JOHN HENRY BARRET

was a native of Louisa County, Virginia and was born on 04 Feb 1818.  His father, Peter Straghan BARRET and his mother, Matilda WINSTON were born in the same county.  John was educated from the country schools of his native county.  His father was a farmer and of an exacting turn or mind and for many years the son was required to follow a plow.  At the age of 17 John bade adieu to his paternal home and set out for Kentucky to join his brother, Alexander Buchanan BARRET, who had preceded him two years.

 In December 1835, he arrived in Henderson and accepted a position with his brother who was largely engaged in the purchase of tobacco and merchandizing.  He soon became a most valuable assistant to his brother.

December 1839, four years after his arrival in Henderson, he married Miss Susan D. RANKIN, a lady of most affectionate disposition, active benevolence and earnest piety.

For eleven years John was associated in partnership with his brother, Alex, in the tobacco business and remained actively engaged with him to the time of his brother’s death.

His first wife having died in 1851 (Susan Rankin) on 14 Sep 1852, John married Miss Mary Augusta HADDOCK, of Smithland, a lady of rare accomplishments, and in all a superior Christian woman and loving wife.

Alexander BARRET at his death left an estate valued at three or four millions of dollars.  This immense property consisted of lands located in various parts of the United States, stocks, bonds, notes, partnerships, unsettled accounts and heridiments of every conceivable character.  By the terms of his testamentary will, John was appointed one of the executors and the great estate entrusted to his hands without security, a never to die testimonial to his integrity and high business qualifications.  Seven years were given by the will in which to settle this large estate, and yet at the end of five years the estate was settled, to a cent, the hundreds of legacies paid off, accounts settled, books balance and the estate divided without a complaint.

To his quick, clear perception, his wonderful memory, his sound, unerring judgment is due this – one among the most successful business achievements known to the business world.  The death of Alexander B. BARRET, which it naturally destroyed the partnership, did not put a stop to the great stemming interest carried on prior to that untimely event.  For several years past John had withdrawn from participating in the details of active business, yet at all times his wide counsel and advice was sought and acted upon in all matters of business importance by his sons, Jon. H. and Jas. R. and his son-in-law James E. RANKIN, that whom there are no better business representatives.

In the death of John BARRET the city of Henderson loses her foremost citizen.  To him is due more than to any other one person – all there is of good for the material interest of the place now existing.

The building of the Henderson and Nashville Railroad, now the leading division of the great Louisville and Nashville is due perhaps more to his timely interest than to any other source of personal aid.  The confidence imposed in him by the city council was not limited by absolutely in the negotiating of the bonds issued in aid of the enterprise, and today we have a great iron tie binding us with the south and the north that John Henry BARRET was the main instrument in bringing about.

John was the instrument in establishing the First National Bank, the wollen mill, the cotton mill and wherever his name was found, the enterprise materialized and soon became a decided success.  John was never an office seeker, he rather shunned official life, but he was once elected against his will, Councilman and his term of service was marked by the clearest judgment and devoted attention to the work before him.

John was never a member of the church but there was no more liberal contributor to the church.  He was a man of unflinching rectitude, never swerving from what he considered right, either in public or private life.

John Henry BARRET, born 04 Feb 1818 and died 04 Feb 1891.

Source:  Pages 683 & 684 in the “History of Henderson County, Kentucky” by Frieda Dannheiser and Donald Hazelwood, 1980

According to the “1850 Henderson County Census” the following were listed:  John H. BARRETT age 32, Susan D. age 33, John H. age 9, James R. age 7, Lucy age not listed; James E. BARRETT age 39, Anne E. age 35, Samuel W. age 14, James E. age 13, Alexander age 11, Ann E. age 9, Sarah A. age 5, Coalter W. age 3; Rosina DELANO age 32, Martha J. age 9, Lucy M. age 6, William P. age 4.

According to the “1860 Henderson County Census” the following were listed:

John H. BARRETT age 42, Mary A. age 32, John H. age 20, James R. age 18, Susan R. age 10 and Mary age 4.