FRANKLIN — A pair of 19th century Franklin natives were recently honored with the dedication of a historical marker along the Great Miami River.
Robert Cumming Schenck, the son of one of Franklin’s founders, William C. Schenck, and Lewis Davis Campbell had multiple similarities in their lives and careers, including serving their districts in the U.S. House of Representatives and as chairmen of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.
Both were born in log cabins in Franklin and acquired their elementary educations at the same log school.
But there were vast differences as well. Schenck earned undergraduate and graduate college degrees from Miami University, while Campbell apprenticed as a printer and newspaperman in Hamilton before studying law.
“The tie-in is they are both from Franklin. That’s why I wrote about them,” said Geoff Gorsuch, a project manager for the U.S. Department of Energy who did the research and funded the cost of the markers during his 11 years living in Franklin.
“The information I compiled was standard reference information. It would be an interesting and worthy subject for a biography, especially Schenck since his father is generally credited with being the surveyor of Franklin.”
Gorsuch said there are several more markers planned, one for Woodhill Cemetery and one for the Mackinaw Historical District.
“There probably aren’t a lot of people who have heard of these two men,” said Dan Darragh, current president of the Franklin Historical Society.
“But they are important figures in Franklin history, even though they are not on the level of William C. Schenck or Gen. Forrest Harding.”