Diplomatist; born in
Franklin, O., Oct. 4, 1809; brother of
Admiral Schenck; graduated at Miami University in 1827; admitted to the bar in 1831, and settled in
Dayton.
In 1840 he was in the Ohio legislature; and from 1843 to 1851 in Congress, when he went as American minister to
Brazil, where he took part in the negotiation of several treaties in
South America.
In 1861 he entered the field as brigadier-general of volunteers (May 17), and had
his first encounter with the insurgents near
Vienna, Va. He was engaged in the
battle of Bull Run; then served in
western Virginia; and, after the
battle at Cross Keys,
Fremont placed him in command of a division.
In the
battle of Groveton, or the
second battle of Bull Run, he had his right arm shattered by a ball.
In September, 1862, he was promoted to major-general, and a little later was in command at
Baltimore.
From 1863 to 1871 he was in Congress, and in the latter year was appointed minister to
England, where he served till 1876, when he resigned.
He died in
Washington, D. C., March 23, 1890.
