George Barnes (American politician)

George Thomas Barnes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 10th district
In office March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	Thomas Hardeman, Jr.
Succeeded by	Thomas E. Watson
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office 1860–1865
Personal details
Born	August 14, 1833 Augusta, Georgia
Died	October 24, 1901(1901-10-24) (aged 68) Augusta, Georgia
Nationality	United States
Political party	Democratic
Occupation	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States Army
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Rank	Major
Unit	Washington Light Artillery Company
Battles/wars	American Civil War

George Thomas Barnes (August 14, 1833 – October 24, 1901) was a Georgia state legislator, military officer, and United States Representative.

Biography

Barnes was born in the Summerville suburb of Augusta, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens in 1855 with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B. degree. He was admitted to the state bar in 1855 and became a practicing lawyer in Augusta.

During the American Civil War, Barnes served as a second lieutenant and major brevet in the Confederate States Army as a member of the Washington Light Artillery Company. He was also a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1860 through 1865. From 1876 through 1884, Barnes served on the Democratic National Committee.

In 1884, Barnes was elected as a Democrat to the 49th United States Congress as the Representative for Georgia's 10th congressional district. He was re-elected to that position for two additional terms before losing his bid for reelection in 1890. After his congressional service, Barnes returned to the practice of law. Barnes was a UGA trustee for the last two years of his life before dying in Augusta on October 24, 1901. He was buried in City Cemetery in that same city.

References

• United States Congress. "George Barnes (id: B000157)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.  Retrieved on 2008-10-13
• History of the University of Georgia, Thomas Walter Reed, Imprint: Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia, ca. 1949, pp.560-561