Izard Co., AR - Biographies - Dr. Joseph A. Schenck

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Dr. Joseph A. Schenck is a leading physician of Calico Rock, and in connection
with his practice is also engaged in merchandising. He was born in Owen County,
Ky., in 1847, and is a son of Julius P. and America (Applegate) Schenck,
natives of Kentucky. The father was a captain on a steamboat plying between
Cincinnati and New Orleans, and he was also engaged in farming and
merchandising, following the latter occupation in Vevay, Ind., while at work on
the river. He owned a one-half interest in the “Switzerland,” which was the
name of his boat, the other half being owned by Jesse Teets, and they were also
the proprietors of several other boats which plied on the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers, in the interests of the Government during the war. He died in 1862,
leaving his family well provided for, but during the war much of their property
was lost. He was married about 1842, and he and wife became the parents of
eight children, four of whom are living; J. P., who is a merchant of
Worthville, Ky. Della. the wife of Dr. J. F. Costillo, resides in Kansas; Amy
is the wife of James Grubbs, a telegraph operator, and J. A., the subject of
this sketch. Mrs. Schenck died in 1887, having been a worthy member of the
Christian Church for many years, her husband being a member of the Baptist
Church. He was a Democrat politically, and belonged to the I. O. O. F. Dr.
Joseph A. Schenck received his early schooling in Vevay, Ind., and in 1873 he
took his first medical lectures in the University of Louisville. Ky., and
graduated from this institution in 1880. He had, however, begun practicing in
Jackson County, Ark., in 1874, but at the end of one year removed to Izard
County, Ark., and has been a successful practitioner at Pineville ever since.
Since 1885 he has been engaged in merchandising, in partnership with Dr. T. K.
Goodman, their paid up capital upon starting in business, amounting to about
$300, but on the 6th of October, 1886, they were burned out with, a loss of
about $1,600, their insurance reaching the sum of $1,000. They opened their
store on the 12th of the same month, with a stock of goods worth $200, and have
since been very successful, and are now doing an annual business of $18,000. In
addition to this property Dr. Schenck owns 288 acres of valuable land, with 150
acres under cultivation, and all this property he has earned since coming to
the State of Arkansas, as he then (in 1874) only owned a horse and saddle and
about $150 worth of drugs. The Doctor still continues to practice his
profession, but not so extensively as formerly. He was married in 1870 to Miss
Ellen Matthews, a daughter of Capt. R. C. Matthews. She was born in Tennessee
in 1849, and by Dr. Schenck is the mother of the following family: Amy D., Rena
Z., Joseph E. and America E. (twins), Lunford P. Y., Carrie M., Julius P., John
M. and Robert [p.973] C. Mrs. Schenck is a  member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and the Doctor belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F.,
having advanced to the Encampment in the latter order.