A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 CASPER SCHENK. Numbered among the more prominent attorneys practicing at the bar of Des Moines, Casper Schenk, of the strong legal firm of Bradshaw, Schenk & Fowler, is deserving of special mention because of his ability and high personal character. He was born on Mount Hope Farm, Bennington Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa, April 19, 1878, a son of Joseph and Marie (Gaisser) Schenk. Growing up on his father's farm, reared amid strictly rural surroundings, Casper Schenk attended district schools, and early displayed talents that led his teachers to encourage him in his ambition to fit himself for a professional career. Therefore he want to the Iowa State Teachers College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Didactics in 1898, and of Master of Didactics in 1899. He taught school for three years, and took some work at the University of Chicago. In 1903 he was graduated from the University of Iowa, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, and in 1906 from the law school of Harvard University, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. That same year he was admitted to the bar and began practice at Des Moines. For the years of 1908 and 1909 he was a member of the firm of Schenk & Berryhill. During 1910 and 1911 he was general counsel of the Des Moines Life Insurance Company. In 1912 he formed the firm of Schenk & Lehmann, which continued until 1914. Later his practice was interrupted by the World war. Shortly after his return from overseas he entered into partnership with Judge Charles S. Bradshaw, with whom he has been associated ever since. The offices of Bradshaw, Schenk & Fowler are in 510 Crocker Building, Des Moines. The firm represents many well known clients and Mr. Schenk has conducted much important litigation. He maintains his residence at 917 California Drive, Des Moines. While at Cedar Falls Mr. Schenk made a record in various college activities, and he was a member of the Dramatic Club, and manager of his senior class play at Iowa City. At present he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Sojourners, the Iowa Historical Society (life member), the Des Moines Club the Reserve Officers Association, Des Moines Fine Arts Association, Frontier Club, Law Club, P. T. A., Service Club, American Legion, Des Moines Inter-Racial Commission, Polk County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association and the American Law Institute (life member). He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a member of the executive committee of the Iowa Methodist Hospital. In intervals between his collegiate courses Mr. Schenk was a newspaper reporter, principal of the schools of Little Rock, Iowa, from 1899 to 1902, and from 1909 to 1911 he was an instructor in the law school of Drake University. His work as an educator was very successful, and had he chosen to remain in that profession doubtless he could have gleaned correspondingly high honors, for his is a born teacher. His military experience is interesting and begins with his service as captain of the Cadet Battalion, Cedar Falls, in 1899, and continues through his election as captain of Company F, Fifty-fifth Infantry, Iowa National Guard, in 1910. On June 1, 1917, he entered the regular service for the World war, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and August 15, 1917, he was commissioned a captain of infantry, ordered to Camp Dodge, and assigned to the One Hundred and Sixty-third Depot Brigade. There he was company commander and instructor in the Third Officers' Training School, after which he was assigned to the Three Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment of Infantry, Eighty-eighth Division. Sent overseas in August, 1918, he was at Brechemont Strong Point, Center Sector, Haute Alsace and participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. From March 28 to May 15, 1919, he was in the Judge Advocate General's Department, Tours, France. Returned to the United States he was honorably discharged May 26, 1919. On June 27, 1919, he was commissioned a major of infantry, Officers Reserve Corps, and September 7, 1922, he was promoted and commissioned Lieutenant colonel. He was chairman of the Legislative Committee, American Legion, Thirty-ninth, G. A., of Iowa, which enacted highly important legislation for World war veterans, and since 1923, has been judge advocate of the Iowa Department, American Legion. On June 9, 1910, Mr. Schenk married Miss Myrtle Beulah Long at Fort Dodge, Iowa, Rev. D. A. McBurney, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. Mrs. Schenk was born April 29, 1889, a daughter of Thomas Dean and Margaret (Crilly) Long, of Manson, Iowa. She was graduated from the Manson High School in 1906, after which she attended the Iowa State Teachers College; the Rockford, Illinois, Trade School; and the Janet McKenzie Hill School, South Chatham, New Hampshire. She was head of the home economics department, Drake University, from 1909 to 1911; dietitian of Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, during 1916 and 1917; does Chautauqua, county fair and farmers institute work; is radio lecturer on home economics, and since 1926 has been director and judge of the culinary department of the Iowa State Fair. She is co-author with Mrs. Gladys Denny Shultz of the book just published, The House That Runs Itself. She enjoys swimming and horseback riding, and took first prize in the adults' health contest, Iowa State Fair, 1924. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds her membership. She belongs to AlphaXi Delta, the Des Moines Women's Club, the Woman's Rotary Club, the Iowa State Home Economics Association, the American Legion Auxiliary and Parent Teachers Association. She is a Republican, as is her husband, and they have been active in party affairs. He took part in the Progressive movement, and in 1914 was the candidate on the Progressive ticket for United States senator from Iowa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schenk. The eldest, Beulah Margaret Schenk, known as "Peggy," was born at North Twin Lake, Calhoun County, Iowa, August 7, 1918, and is now a student in Roosevelt Junior High School. She has exhibited talent as pianist, violinist, artist and gymnastic dancer. In 1917 she took second prize for girls under twenty-four months in the baby health contest at the Iowa State Fair. Casper Schenk, Junior, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Schenk, was born at the Congregational Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa, November 9, 1918, while his father was serving with the American Expeditionary Force in France. He took first prize in the Younker Brothers' baby health prize for boys between the ages of twenty-four and thirty-six months in 1921. He attends Hubbell School, where both teachers and pupils are his staunch friends. Mary Elizabeth Schenk, known as "Polly," the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Schenk, was born at the Congregational Hospital, Des Moines, July 30, 1920. She won the sweepstakes prize for all girls, Younker Brothers' baby health contest, Des Moines, 1922. She too attends Hubbell School and is making an excellent record. >From the above it is easy to see that the Schenk family is a fortunate one. Both parents are talented, and they have transmitted admirable characteristics to their children, all of whom are healthy beyond the ordinary. They are being reared with watchful care, and given every opportunity for development both physical and intellectual. Socially Mr. and Mrs. Schenk are cheerfully companionable, and they have gathered about them a wide circle of distinguished and congenial friends. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************Free Credit Report and Score Tracking! Get it Now for $0 at CreditReport.com. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220474599x1201401934/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.creditreport.com%3Fsrc%3Daolemail%26kwd%3Dmlftrtextlin k)