Schenck - William C. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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Schenck - William C.


 
General William C. Schenck (1773-1821), to whom this [link above] land patent is issued, founded the city of Franklin, Ohio in northwestern Warren County, in 1796. A native of New Jersey, Schenck attended the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) before immigrating to Ohio as a surveyor. He was given the rank of general in the War of 1812 and later served two terms in the Ohio Senate. Schenck served on the board of trustees of Miami University and as one of three commissioners of canals appointed by Governor Ethan Allen Brown. Despite Schenck's efforts to bring the canal to Franklin, it was built through Middletown instead.
 
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Gen. Wm Schenck, born in New Jersey, attended Princeton before going to Ohio. He founded the city of Franklin, Ohio, and was active in politics and higher education as well as the attempt to bring canals to this area. (I KNEW I had heard the name besides in Montgomery County!)
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"Warren County Local History by Dallas Bogan" notes that William Cumming Schenck was born near Freehold, New Jersey Jan 11, 1773 son of a Presbyterian minister and Anna Cumming.  Immigrant ancestor was Rolof Martense Schenck from Holland to New Amsterdam in 1630.

Note: Evidently a descendant of the above Rolof Martense came to Montgomery County Indiana as a ayoung man from Ohio.  Unusual names going back to the Kingston NY area early on.  The Schencks also married into the VanCleave families who came to Montgomery County, Indiana, as well - kbz

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