PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 1O7 
JOHN B. HENDERSON MEMORIAL, 
The committee appointed to prepare for the records of the board 
a suitable minute relating to the late Regent, John Brooks Hender- 
son, submitted its report as follows: 
GENTLEMEN: Your committee appointed at the meeting of May 1, 
1913, for the purpose of preparing a suitable minute of the life and 
work of the late Hon. John B. Henderson, a former Regent of the 
Institution, begs to submit the following: 
John Brooks Henderson, doctor of laws, a member of the Board 
of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution from January 26, 1892, 
to March 1, 1911, was born near Danville, Va., on November 16, 1826, 
and died at Takoma Park, D. C., April 12, 1913. 
For 19 years, until failing health compelled him to retire from 
active duties, he had a deep official and personal interest in the 
activities of the Institution, serving during that entire period as a 
member of the executive committee, for 15 years its chairman, and 
for 17 years as a member of the permanent committee. His sound 
judgment and wise counsel as a jurist were of great assistance to his 
associates in their deliberations on important and perplexing prob- 
lems of policy and administration. 
At an early age he moved from Virginia to Missouri, where he 
received an academic education and supported himself as a teacher 
while studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1848 and in 
1882 was honored with the degree of LL. D. by the University of 
Missouri. From 1848 to 1856 he served in the State legislature; was 
presidential elector in 1856 and 1860; United States Senator from 
January 29, 1862, to March 3, 1869; commissioner to treat with hos- 
tile Indians in 1867; United States district attorney in 1875; and 
chairman of the Chicago convention in 1884. In 1861 he organized 
a brigade of Missouri State Militia and was appointed brigadier 
general. ; 
On January 11, 1864, after conferences with President Lincoln and 
without the knowledge of any other person, Mr. Henderson presented 
in the Senate the joint resolution abolishing slavery which after- 
wards became the thirteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution. 
In 1890 he moved from Missouri to Washington City, and resided 
there until his death, leading a life of retirement, although taking 
great interest in public matters and philanthropic work and in the 
affairs of several scientific and patriotic organizations of which he 
was a member. 
Mr. Henderson was a lawyer, a statesman, a soldier, a financier, 
and in all these callings he was successful. The secret of his suc- 
cess was an alert mind, a natural executive ability, strong will, 
courage, and an independence that fixed his course though he walked 
alone. 
