Thomas J. Barr

Thomas Jefferson Barr (1812 – March 27, 1881) was an American politician and a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in New York City, New York in 1812, Barr attended the public schools.

Barr moved to Scotch Plains, New Jersey in 1835, and conducted a roadhouse. He returned to New York City in 1842 and was Assistant Alderman from the Sixth Ward in 1849 and 1850, and Alderman in 1852 and 1853. He was a member of the New York State Senate for the third district in 1854 and 1855.

Elected on January 6, 1859, as an Independent Democrat to the 35th United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Kelly, and was re-elected to the 36th United States Congress, Barr was U.S. Representative for the fourth district of New York and held office from January 17, 1859, to March 3, 1861.

Appointed a New York City Police Commissioner in 1870, Barr served until 1873, when the police board was abolished. Subsequently, he was employed in the office of the Collector of the Port of New York.

Barr died in New York, New York County, New York, on March 27, 1881 (age about 68 years). He is interred at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.