HENRY SCHANCK. This progressive and prosperous farmer whose property is an ornament to section 29, Dryden Township, Lapeer County, is a native son of Michigan, as he was born in Manchester Township, Washtenaw County, June 2, 1835, and is the son of David V. Schanck who was born in the Empire State in about 1800. The family has been in Michigan since the early part of the '30s, and did genuine pioneer work throughout this section. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Ellen Sutphen; she was the daughter of William Sutphen and was born in New Jersey. Both her parents are now deceased.

The first schooling of our subject was received in his native home in Washtenaw County, and he had reached the age of eight years when he removed to Macomb County, where he completed his education. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he decided to start out for himself and began working for neighboring farmers during the first summer and soon purchased the farm where he now resides. Here he and his brother John erected a shanty and made their home for some time, their sister keeping house for them.

The true domestic life of Mr. Schanck began with his marriage September 6, 1860, to Euphemia J., the second daughter and third child of flames and Margaret (Moure) Cheney, The parents of Mrs. Schanck were natives, the father of Vermont and the mother of New Jersey. They had come to Michigan previous to their marriage and were united in Macomb County, August 3, 1835. There they took up land from the Government and located upon it.

Mr. Cheney was a carpenter by trade and built one of the first mills which were put up in that county, a building which still stands and does credit to his excellent work. He was known as Capt. Cheney, and was an earnest and efficient worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and at various times filled the offices of Treasurer of the township and Justice of the Peace. He died at the age of fifty-one and his bereaved widow, who still survives him, is now seventy-four years old. The daughter of this worthy couple, who is now Mrs. Schanck, was born July 24, 1841. She has become the mother of two sons and one daughter. Her eldest, Arthur J., was born in 1861. Fayette L., who was born in 1864, died in 1867, and Minnie M. was born in 1868. Arthur married Miss Ettie V. Angle, and they have one son, Gail F. Minnie M, married Bert Cowan; they have a daughter, Ethel E.

The fine farm which is in the possession of Mr. Schanck is in such excellent condition as to reflect great credit upon the one who has it in charge, and it yields large crops and a rich fruitage for the pains bestowed upon it. Of the two hundred and forty acres, two hundred are now under the plow and it is all in an excellent condition.

[GLT, p. 440]

JOHN SCHANCK. This prominent and successful farmer, whose property is situated on section 29, Dryden Township, Lapeer County, was born in Clarkson Township, Monroe County, N. Y., January 9, 1830. His father, David Schanck, was a native of New Jersey, where he followed farming, and was married to Ellen Sutphen, a native of same State as himself. Shortly after their marriage, they removed to New York, and some time in the '20's located on a farm in Clarkson Township, where they remained until they came to Michigan in 1834. Here they took up land in Washtenaw County, and with his father-in-law, Mr. Schanck, built a log house, which became their home until they removed to Macomb County, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife also passed away at the same age. They were the parents of six daughters and four sons, all of whom are now living in their own homes within a day's journey of each other.

A lad of four years when his parents migrated to Michigan, Mr. Schanck remained with his father assisting on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He early took hold of the heavy work of the farm and drove an ox-team from the time he could carry a whip. His marriage, which took place January 24, 1875, brought to his home a worthy helpmate in the person of Mrs. Alydia C. Wilbur, daughter of Uriah and Abigail (Pear) Townsend, who was born in Washington, Macomb County, Mich., December 23, 1829, and was at the time of her marriage with our subject, the widow of Caleb Wilbur, Jr. She has by her first marriage seven children: Jerry N., who lives in Dryden Township; Oren Hiatt, who resides in Dakota; Alvina A., also a resident of Dryden Township; Ira E. and Ida N., twins, the latter being now the wife of E. E. Haines; Eunice A. and Melvina M., deceased. Mr. Wilbur died in 1873.

Mr. Schanck and his brother Henry located in Dryden Township in 1856, and then built the first shanty that was put up on the place, living there for some five years with their sister to keep house for them. Their father had been one of the earliest settlers in the township. Mrs. Schanck is now the oldest surviving settler in Lapeer County, and her father cut one of the first roads through the timber. Mr. Schanck is a Democrat in his political faith, but is not bound by the dictum of party leaders, as he uses his own judgment in deciding who is the best man for any office. He has a fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and owns together with Ira E. Wilbur another farm of two hundred and forty-six acres, where they are carrying on general farming, and upon which is one barn, 40x54 feet with sheds connected 75 feet long, a granary 20x26 feet, another 30x40, a shed measuring 30 feet, and another 40x50 feet. He keeps good horses and other stock, and his farm is all paid for, so that he does not owe any man a dollar. Mrs. Schanck's son, Ira E. Wilbur, who resides with them, has a farm of his own of eighty-six acres.

Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Schanck.

[GLT, pp. 504-7]

[GLT] 1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties