Barney was born Oct. 14, 1807, in Henderson, N.Y., to parents, Benjamin and Nancy Potter Barney. He was the oldest of their 11 children.
As a teen Barney attended Union Academy in Belleville, N.Y., which his father had helped found. He entered Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., as a sophomore and received his degree in 1831. After graduation, he served for two years as a principal of the Lowville Academy.
His father suffered financial loss at this time and had to sell his property. Barney suggested Ohio would offer the family more opportunities to recuperate financially. They moved to Geauga County, Ohio, while Barney stayed in New York and worked off his college debt.
On Oct. 10, 1834, Barney married Julia Smith. They had five children; two daughters and three sons.
Barney took a unique approach to finding a permanent teaching position. He sent letters to the postmasters of six Ohio cities and asked if there were teaching jobs open in their towns. The only postmaster to answer was from Dayton. In 1834 Barney was hired as a principal for the Dayton Academy. He employed his brother, Elijah, and sister, Sarah, as teachers.
In 1840 poor health caused Barney to change occupations.
He bought a sawmill and entered the lumber business. Although the business was successful, illness made him leave the area seeking a cure.
His health restored, Barney returned to Dayton in 1844. The Cooper Female Academy, a girls’ school, was being organized and he was offered a job as principal. He worked there from 1845-50.
At that time he entered a partnership with Ebenezer Thresher, who had purchased his sawmill. They built agricultural machines and railroad cars. Dayton did not have a railroad so the cars had to be shipped by canal boat. Through the years Barney’s partners changed but he remained, eventually becoming the President of Barney & Smith Manufacturing Company. The business dropped the agricultural line and concentrated on making railroad cars. Their products were noted for their outstanding quality and the company became very successful. At one time it was the largest railroad car builder in the nation.
Barney also served as president of the Dayton Hydraulic Company, director of Second National Bank of Dayton and director of the Wisconsin Central Railroad.
Being in the lumber business made Barney aware that forests were disappearing and would soon be exhausted, unless action was taken. He promoted catalpa trees by writing articles and producing a pamphlet extolling their rapid growth and the durable lumber they produced. Barney gave seed for the catalpa to people all over the world. As a result thousands of acres of these trees were planted.
Barney died on Dec. 17, 1880, and is buried at Woodland Cemetery.
In 1892 the family sold the business.
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