Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 25 February 2005

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JOHN C. SCHENCK, son of John N. C. and Sarah (Tapscott) Schenck, was born in Franklin Sept. 5, 1818. His father was one of the oldest pioneers of this county, he was here as early as 1796; built a cabin on the river bank between First and Second streets, where he kept a general store, going regularly once each year, on horseback, to Philadelphia to order goods, which were transported chiefly by wagon; he carried on his business till 1837: part of the time he was Postmaster, the present Postmaster acting as his clerk; his son. James T., succeeded to his business. Our subject attended school till 18 or 19 years old. He was married, in 1844, to Elizabeth F., daughter of Zebulon and Amy Barkalow, born in this township; they had five children, four living, born in the order in which they are named: Mary, John, James and Lucy. His wife died Dec. 9, 1857. and he again married, Oct. 24, 1861, to Ione, daughter of George W. and Lydia M. Holbrook, born in Wapakoneta Oct. 25. 1839; they have four children—George W., Sarah, Franklin and Christopher C. After his marriage, Mr. Schenck received 237 acres of land from his father, on part of which he built his residence and has lived ever since; he has been engaged in a variety of enterprises in this town, being engaged quite extensively in the pork-packing business about twenty years; had a malt house ten years, and was engaged considerably in buying and shipping grain and lumber, running a line of canal-boats to Toledo and Cincinnati; he was also engaged in the dry goods and grocery business several years. In the fall of 1881, he sold his residence and remainder of his estate to the Perrine Paper Mills, in which he is a stockholder; he has 30 acres of land below the Franklin Paper Mills, a brick house on the bank of the canal, and 1 acre of land on the east side of Canal.