Born in Schoharie County, New York, Barry was self-educated. He was principal of Locust Grove Academy in Kentucky. During the Civil War enlisted in the Union Army and organized a regiment of colored troops in Kentucky. Commissioned first lieutenant of the Tenth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, November 21, 1861. He served as colonel of the Eighth United States Colored Artillery April 28, 1864. Brevetted brigadier general of Volunteers March 13, 1865. Mustered out May 11, 1866. He was graduated from the law department of Columbian College (now George Washington University), Washington, D.C., in 1867. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Columbus, Mississippi. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1867. He served as member of the