MASTERMIND OF OHIO PALEONTOLOGY--JOHN STRONG NEWBERRY

John Strong Newberry (1822-1892), a man of high intellect, great energy, and vigorous influence, greatly elaborated and clarified Ohio's stratigraphic framework by directly elucidating or facilitating knowledge of the fossil invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants of the state. Newberry's tenure as State Geologist (1869-1882) was the greatest episode in Ohio paleontology. He planned to describe all of the state's fossils in three volumes, each illustrated by many exquisitely engraved plates. The description of fishes and plants was his undertaking, while he employed well-known and distinguished paleontologists to describe the remaining groups. The first two volumes served as the foundation of Ohio paleontology. They helped establish correlations of the state's sedimentary rocks, and provided a fundamental understanding of Paleozoic life. In 1874, appropriations for the Ohio Survey were cut off, and Newberry's plan for a third volume on the state's paleontology was abandoned at that juncture, even though manuscripts and plates had been prepared. Edward Orton, his successor as State Geologist, saw to publication of those works in later volumes of the Geological Survey, so Newberry's plan was ultimately finished. Newberry's enduring undertakings in the realm of paleontology concluded with publication of the U.S. Geological Survey monograph titled, "Paleozoic Fishes of North America," which included many Ohio samples. At two years of age, John Newberry came to Ohio with his father. In 1828, his father opened coal mines at Tallmadge near Akron, where fossil plants surely must have inspired his scientific bent. After receiving a medical degree in 1848, he soon set up a practice in Cleveland. But shortly, Newberry turned to join with geographical and geological explorations of the West. After the Civil War, he was appointed geology and paleontology professor at Columbia College in New York and was associated there until his death. In 1869, he assumed charge of the Ohio Geological Survey. John Strong Newberry was a man who stimulated self-assurance in people. He maintained a positive attitude and was caring toward others. His work in geology and paleontology received broad acclaim. To this day, we are indebted to his leadership in developing the paleontology of Ohio.