Catherine A. Burtis was born on Jun 6, 1833. She was the daughter of William Tilton Burtis and Alice H. Covenhoven. Catherine married William N. Bryan. Catherine A. Burtis died on Jun 21, 1911 at age 78.

     William married Catherine A. Burtis, daughter of William Tilton Burtis and Alice H. Covenhoven.

      Josephine C. Burtis was born on Mar 14, 1836. She was the daughter of William Tilton Burtis and Alice H. Covenhoven. Josephine married Dr. Joseph B. Vansant; 1st marriage Josephine. Josephine married Rev. William D. Hires; 2nd marriage Josephine. Josephine C. Burtis died on Mar 24, 1896 at Florida at age 60.

     Joseph married Josephine C. Burtis, daughter of William Tilton Burtis and Alice H. Covenhoven; 1st marriage Josephine.

     William married Josephine C. Burtis, daughter of William Tilton Burtis and Alice H. Covenhoven; 2nd marriage Josephine.

      Eleanor H. Conover was born on Nov 16, 1899. Eleanor married William Edgar Thompson, son of William D Thompson and Ella A Vanderveer, on Oct 28, 1917.

     Dorothy C. Thompson was the daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover. Dorothy married James Matthews.

     James married Dorothy C. Thompson, daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover.

     Garret Rezeau Thompson was the son of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover. Garret married Elizabeth Makin.

     Elizabeth married Garret Rezeau Thompson, son of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover.

     Jeanette R. Thompson was the daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover. Jeanette married Ludwig Niehaus Jr.

     Ludwig married Jeanette R. Thompson, daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover.
     Ludwig Niehaus Jr. resided at at Maryland. He resided at at Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

     Elizabeth Marie Thompson was the daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover. Elizabeth married Emil John Possehl Jr.

     Emil married Elizabeth Marie Thompson, daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover.

     Eleanor H. Thompson was the daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover. Eleanor married William Schlectweg Jr.

     William married Eleanor H. Thompson, daughter of William Edgar Thompson and Eleanor H. Conover.

      John Baird Conover was born on Oct 14, 1813 at New Jersey. He was the son of John Burlew Conover and Eliza Baird. John Baird Conover was baptized on May 13, 1814 at Old Tennent Church, Tennent, Monmouth County, New Jersey. John married Roannah Hawkins on Apr 26, 1838 at Shelby County, Indiana. John Baird Conover died on Jan 5, 1890 at Shelby County, Indiana, at age 76. John was buried at Conover Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana.

      Samuel Pitney Conover was born on Dec 14, 1815. He was the son of John Burlew Conover and Eliza Baird. Samuel married Frances Ann Attwood on Jun 2, 1843 at Johnson County, Indiana. Samuel Pitney Conover died on Jun 18, 1854 at age 38.

      Nelson Schanck Conover was born on Jan 18, 1820 at Ohio. He was the son of John Burlew Conover and Eliza Baird. Nelson married Nancy Armstrong on Jun 2, 1843 at Johnson County, Indiana. Nelson married Elizabeth Carson on Jul 10, 1867 at Shelby County, Indiana.

     Jane married John Miller.

      Burlew Conover was born on Feb 17, 1815. He was the son of Obadiah Burlew Conover and Sarah Miller. Burlew Conover died on Jul 27, 1836 at age 21.

     William Miller Conover was the son of Obadiah Burlew Conover and Sarah Miller.

     Franklin Putman Conover was the son of Obadiah Burlew Conover and Sarah Miller.

      William Schanck was born on Jun 9, 1813 at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Ephraim Loree Schenck and Eleanor Conover. William married Sophia Alford, daughter of John Alford and Catherine Van Wickle, on Mar 5, 1829 at Jersey Hill, Allegany County, New York. William Schanck died on Aug 21, 1876 at Saline Twp., Miller County, Missouri, at age 63.

      John Schanck was born on Nov 24, 1822 at New Jersey. He was the son of Ephraim Loree Schenck and Eleanor Conover. John married Catherine Ann Alford on Apr 12, 1853.
     John Schanck was also known as John Schenck.

      Sarah Thomas Schanck was born on Jul 18, 1825. She was the daughter of Ephraim Loree Schenck and Eleanor Conover. Sarah Thomas Schanck died on Jul 4, 1828 at age 2.
     She was also known as Sarah Voorhees Schenck.

      Garret Conover Schenck was born on Jun 18, 1825? He was the son of Ephraim Loree Schenck and Eleanor Conover. Garret married Sarah T. Britain on Oct 11, 1854.
     Garret Conover Schenck was also known as Garret Conover Schanck.

      Sarah Voorhees Schenck was born on Sep 4, 1832. She was the daughter of Ephraim Loree Schenck and Eleanor Conover. Sarah married William P. Heusel on Nov 8, 1849.
     Sarah Voorhees Schenck was also known as Sarah Vorhees Schanck.

     James married Ann Buck, daughter of John Henry Buck and Ann West. James Baird died on Mar 1, 1848.

      Ann Buck was born on Mar 10, 1795 at Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of John Henry Buck and Ann West. Ann married James Baird. Ann Buck died on Jan 10, 1851 at age 55.

      Charlotte C. Baird was born on Feb 8, 1857 at Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of David Baird and Ann Elizabeth Conover. Charlotte C. Baird died on Jun 22, 1859 at Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 2.

      Caroline Elizabeth Baird was born on Aug 28, 1853 at Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of David Baird and Ann Elizabeth Conover. Caroline married Holmes Van Mater Dennis, son of Jesse Appleton Dennis and Catherine Van Mater, on Sep 6, 1876 at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Caroline Elizabeth Baird died on Apr 7, 1927 at age 73.

      Holmes Van Mater Dennis was born on Apr 11, 1849 at Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Jesse Appleton Dennis and Catherine Van Mater. Holmes married Eugenia Conover Baird, daughter of David Baird and Ann Elizabeth Conover, on Dec 26, 1871 at Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Holmes married Caroline Elizabeth Baird, daughter of David Baird and Ann Elizabeth Conover, on Sep 6, 1876 at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Holmes Van Mater Dennis died on Mar 27, 1920 at age 70.

      Jesse Appleton Dennis was born on May 28, 1824 at Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Rodney Gove Dennis and Mary Parker. Jesse married Catherine Van Mater, daughter of Holmes Van Mater and Micah Van Mater, on Jun 4, 1848 at Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Jesse Appleton Dennis died on Oct 27, 1854 at Darien, McIntosh County, Georgia, at age 30.

      Catherine Van Mater was born on Feb 2, 1822 at Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Holmes Van Mater and Micah Van Mater. Catherine married Jesse Appleton Dennis, son of Rodney Gove Dennis and Mary Parker, on Jun 4, 1848 at Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Catherine Van Mater died on Aug 27, 1896 at East Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 74. Catherine was buried at Old Brick Church, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Eugenia Conover Baird was born on Apr 2, 1850 at Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey; calculated. She was the daughter of David Baird and Ann Elizabeth Conover. Eugenia married Holmes Van Mater Dennis, son of Jesse Appleton Dennis and Catherine Van Mater, on Dec 26, 1871 at Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Eugenia Conover Baird died on Feb 25, 1874 at New York City, New York County, New York, at age 23.

      Florence May Conover was born in Jun, 1880 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Charles Edwin Conover and Ella Farry. Florence married Henry Cook Tilton, son of Sylvester Tilton and Cornelia Johnson, on Nov 26, 1902.
     In the census on Jan 2, 1920 Florence May Conover was named Mae Conover.

      Henry Cook Tilton was born on Dec 28, 1880 at Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Sylvester Tilton and Cornelia Johnson. Henry married Florence May Conover, daughter of Charles Edwin Conover and Ella Farry, on Nov 26, 1902. Henry Cook Tilton died on Sep 25, 1935 at age 54.
     He was also known as Henry Cooke Tilton.

      Elizabeth S. Conover was born in Sep, 1882 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Charles Edwin Conover and Ella Farry.

      Henry Longstreet Conover was born in Sep, 1898 at New Jersey. He was the son of Charles Edwin Conover and Ella Farry.

      Charles Edwin Millspaugh was born on Apr 16, 1886. He was the son of Charles Howard Millspaugh and Jane Elizabeth Conover. Charles Edwin Millspaugh was baptized on Nov 23, 1887 at Old Brick Ch., Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      John B. Millspaugh was born in 1889. He was the son of Charles Howard Millspaugh and Jane Elizabeth Conover. John B. Millspaugh died in 1905.

      Eleanor Conover was born on Oct 8, 1850 at Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Lafayette Schenck Conover and Elizabeth Schenck. Eleanor Conover died on Dec 24, 1854 at age 4.

      William S. Conover was born on Sep 20, 1848 at Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Lafayette Schenck Conover and Elizabeth Schenck. William S. Conover died on Sep 14, 1854 at age 5.
     He was also known as William G. Conover.

      John Noble Cumming Schenck was born on Jan 24, 1778 at Churchville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. John married Sarah Tapscott, daughter of Rev. James Tapscott and Sarah Baird, on Sep 2, 1802 at Franklin Twp., Warren County, Ohio. John married Phebe W. Reader, daughter of Jessie Reader and Phebe Wheeler, on Oct 8, 1843 at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. John Noble Cumming Schenck died on Oct 25, 1867 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 89; or Oct. 25, 1868.

      Sarah Tapscott was born on Aug 21, 1787 at Carlisle, Warren County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Rev. James Tapscott and Sarah Baird. Sarah married John Noble Cumming Schenck, son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, on Sep 2, 1802 at Franklin Twp., Warren County, Ohio. Sarah Tapscott died on Jan 23, 1842 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 54.

      Ann Cumming Schenck was born on Feb 27, 1808 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John Noble Cumming Schenck and Sarah Tapscott. Ann married Dr. Otho Evans M.D. on Dec 24, 1824 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. Ann was buried at Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. She died on Nov 16, 1875 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 67.
     She was also known as Anna Cummings Schenck.

      Dr. Otho Evans M.D. was born on Sep 9, 1797 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. Otho married Ann Cumming Schenck, daughter of John Noble Cumming Schenck and Sarah Tapscott, on Dec 24, 1824 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. Dr. Otho Evans M.D. died on Aug 17, 1884 at age 86. Otho was buried on Aug 19, 1884 at Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, Warren County, Ohio.

      Dr. Richard Pierce Evans was born on Mar 8, 1829 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. He was the son of Dr. Otho Evans M.D. and Ann Cumming Schenck. Richard married Elizabeth Light Bergen, daughter of David Combs Bergen and Nancy Boyce, on Jul 2, 1850. Dr. Richard Pierce Evans died on May 31, 1903 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 74. Richard was buried at Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, Warren County, Ohio.

      Elizabeth Light Bergen was born in 1830 at New York. She was born on Jun 28, 1830 at Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of David Combs Bergen and Nancy Boyce. Elizabeth married Dr. Richard Pierce Evans, son of Dr. Otho Evans M.D. and Ann Cumming Schenck, on Jul 2, 1850. Elizabeth Light Bergen died on Dec 27, 1890 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 60. Elizabeth was buried at Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, Warren County, Ohio.

     Cornelia married William Francis Schenck. Cornelia B. Evans was born circa 1857 at Ohio. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Pierce Evans and Elizabeth Light Bergen.

     William married Cornelia B. Evans, daughter of Dr. Richard Pierce Evans and Elizabeth Light Bergen.

     Mary married Robert Cumming in 1746 at Monmouth County, New Jersey. Mary Noble and Robert Cumming obtained a marriage license on Jan 8, 1746 at Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Phebe W. Reader was born on Apr 15, 1803 at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Jessie Reader and Phebe Wheeler. Phebe married Colonel William Rogers Schenck, son of General William Cortenus Schenck and Elizabeth Rogers, on Sep 4, 1822 at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Phebe married Colonel William Rogers Schenck, son of General William Cortenus Schenck and Elizabeth Rogers, on Sep 22, 1822 at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Phebe married John Noble Cumming Schenck, son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, on Oct 8, 1843 at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.
     Phebe W. Reader was also known as Phebe Reider.

     Jessie married Phebe Wheeler.
     Jessie Reader resided at at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. He was also known as Jessie Reider.

     Phebe married Jessie Reader.

      Mary Schenck was born circa 1771 at near, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Mary married Judge Isaac Spinning, son of Ebenezer Spining and Elizabeth Dillsworth, in 1820 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio.

      Judge Isaac Spinning was born at Elizabethtown, Essex County, New Jersey. He was the son of Ebenezer Spining and Elizabeth Dillsworth. Judge Isaac Spinning was born on Oct 3, 1759 at Elizabethtown, Morris County, New Jersey. Isaac married Catherine Pierson, daughter of John Pierson and Ruth Howell, on Jan 15, 1785 at Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey; 10 children. Isaac married Mary Schenck, daughter of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, in 1820 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. Judge Isaac Spinning died on Dec 24, 1825 at Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.

      Dr. Robert Cumming Schenck was born on Jan 11, 1772 at near, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Robert married Zerusiah Hughes, daughter of Memucan Hughes and Martha (Unknown), on Aug 1, 1792. Robert married Polly Shaw on Nov 29, 1820. Dr. Robert Cumming Schenck died on Jan 13, 1833 at Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, at age 61. He died on Jan 23 at Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey.

      Zerusiah Hughes was born on Apr 19, 1776 at Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Memucan Hughes and Martha (Unknown). Zerusiah married Dr. Robert Cumming Schenck, son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, on Aug 1, 1792. Zerusiah Hughes died on Nov 7, 1818 at Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, at age 42.
     She was also known as Zeruiah Hughes.

     Polly married Dr. Robert Cumming Schenck, son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, on Nov 29, 1820.
     Polly Shaw was also known as Mary Shaw.

      General William Cortenus Schenck was born on Jan 11, 1773 at near, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. William married Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of William Rogers and Sarah Potter, on Sep 14, 1798 at Huntington, Suffolk County, New York. General William Cortenus Schenck died on Jan 11, 1821 at Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, at age 48. He died on Jan 12, 1821 at Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, at age 48.
     He was also known as William Cumming Schenck.

General William C. Schenck
Contributor: Dallas Bogan on 29 September 2004
Source: The following is taken from Dallas Bogan's book, "The Pioneer Writings of Josiah Morrow."
Return to Index to see a list of other articles by Dallas Bogan
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Founder of Franklin and Enterprising Pioneer in the Great Miami Valley.
Youthful Land Surveyor at Cincinnati--Prominent Man in Northwest Territory--Lays Out the Town of Franklin And
Becomes a Leader in the Development
of the Miami Country.
January 29, 1914
I remember hearing Judge Geo. J. Smith in his old age say that when he was a law student in 1820 the remark was sometimes made that after the federal party had be- come a helpless minority, the ablest in Warren county was a federalist Gen. William C. Schenck of Franklin. I was able to give in the Warren County History only a brief sketch of this prominent pioneer of the Miami valley. A much better account will be here given.

William Cumming Schenck was born near Freehold, N.J., January 11, 1773. His father was a Presbyterian minister; his mother was Anna Cumming, sister of General John N. Cumming. The Schenck family is of Dutch extraction, the emigrant ancestor, Reefol Martense Schenck, having emigrated from Holland to New Amsterdam in 1630.
William C. received a good education, first under the direction of his father and afterward of his uncle Gen. Cumming. He was for a time undecided as to his profession and studied both law and medicine. Coming to the Miami Valley where his uncle and other prominent men of New Jersey had large land interests his attention was drawn to surveying, drafting, making deeds and conveyances, etc. He was one of the most intelligent of the pioneers on the Great Miami, becoming a master of land surveying, and filled responsible positions in the Northwest territory in early manhood.
He was only nineteen when he first arrived at Cincinnati and the next year was appointed a lieutenant in the militia of Hamilton county in the Northwest territory. He returned to New Jersey but in 1795 he was sent west again by General Cumming to examine land in what is now Montgomery county. He soon became an associate with Daniel C. Cooper, a surveyor from New Jersey of about the same age as himself. The first edition of Howe's Collections of Ohio says of the town of Franklin on the Great Miami: "It was laid out in 1795, a few months after the treaty of Greenville within Symmes Purchase by two young men from New Jersey, Daniel C. Cooper and Wm. C. Schenck. The first cabin was built by them on or near Lot 21 Front Street. In the spring of 1796 six or eight cabins stood on the town plot."
As a preparation for the settlement of Dayton, Cooper in September, 1795, marked out a road from Ft. Hamilton to the mouth of Mad river. During the fall and winter Cooper located a thousand acres of fine land in and near Dayton. In 1796 he settled at Dayton and became one of the principal proprietors of that town. In 1800 Cooper sold to William C. Schenck his interest in Franklin and the latter became as he supposed the sole proprietor of the town. On account of the uncertainty of the boundaries of lands as originally surveyed, however, Robert R. Ross became the owner of a part of Franklin. The plat of Franklin was not recorded at Cincinnati until 1800. Four of the original lots were given for the purpose of erecting public buildings on them and another was reserved for a church.
In 1801 Mr. Schenck surveyed a tract of 4,000 acres on the Licking river for his uncle John N. Cumming and George W. Burnet on which was laid out a town which be- came the county seat of Licking county. The town was laid out on the plan of and named after Newark, N.J. For his work as surveyor Schenck was given a third interest in the entire tract.
In 1816 he surveyed a tract of twelve square miles on the Maumee, a part of which he purchased himself. Swamp fevers of the region having undermined his health in which he sold his land for a thousand dollars.

In 1798 Mr. Schenck married Betsy Rogers and made his residence at Cincinnati for several years where three of his children were born. His name appears as foreman of a grand jury of Hamilton county in 1799. When the first legislature of the Northwest Territory assembled at Cincinnati Sept. 16, 1799, Mr. Schenck was chosen clerk of the upper house, called the Council. He held this position at all the sessions of the territorial legislature which were held, two in Cincinnati and one in Chillicothe.
In 1802, when ten delegates were elected to represent Hamilton county in the constitutional committee, Mr. Schenck represented a respectable vote but was not among the represented candidates. In January, 1803, at the first election under the first convention of Ohio, he was a successful candidate for representative, and when the legislature assembled at Chillicothe on March 1, he was unanimously chosen clerk of the senate.
In October 1803, he was elected a senator in the General Assembly to represent the four new counties of Warren, Butler, Montgomery and Greene and served in that office two years.
In 1808, he was voted for apparently on the federalist ticket for presidential elector, the Madison ticket carrying Ohio by a very large majority.
In 1803, William C. Schenck had moved from Cincinnati and made his home in the town he had founded on the Great Miami. He selected for his residence a beautiful spot overlooking the river on Front street where seven of his ten children were born. The following notice appeared in The Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette, published at Cincinnati:
"School, A schoolmaster is need in this place. A person qualified to teach an English school will find employment."
W. C. Schenck
Franklin, August 17, 1803.

When the first court of common pleas was held at Lebanon on the third Tuesday of August, 1803, a grand jury composed of fifteen influential citizens of the new country was impaneled, of which William C. Schenck was made foreman.
In 1800 William C.'s younger brother, John N.C. Schenck established a store at Franklin which became the most important trading point on the Great Miami between Dayton and Hamilton. John N.C. Schenck became a man of large means and died at the age of ninety-three leaving many descendants. Another brother, Garrett A. became a farmer near the town. In 1817, the father, Rev. William Schenck, then seventy-seven years of age, accompanied by his wife and three single daughters made his home at Franklin, and the next year organized the Franklin Presbyterian church. The Schencks became the most numerous and influential family at Franklin, the name there being as common as was Corwin in the early history of Lebanon.
General Wm. C. Schenck resided in the town he had founded until his death in the prime of manhood. He was not often elected to civil office but was an influential and useful citizen. In 1814 he was chosen by the legislature a commissioner to perpetuate the evidence of the original field notes of the survey of the Miami Purchase, the original notes having been lost in a fire which destroyed the residence of Judge Symmes. In 1818 he was chosen a trustee of Miami University. He took a deep interest in the construction of the Miami canal, but died before work was commenced upon it. In October 1820, he was elected a representative from Warren county in the legislature. He died at Columbus on January 12, 1821. After making a speech in the House in favor of the canal he was seized with an acute illness and died in a few hours, aged 48 years. He left a large family, of whom Admiral .James F. and General .Robert C. Schenck were the last survivors.



WILLIAM CORTENUS SCHENCK, PIONEER AND
STATESMAN OF OHIO
By FRED B. JOYNER

It is the purpose of this sketch to resurrect from oblivion a pioneer and statesman of early Ohio, William Cortenus Schenck. For some time I have been studying the life of Robert Cumming Schenck, the illustrious son of this early pioneer. Through a study of the Schenck papers, now in my possession through the courtesy of Mrs. J. Sprigg McMahon of New York City, I have become convinced that the father deserves more consideration than he has received for his contributions to the state of Ohio. A careful search reveals that he is not mentioned in the encyclopedias, nor in the more recent Dictionary of American

Biography.
William C. Schenck was born near Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, January 11, 1773. Although of Dutch ancestry, his forbears had resided in America for more than 200 years. His father, a Presbyterian minister, gave him such education as the times afforded. For a time he resided in Newark, New Jersey, with his maternal uncle, General John N. Cumming; under whose guidance he completed his education. There is a tradition in the Schenck family that he graduated from Princeton College either in 1793 or 1794, but it is impossible to verify this. Young Schenck proved himself to be versatile and ambitious. Unable to decide for a time what career to follow, he studied both law and medicine; actually acquiring some of the

fundamentals of each, which knowledge later served him well on the frontier. Ultimately, of course, he chose neither profession. He could not resist the lure of the West. It was more practical to become a surveyor. In the early 1790's all ambitious young men turned their thoughts and footsteps to the Ohio Valley. As early as 1793, William C. Schenck, along with some other enterprising youths, found himself in the new West.These energetic young men were sent by a group of New Jersey land promoters headed by John Cleves Symmes and Jacob Burnet, friends of General John N. Cumming, Schenck's uncle. Little is known about Schenck's activities for the first few months after his arrival at Cincinnati, then a newly organized village on the Ohio. Probably he spent most of his time acquiring a thorough knowledge of surveying, for he later became one of the most proficient surveyors of the Northwest Territory.

During his early years in the West, young Schenck was greatly influenced by his uncle, General Cumming. Several letters which passed between them reveal the fact that Cumming was a far-sighted man, recognizing that the West would go to the strong. He urged his nephew to acquire the "surveyor's business" as soon as possible. He advised him to "make all possible observation respecting the lands included in Symmes' purchase, and the lands upon the other side of the Great Miami, and as soon as opportunity offers upon the country westward." He concluded, "Give me an account as often as possible of your operations and what advantageous purchases may be made. Confine yourself to your own line of business, surveying, drafting, and
making deeds, conveyances, etc. Lastly, make choice of the best lands the country affords."

Young Schenck must have carried out the old general's instructions to his satisfaction, because in a letter dated April 26, 1796, the general wrote: "I have received two letters from you.
. . . Mr. Ludlow will bring with him a compass and chain and mathematical instruments." Again on June 13, 1796, he wrote: I have waited a long time for the departure of Mr. Ludlow and Jacob Burnet. . . . I have furnished you with a complete compass and surveying implements necessary which you will please to accept as a small testimony of my esteem. . . . I expect as soon as you conveniently can that you will send me a map of the country.

As William C. Schenck became more proficient in the art of surveying, he was constantly in demand to open up new territory. His skill in this art, no less than his well-known integrity, caused men in all walks of life to seek him out. He did much work on the Symmes Purchase, between the Big and Little Miami Rivers. In 1797, he surveyed and opened for settlement the Virginia Military District, a large tract of land given by the State of Virginia to her revolutionary soldiers. In 1801-1802 he was engaged by Cumming and G. W. Burnet to survey a tract of land of some 4220 acres at the junction of the north and south forks of the Licking River. When he began his surveying, he found that no one in what is now Licking County was living upon his own land except one John Van Buskirk; all the others were squatters. That Schenck was a man of tact and diplomacy is shown by the fact that he was soon able to persuade the settlers that they were not the real owners of the land. The town of Newark was located in the center of this plot. The people living there today have Schenck to thank for the spacious public square and the broad streets in the older part of the city.

Perhaps Schenck's best-known work as a surveyor was the opening up of the country along the Big Miami River near Franklin, Ohio, now in Warren County. As early as 1796 he became interested in the fertile lands in this region. This same year, in conjunction with D. C. Cooper and Robert Ross, he laid out the town of Franklin, where he later made his permanent home. For many years his home stood on Water Street just below where the bridge now stands, a beautiful spot overlooking the Miami River. His home farm was a little more than a half-mile east of the town on the road to Springsboro.

During one of his visits to his father's home at Huntington, Long Island, Schenck married Miss Elizabeth Rogers, September 14, 1798. The newly wedded couple departed at once for the West, making their home in Cincinnati for some years. The following spring, April 28, 1799, Cumming wrote to his nephew, "I received one letter from you immediately after your arrival and none since. Mr. Low informed me that you and your dear little girl were well. How does she like the woods?"

In 1802 or 1803 the William C. Schencks moved from Cincinnati, where two of their children had been born, to the newly established town of Franklin. In all there were ten children, nine sons and one daughter. Two of the sons, General Robert C. Schenck and Admiral James F. Schenck, were to become more famous than their father.

The first territorial legislature of the Northwest Territory was organized at Cincinnati, September 26, 1799. The legislative council consisted of Jacob Burnet of Cincinnati; Henry Vanderburg of Vincennes; David Vance of Vanceville in Jefferson County, Ohio; and Robert Oliver of Marietta. Henry Vanderburgh was elected president of the council and William C. Schenck, secretary. After one year the seat of the territorial government was removed to Chillicothe, where it remained for some years. The new legislature concerned itself with the formation of new counties, printing the laws of the territory, regulating the sale of alcoholic liquor to the Indians, punishment of timber thieves, the relief of poor persons imprisoned for debt, and with regulating public roads and highways. Memorials were drawn up and presented to Congress requesting that "the salt springs with a sufficient quantity of land adjoining the same may be vested in the legislature of this territory for the purpose of encouragingschools."

As secretary of the legislative council, both at Cincinnati and Chillicothe, Schenck revealed himself a man of unusual mental ability. His facility of expressing himself clearly and vigorously was an asset to him in this position, for it was his duty to convey messages from the council to the lower house. Often the house and council did not agree, as is shown by the following excerpts from the minutes:

A message from the Council by Mr. Schenck their secretary. Mr. Speaker, the Council have passed the bill entitled "An Act for opening and regulating public roads and highways" with several Amendments to which they desire the concurrence of this House. The Council adhere to their amendments disagreed to by this House to the bill entitled "An Act supplemental to the act entitled an act to prevent trespassing by cutting timber." The Council adhere to their amendment disagreed to by this House to the bill entitled "An act for the relief of poor persons imprisoned for debt."

In such tilts the more conservative economic views of the aristocratic council came into conflict with those of the more democratic house.

In addition to his public duties and his surveying, Schenck was engaged in selling lands. He acquired large land interests of his own and was regarded as the principal citizen of his community in all public matters. The amount of work he accomplished in those days of poor communication shows that he was a man possessed of remarkable vigor and powers of endurance. Having some knowledge of law, and known as a wise and safe counselor, he was often called upon to advise his neighbors in the settlement of their difficulties, draw up deeds and wills, and in many cases serve as executor.

Schenck was a promoter of educational interests early in his career. Soon after moving to Franklin, he inserted the following notice in the Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette published in Cincinnati, August 31, 1803:

A Schoolmaster is much needed in this place. A person qualified to teach an English School will find employment.

W. C. SCHENCK
FRANKLIN, August 17, 1803.

Another evidence of his interest in education is the fact that he became one of the first trustees of Miami University. In 1809 the legislature passed an act providing for the appointment of the trustees of Miami. Schenck was a member of the original board and took an active part in the affairs of the university up to the time of his death.20

Schenck played an important part in military affairs of the Northwest Territory and the early republic. Soon after his arrival in the West he was commissioned in the milita as "Lieutenant of the Hamilton County Militia of the United States Northwest of the Ohio," dated February 6, 1793. After Ohio became a state, he was given a commission as captain in the Third Regiment of Hamilton County, his commission bearing the date of November 17, 1807. Ultimately he rose to the rank of brigadier general, commanding the first brigade of the militia of Ohio.

So far it has been impossible to determine just which battles General William C. Schenck took part in during the War of 1812. Several interesting glimpses of the man, however, are given in letters written by kinsfolk and members of his command. It is known that he camped for some days at Urbana, Ohio, with Colonel Lewis Cass. A private of the command has left a very interesting account of the general's activities on July 4, 1813. In a letter Private W. Clinton Enos related that his company had covered about one-third of the distance from Zanesville to Detroit on the third of July. Schenck suggested to the men that, since the next day would be Independence Day, it would be fitting to remain in camp and celebrate the day; particularly so since they were engaged in a war with their old adversaries, the British and Indians, as in the Revolution. It would awaken in them reminiscences of that period and inspire them with a love of country and courage on the battlefield. According to the private, Schenck's plan was readily assented to.

Here I quote directly from his letter:

The glorious morn was saluted by firing of guns, a sumptuous dinner was partaken of (such as could be cooked in the woods). The Declaration of Independence was repeated by General Schenck as far as recollected. Patriotic speeches were made without number. John Bull was dreadfully
lashed. Songs were sung with great gusto. General Schenck had been requested to write one for the occasion. The first verse of which runs

as follows:

Saratoga to them all
Bunker Hill confound them.
Soon the Canadas will fall
When freedoms sons surround them.

which was sung over and over by the entire company with great uncour and enthusiasm.

Schenck was not only able to arouse enthusiasm among his men but was resourceful in providing patriotic entertainment in the wilderness.

The last and probably the greatest service that Schenck rendered the commonwealth of Ohio was to arouse interest in internal improvements during the canal era. In politics he came from a Federalist family. The influential men of New Jersey who came to Ohio with him were followers of Hamilton's political philosophy. He was probably in sympathy with the War Hawks in the War of 1812. Henry Clay's schemes for internal improvements were universally popular in the West at this time. Had Schenck lived longer, he in all probability would have been as confirmed a Whig as his more famous son.

Interest in canals in Ohio had been high before the War of 1812. The difficult and slow transportation during the war period had convinced thoughtful men that something must be done to improve and speed up communication. On November 11, 1816, DeWitt Clinton of New York wrote to the governor of Ohio urging the advantages of the Erie Canal, which had been planned the year before and suggested that financial aid to this project might be a good investment for the state of Ohio.

A thorough study of this proposition convinced the governor and legislature that it would be far better to build a canal within the state. Accordingly, Governor Ethan Brown, in his inaugural address, given December 14, 1818, pointed out the necessity of providing a cheaper way to market for the Ohio farmers. In accordance with his suggestion, a committee was appointed to report on the expediency of constructing a canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio River.26 On February 28, 1820, an act was passed indicating that three commissioners be appointed for the purpose of surveying the route of a canal "provided Congress would aid in its construction." As a result of this act Simeon Perkins, Alexander Holmes, and William C. Schenck were appointed commissioners to survey and locate the route for a canal between Lake Erie and the Ohio River.

In his reply to Schenck's letter of acceptance, Governor Brown discussed fully the whole matter of a canal. He pointed out the jealousy between sections; everyone wanting a canal to go through his section or county. He admonished the general to collect all the information possible. "I leave you further to imagine what would be their increase if those articles, so ponderous for land carriage, in this season of low prices could receive a cheap, easy, and safe and expeditious transportation." The governor concluded:

But I know I am writing to a person whose policy extends beyond tomorrow, whose calculations for the restoration of credit and for our ultimate relief from the debt that weighs us down embraces objects not considered by many a pretended merchant and banker; whose eyes is not of that miscroscopic construction that can see no further than your township.

Congress did not see fit to appropriate the money for building the canal. Nevertheless, the commissioners were able to assemble much valuable information pertaining to building the canal before the next legislature convened.

Schenck was elected to this legislature as a member of the lower house from Warren County. He at once championed the construction of the canal, never for a moment doubting its ultimate completion and success. The final act for the construction

of canals was passed February, 1825, several years after Schenck's death. When completed, the canal passed through the town of Franklin, within a few hundred yards of his house.

His death was caused by a recurrence of a disease known as swamp fever, contracted while engaged in surveying expeditions. His exertions in the legislature in behalf of the canal brought on another attack. On the morning of January 12, 1821, he spoke in the legislature in behalf of the canal project, probably making the speech of his life. In the afternoon he went to his lodging, became acutely ill, and died in a few hours. The general was only forty-eight years old.

As a tribute to his memory the members of the legislature wore crepe on the left arm for thirty days, and all legislative business was postponed until Monday morning following the day of his death. The entire membership of both houses attended the remains of the deceased beyond the limits of the town of Franklinton, and a body of citizens from Franklin met the remains at Springfield, escorting them to the family residence. The funeral was conducted according to Masonic rites. General William Cortenus Schenck was held in such esteem that people came from every section of that part of the country to do him honor.

OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Volume 47.

      Elizabeth Rogers was born on Dec 27, 1776 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. She was the daughter of William Rogers and Sarah Potter. Elizabeth married General William Cortenus Schenck, son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, on Sep 14, 1798 at Huntington, Suffolk County, New York. Elizabeth Rogers died in 1853 at Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.

     William married Sarah Potter.

     Sarah married William Rogers.

      Catherine Van Brugh Schenck was born in Jan, 1774/75 at near, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Catherine Van Brugh Schenck died on Jul 4, 1871 at Franklin, Ohio, at age 96. She died on Jul 14, 1871 at Franklin, Ohio, at age 96; did not marry.

      Anna Schenck was born after 1781. She was the daughter of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Anna married Benedict Gregory at Huntington, Suffolk County, New York.

     Benedict married Anna Schenck, daughter of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, at Huntington, Suffolk County, New York.

      Garret Alexander Schenck was born on Apr 20, 1783 at Pittsgrove, Salem County, New Jersey. He was the son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Garret married Mary Plume, daughter of Isaac Plume and Annacha Van Wagener, on Feb 28, 1807 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. Garret Alexander Schenck died on Jan 8, 1836 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 52.
     

GARRETT ALEXANDER SCHENCK was born near Franklin, Ohio, April 14, 1842. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted as a private in Company F, 1st O.V.I. for three months service. He served until it was mustered out August, 1861. He was engaged in the battle of 1st Bull Run. In the same month and year, he enlisted in Company B, (Captain Maxwell) 2nd O.V.I., for three years and served with this regiment through all of its campaigns in the Army of the Ohio and Army of the Cumberland until it was mustered out of service in 1864, when he again enlisted as a veteran volunteer, and served until the close of the war. He was with General Sherman in his March to the Sea.

      Mary Plume was born on Jun 24, 1783 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Isaac Plume and Annacha Van Wagener. Mary married Garret Alexander Schenck, son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming, on Feb 28, 1807 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. Mary Plume died on Dec 19, 1856 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, at age 73.

     Isaac married Annacha Van Wagener.

     Annacha married Isaac Plume.

      Peter Tennent Schenck was born at Ballstou, Saratoga County, New York. He was baptized on Jun 10, 1787 at First Presbyterian Church, Ballston, Saratoga County, New York. He was the son of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Peter Tennent Schenck died at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio; did not marry.

      Eliza Schenck was born at Saratoga County, New York. She was baptized on Jul 1, 1789. She was the daughter of Rev. William Schenck and Anna Cumming. Eliza Schenck died after 1820 at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio; did not marry.

      Peter Bergen was born on Jan 27, 1741. He was the son of Joris Bergen and Grietje Dumont. Peter married Jan Van Nuyse. Peter's estate was proved on Oct 16, 1824.
     Peter's left a will in 1813.

      George Bergen was born on Feb 3, 1743. He was the son of Joris Bergen and Grietje Dumont. George married Helena Hoogland. George Bergen died on Sep 14, 1785 at age 42.

      Dinah Bergen was born on Dec 9, 1752. She was the daughter of Joris Bergen and Maria Probasco. Dinah Bergen was born on Dec 9, 1753. Dinah married John Slayback, son of David Slayback and Anne Jansen, on Nov 27, 1770. Dinah Bergen died on Nov 15, 1790 at Penn's Neck, Mercer County, New Jersey, at age 37.
     She was also known as Deyna Bergen.