Joseph W. Barr

Joseph Barr
59th United States Secretary of the Treasury
In office
December 21, 1968 – January 20, 1969
President Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by Henry H. Fowler
Succeeded by David M. Kennedy
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 11th district
In office
January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961
Preceded by Charles B. Brownson
Succeeded by Donald C. Bruce
Personal details
Born (1918-01-17)January 17, 1918
Bicknell, Indiana, U.S.
Died February 23, 1996(1996-02-23) (aged 78)
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Beth Williston
Children 5
Education DePauw University (BA)
Harvard University (MA)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1942–1945
Battles/wars World War II
[1]

Joseph Walker Barr (January 17, 1918 – February 23, 1996) was an American businessman and politician from Indiana. He served one term in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Secretary of the Treasury from December 21, 1968 until January 20, 1969, in President Lyndon B. Johnson's cabinet. He was a member of the Democratic Party

Early life and politics

Barr was born in Bicknell, Indiana, on January 17, 1918, the son of Oscar Lynn Barr and Stella Florence Walker. He graduated from DePauw University, and married the former Beth Ann Williston in Indianapolis on September 3, 1939; they had five children: Bonnie Barr Gilliom, Cherry Ann Barr, Joseph Williston Barr, Elizabeth Eugenia Barr LoSasso and Lynn Hamilton Barr Fineberg. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and earned a master's degree in economics from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1941.

He served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945, during World War II, with subchaser duty in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. He received a Bronze Star for sinking a submarine off Anzio Beach.

After Barr returned from the war, he engaged in the operation of grain elevators, theaters, real estate and publishing businesses. In 1958, he won election to Congress from Indiana's 11th congressional district, a Republican stronghold. During his time in the House, he became friend with then-Senator John F. Kennedy.[2] He served only one term before being defeated for re-election in 1960.[3]

Treasury Department

After his electoral defeat, President Kennedy appointed him as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Congressional Relations. In 1963, he was appointed Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.[3]

Barr served as the Undersecretary of the Treasury from 1965 to 1968, during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. When Henry H. Fowler resigned in December 1968, Barr became the Secretary of the Treasury. Barr's appointment was to be effective for the remainder of Johnson’s term in office. His 21 days in the position was the shortest term of any Treasury Secretary. Given his short period in office, his signature appears only on the one-dollar bill.[4]

Later years and death

Barr was the president and the chairman of American Security and Trust Company from 1969 to 1974 and the chairman of Federal Home Loan Bank in Atlanta, Georgia from 1977 to 1981.[3]

Barr died of a heart attack in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and was interred in Leeds Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hume, Virginia.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Joseph Walker Barr." Marquis Who's Who TM. Marquis Who's Who, 2006. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC Document Number: K2014405121.
  2. ↑ Katz, Bernard; Vencill, C. Daniel (1996). Biographical Dictionary of the United States Secretaries of the Treasury.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Joseph Barr, 78, Bank Executive Who Held Several Federal Posts". New York Times. 1996-02-29.
  4. ↑ "Shortest Stays in the White House". Saturday Evening Post. 2017-08-01.
  • United States Congress. "Joseph W. Barr (id: B000170)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Joseph W. Barr at Find a Grave
  • US Treasury - Biography of Secretary Joseph W. Barr
  • US Bureau of Engraving and Printing - Barr Notes
  • December 16, 1981 speech at DePauw University
  • 1959 TV News segment
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Charles B. Brownson		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 11th congressional district
January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961		 Succeeded by
Donald C. Bruce
Political offices
Preceded by
Henry H. Fowler		 U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Served under: Lyndon B. Johnson
December 21, 1968 – January 20, 1969		 Succeeded by
David M. Kennedy
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