John Peter Barnes (March 15, 1881 – April 10, 1959) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Barnes received a Bachelor of Science degree from Geneva College in 1904 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Michigan Law School in 1907.

[1] On February 26, 1931, Barnes was nominated by President Herbert Hoover to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois created by 46 Stat.

He served as Chief Judge from 1948 to 1957, assuming senior status on September 15, 1957, and resigning the bench altogether on December 31, 1958.

[1] Barnes was also a basset hound breeder, and was co-owner of Barook Kennels from 1957 until his death on April 10, 1959, in Elgin, Illinois.