Daniel Moreau Barringer was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina on July 30, 1806. A lawyer, he quickly entered the political profession, serving in the North Carolina General Assembly from 1829-1835 and again from 1840-1843 before representing North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843-1849. He then served as the U.S. Minister to Spain from 1849-1853. He died in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia on September 1, 1873.