Background
Barrett was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to a family of eight.
governor politician representative senator
Barrett was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to a family of eight.
He studied law and science at Creighton University, and worked as a postal employee at the same time.
During World War I, Barrett joined the Balloon Corps of the United States Army for a two-year enlistment. After arriving in Lusk, Barrett put his law degree to good use, acting as county attorney for Niobrara from 1922 until 1934. He served in the Wyoming Senate from 1933 until 1935, then served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Wyoming.
He first ran for Federal office in 1936, but lost out to Paul Greever.
Among his appointments to the United States Naval Academy was future Wyoming state Senator and the 1978 Republican gubernatorial nominee John C. Ostlund (1927–2004). In 1951, Barrett was elected Governor.
He resigned in 1953 after he was elected to the United States. Senate in 1952, when he unseated three-term incumbent Joseph C. O"Mahoney. He was defeated after only one term by one of O"Mahoney"s former aides, Gale McGee.
Barrett was diagnosed with leukemia on May 15, 1962, and died just fifteen days later, at the age of 69.
He was interred at Lusk Cemetery in Lusk.
He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and as the 21st Governor of Wyoming. Barrett was a devout Catholic, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.