William C. Schenck
General William Cortenus Schenck was one of the original proprietors and founders of Newark, OH.
Early Years
William C. Schenck was born January 11, 1773 near Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey.[1] His early education was overseen by his father, and later by his maternal uncle, General John N. Cumming.[2] It is believed that he attended Princeton College in 1793 or 1794, and studied both law and medicine.[3]
In 1793 Schenck traveled to the Ohio Valley, or what was known at the time as the “new West.”[4]. He shortly acquired the skills of a surveyor, later gaining a reputation as “one of the most proficient surveyors of the Northwest Territory.”[5]
He married his wife Miss Elizabeth Rogers in September 14, 1798 and they moved together to live in Cincinnati. They would go on to have ten children, nine boys and one girl.[6]
Military Life
Schenck was commissioned as “Lieutenant of the Hamilton County Militia of the United States Northwest of the Ohio” shortly after his arrival in the Northwest Territory. He rose to the rank of brigadier general and served in General Harrison’s army in the War of 1812.
Founding of Newark, OH
In the early 1800s, Schenck purchased military land with G.W. Burnet and John Cummins and decided it was a good place to start a new town.[7] Schenck’s history as a New Jersey native inspired the men to name the new town New Ark (after Newark, New Jersey).[8] It was later decided to spell this as one word, Newark.[9] Schenck laid out the town with a “liberal” mind allowing for “broad streets and ample public square.”[10]
L.K.
References
- ↑ Joyner, Fred B. “William Coretnus Schenck, Pioneer and Statesman of Ohio.” In Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.
- ↑ Joyner, Fred B. “William Coretnus Schenck, Pioneer and Statesman of Ohio
- ↑ Joyner, Fred B. “William Coretnus Schenck, Pioneer and Statesman of Ohio
- ↑ Joyner, Fred B. “William Coretnus Schenck, Pioneer and Statesman of Ohio
- ↑ Joyner, Fred B. “William Coretnus Schenck, Pioneer and Statesman of Ohio
- ↑ Joyner, Fred B. “William Coretnus Schenck, Pioneer and Statesman of Ohio
- ↑ St. Clair, Raynola. “Newark’s Rich History Began with One Man and a Calling.” The Advocate (Newark), December 6, 2009.
- ↑ St. Clair, Raynola. “Newark’s Rich History Began with One Man and a Calling.”
- ↑ St. Clair, Raynola. “Newark’s Rich History Began with One Man and a Calling.”
- ↑ “Newark Township and City.” History of Licking County.
