The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-04
A Sketca Of HIS Ii e.

The death at Barboursviile sunday OF
Hon. Is. Johnson BdrpOur removes me
oldest member OF family mat mas Deeh
distinguished in Virginia Tor many gen
crdtlOuS.
mr. Barbour was the son of Governor
James Barbour, one Of the abIesl ana
sturdneSt Governors in the long line OF
NirSinld's CnieI Executives, VINO vas the
FIRST Governor 10 occupy the present
State mansion. lie was Afterwards Mlh-
lSter to England
lion. b. Johnson Barbour was man
OF refinement and culture, and took
high stand at the University or virginia
as Il student, and was noted Tor ms Se-
NOUS as d speaker, Tor which he became
widely known In later years.
lie became president OF the Alumni
Association, and al their meetings charm
ed his friends with the beauty OF ms
Chaste ana eloquent words.
lie was peculiarly gifted as an orator
and master of an elegant and polished
dictiOn, gentleman OF exquisite literary
taste, a profound student OF literature
ana ShaHespearean scho!ar- hiS iipId-
~, which was of great value, was Durh-
ed with his residence about Two wears
ago II was his opinion that LED many
hlerateurs TO believe that Lotd Oha'hdHi
vas the author OF Junius letters.
lie was identified with the learned ana
accomplished of the land, ana had
mird stored with the richest essence Oh
lie was a devoted churchman, and for
several years represented Virginia at the
Episcopal conventions in New YORK, ana
electrified the conventions by MS remark
able genius as a speaker.
Though a man of wonderful strength or
mind and character, he lived almost
life of retirement. He was wealthy
agricultur5t by inheritance, ana presided
over his extensive domain in orange
county near BarbOurSVile, named after
his father, with the dignity, elegance ana
hC spitalty 50 well recognized during tht
prosperous days Of ante-bellum virginia
and. though several times lied 10 repre-
sent his people, he retired rom politics
as soon as the duties attending the posi-
tons were done.
He represented his county several times
in the legislature.
He was a con scientiOus opponent of
secession. but would DO nothing 10 alien
ate himself from his own people, ana
when elected to Congress, Immediately
after the war, was debarred from taking
his seat because he would not take the
iron-clad oath exacted OF him.
on one occasion. when questioned as 10
his opinions of the war, he replied that
the Union had been crucifed between two
thieVes-meaning the extreme politicians
OF the two sections,
Hon b. Johnson Barbour was cousin
t. the late Senator John :. Barbour, and
and Major Robert W. Archer. OF this city,
is his brother-in-law. Rev. DR.. Hiden is
also his first cousin. and he has other
relatives in Richmond.
MIR. Harbour married early in life the
fourth daughter of the late Or. George
Watson, OF this city, VINO WIN q Hu-
merous family, survive him.
The death Of Mr.. Barbour leaves void
in his native county and State scarcely
to be flied In this generation.
Mr.. Barbour was occasionally a visitor
TO Richmond, and at such times was the
welcome guest of his brother-in-law, Ma
jor Archer or his friend, Or. Francis T.
Willis. On these visits his entertaining
copversat ional powers and his inexhauSti-
bic flow of Chaste humOr attracted a
select set of friends and admirers around
him