from Biographical Sketches of The Members of The Sixtieth General Assembly of The State of Indiana (Indianapolis: M.R. Hyman Co., 1897)
Representative of the House--representing Hendricks County
JAMES M. BARLOW, of Plainfield, was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, September 13, 1845. He is of Scotch-Irish and Dutch descent, his parents being among the earliest settlers of Indiana. He was educated in the common schools, Danville Academy and Wabash College. On April 30, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 132nd Indiana Volunteers, and served during the Atlanta campaign, receiving a certificate of thanks from President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. His services broke his health to such a degree that he was no longer able to work on the farm, so he completed his education and taught school for twelve years, taking rank as one of the best educators of the county. He had saved enough money to purchased twenty-four acres of land and again went to farming, and now is one of the most substantial farmers of the county, owning and cultivating 300 acres of choice land. He has a residence in the town of Plainfield, where he resides during the winters. He is married and is the father of eight living children. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and has served in all the places of honor in his lodge, both subordinate and encampment. He is also active in G.A.R. matters, and for many years has been commander of Virgil H. Lyons Post, No. 186, and represented his congressional district in the national encampments of 1893, 1895 and 1896. He is president of the Farmers' organization of his county, and of the Old Settlers' Association. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was elected to the legislature in 1896 as a Republican.