| Barry, John Emmett 214550 |
| Birth: 11/09/1840 Death: 06/11/1887 Marriage: TWICE |
| Cemetery: Odd Fellow (SOUTHWEST) |
| Record Source: Headstone, Researcher-Submitted Info |
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See Image John E. Barry
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If you copy this information, please cite this as your source: Betsy Mills and Ron Brothers. The Death and Cemetery Records of Lamar County, Texas, ReBroMa Press, 2008, http://www.lamarcountytx.org/cemetery. (12/15/2025) |
| Notes Information from History of the Paris Fire Department, Paris, TX, by Debbie Burks, published by the Lamar County Historical Society, 1990: “John E. Barry. John E. (Jack) Barry was born November 19, 1840, Neenah, Ireland. He came to Paris in the 1860?s or 1870?s, arriving before the fire of 1877. He possibly grew up in Mississippi as Neville referred to him as “a Mississippian with all the manners and affability that folks from over there brought to Texas.” He was one of the early-day fire insurance agents in this area. Mr. Barry was also a loss adjuster for various insurance companies. He made an effort to be honest and fair to both parties. Mr. Barry, a prominent citizen, served as city secretary for several years. He was in that capacity in the earliest city records still on file at he present time, that being, July 1877. His last entry in the record book was in April 1880. Jack was the second leader of the Phoenix Fire Company. The earliest reference to his position was a report to the city council made by foreman J. E. Barry in April 1880. He served a few years as the second foreman of the fire company, that being the same office later termed 'chief.' Mr. Barry was killed in a fireworks explosion on June 11, 1887. Paris, having been served previously by only one railroad, was celebrating a Jubilee to welcome the arrival of the Santa Fe and Frisco lines. A fireworks display was scheduled to culminate the week of activities. The event was to be at the old Jones Mansion lot near the northeast corner of Clarksville and High (now 8th SE) streets. The Jones mansion had been built in the later 1860?s for Colonel Robert M. Jones, a wealthy Choctaw Indian. It had burned one night in the early 1870?s, and the basement had been left open. The display was planned for the large vacant lot east of the site of the burned house. The fireworks were piled inside a wire fence A large crowd had gathered to watch the Saturday night show. Just as it was about to begin, a spark ignited the pile and the large rockets began exploding in all directions. In the dark rush to escape the rockets many people fell into the basement with some being badly bruised. One of the rockets struck Jack Barry in the neck tearing his face and shoulder. He died a short time later. The week of celebration ended on a tragic note. According to Neville, the 46-year-old Mr. Barry was one of the best liked citizens of Paris and “his death was universally deplored.” He was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery on Pine Bluff Street where a large monument was erected. He had married Mary Belle Walker January 15, 1880, in Lamar County. Mrs. Barry died January 22, 1941. She is buried beside her husband.” From the records of Lamar #258 United Daughters of the Confederacy: John Emmett Barry served in the Tennessee Army, CSA. Several of his descendants were members of the Mary Connor Chapter #4, Children of the Confederacy, under his record. These were Charles Benton Barry, b. 27 Apr. 1914, Kathleen Barry, b. 21 Mar 1916, Bettie Bell Barry, b. Feb. 10, 1919, all living in Guthrie, OK. These would seem to be grandchildren. Information from Martha H. Eisenlohr, Dallas, TX, mhe2654@swbell.net, 21 May 2011: My husband, John E. Eisenlohr is a great grandson of John Emmett Barry and Hattie E. Johnson Barry through their daughter Daisy Frederika Barry, wife of Edward William Roberts. Tombstone is inscribed, “Born at Neanah, Ireland; Died at Paris, TX.” He was married first to Hattie E. who died in 1879. Then he married Mary Belle Walker 15 Jan 1880 in Lamar County, TX. |
| War Notes Rank Civil War: CSA |