Henry Stites Barker, son of Richard Henry and Caroline H. Sharp Barker, was born in Newstead, Christian County, Kentucky on July 23, 1850. The oldest of three boys, Barker's young education consisted of formal training. He was heavily influenced by the men in his life such as his uncles and stepfather, Judge Henry Stites, for whom he was named. In 1869, Barker entered the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky where he was involved in both the military department and the literary society. In 1872, instead of returning to his studies, Barker decided to study law under the guidance of his stepfather. Two years later he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar and then Barker formed a partnership with his younger brother, Maxwell. In 1884, Barker married his cousin Kate Meriwether and, along with his brother Maxwell and his wife, they built a house and lived together on Cherokee Parkway.
Barker's political career began in 1888 when he ran and won the race for City Attorney of Louisville on the Democratic ticket. In 1896, he was elected Judge of the Jefferson Circuit Court, Criminal Division and in the fall of 1902, he was elected to the Court of Appeals and served as Chief Justice during the last year of his term. Although he did not finish his course of study at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, he was appointed a Board of Trustees member by Governor J.C.W. Beckham in 1900. In 1911, he was appointed President of the State University where he served until 1917. After his term as president, Barker returned to private law practice in Louisville. In 1921 he was elected Judge of the Third Division, Common pleas branch of the Jefferson circuit on the Republican ticket and was re-elected in 1927. Barker died on April 23, 1928, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, while he was visiting at the home of a cousin.
From the description of Henry Stites Barker presidential papers. (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 317573324
