My Genealogy Hound

Fred Schenk, a wealthy farmer of Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana, was born on the same farm where he still lives, on July 20, 1864, son of Theodore and Francisco (Schenk) Schenk. Theodore Schenk was born in Aslargen, Westfallen, Germany, and came to America in 1844. He was a tailor, having learned the trade in the old country, but after working at the business awhile in this country he went to farming on account of his health. He bought sixty acres of land from Frank Schenk, his father-in-law, and began with practically nothing, but made a large fortune before his death, which occurred in 1902, at the home of his son Fred. The father of Theodore Schenk fought in the French and German war, and had two bullets in his body as long as he lived. Francisco Schenk was the daughter of Frank Schenk, who came to America in 1824, locating in Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana. At that time there were but twenty houses in Evansville and they had to cut a road through the woods to reach that point. They built a log house, and the first plow had a wooden mould board. However, a little land was cleared and planted to corn for bread, and they continually improved their condition. Francisco used to carry eggs to Evansville, sometimes taking a basket full which was so heavy that it took two men to put it on her head. One of the members of the Schenk family, on the mother’s side, was considered one of the best singers in the world. She sang before the Emperor and became famous the world over. She is a second cousin of our subject. Fred Schenk was born in a long house on the site of which now stands a palatial residence, modern in every way, with inlaid hardwood floors, tile roofing, furnace heat, and hot and cold water. In the yard is a fountain, flower gardens and cement walks. It is one of the most beautiful homes in the county, unsurpassed by any in the city. Fred attended school in St. Philip, walking three miles to school every morning. After completing his education he began farming on the home place, his parents remaining with him until they passed away, the father in 1902 and the mother six years earlier. The brother of our subject was a Roman Catholic priest, and for several years was rector of the church at St. Joseph, Vanderburg county. He died in March, 1909. Mr. Schenk has seen the evolution of farm traffic from oxen to buggies and from buggies to automobiles, and drives one of the latter. He is agent for the Monitor Iron Company of Big Prairie, Ohio, which produces a self-heating flatiron. He employs fifteen men in selling this article and makes his deliveries with an auto truck. All his farm produce is hauled to Evansville. In his memory wheat reaping was done with the cradle. He has tied many sheaves of wheat, and was considered very rapid in this line of work. The Schenk farm consists of 135 acres. Mr. Schenk was elected justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket in 1910, and is now holding that office. Mr. Schenk was married in St. Philip’s church to Julia Fisher, daughter of Valentine Fisher (see sketch of Henry Fisher). She was born in Posey county, attended school at St. Philip, and at the St. Joseph Academy of Evansville, from which she was graduated. They have two children, John and Lillie, both of whom attended school at St. Philip, and both are now helping their parents. The family are members of the Catholic church at St. Philip, and Mr. Schenk served the organization as trustee from 1908 to 1912.