Barlow became a businessman. He purchased an interest in his employer's harness making business, and then invested in other ventures, including a business drying and shipping fruit grown in California. He moved to
San Luis Obispo in the early 1880s, where he grew wheat and with a partner began a weekly newspaper, the
Reasoner. He became interested in reform causes including the
Free Silver movement that led him to join the
Populist Party, and the
Reasoner became a major pro-Populist outlet.
State assembly Barlow was elected to the
California State Assembly as a Populist, and served one term, 1892 to 1893. He served as chairman of the Populist Party state convention in 1896.
Congress Later that year, Barlow was elected to the
55th Congress primarily as a Populist, but also received the
Democratic nomination, and served one term, March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899. He did not seek another term in 1898.
Later career After leaving Congress, Barlow turned his attention to business and moved to
Bakersfield. He was one of the major shareholders in, and a member of the board of directors of, Bakersfield's Security Trust Company. He was also a partner in Barlow & Hill, a company that dealt in land for oil exploration, and helped found several successful oil companies, some of which Barlow & Hill continued to operate, and some of which were sold to other investors. Barlow served as president of the Kern County Board of Trade and was active in several civic organizations, including
Modern Woodmen,
Elks, and
Odd Fellows. He joined the Democratic Party after the end of the Populist movement, and served as a delegate to the
1912 and
1920 Democratic National Conventions. == Personal life ==