James F. Barr fought in the Civil War. He was in the 8th Independent Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery from 5 Jan 1864 till 19 Aug 1865. In this short time span of about a year and a half you must have done an act of bravery or courage because you enlisted a, a Private and were mustered out as a Corporal. Your unit was organized at Racine WI and saw many battles during the Civil War including the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga, , and did garrison duty till August of 1865.  

In researching information for this biography I found two Barr persons, in Racine, WI., an  Albert Barr and a Rev. Thomas Barr but could find no further information On either of them to see if you were related.   Notations on your grave records at the Old Norwegian Cemetery, Section 12 at Mayville, Township, Clark Co online indicate you were a bachelor and had no known relatives and The contact person is listed as Al Hunt, Dorchester, WI.  

I found the following information online on a Barr family:

James F Barr is mentioned in the Colby Centennial   Book 1873-1972 as The following “ Barr, James F. (Echoes of Pioneer Days, page 5,column 2) Elected as clerk pro tem, Town of Hull, in May 1875.

What your profession was is unknown but you must have been Interested enough in the politics of your town of Hull to volunteer

To act as Clerk for a short while.

In researching both the 1890 and 1910 Civil War Veteran census Records for Hull Township, Clark Co, WI your name does not appear

In either of these records.

Rest in Peace James F Barr, your name is recorded in our records of Pioneers of Clark County, WI

Sources:

Civil War Records, on gravestone

Racine WI Records