John Watson Barr

John Watson Barr (December 17, 1826 – December 31, 1907) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kentucky. Education and career Barr was born in Versailles, Kentucky on December 17, 1826. He was the son of William and Ann (Watson) Barr. His father was a merchant who worked in both Versailles and Louisville, Kentucky. Barr received his early education from private tutors and private schools in Woodford County, Kentucky. He then matriculated to Transylvania University to study law. Upon his graduation in 1847 he commenced practice in Versailles. In 1854, he moved to Louisville and formed a law firm with Joseph B. Kinkead. After eight years, the two dissolved the partnership by mutual consent, but remained friends. Barr continued in private practice until 1864, when he formed a new law firm with John Kemp Goodloe. Barr had begun advocating the gradual abolition of slavery as early as 1849. When the Civil War commenced, he helped organize the Kentucky Home Guard and served as adjutant general of the Louisville brigade. He was also involved in the organization of several Union regiments in Kentucky. After the war, Barr returned to his law practice. In 1868, Alexander Pope Humphrey joined the firm, which continued until Barr's appointment to a federal judgeship in 1880. Public career