Ohio History Journal

GENERAL ROELIFF BRINKERHOFF. 1828-1911.   On Sunday, June 4, 1911, at 9:30 in the evening, at his be- loved home in Mansfield, Ohio, the soul of General Roeliff Brink-

erhoff took its peaceful flight to the eternal life beyond. At the time of his demise General Brinkerhoff was President Emeritus Vol. XX-23             353

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354       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, of

which he was active President from the year 1893 to the year

1907-a period of fifteen years-when at his request he was

made President Emeritus and the active duties of the office of

president were conferred upon Dr. G. Frederick Wright. Prob-

ably no one man has been so long, so intimately, so interestedly

and so effectively connected with the origin, growth and work of

the Society as has General Brinkerhoff. It is therefore with un-

usual sad and appreciative feelings that we record his death, and

speak all to briefly of his life and its crowded activities, for few

men of his day and generation wrought so zealously or in so

many diverse fields, or accomplished so much for the benefit of

his fellowmen.

In speaking of his life and services to his community, state

and nation, we are indebted for much information to an article

appearing in the Mansfield Shield on the day following the death

of General Brinkerhoff.

 

A NOTABLE CAREER.

The name of General Brinkerhoff is indelibly impressed

upon the pages of Ohio history. A strongly marked personality,

clearly defined purpose, keen insight, high ideals and a recogni-

tion of life's obligations and responsibilities combined to make

General Brinkerhoff one of the most honorable and honored

residents of the state. The record of few men in public life has

been so varied in service, so constant in honor and so stainless

in reputation.

He was born in Owasco, Cayuga county, New York, June

28, 1828, and was a representative in the seventh generation of

the descendants of Joris Dericksen Brinkerhoff, the founder of

the family in America, who came from Dentland, Holland, in

1638, accompanied by his wife, Susannah, and settled at

Brooklyn, N. Y., then New Netherlands. Many representatives

of the family are now living on Long Island and in the Hudson

valley, while others can be found in almost every Western state.

Most of these are descended from Hendrick son of Joris Derick-

sen Brinkerhoff, who settled in New Jersey in 1685. The grand-

father, Roeliff Brinkerhoff, removed from Hackensack, N. J.,

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.          355

 

to the vicinity of Gettysburg, Pa., where George R. Brinkerhoff,

the father, was born. In the maternal line, General Brinker-

hoff was descended from French Huguenots, who, fleeing from

religious persecution, found safety and a home among the toler-

ant Dutch settlers of New Netherlands. Both the Bouviers, his

mother's people, and the Demarests, to which family his grand-

mother belonged, were French Huguenots.

General Brinkerhoff had been very successful in his busi-

ness career and yet it has been other qualities that became domi-

nant in his life record and gained him the honor and respect

which were so universally accorded him. He early manifested

aptitude in his studies, and when sixteen years of age became a

teacher in his native town, while at the age of eighteen he was

in charge of a school near Hendersonville, Tenn. The following

year he was the tutor in the family of Andrew Jackson, Jr., at

the Hermitage, and there remained until 1850, when he returned

to the North and took up the study of law with Hon. Jacob

Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, O., as his preceptor. His thorough

preliminary reading secured him admission to the bar in 1852,

and he remained in active practice from that time until after the

outbreak of hostilities over the question of secession. He was

also identified with journalistic interests from June, 1855, until

1859, as one of the editors and proprietors of the Mansfield

Herald.

But when the civil war was inaugurated his interests cen-

tered in its outcome until, believing that his first duty was to his

country, he joined the army in September, 1861, as first lieu-

tenant and regimental quartermaster of the Sixty-fourth Ohio

Volunteer infantry. In November of the same year he was pro-

moted to the position of captain and assistant quartermaster,

and during the first winter was on duty at Bardstown, Ky. Fol-

lowing the capture of Nashville he was placed in charge of the

land and river transportation in that city and after the battle of

Pittsburg Landing he was ordered to the front and placed in

charge of the field transportation of the Army of the Ohio. It

was following the capture of Corinth that he returned home on

sick leave and when he had sufficiently recovered he was ordered

to Maine as chief quartermaster of the state. His next trans-

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ferral took him to Pittsburg, Pa., in charge of transportation

and army stores, and as post quartermaster he remained in

Washington, D. C., until June, 1865, when he was made a colo-

nel and inspector of the quartermaster's department. He was

then retained on duty at the war office with Secretary Stanton

until November, when he was ordered to Cincinnati as chief

quartermaster of the department. In September, 1866, he was

brevetted a brigadier general of volunteers and was also ten-

dered a commission in the regular army, but declined the honor.

On the first of October, at his own request, he was mustered out

of service, having for five years been continuously connected

with the army on active duty. General Brinkerhoff was the

author of a volume entitled, "The Volunteer Quartermaster,"

which is still the standard guide for the officers and employes of

the quartermaster's department. His chief literary work of per-

manent value was his volume entitled "Recollections of a life

time," published in 1900, by Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati,

Ohio. It is an unusual book, both as its intensely interesting

contents and also as to its simple, direct, familiar, personal style

of composition. Not only is the volume entertainly writeen, but

it is replete with delightful comments upon persons and events

and with philosophical thoughts upon life in its various phases.

The work was reviewed at some length by the editor of the

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly for July,

1900.

General Brinkerhoff was married on February 3, 1852, to

Miss Mary Lake Bently, of Mansfield, a daughter of Baldwin

Bently and a granddaughter of General Robert Bently. Their

family numbered two sons and two daughters, Robert Bently, a

member of the New York city bar who died in 1907, and Addie

Horton; Mary, deceased, and Roeliff, former judge of the pro-

bate court of Richland county.

General Brinkerhoff figured in connection with important

events from the time of the repeal of the Missouri compromise

until after the reconstruction period following the war. During

this time he formed the acquaintance of many men eminent in

public life and won the warm friendship and regard of such dis-

tinguished national characters as Salmon P. Chase, James G.

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.          357

 

Blaine, General Garfield and General R. B. Hayes. He took an

active part in politics for a long period after the war, visited

many states in the campaign work in support of the principles

and candidates of the party, while in its conventions his opinion

carried weight and influence. He had not been an active factor

in political circles, however, since 1873, in which year he ac-

cepted the position of cashier in the Mansfield Savings Bank,

in which he was later chosen to the presidency and while not

active in its management of late years he filled that position

up to the time of his death. He displayed the same keen dis-

cernment and power of executive control in his business affairs

as he did in his political and military service.

In 1878, General Brinkerhoff was appointed a member of

the board of state charities and continued in that position un-

der different administrations until he completed his tenth term,

a period of thirty years, and he was recently appointed to the

eleventh term. His philanthrophy was one of the salient fea-

tures of his life, and there is perhaps no single individual better

informed concerning the methods of management and control in

different benevolent and correctional institutions than was he.

To further inform himself on this subject he visited every state

in the union except one, also institutions of this character in the

Dominion of Canada, the Republic of Mexico, and all the coun-

tries of Western Europe, and the record of his observations in

these directions is a history of all modern progress in dealing

with the dependent, defective and criminal classes. In all his

work in this connection, General Brinkerhoff may be termed a

practical idealist. He labored constantly to improve conditions,

yet his work was of most effective character inasmuch as he

utilized the means at hand, having the ability to assimilate, con-

trol and shape divers interests into a united and harmonious

whole. Studying the subject of management in correctional and

benevolent institutions he quickly grasped the points upon which

improvement could be made and agitated the subject so that

public opinion demanded reform and advancement. To him,

perhaps more than to any other, was due the abolition of me-

chanical restraints, and other improvements, in dealing with the

insane. It was largely due to him, also, that the Toledo hospital

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358      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

was established upon the cottage system, which really marked a

new era in the treatment of the insane, and one which the med-

ical profession and general public now recognizes as most bene-

ficial. He served as a member of the commission to locate the

asylum and select plans for its construction, and his earnest ad-

vocacy for the segregate or cottage system secured its adoption,

and the plan once termed "Brinkerhoff's Folly" has led to the

adoption of what is now regarded as the model asylum of the

nation.

While General Brinkerhoff was a theorist in that he formu-

lated plans, he was also a worker of the most practical order

for when his judgment sanctioned a course that he thought out

or that was presented to him by others he immediately set to

work to secure its adoption. The range of his study and in-

vestigation has been most broad and comprehensive. He was

chosen the first president when, in 1875, at his home in Mans-

field the Ohio Archaeological Society was organized in October,

1875. He continued as its chief executive officer for several

terms, until March, 1884, when the Ohio Archaeological Society

was reorganized and incorporated as the Ohio State Archae-

ological and Historial Society of which the first president was

Senator Allen G. Thurman. On the death, January, 1893 of

Rutherford B. Hayes, then the president of the the Society,

General Brinkerhoff was elected to the office which he held until

1907, when he declined further active service and was elected

President Emeritus. It was at one of the meetings of this so-

ciety-a banquet held in Columbus in February, 1891-that he

made the suggestion which found embodiment in a beautiful

memorial group of bronze statues which now stand at the north-

west corner of the Capitol building in Columbus. On this

occasion he was put upon the program to respond to the

toast "Ohio at the Columbian Exposition." He had no time

for preparation, but as it approached the hour in which he

would be called upon there came to him the thought that it

"was not bigness or material resources that gave renown to a

nation so much as the character of its men and women," and

continuing, General Brinkerhoff said, "I remembered Greece and

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.          359

 

Palestine, and my speech was ready, for in men of renown Ohio

was peerless among the states. At 11 o'clock when my turn

came I amplified my idea and wound up with the suggestion

that Ohio should be represented at the fair by a group of statu-

ary in the center of which should be a noble matron represent-

ing Ohio, and all around her should be such children as Grant,

Sherman, Sheridan, Chase, Stanton and Garfield; and then upon

the pedestal should be engraved the proud utterance of Cornelia

the Mother of the Gracchi, 'These are my jewels.' A resolution

was unanimously adopted recommending the legislature to adopt

the suggestion and appropriate the funds necessary to put it in

granite bronze."

When the Ohio monument was dedicated at Jefferson Park,

in Chicago, September 14, 1893, General Brinkerhoff delivered

one of the principal addresses.

General Brinkerhoff's interest in historical matters dated

from early life. Coming to Richland county in 1850 he advo-

cated preserving the annals of its early history, recognizing the

fact that in the course of years the record of the lives of the

pioneer men and women who laid its foundation and reared its

superstructure would be of value and general interest. He there-

fore began to gather information in regard to pioneer days and

the result of his labors has been given to the public not only in

newspaper articles, but also in book form. Pioneer meetings

were held at regular intervals, and in November, 1898, a Rich-

land county historical society was organized with General Brink-

erhoff as the president and A. J. Baughman as secretary. For

many years he had been one of the principal supporters of the

Mansfield Lyceum, which he joined on its organization, and he

was also active in the establishment of the Mansfield Reforma-

tory and the museum and a pavilion of the Sherman-Heineman

park. The plan of the park originated in his fertile brain and

he labored untiringly until he saw its embodiment in a beautiful

strip of country adorned by the arts of the landscape gardener

and extending for a mile and a half along the western border of

the city. He was made one of the park commissioners, became

president of the board and held that office continuously up to the

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360        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

time of his death. There are few of his years who remained so

active a factor in life as did General Brinkerhoff. Ohio num-

bered him among her most honored sons.

 

 

FUNERAL OF GENERAL BRINKERHOFF.

The funeral services of the late General Brinkerhoff were

held Wednesday afternoon, June ₇th, at 2 o'clock, from the

family home on Park avenue, West, in the presence of many

of the relatives, old friends and admirers of the honored man.

Many organizations and institutions of which General Brinker-

hoff was a member or with which he was connected were of-

ficially represented. President G. Frederick Wright and Trustees

Bareis, Prince and Randall of the Ohio State Archaeological

and Historical Society were present. The services, though sim-

ple, were none the less impressive. Prof. Bellingham rendered a

beautiful vocal solo and Rev. B. G. Mattson, of the First Con-

gregational Church, after reading Scripture, spoke simply of the

man that was honored by his city, state and country. Mr. Matt-

son's remarks, in substance, were as follows:

 

Dear Friends: In reverence of spirit we gather here by the hearth-

stone of this quiet home to offer that best gift of the heart, our meed of

human sympathy, because of the presence here of the sorrow that comes

with death. We also bring the affectionate tribute of friends and neigh-

bors for the memory of this well beloved friend and fellow-citizen, who

has lived these so many years among us in the quiet dignity and beauty

of a blameless life.

It is fitting that what is said by me should be marked by the sim-

plicity and quiet sincerity of this home where we meet and of this life

we would sacredly remember. The large influence and great service to

mankind which belong to the complete life-story of General Roeliff Brink-

erhoff need not be dwelt upon at length here. He would be the first to

wish otherwise. These things have been widely noted in the public press.

General Brinkerhoff's large public services have rightly earned him wide

honor in this and other lands, and these things are well known to those

who knew him best.

We come rather to recall the man in the simplicity of his goodness

and greatness of spirit. We wish to recall him in the intimacy of those

relationships in which it has been our privilege to know him. It is, after

all, these things that measure the larger worth of a man. It is these

things that seem to reach out beyond the boundary of human life and

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.                 361

 

partake of the eternities. What kind of a man was this man who by

reason of strength has more than lived his four score years?

Well we rejoice to remember him here in this home, and here first

of all will those most dear to him wish him to be remembered. Some

men of large public service and responsibilities have the misfortune of

losing the quiet and gracious home-making qualities; but this man was

always seen at his best here with his dear ones around him. Good fighter

for his country and for the issues of a great reform as he was, it was

in his home that the gentleness of his nature made him great to those who

loved him.

We remember him in the church he loved and served so faithfully

for so many years. To the very last of his failing strength he continued

the habit of a lifetime of participation in public worship. How we shall

miss his stalwart, familiar figure in the accustomed place. Beginning in

his early life of service as a school teacher, teaching continued to be his

avocation. For many years he was faithfully devoted to his class in the

Sunday school, where a group of long-time friends gathered week by

week to study Scripture truth as expounded and enriched by his wide

experience and thoughtful observation. Every good work in the varied

activities of the church found in him a supporter. Religion was to him a

natural and indispensable part of daily life.

We remember him in the community as citizen and neighbor. He

was a man who loved his city, who thought on its life and planned for its

welfare. We owe to him a debt of gratitude for our beautiful parks, for

not only was he largely influential in securing the gift of the land but he

gave lifelong interest and care to maintaining and beautifying them.

A fitting and beautiful tribute is offered to-day by the employes of

the park commission, who have gathered a great sheaf of flowers of all

the kinds that grow so profusely on the slopes and in the shady dells of

the park.

The children in this city remember General Brinkerhoff to-day with

an offering of flowers from the public schools in recognition of his gen-

erous thoughtfulness in establishing a fund for prizes for the best chil-

dren's gardens.

But in a much broader and deeper sense has this man proven himself

to be the friend and lover of mankind. The work by which he is well-

known to thousands who have never seen him is that work in which he

was a pioneer and prophet, the work of prison reform. It is not my pur-

pose to estimate either historically or in detail the contribution of Gen-

eral Brinkerhoff to this, one of the most humane and wise of the reforms

of modern times. That he was a pioneer and an authority in that work

is too well known to need repeating here.

What I do want to point out here is the way this, his greatest public

service, simply illustrates on a broad human scale the fine character and

spirit of the man. This man who loves his home, who loves his God and

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seeks to serve Him, who loves his city and in unusual and far-seeing ways

does things for the welfare of its citizens, is the man whose brain can con-

ceive large and effective plans for wise treatment, and ultimate recovery

to society, of that pitifully large multitude who suffer in prisons the pen-

alties of the law.

Forty years ago it took men large of heart, large of vision and large

of faith to believe that this class were worth caring for, so little had the

gospel of the Master come to be accepted as possessing any wisdom to

solve the problems of the state.

But of this man and his influence we, his friends and neighbors,

can say with gladness that he took stock in the Sermon on the Mount

and the great parable of ministry to the needy. We see that in these

truths a man of large heart and mind can find the way to give his life

on a large scale to the difficult task that so many others would pass by.

Truly it must have already been said to him in the realm of the spirit

whither his spirit has embarked:

"Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these

least, ye did it unto me."

At the close of Rev. Mattson's remarks, Prof. Bellingham

sang again after which Rev. Mattson offered prayer. This con-

cluded the services at the home. The remains were laid in the

final resting place at the cemetery, in the presence of many peo-

ple who wished to pay the last possible respect to the honored

man.

MEMORIAL MEETING IN FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.

A good sized audience attended the General Roeliff Brink-

erhoff memorial meeting held at the First Lutheran church Sun-

day evening, June 25, under the auspices of the Richland Coun-

ty Historical Society of which General Brinkerhoff was the

founder and president for many years.

The services opened with scripture reading by Rev. S. P.

Long after which he gave a short address stating the object of

the meeting. The Long quartet rendered patriotic music and

Hon. M. B. Bushnell took the chair.

Mr. Bushnell stated that the meeting had been called by the

society so that the public and people of Mansfield might hear

of some of the excellent work General Brinkerhoff had done

during his eventful life.

A. J. Baughman, secretary of the society read an interest-

ing sketch of the life of the late General Brinkerhoff starting at

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.          363

the time of his birth and briefly outlining the most noteworthy

events. Mr. Baughman dwelt principally on the latter part of

his life when he accomplished so many noble things for the bene-

fit of his country, state and home city.

Mr. Bushnell gave a short talk introducing the next speak-

er in which he said that although during his life General Brin-

kerhoff had accomplished many things for the betterment of the

people in general the meeting would deal mostly with home af-

fairs where he had held several positions of honor and trust.

Prof. G. F. Wright of Oberlin who succeeded General Brin-

kerhoff as president of the Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society, gave a sympathetic address in which he spoke in

highest praise of General Brinkerhoff.

Dr. J. A. Leonard of the reformatory was the last speaker

and spoke feelingly of his dead friend. Dr. Leonard stated that

although he had not known General Brinkerhoff in youth his

acquaintance and friendship had been made at the time in life

when it was most appreciated and most highly valued. Dr.

Leonard stated that General Brinkerhoff had done much for the

institution of which he was the head, and also for many other

institutions. "There is not a person who is compelled to enter

an insane institution in any part of the country but who will re-

ceive better care and higher medical treatment because of the

fact that General Brinkerhoff lived. The name of General

Brinkerhoff is known and honored the country over. Last year

representatives from 55 civilized countries visited the reforma-

tory and all were anxious to see General Brinkerhoff and hear

him speak."

The meeting closed with Rev. Long leading in the closing

hymn and pronouncing the benediction. From every viewpoint

the meeting was one of the best ever held in memory of a Mans-

field citizen.

The address of Professor G. Frederick Wright was as fol-

lows:

In the death of General Brinkerhoff there has been removed from

us a man of world-wide reputation, whose influence will be felt in many

directions to the end of time, and yet as a man he was so gentle and

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modest in his demeanor that his merits were not manifest to the ordinary

observer. Near the outset of his career General Brinkerhoff performed

a service in the political world, which was most far reaching in its effects.

In 1859 occurred the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Case in which a negro

slave was snatched from his pursuers by Oberlin citizens and students

and safely transported to Canada. As a consequence a large number of

these law breakers were arrested and put on trial in Cleveland. Salmon

P. Chase was then Governor of Ohio and Joshua R. Giddings was in the

height of his career in representing the anti-slavery cause. The trial of

the Oberlin rescuers created intense excitement, assuming especial impor-

tance as the time approached for the convention which was to nominate

a Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio.

Under an application for habeas corpus to take the prisoners out of

the custody of the United States on the plea that the fugitive slave law

was unconstitutional, a week was spent by the lawyers in discussing the

case before the Supreme Court at Columbus, the result of which was a

refusal of the writ by a vote of three to two, and a declaration that the

fugitive slave law was constitutional. One of the minority was Judge

Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, an uncle of the General. The radical members

of the Republican party were greatly excited by this decision and were

determined at the coming nominating convention to force the issue by

declaring that the fugitive slave law was unconstitutional, thus throwing

discredit upon some of the majority of the court, who were at the same

time Republicans. On the other hand, the more moderate members of

the party, headed by Tom Corwin, were determined to avoid this issue;

so that if it was really made in the convention the party would be dis-

rupted and the election of a Republican Governor rendered impossible.

It was the plan of the radicals to have Professor Henry E. Peck, of

Oberlin, and his compatriots who were in jail in Cleveland give bail and

come down to the convention to feed the flame that was burning hot in

view of the decision of the Supreme Court and thus force the radical

issue. In his perplexity between many conflicting advisers Professor

Peck sent for young Brinkerhoff, whom he knew to be intimate both with

his uncle, the judge, and with Governor Chase, and said to him: "I am

utterly nonplussed by my advisers, give me your opinion of what I should

do and I will follow it whatever it may be." The advice was instant and

unequivocal, "Stay here in jail. Keep away from the convention. Avoid

pressing the issue raised by your radical friends."

The advice was followed, and in due time the convention assembled.

When the crisis in the discussion came and a disruption seemed imminent,

Governor Chase called young Brinkerhoff aside and begged him to frame

a resolution on which the conflicting elements could unite. This he did

with such sagacity that it was accepted by the convention. Dennison was

nominated and in due time elected. A failure of an election of a Repub-

lican Governor at that time would have probably meant a failure to elect

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.                 365

 

a Republican President in 1860, and there is no telling what the conse-

quences would have been.

This beginning of the career of- General Brinkerhoff is a type of

what occurred repeatedly in the course of his life. It does not fall to me

to speak of the remarkable services which he rendered the country as

quartermaster during the civil war, services which were by no means

limited to the regular details of his position, but which were pre-eminent

in firing the patriotism of the North and in calling upon his citizens to

come up to the help of the union cause. As a campaign speaker in those

days he was unexcelled in his influence.

Another will speak of his long continued and successful efforts in

improving the condition of prisoners, not only in Ohio but throughout the

whole country, and in promoting sane methods of dealing with our depend-

ent population and in the appropriation of our charities. Suffice it to

say that he was recognized in the old world as well as in the new as one

of the wisest and most efficient representatives of reforms in the admin^-

istration of public charities and in prison discipline that has ever lived.

Almost every measure for improvement in the treatment of our dependent

and criminal classes incorporated into the laws of Ohio was drafted by

General Brinkerhoff and its passage secured by his clear statement of

reasons before committees of the legislature. Governor Hoadly emphat-

ically remarked, on one occasion, that there was but one jail in the state

of Ohio to which it was fit to send a criminal and that, it was needless to

say, was in General Brinkerhoff's county.

But the aspects of General Brinkerhoff's services of which I am espe-

cially expected to speak relate to his devotion to the historical and the

archaeological interests of the state. General Brinkerhoff was the founder

of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, in 1875, and became

its first president. Later this was reorganized under its present constitu-

tion and he became its president in 1893, after the death of ex-President

Hayes, continuing in this office until his death. Much of the success of

the society has been due to his wise counsel and persistent advocacy.

During the recent successful effort to secure appropriations for a building

a member of the legislature who was approached for his influence, on

being told that it was General Brinkerhoff's society, immediately replied,

"You need not say anything more, that is enough for me. Anything that

General Brinkerhoff favors I will favor."

General Brinkerhoff's interest in preserving the history and in obtain-

ing knowledge of the archaeological monuments of the state began at

home. He collected and published in the Mansfield Herald the remin-

iscences of the pioneers of Richland county until there was sufficient

material to fill a portly volume, making it the most complete historical

record that has been secured for any portion of the state. His disap-

pointment from year to year in our successive failures to obtain an

appropriation for a museum and library building for the State Archaeolog-

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366        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

ical and Historical Society was very manifest and keen, but he never gave

up hope or relaxed his efforts. But when at last the appropriation was made

he was too near his end to share in our mutual cause for rejoicing. A

telegram from the society, at its annual meeting in June, 1911, was sent

to his sick bed announcing the good news and congratulating him upon

the accomplishment of his long deferred expectation. But alas he was

then too weak to appreciate or even to hear the good news.

General Brinkerhoff was a successful business man, but it may be

safely said that he devoted far more time and energy to secure the accom-

plishment of his humane and philanthropic designs than he did to his

business. For these services he asked no reward except the good which

was accomplished by them for his fellow men. It was enough for him

that the maimed, the halt, the blind, those diseased in body or mind, and

those who through the commission of crime were to be punished by the

state should have their ills ameliorated by his effort, and the criminals

put in the way of becoming again self-respecting members of society.

The good that he has done in these lines is beyond estimate. But the

good he did in promoting the interests of our society should not be over-

looked. It is a moderate estimate that in the dissemination of the his-

torical and archaeological knowledge for which his beloved society was

formed there has been added five cents a day to the value of the life of

every citizen of Ohio that comes into its possession. Man cannot live by

bread alone: he has a mind which hungers for knowledge and cannot be

satisfied without it. This part of General Brinkerhoff's work ministered

to that want in the highest degree.

Ohio has been slow to see the importance of collecting its local his-

tory and of exploring its remarkable archaeological treasure houses.

Seventy years ago Squier and Davis made the first extensive explorations

of the mounds in the Ohio Valley and had first access to their remarkable

archaeological treasures. An account of their work was published in the

first volume of reports made to the Smithsonian Institution in Washing-

ton, but their collection of relics found no one to appreciate their value

in Ohio or indeed in the country. They were at length purchased by Mr.

Blackmore, who took them to his home in Salisbury, England, and there

built for them a safe abiding place. The student of Ohio archaeology

must therefore make a pilgrimage to the Blackmore museum in Salisbury

to study this first, and in some respects, most important collection of the

relics of the first inhabitants of the Ohio Valley.

Upon the establishment and endowment of the Peabody Museum

in Cambridge, Mass., a quarter of a century later, Professor Putnam, who

became its active head and manager, began the exploration of Ohio

mounds and earth-works and prosecuted the work until he had spent

more than $50,000 in the state. All the valuable discoveries made by his

agents and co-laborers were taken to Cambridge, Mass., and thither the

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General Roeliff Brinkerhoff.               367

 

Ohio citizen must make a pilgrimage to see the results of those

extensive explorations.

At the time of the Columbian Exposition, in 1893, $12,000 was put

into Professor Moorehead's hands by the commissioners to spend in the

exploration of Ohio mounds. The marvelous results of his explorations

were taken to Chicago and there they remain in the Field Museum.

Meanwhile there was a constant flow of Ohio archaeological objects to

the National Museum at Washington. But until the organization of the

Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society by General Brinkerhoff there

was no systematic effort made to collect and retain these objects in our

own state. During his administration as president of the society, how-

ever, annual appropriations have been secured from the legislature, and

marvelous results have been accomplished through the field work of our

curator, Professor W. C. Mills. At present these treasures are imper-

fectly exhibited in one of the rooms of the law building of the Ohio State

University at Columbus. But when the museum building is erected these will

be displayed in a manner to arouse the envy of all other collectors of Ohio

relics and to gratify the pride of all the citizens of the state. Here will

be seen, in the collection from a single mound in the Scioto Valley, obsid-

ian implements from the Rocky Mountains, copper implements and orna-

ments from Lake Superior, Swastika crosses cut from sheets of mica

which came from North Carolina, and perforated shells brought from

the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, revealing thus not only the

delicate workmanship but the great commercial enterprise of the prehis-

toric inhabitants of the Mississippi Valley. From another mound you

will see a string of pearl beads which experts say would be worth $10,000

if they were now fresh, and which it would require several generations of

Indians to collect. But most interesting of all one will see there evi-

dences that the demand for beautiful pearls was greater than the supply

and that, true to human nature, prehistoric man was alert to supply the

demand by a counterfeited product. Pieces of clay modeled into the

shape of pearls were burned in the fire and then covered with malleable

mica from North Carolina, which successfully imitates the glossy surface.

But time fails me to go into further details. In his native town

the splendid park which has been secured, largely through General Brink-

erhoff's efforts, and the original block house for the protection of the

pioneers of Richland County which is preserved in the park, are lasting

monuments of General Brinkerhoff's unselfish devotion to the higher

interests of his fellow townsmen. A still more impressive monument is

the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, with its great accumula-

tion of material illustrating the history of the state and the condition of

life in prehistoric times. May the mantle of this noble friend of hu-

manity fall upon others who shall take up his work and carry it on with

equal success.

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