Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/275

Rh and preserve all matters of historical importance.

Even, while this meeting was in progress, the mutterings of civil war were heard all over the land, and this, breaking out soon after, swallowed up all thought of everything save the safety of the country.

Upon the return of peace Gen. Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, and a few others in various parts of Richland County, again urged the formation of an historical society. This was again effected, as far as Richland County was concerned, in September, 1869, at the county fair in Mansfield.

This meeting was a success, between two and three hundred pioneers, who were residents of the county prior to 1820, being present.

The meeting was organized by calling Alexander C. Welch to the chair. Gen. Brinkerhoff then reported the following constitution, which was adopted:

The following-named persons were then elected officers for the first year:

President—Alexander C. Welch.

Vice Presidents—John Woods, Butler Township; Charles Savers, Blooming Grove Township; J. E. Bevier, Cass; Michael Keith, Franklin; Calvin Clark, Jackson; Reuben Evarts, Jefferson; Calvin Stewart, Madison; David Miller, Mifflin; Daniel Snyder, Monroe; James Doty, Plymouth; John Steel, Perry; John Finney, Springfield; Dr. John Mack, Sharon; James Reed, Sandusky; James R. Gass, Troy; Benjamin Dean, Washington; Nathaniel Pittenger, Weller, and T. B. Andrews, Worthington.

Recorder—Henry C. Hedges.

Secretary—Gen. R. Brinkerhoff.

Each Vice President was requested to make out a full list of the pioneers of his township. Addresses were then delivered by James Purdy, Mr. Welch and others.

Notwithstanding the intention of the Society to have an annual meeting, for some reason the time went by, and for several years no regular meeting was held. The officers, however, held meetings occasionally, and kept the organization intact.

The centennial year, however, brought the matter again before the people of Richland, as well as other counties, and a large meeting was held on the Fourth of July. At this meeting General Brinkerhoff delivered an address of great value, the larger part of which has been incorporated in this history in various places. This centennial year gave a great impetus to the collection and preservation of pioneer history.

The concluding part of Gen. Brinkerhoff's address is the final verdict of all thoughtful students of pioneer times, and was as follows:

"The settlement of Ohio was a mighty work, and those who did it were men of iron nerve, of undaunted courage, and persistent force.

"God Almighty has so arranged and constituted the nature of things that nothing great or good, or strong in matter or in mind, comes to the earth except it comes through struggle and through storm. It is this law, and the struggle under it. which has made Ohio, of all the States