Simon Z. Barney, M.D., ex-soldier and botanic and eclectic physician, at No. 800 Division street, Grand Rapids, was born in Oakland county, Mich., February 26, 1846, and is a son of James M. and Theodosia (Barrett) Barney, natives of Scotland, and the parents of two children, of whom one, a daughter, died in infancy, and the mother when the subject of this notice was but two years of age. The father subsequently married Miss Minerva Harper, and to this marriage eight children were born, viz: James, Mary, Sarah, Celinda, Eugene, William, Almira and Elmetta, and all of these with the exception of Mary, are still living, Sarah being the wife of Edgar G. Losey, a painter of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Minerva Barney died of cancer in 1882, and her husband is now living in Bryon township, Kent county, at the advanced age of eighty years.

James M. Barney was a brick maker by trade, and for many years lived in Wayne county, Mich., where when a young man, he manufactured all the brick used in the construction of the county house. He later became a farmer, and is now the owner of two farms in Kent county, having come here in 1852, when the country was, as it were, a primitive wilderness--Indians numerous, wolves equally so, and game still plentiful, even in the vicinity of Grand Rapids.

Dr. Simon Z. Barney received his literary education in Grand Rapids, studied medicine under private tutors, but relinquished his studies on the call to arms in defense of his nation’s flag. September 7, 1861, while still a youth, he enlisted in company E., Thirteenth Michigan volunteer infantry, for three years, and was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. At Tom Creek, Ala., in June, 1862, he was shot through the right lung, and still carries the ball in his body, the result being that he now suffers from disease of the lung and heart trouble. For six or seven months he was under treatment in hospital for this injury, and was then transferred to the invalid corps, but did not like his surroundings and took "French leave" and returned to his former company. January 1, 1863, he received a ball in his right thigh at the battle of Stone River, this happening on the second day of this fiercely-contested conflict. On going into this battle, Mr. Barney was so emaciated and weak from the effects of his first wound, that the lieutenant relieved him of some of his accoutrements, to enable him to keep in the ranks. With his second wound came his last day at the front. He was again placed in the invalid corps at the Detroit barracks, after four months’ treatment in hospital, and in 1864 re-enlisted in this arm of the service, and thus served in all nearly four years. Besides suffering from the disorders resulting from his wounds, Mr. Barney is also afflicted with malarial poisoning, chronic diarrhea and rectal disease.

On his return from the war, Mr. Barney engaged in the cigar trade at Detroit, and while so employed privately studied medicine. From Detroit he went to Delaware, Ohio, thence to Chicago, Ill., then Davenport, Iowa, and then to Toledo, Ohio, whence he again came to Grand Rapids, Mich. Afterward, he practiced medicine in Plainwell, Allegan county, Mich., four years, and in Vicksburg eight years, and the next three years in Otsego. Finally, about three years ago, he settled in Grand Rapids, where he has secured a remunerative practice and established an enviable professional reputation.

Dr. Barney was joined in matrimony at Grand Rapids, September 2, 1873, with Miss Elizabeth E. Ropp, who was born in Fairview, Randolph county, Ind.,, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah E. Ropp, natives, respectively, of Maryland and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ropp were married at Xenia, Ohio, and had born to them six children, Mrs. Barney being the third in order of birth, but of these six there are now only two living--Mrs. Barney and her brother, David H. Ropp.

David H. Ropp was born near Fairview, Randolph county, Ind., May 17, 1850, and in his ealier years followed farming as a vocation, but for the past fifteen years has been employed in mechanical pursuit at Grand Rapids, and is still a bachelor. He is a member of the K.O.T.M., and in politics is a republican.

Mrs. Elizabeth E. Barney has been afflicted for over twenty years with a disorder that has required her husband’s attention and care a great portion of his time, and although it seems like a forlorn hope, the doctor has never abandoned his belief that she may yet be restore to health. Eminent physicians gave her up to die years ago, but Dr. Barney still perseveres in his treatment of her case, and olttimes has improved her health, though not permanently.

Dr. Barney is a member of the G.A.R., but is not connected with any church society, he and his wife being inclined to spiritualistic views. Socially, as well as professionally, the doctor stands very high, and for personal merits alone is respected wherever known.