Theron C. Schanck

Theron C. Schanck

Theron C. Schanck, farmer, section 1, Bridgeton Township, was born June 6, 1835, in Livingston Co., N. Y. He is a son of Henry and Rachel (Harriott) Schanck, natives of New Jersey and of Holland-Dutch descent. The father was a saddler by trade, which he followed in his native State some time previous to his removal to the State of New York.

The mother died when her son was but a few days old, and he was taken in charge by a family named Robinson, in the town of Springwater, Livingston County, by whom he was reared and educated. His foster-parents removed to Michigan previous to his arrival at man's estate, and he resided with them four years in Richmond Township, Macomb County, until the fall of 1856, when he established himself in the business of stave-making in St. Clair County, afterwards removing to Sanilac County, where, and at other points, he continued to conduct the same enter- prise until 1864, when he engaged in rafting on the Mississippi River. He made a brief tour through Canada and afterwards returned to Michigan, where he again engaged in the lumber trade and rafting logs on the Muskegon River, until the summer of 1870, when he made a permanent settlement on the farm whereon he now resides, and which he purchased from the United States Government. He has made some improvements, but has devoted himself chiefly to the river service, pursuing the lumber business.

Mr. Schanck was married at Wales, St. Clair County, March 17, 1860, to Barbara A., daughter of Richard and Catherine (Blackader) Kilgour. The parents were natives of Scotland, where the daughter was born, Dec. 2, 1841, in the vicinity of Glasgow. Her parents came to the United States when she was four years old and located on Lake Erie, afterwards going to New London, Ontario, and thence to Port Sarnia, where they resided three years and removed to St. Clair Co., Mich. Following is the record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Schanck: Amelia A. Was born Dec. 12,1861; Mary C., Nov. 8, 1863; William H., Feb. 2, 1866 (died Aug. 30, 1867); Orlando S., Nov. 4, 1870; Richard C., June 19, 1873; John H., Oct. 2, 1876. The eldest daughter is a popular and successful teacher. The parents are devoted adherents to the doctrines of the Second Advent Church. Mr. Schanck is a Republican and has held the office of Assessor for the School District.

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