He was the son of Thomas Barlow (1772–1840) and Mary (Clark) Barlow (1772–1860). He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1831, and commenced practice in Canastota. On January 16, 1834, he married Cornelia Genet Rowe (1806–1851), and they had six children.
He was First Judge of the Madison County Court from 1843 to 1847. He was a member of the New York State Senate (5th D.) from 1844 to 1847, sitting in the 67th, 68th, 69th and 70th New York State Legislature.
He formed a cabinet in natural history, gathering, mounting and arranging birds, animals, and especially insects. He lectured on natural history, and especially on entomology. In 1853, he was elected a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. On June 14, 1854, he married Charlotte (Spriggs) Sleeper, and they had a son.
He was buried at Lenox Rural Cemetery, in Lenox.
State Senator Elisha Barlow (1750–1828) was his grandfather; timber tycoon Thomas Barlow Walker (1840–1928) was his nephew.