can Philosophical Society." Besides the lectures mentioned, his two presidential addresses before the American Association for the Advancement of Science ai'e valuable contributions to scientific literature. For many years he has been one of the editors of the "American Journal of Science," and in 1874-'5 he was editor of the "Journal of the Franklin Institute." For several years he also has edited the annual record of progress in physics published in the Smithsonian reports. Prof. Barker is the author of a " Text-Book of Elementary Chemistry" (New Haven, 1870), which has passed through eight editions, and has been translated into French and Japanese.
BARKER, Jacob, financier, b. on Swan island. Me., 7 Dec, 1779; d. in Philadelphia, 26 Dec, 1871. He was of Quaker parentage. He began
his business career in the employ of Isaac Hicks, a
commission merchant of New York, and before he
was twenty-one years of ago he possessed five trading-vessels and controlled a large credit. In 1801
he lost his fortune by a succession of mishaps.
Obtaining a contract for supplying the government with oil, he made large gains, and, on the
breaking out of the war of 1812, undertook to raise
a loan of $5,000,000 for the government. He was
one of the original members of the society of Tammany Hall, and was elected a state senator. A
legal opinion in an insurance case, delivered by
him when sitting in the court of errors, was sustained on appeal, though opposed to that of Chancellor Kent. He founded the "Union" newspaper
for the purpose of supporting the candidacy of
Gov. Clinton. In 1815 he established the Exchange
bank in Wall street, and entered into stock speculations. His bank failed in 1819; but he was sustained in his extensive speculations by other financial institutions in different states. His financial methods provoked intense ill-will among rival operators. When the life and fire insurance company failed lie was indicted with other
directors for fraud, and conducted his own defence
with great ability. He was convicted, but a new
trial was granted, and subsequently the indictment
was quashed. In 1884 he established himself in
New Orleans. He was admitted to the bar, and
took a prominent part in business and political
affairs. A large fortune that he accumulated
there was mostly swept away through the civil
war. His later years were passed with his son,
Wharton Barker, in Philadelphia. See "Incidents
in the Life of Jacob Barker from the year 1800 to
1855" (New York, 1855).
BARKER, James Nelson, author, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., 17 June, 1784; d. in Washington, D. C., 9 March, 1858. In the war of 1812 he rose to the rank of major in the army. In 1814 he was severely wounded in a duel. From 1814 till 1817 he was
assistant adjutant-general of the 4th military district. He then entered civil life, was chosen alderman, and in 1820 was mayor of Philadelphia. From 1829 till 1838 he was collector of customs for the port, and from 1838 till 1858 comptroller of the U. S. treasury. During his active life he contributed largely to the public journals, and some
of his poems attracted general attention, notably
"The Sisters" and "Little Red Riding Hood."
His dramatic writings include "Marmion," "The
Indian Princess," "Superstition," a tragedy, and
"Smiles and Tears," a comedy. He also published
"A Sketch of the Primitive Settlements on Delaware River" (1827).
BARKER, James William, merchant, b. in White Plains, N. Y., 5 Dec, 1815; d. in Rahway, N. J., 26 June, 1869. He began his business career in 1828 as a clerk in a large mercantile house, and
subsequently entered into business for himself,
where his energy and good management soon made
him wealthy. In 1859 he established an extensive
house in Pittsburg, and transacted annually a very
large business. Mr. Barker took an interest in
politics as an earnest and zealous whig until the
disorganization of that party. In 1854 he was the
"Knownothing" candidate for mayor of New
York city, but was defeated in a closely contested
election by Fernando Wood. He was very active
in the founding of the " Order of the Star Spangled
Banner," a secret organization, having for its object the prevention of the political ascendancy of the foreign-born inhabitants of the United States, and was its principal officer in 1853. In 1860 he united with the supporters of Mr. Lincoln, and was ever after a member of the republican party. From 1867 till his death he was president of the Eclectic Life Insurance company. New York.
BARKER, Josiah, ship-builder, b. in Marshfield, Mass., 16 Nov., 1763 : d. in Charlestown, Mass., 23 Sept., 1843. He enlisted in the revolutionary army when only thirteen years old, and
served at intervals until 1781. In 1782-'3 he
served nine months in the " Dean " frigate among
the West India islands. Mr. Barker learned shipbuilding on the North river, near Pembroke, Mass., where his father's home was, and built his first ships at St. Andrews and St. Johns in 1786-'7. In 1795 he opened a ship-yard in Charlestown, on the site of the present U. S. navy-yard, removed it in 1799, and again a few years afterward to the foot of Washington street, where he built many
fine merchant vessels. He was appointed U. S.
naval constructor about 1810, and built the "Virginia " in 1818, the "Warren" in 1826, the "Cumberland" in 1842, and other men-of-war. He also rebuilt the "Constitution" in 1834, and furnished the plans for the "Portsmouth." He was ordered to Portsmouth, N. H., in 1843, and retired 9 July, 1846. A " Memorial of Josiah Barker," by Harry
H. Edes, was printed privately in Boston in 1871.
BARKSDALE, William, soldier, b. in Rutherford co., Tenn., 21 Aug., 1821 ; d. at Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July, 18(J3. He was educated at Nashville university, studied law in Columbus, Miss., and was admitted to the bar before he was of age. He
soon became a successful practitioner, and was
prominent as an advocate of state rights. He became editor of the Columbus "Democrat," and
ably set forth his political views in its columns.
His first military experience was as a member of
the non-commissioned staff of the 2d Mississippi
volunteers in the Mexican war. In 1851 he served
as a member of the state convention held to consider the compromise measures then before the country. Two years afterward he was elected to congress, and at once became prominent among the pro-slavery democrats. When Preston S. Brooks made his assault upon Charles Sumner in the senate chamber, Mr. Barksdale was present, and prevented the interference of bystanders. When his state seceded he left his seat in congress and accepted the command of the 13th regiment of Mississippi volunteers, participated in the campaigns of Virginia, and rose to the rank of brigadier in the confederate service. He commanded the 8d brigade of Early's division, during the second day's fight at Gettysburg, and fell while leading his men in the assault on the national left.
BARLOW, Arthur, navigator, b. about 1550 d. about 1620. He was sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584 in command of an expedition bound upon a voyage of discovery for the purpose of colo-
