Barlow was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 17, 1858, the son of Merrill Barlow and Ann Frances (Arnold) Barlow.[1] The Barlow family, including Barlow's three brothers and sisters, moved to Ventura, California in 1875.[1] 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.[1][2]
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.[2]
He moved to San Luis Obispo in the early 1880s, where he grew wheat and with a partner began a weekly newspaper, the Reasoner.[1][2] 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.[1]
Barlow was elected to the California State Assembly as a Populist, and served one term, 1892 to 1893.[1] He served as chairman of the Populist Party state convention in 1896.[3]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.[3] He did not seek another term in 1898.[3]
After leaving Congress, Barlow turned his attention to business and moved to Bakersfield.[3] He was one of the major shareholders in, and a member of the board of directors of, Bakersfield's Security Trust Company.[3] 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.[3]
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.[3] He joined the Democratic Party after the end of the Populist movement, and served as a delegate to the 1912[3] and 1920 Democratic National Conventions.[4]
Personal life
Barlow was first married to Elizabeth "Lizzie" McDonnell (1867–1914) of Ventura.[3]
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.[5] They adopted a daughter, Mamie.[5]
On October 3, 1927, Barlow died in Bakersfield.[6] He was interred at Bakersfield's Union Cemetery.[7]