Pelham Anderson Barrows was born on March 13, 1861 in Carver, Massachusetts. He moved to Nebraska in 1878 and then to California sometime between the National Encampments of 1924 and 1925.

His father, Pelham W., mustered in on January 14, 1862 with Co. C, 18th Massachusetts Infantry as a Sergeant and mustered out at Harrison's Landing, Virginia on July 12, 1862 due to contracting tuberculosis.

Brother Barrows was a member of the J. R. Steadman Camp No. 35, Albion, Nebraska and was its Captain in 1888. He was elected Nebraska's Division Commander on June 17, 1892. He was just the third  Brother from west of the Mississippi to be elected Commander-in-Chief. When nominated, Fred E. Bolton, PCinC called for a single ballot to be cast and pointed out that Pelham was a Massachusetts produced candidate. After moving to Los Angeles, California he joined the Roscrans Camp No. 2.

He was named Deputy County Clerk of Boone County, Nebraska and held the office for six years. After moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, he served in the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Buildings. He directed the publicity in a campaign of U.S. Senator Elmer J. Burkett. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska in 1918 and 1920 and served four years. He was also active in the office of Governor Sam McKelvie.

Pelham farmed and raised cattle until 1887. In Albion, he learned the printers trade with the Albion Argus. Later he was Editor of the St. Edward Sun, Albion News, Plattsmouth News, Fairbury Gazzette, Star-Mail, and retired as Editor of the Maywood Journal in 1937.

He was Secretary of the Lincoln Railsplitters in the Western Baseball League in 1912.

He married Leonora M. Poppen and they had one daughter.

He died on November 30, 1939 in Maywood, California while attending a church bazaar. He is buried at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.