Peter Schenck, born August 9, 1845, in Elmira, New York, was a prominent pioneer in Faulk County, South Dakota. A descendant of Dutch settlers, Schenck moved to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, in his youth. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War with the 29th Wisconsin Infantry. In 1883, Schenck relocated to Faulk County, establishing a 640-acre homestead. He passed away on February 19, 1887, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and community involvement. Schenck was married to Elizabeth Henderson, with whom he had ten children, six of whom survived into adulthood.
Peter Schenck.—It is signally fitting that in this work be entered a memoir of this well-known pioneer of Faulk County, for, while he was a resident of the state for but a few years prior to his death, he was prominently identified with the early history of the development of Faulk County. Mr. Schenck came of the staunch old Holland Dutch stock which had so much to do with the early history of the Empire state of the union, of which he was himself a native, having been born in Elmira, New York, on the 9th of August, 1845. While still a child his parents left New York and removed to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where his father became a pioneer farmer and where the subject was reared to maturity. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he was but sixteen years of age, and his patriotism was roused to such a degree that when he had attained the age of nineteen he tendered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting as a private in a regiment of volunteers, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, and with the same continued in active service until the close of the great conflict, making the record of a valiant and loyal young soldier of the republic. After receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Schenck returned to his home in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he remained a short time and then removed to Rock County, that state, where he owned and managed the Columbia Hotel, at Emerald Grove, until 1883, when he disposed of his interests there and came to Faulk County, South Dakota, where he took up the homestead ranch of six hundred and forty acres now owned by his widow and family, the same being located eight miles east of Faulkton, the thriving county seat. The family were numbered among the first settlers in this section and Mr. Schenck at once initiated the improvement of his farm, continuing his labors earnestly and effectively until the time of his death, on the 19th day of February, 1887. He was a man of spotless character, signally true and faithful in all the relations of life, and his death was a grievous blow to his family, though his devoted wife bravely assumed the added responsibility, and with inflexible determination worked on with head, heart, and hands for the attainment of the ideals established years before by herself and husband for their home and family. She has given her children excellent educational advantages and all of them have well repaid her devotion and self-abnegation by their filial solicitude and willing assistance and cooperation. Mr. Schenck was a Republican in his political proclivities and took an active and intelligent interest in the questions of the hour, being a man of strong individuality and high mentality. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church, as is also his widow. He was a Mason of good standing, being a member of the Mutual Masonic lodge of Chicago.
On the 26th day of October, 1866, at Lucknow, Ontario, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Schenck to Miss Elizabeth Henderson, who was born in Toronto, Canada, being a daughter of James and Jane Henderson. Her father was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to America when a young man, locating in the vicinity of the city of Toronto, where he engaged in farming and where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Schenck were born ten children, six sons and four daughters, six of whom still survive: William S. married Miss Katie Joynt, an estimable young lady who was connected with the public schools of Faulk County several years prior to their marriage. He operates a large farm near the homestead ranch; Ida was married January 20, 1904, to M. R. Staight, a prominent and wealthy mine owner at Republic, Washington; Florence is the wife of G. F. Scollard, a Chicago publisher; Frank and Charles, who still manage the home place. Though mere boys at the time of their father’s death, they assumed full-grown responsibilities and have at all times shown marked discrimination and good judgment. They have attained a success that many men of maturer minds could well envy, having one of the best improved and most valuable properties in the county; Elizabeth Hazel, the youngest of the family, also remains at the home. She is a young lady of vivacious manner and sparkling wit and rivals her city friends in artistic accomplishments. Next year she will enter the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Massachusetts.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.