Henry Stites BARKER was born near Hopkinsville, Ky., July 23, 1850. His father, Richard Henry Barker, was a native of Todd County, Ky., and of English ancestry, who settled early in Virginia, and came to Kentucky many years ago. He was a lawyer, and practiced in Clarksville, Tenn. He went to New Orleans and finally died there with that plague of the Crescent City, yellow fever. Subject's mother was Caroline Sharp, of Hopkinsville, member of a prominent Kentucky family. Henry S. (the subject) remained on the farm until twelve years old, and then entered Kentucky University—in the Agricultural and Mechanical department—where he remained three years. He commenced reading law in 1873, and in the meantime came to Louisville, and completed his studies with Judge Stites. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and at once entered upon an active practice of his profession. In December, 1887, he was elected city attorney by the council. He was married in May, 1883, to Miss Kate Meriwether, of Montgomery County, Tenn.

Kentucky: A History of the State, Perrin, Battle, Kniffin, 8th ed., 1888, Jefferson Co.

University of Kentucky:
Henry Stites Barker, "Old Magnanimous", served from 1911 to 1917 as President of the University of Kentucky, succeeding James K. Patterson as chief executive of the institution his predecessor had fathered. The Barker administration ushered in a period of steady and substantial growth for the University, which witnessed the genesis of new campus departments and programs. Barker's friendly and informal accessibility and democratic style of governance were viewed by many as a welcome departure from the stern and strict authoritarianism of the Patterson regime.
Source: UofK website, authors: Rob Parmley, Nancy DeMarcus, and Frank Stanger

Obituary:

Henry Stites Barker—Born in Christian County, Kentucky in 1849. Age 79 yrs. Died 23 April 1928, of heart disease, in Louisville, Kentucky. Uncle to George W. Meriwether of Clarksville. Son of late Richard H. Barker. Father is deceased and mother remarried Judge Henry J. Stites, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Married in 1884 to Miss Kate Meriwether, daughter of Capt. Ed Meriwether, who survives. Leaves one brother, Max Barker. Interment at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.