Joseph W. Barr

For other people of the same name, see Joseph Barr (disambiguation).

Joseph Walker Barr (January 17, 1918 – February 23, 1996) was an American businessman and politician. He served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury from December 21, 1968 until January 20, 1969, in President Lyndon B. Johnson's cabinet.

Early life and politics

Barr was born in Bicknell, Indiana, on January 17, 1918, the son of Oscar Lynn Barr and Stella Florence Walker. He graduated from DePauw University, and married the former Beth Ann Williston in Indianapolis on September 3, 1939; they had five children: Bonnie Barr Gilliom, Cherry Ann Barr, Joseph Williston Barr, Elizabeth Eugenia Barr LoSasso and Lynn Hamilton Barr Fineberg. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and earned a master's degree in economics from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1941.

He served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945, during World War II, with subchaser duty in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. He received a Bronze Star for sinking a submarine off Anzio Beach.

After Barr returned from the war, he engaged in the operation of grain elevators, theaters, real estate and publishing businesses. He was elected as a Democrat to the 86th United States Congress from the 11th district of Indiana (1959–1961). He lost the 1960 election and was appointed assistant for congressional relations to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, and then in 1963 was appointed Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Treasury Department

Barr served as the Undersecretary of the Treasury from 1965 to 1968, during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. With the resignation of Henry H. Fowler, he became the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in 1968. He served the shortest term of any Treasury Secretary, resigning in early 1969.

Later years and death

United States paper money always depicts the signature of the Secretary of the Treasury; because of Barr's short term, collectors speculated notes bearing his signature would be scarce. A common misconception is that currency bearing Barr's name is rare. In reality, 458,880,000 $1.00 notes were printed bearing his signature (although none in other denominations), but due to the $1.00's limited lifespan (they are estimated to last an average of 21 months in circulation) it is unknown how many still exist.

Barr was the president and the chairman of American Security and Trust Company from 1969 to 1974 and the chairman of Federal Home Loan Bank in Atlanta, Georgia from 1977 to 1981.

Barr died of a heart attack in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and was interred in Leeds Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hume, Virginia.

External links

• Joseph W. Barr at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Joseph W. Barr at Find a Grave
• US Treasury - Biography of Secretary Joseph W. Barr
• US Bureau of Engraving and Printing - Barr Notes
• December 16, 1981 speech at DePauw University
• 1959 TV News segment

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Charles B. Brownson	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 11th congressional district January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961	Succeeded by Donald C. Bruce
Political offices
Preceded by Henry H. Fowler	U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Served under: Lyndon B. Johnson December 21, 1968 – January 20, 1969	Succeeded by David M. Kennedy