Representative Granville Barrere

Granville Barrere (July 11, 1829 – January 13, 1889) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party, serving one term in Congress during a significant period in American history. He was born in New Market, near Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, and was the nephew of Nelson Barrere, who also served in the United States House of Representatives. His early years were spent in the rural environment of southern Ohio, where he attended the local common schools.

Barrere pursued higher education in the mid-19th century, first attending Augusta College in Augusta, Kentucky. He later enrolled at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, from which he graduated. Following his collegiate studies, he read law, as was customary at the time, preparing for a career in the legal profession through apprenticeship and independent study rather than formal law school training.

In 1853 Barrere was admitted to the bar at Chillicothe, Ohio, and soon thereafter commenced the practice of law in Marion, Arkansas. Seeking broader professional opportunities, he moved to Illinois in 1855, first settling in Bloomington and then, later that same year, relocating to Canton, Illinois. In Canton he established himself as a practicing attorney and became an active participant in local civic affairs, building the legal and community reputation that would later support his entry into elective office.

Barrere’s public service began at the local level, where he contributed to the governance and development of his adopted community. He served as a member of the city board of education in Canton, helping oversee local public schooling, and also sat on the board of supervisors of Canton, participating in the administration of municipal and county matters. These roles reflected his engagement with issues of local governance and public welfare, and they provided him with practical experience in public administration and policymaking.

As a member of the Republican Party representing Illinois, Barrere advanced to national office when he was elected to the Forty-third Congress. He served as a Republican U.S. Representative from March 4, 1873, to March 3, 1875. His single term in Congress coincided with the Reconstruction era, a significant period in American history marked by debates over civil rights, federal authority, and economic development. During this time he participated in the legislative process and represented the interests of his Illinois constituents in the House of Representatives. In 1874 he sought renomination but was unsuccessful, bringing his brief congressional career to a close at the end of his term.

After leaving Congress, Barrere resumed the practice of law in Canton, Illinois, returning to the profession that had formed the foundation of his public life. He continued to live in Canton, remaining part of the community in which he had long been established. Granville Barrere died in Canton on January 13, 1889. He was interred in Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Illinois, closing a career that spanned local educational and municipal service, legal practice, and a term in the United States House of Representatives.