The Whig - Robert Schenck

Robert Cumming Schenck was born in Franklin, Warren county, Ohio on October 4th, 1809. His father William C. Schenck was an officer in General Harrison’s army. His Father died in 1821 and Robert was placed under the guardianship of James Findlay in Cincinnati, Ohio. Robert graduated from Miami University in 1827, and was a tutor at Oxford for three years. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced in Dayton, Ohio. He served two years in the State Legislature, and was elected to Congress as a Whig, serving from 1843 till 1851. President Fillmore then sent him to Brazil. While serving in this capacity he distinguished himself as a diplomat by taking part in the negotiation of treaties with Paraguay, Uraguay and Argentina. After two years he returned to Ohio. When the civil war broke out he offered his service to the government, and was commissioned a brigadier-general by President Lincoln on May 17th, 1861. He served with his brigade in the first battle of Bull Run.