Joseph Barker (mayor)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Barker was an American
local public figure of the 1840s and 1850s remembered for his nativist
and anti-Catholic
activism which marked his brief term in public office as mayor of Pittsburgh.
There are no reliable historical accounts documenting Joseph Barker's early years, and, despite his association with Pittsburgh, there is no specific indication that the city was his birthplace. Important, although sparse, details are provided, however, in the information collected by the Census of 1850
. Barker is listed therein as 44 years old and living in Pittsburgh's Fifth Ward
with his Irish
-born wife Jane and three children. His birthplace is described as being in "Pennsylvania", and his occupation is given as "Mayor".
Barker gained public attention and notoriety as an illiterate street preacher inveighing against Catholics. In September 1849, following one of his tirades, Pittsburgh mayor John Herron
had him arrested for "obstructing traffic" and "using lewd and indecent language". Although the charges resulted in a fine and a 12-month jail term, the next mayoral election was fast approaching, and Barker's nativist supporters circulated a write-in petition
during his imprisonment which resulted in his election as mayor to succeed Herron. Reports of Barker's one-year 1850–51 term describe it as a period of religious and nativist strife.
Barker lived for eleven years after leaving the mayoralty and despite a number of additional attempts, never again held public office. He was in his mid-fifties at the time of his decapitation in a train accident in the neighboring town of Manchester
(a part of Pittsburgh since 1908). Interment was in Allegheny Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
local public figure of the 1840s and 1850s remembered for his nativist
Nativism (politics)
Nativism favors the interests of certain established inhabitants of an area or nation as compared to claims of newcomers or immigrants. It may also include the re-establishment or perpetuation of such individuals or their culture....
and anti-Catholic
Anti-Catholicism
Anti-Catholicism is a generic term for discrimination, hostility or prejudice directed against Catholicism, and especially against the Catholic Church, its clergy or its adherents...
activism which marked his brief term in public office as mayor of Pittsburgh.
There are no reliable historical accounts documenting Joseph Barker's early years, and, despite his association with Pittsburgh, there is no specific indication that the city was his birthplace. Important, although sparse, details are provided, however, in the information collected by the Census of 1850
United States Census, 1850
The United States Census of 1850 was the seventh census of the United States. Conducted by the Bureau of the Census on June 1, 1850, it determined the resident population of the United States to be 23,191,876 — an increase of 35.9 percent over the 17,069,453 persons enumerated during the 1840...
. Barker is listed therein as 44 years old and living in Pittsburgh's Fifth Ward
Wards of the United States
In the United States, a ward is an optional division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes...
with his Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born wife Jane and three children. His birthplace is described as being in "Pennsylvania", and his occupation is given as "Mayor".
Barker gained public attention and notoriety as an illiterate street preacher inveighing against Catholics. In September 1849, following one of his tirades, Pittsburgh mayor John Herron
John Herron (Pittsburgh)
John Herron , served as Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1849 to 1850.John Herron was the son of Dr. Francis Herron, the well-known Presbyterian Minister. The Herrons were among the founding families of Pittsburgh. He captained the Duquesne Grays in the Mexican War during the Siege of Veracruz...
had him arrested for "obstructing traffic" and "using lewd and indecent language". Although the charges resulted in a fine and a 12-month jail term, the next mayoral election was fast approaching, and Barker's nativist supporters circulated a write-in petition
Write-in candidate
A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the person's name. Some states and local jurisdictions allow a voter to affix a sticker with a write-in candidate's name on it to the ballot in lieu...
during his imprisonment which resulted in his election as mayor to succeed Herron. Reports of Barker's one-year 1850–51 term describe it as a period of religious and nativist strife.
Barker lived for eleven years after leaving the mayoralty and despite a number of additional attempts, never again held public office. He was in his mid-fifties at the time of his decapitation in a train accident in the neighboring town of Manchester
Manchester (Pittsburgh)
Manchester is a neighborhood on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's North Side. It has a ZIP code of 15233, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 6 . The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire houses 37 Engine and their foam unit in Manchester...
(a part of Pittsburgh since 1908). Interment was in Allegheny Cemetery
Allegheny Cemetery
Allegheny Cemetery is one of the largest and oldest burial grounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.It is a nonsectarian, wooded hillside park located at 4734 Butler Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood and bounded by Bloomfield, Garfield, and Stanton Heights...
.