John L. Barstow
| John L. Barstow | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 39th Governor of Vermont | |
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In office October 5, 1882 – October 2, 1884 |
|
| Lieutenant | Samuel E. Pingree |
| Preceded by | Roswell Farnham |
| Succeeded by | Samuel E. Pingree |
| 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Vermont | |
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In office October 7, 1880 – October 5, 1882 |
|
| Governor | Roswell Farnham |
| Preceded by | Eben Pomeroy Colton |
| Succeeded by | Samuel E. Pingree |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
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In office 1864 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 21, 1832 Shelburne, Vermont |
| Died | June 28, 1913 (aged 81) Shelburne, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Laura Maeck |
| Profession | teacher / farmer / politician / soldier |
John Lester Barstow (February 21, 1832 – June 28, 1913) was an American teacher, farmer, politician, and soldier who served as the 39th Governor of Vermont.
Barstow was born in Shelburne, Vermont, the son of Heman and Lorain (Lyon) Barstow. After teaching in a local school starting at the age of 15, he moved west to Detroit, but returned in 1857 to help his aging parents with their farm. On October 28, 1858, he married Laura Maeck of Shelburne. He subsequently obtained a position as assistant clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.
Barstow enlisted as quartermaster sergeant, but was immediately commissioned adjutant of the 8th Vermont Infantry on February 19, 1862. He was given command of Company K as a captain on May 27, 1863, then promoted to the regimental staff with the rank of major on January 22, 1864. He mustered out with the regiment on June 22, 1864. He was held in such esteem by the members of his regiment, that he was given two swords, one when he was promoted to major, the other when the regiment was mustered out.
He entered the service with robust health and vigorous constitution, but nearly three years of arduous service in the swamps and miasmatic climate of Louisiana shattered both, and for many years malarial diseases deterred him from entering upon any active business pursuit. Soon after the regiment was disbanded, Peter T. Washburn, the adjutant general of the Vermont Militia, offered Barstow a position in the recruiting service, but he was obliged to decline due to his health.
In September, 1864, he was elected as a member of the state legislature, which was in session on October 19, 1864, when the St. Albans raid occurred. Major Barstow was sent to the scene, later went to Canada on a special mission, and subsequently commanded one of the militia brigades raised by the state as a result of the incident. He commanded troops on the northwestern border of the state until relieved by Brigadier General George J. Stannard in January 1865.
In September 1865, Barstow was unanimously reelected to the state legislature, and served as state senator from Chittenden County in 1866 and 1867. In 1870, President Grant appointed him U.S. pension agent in Burlington, a position he held for eight years. His efforts in reforming the pension system were rewarded with a letter of thanks from the Secretary of the Interior, Carl Schurz.
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