Alonzo Brinkerhoff was born at St. George,Washington, Utah on July 8, 1864, son of James Brinkerhoff and Rebecca Hannah Hawk. His father was one of the early pioneers of the Dixie country, the family suffering from the depredations of the Indians at various times. While yet a small boy, his father and mother moved into Long Valley. Here his father died and at the age of twelve years old, young Alonzo left and went into the wilds of Utah and Arizona for several years riding the ranges. He was a natural lover of horses and cattle and a great deal of his life was devoted to the interests of this industry. At his death he was the president of the Utah Cattle and Horse Growers Association, having held the office three terms.
When he was a boy eighteen years of age, he moved with his mother and family to Huntington. Here he sold the few cattle he had and went into the sheep business with his brother, Clark. While here he met Almira Barzilla Caldwell and after a courtship of two years, they were married in the St. George temple in September, 1886. Of this union twelve children were born only three of which preceeded the father to the great beyond.
In 1893, Elder Brinkerhoff responded to a call made by the authorities of the church and left for the southern states where he filled a two year mission. Always he was an active worker in church affairs and in 1888 he was set apart as one of the seven presidents of seventies. This position he held until he was called to the office of Bishop of the Emery Ward. He was ordained such, along with his counselors, James P. Olsen and Peter V. Bunderson, on August 9, 1896 at the hands of Apostle Francis M. Lyman. He served with his bishopric intact for twenty-six years until his death. While he had served the people of Emery as their Bishop, he was also honored with civil office by the people, having served a four-year term as state senator. Always he was to be found doing his bit for everything he thought would be good for his people. He did not know what fear or let-up was when it came to fighting for what he thought was right.
The Bishop had an ulcerated tooth extracted five months before his fatal illness and the poison from that infection caused his death. He was 58 years old. He leaves a wife and nine children besides many other relatives and host of friends to mourn his loss.
Three children died as infants or small children: Alonzo Brinkerhoff, James Brinkerhoff and Almira Barzilla Brinkerhoff