Born in Chicago, Illinois, Barrett served in the United States Army during World War I in Europe from 1917 to 1920.

In 1941, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as Sergeant in the South Pacific during World War II.

[1] In 1955, Barrett was appointed Cook County Clerk to replace Richard J. Daley who was elected Mayor of Chicago.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $15,000, but was allowed house arrest because of ill health.

Barrett died at Veterans Administration Hospital Lakeside, in Chicago, Illinois at age 77.