# Charles A. Barlow

Charles Averill Barlow (March 17, 1858 – October 3, 1927) was an American farmer, businessman and politician. He was most notable for his service as a member of the California State Assembly and as a U.S. Representative from California's 6th congressional district for one term from 1897 to 1899.

## Early life

Barlow was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 17, 1858, the son of Merrill Barlow and Ann Frances (Arnold) Barlow. The Barlow family, including Barlow's three brothers and sisters, moved to Ventura, California in 1875. Barlow was educated in the public schools of Cleveland and Ventura, and after completing his education he supported himself by working as a harness maker and farm laborer.

## Career

Barlow became a businessman. He purchased an interest in his employer's harness making business, and then invested in other ventures, including a business drying and shipping fruit grown in California.
He moved to San Luis Obispo in the early 1880s, where he grew wheat and with a partner began a weekly newspaper, the Reasoner. He became interested in reform causes including the Free Silver movement that led him to join the Populist Party, and the Reasoner became a major pro-Populist outlet.

### State assembly

Barlow was elected to the California State Assembly as a Populist, and served one term, 1892 to 1893. He served as chairman of the Populist Party state convention in 1896.

### Congress

Later that year, Barlow was elected to the 55th Congress primarily as a Populist, but also received the Democratic nomination, and served one term, March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899. He did not seek another term in 1898.

### Later career

After leaving Congress, Barlow turned his attention to business and moved to Bakersfield. He was one of the major shareholders in, and a member of the board of directors of, Bakersfield's Security Trust Company. He was also a partner in Barlow & Hill, a company that dealt in land for oil exploration, and helped found several successful oil companies, some of which Barlow & Hill continued to operate, and some of which were sold to other investors.
Barlow served as president of the Kern County Board of Trade and was active in several civic organizations, including Modern Woodmen, Elks, and Odd Fellows. He joined the Democratic Party after the end of the Populist movement, and served as a delegate to the 1912 and 1920 Democratic National Conventions.

## Personal life

Barlow was first married to Elizabeth "Lizzie" McDonnell (1867–1914) of Ventura.
After the death of Barlow's first wife, he married Julia Lillis Caldwell (1878–1971) of Santa Rosa, who had been Lizzie Barlow's nurse. They adopted a daughter, Mamie.

## Death and burial

On October 3, 1927, Barlow died in Bakersfield. He was interred at Bakersfield's Union Cemetery.

## Electoral history

1896 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Populist | Charles A. Barlow | 24,157 | 48.9 |
| | Republican | James McLachlan (Incumbent) | 23,494 | 47.6 |
| | Prohibition | Henry Clay Needham | 1,196 | 2.4 |
| | Socialist Labor | Job Harriman | 542 | 1.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 49,389 | 100.0 |
| | Populist gain from Republican | Populist gain from Republican | Populist gain from Republican | Populist gain from Republican |
1898 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Russell J. Waters | 24,050 | 52.6 |
| | Populist | Charles A. Barlow (Incumbent) | 20,499 | 44.9 |
| | Socialist Labor | James T. Van Ransselaer | 1,132 | 2.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,681 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Populist | Republican gain from Populist | Republican gain from Populist | Republican gain from Populist |