Background
Schenck, Robert Cumming was born on October 4, 1809 in Franklin, Ohio, United States. Son of William Cortenus and Elizabeth (Rogers) Schenck.
Schenck, Robert Cumming was born on October 4, 1809 in Franklin, Ohio, United States. Son of William Cortenus and Elizabeth (Rogers) Schenck.
Graduate Miami University, Oxford, O., 1827.
Professor, Miami University, Oxford, O., 1827-1829. Admitted to Ohio bar, circa 1833. Member Ohio House of Representatives, 1839-1843.
Leader Whig Party in Ohio House of Representatives.
Member United States House of Representatives (Whig) from Ohio, 28th-31st congresses, 1843-1851. United States minister to Brazil, 1851-1853, negotiated commercial treaties with Uruguay, 1852, with Paraguay, 1853 (treaties never proclaimed), 2 treaties with Argentine Confederation, 1853.
Appointed brigadier general United States Volunteers, 1861, promoted major general, 1862. Assigned to command in Baltimore, 1862.
Advocate of contraction of currency at end of Civil War.
Delegate Philadelphia Loyalist Convention, 1866. Appointed member Joint High Common for Alabama Claims Commission, 1871. Signed Treaty of Washington for United States, 1871.
Minister to Great Britain, 1871-1876, failed to conclude consular convention with Great Britain and to persuade England to support United States in its demands on Spain for concessions in Cuban policy.
Made director Emma Silver Mine, Utah, used his name in sale of stock in Great Britain, 1871. Author: Draw Poker, 1880.
Member Ohio House of Representatives, 1839-1843. Member United States House of Representatives (Whig) from Ohio, 28th-31st congresses, 1843-1851. Member Joint High Common for Alabama Claims Commission, 1871.
Married Rennelche West. Smith, August 21, 1834, 6 children.