The oldest son of Michael and Margaret Barry is Michael Jr., a resident of Vicksburg, Miss., where he has 
made his home since 1856. He was engaged as mate on a steamer on the Mississippi River when the war broke 
out and was forced into the Confederate service, being under the command of Gen. Forrest. He made several 
attempts to escape but was not successful. The other sons, John, Patrick, James and Daniel W., who 
accompanied their parents to America, are all residents of Marquette County. Two sons were born after 
the arrival of the family � Thomas W. and David the former a resident of Berlin, Green Lake County and 
the latter now living on the old homestead with his father.

John Barry, whose name heads this notice, was a lad of twelve years when he crossed the broad Atlantic to 
find a home in America. He attended school in Milwaukee and remained in that city two years after the family 
came to Marquette County. He then went to his home but soon afterward began clerking in Madison. He was 
fitted for a successful business career by excellent educational advantages. His father being in comfortable 
circumstances, at an early age he was placed in the national school at Queenstown, where he obtained the 
rudiments of a thorough English education. As before stated, he continued his studies in Milwaukee, where 
he received superior advantages and improved every opportunity. In 1858, he engaged in teaching and after 
following that profession for a number of terms, acted as salesman for his uncle, James Barry, a boot and 
shoe dealer of Montello, with whom he remained until 1864, when he taught the school in district No. 6, in 
Montello Township. Having attained his majority, he was elected town clerk in the spring of 1865 and has 
held that office almost continuously since, being the present incumbent. He served as Register of Deeds of 
Marquette County from 1869, to 1872 inclusive, and was Deputy County Treasurer and Clerk of the Court during 
that time. He was also Clerk of the Circuit Court two terms and served as Deputy Sheriff under S. Fallis, 
in 1867 and 1868. For a number of years he served as a member of the village board and for two years was 
President of that body. He was for three years a member of the school board of Montello and is now its 
Secretary. The cause of education has ever found in Mr. Barry a warm friend and in his present position 
he exerts his power to the utmost in behalf of good schools. While Clerk of the Circuit Court he directed 
his attention to the study of law and was admitted to the Circuit Court January 7, 1875 and to the Supreme 
Court on the 25th of September, 1888. The banking business is conducted with Mr. Barry as President and his 
son, A.J., as cashier. The latter now has exclusive charge of the banking business as his father devotes 
the greater part of his time to his profession.

On Christmas day of 1861, Mr. Barry was united in marriage with Miss Kate S. Devany, daughter of D.K. and 
Mary (Hart) Devany. Their union has been blessed with four children, three sons and a daughter � A.J., born 
February 8, 1864, was educated in the public schools of Montello, being a graduate of the high school, and 
received his business training under the instruction of his father; Henry, born July 3. 1866 also graduated 
from the high school of Montello and is engaged in the mercantile business in that place; Thomas William 
another graduate of the same school is now a student in the Bennett Medical College of Chicago.  He was born 
September 25, 1869. Kate E., the only daughter of the family, was born in November, 1871. 

Mr. Barry and his family are faithful and consistent members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat in 
politics and cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860. For thirty five years he has 
been a resident of Marquette County, and has been prominently identified with its growth and progress. Whatever 
he undertakes he carries forward to a successful completion and as a business man and lawyer ranks high. He 
is ever among the foremost in the support of those enterprises which tend to promote the best interests of 
town and county and is deserving of special mention in this volume.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu