My Genealogy Hound

JOHN C. SCHWENK, an extensive general agriculturist prosperously handling a high grade of stock and industriously tilling the soil of two hundred and twenty fertile acres, four miles southeast of New Buffalo, Berrien County, Mich., is a citizen of executive ability and has with great acceptability held the most important official positions in the township. Numbered among the leading agriculturists, Mr. Schwenk has been identified with the growth and history of his present locality from his youth. Born August 19, 1849, about six miles from Buffalo, Erie County, N. Y., our subject was the son of John and Elizabeth (Reuss) Schwenk, both parents being of German birth and parentage. It was in 1848 that the father and mother crossed the ocean to America. Landing in New Orleans, they remained there for a time, but during the terrible epidemic of cholera left the South and made their home in New York. They lived in the Empire State upon a farm until, removing to the West, they settled in Michigan and located permanently in New Buffalo Township, Berrien County. The father had in his native country combined the trades of a cooper and brewer.

Soon after their arrival in Berrien County the father and two brothers purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, heavily timbered. This land, cleared and cultivated, is now laid out into fine farms. The land was all improved by the Schwenk family, who were energetic and industrious. The paternal grandfather, Henry Schwenk, died in his native land. The father of our subject survived about twelve years after he made his home in the township, and passed away in 1869. His excellent wife, now a resident of New Buffalo, was blessed by the birth of ten children, five sons and five daughters. During the cold winter of 1864 the family were violently attacked with scarlet fever, and three sons and two daughters succumbed to the terrible disease. The devoted mother, caring tenderly for her children, experienced many trials and sufferings in those days. She is now sixty-five years of age and is not far separated from the remaining members of her family. John C. was the eldest of the ten children, and, educated mostly in Berrien County, received only six months of schooling all told. As soon as old enough he was obliged to take an active part in the daily work of life. Ambitious to improve his stock of knowledge, Mr. Schwenk took private instruction from the book-keeper of his father, and by close and intelligent observation and reading has gained a varied store of practical information.

Our subject was married January 21, 1871, to Miss Barbara Gropp, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Yenney) Gropp. The parents of Mrs. Schwenk were early settlers of La Porte County, Ind. Mrs. Gropp died in New Buffalo Township April 10, 1893. Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of two sons, Charles F. and John R. The family are attendants of the German Lutheran Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Schwenk and the parents of our subject have been active and influential members. Politically, Mr. Schwenk is a prominent Democrat and has for years almost continuously held office. He cast his first Presidential vote for Greeley, and later served with efficiency two terms as Highway Commissioner. He was Township Treasurer one term, and in 1889 elected Supervisor, has held that important office ever since, and now with faithful ability, is discharging the duties of his fifth term. Especially interested in all matters concerning educational advancement and extension he has for twenty-one years as School Director aided materially in bringing the schools of the district up to their present high standard of scholarship and instruction. Fraternally, our subject was a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and carries $2,000 insurance in the order. As a leading factor in New Buffalo Township improvements and as a sincere and earnest man, conscientious in his work of life, Mr. Schwenk is appreciated by all who know him, and he possesses the high confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen.