[1] He owned redgum sawmills at Echuca, Barmah and Yeilima (near Nathalia, Victoria) until 1877 and several paddle steamers until around 1879.
[1][2][5] He was a candidate at the 1874-75 election for Murray, endorsed by the local selectors' association but received 41.38% of the votes and was defeated by the sitting member William Hay who was supported by the squatters.
[7] Murray became a two-member electorate for the 1880 election however Barbour was defeated by Hay and Alexander Wilson.
[14] He was involved in the formation of what would become the Farmers and Settlers Association however he was expelled in 1894 for what were said to be underhanded transactions as a land agent.
[15] Barbour died in the Sydney suburb of Summer Hill on August 4, 1895(1895-08-04) (aged 68) and was survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters.