Franklin E. Schenck, M. D., one of the leading members of the medical profession and a prominent public spirited citizen of Burlingame, was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 28, 1856, the son of Frederick and Mary L. (Holton) Schenck. His ancestors were of fine "Pennsylvania Dutch" stock who came to the United States at an early day. His father belonged to the Mennonite church as did the other members of the family. Mr. Schenck was a farmer and lived all his life in the Keystone State.

Dr. Schenck received his early education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and in 1873 came west and located in Missouri. He was ambitious and desirous of entering upon a professional career. For a year he attended high school at Kingston, Mo., in order to pass the entrance examination of the state university of Missouri, which he attended for three years. After finishing his literary education he began the study of medicine and entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, where he graduated in 1882. The same year he opened an office at Wilmington, Kan., but eighteen months later moved to Huntsville, where there was a good opening for a young doctor. In 1901 Dr. Schenck spent a year in post-graduate study at Chicago Clinical School, Chicago; Ill., and in 1895 came to Burlingame, where he has built up a large and paying practice. Although devoted to his profession, Dr. Schenck believes it the duty of every man to exercise his privilege of suffrage and work for the benefit of the community in which he lives. He is an independent in politics and was elected mayor of Burlingame in 1907, holding the position until 1909. He has been a member of the school board for over fifteen years, and in 191O was elected county coroner. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1882 Dr. Schenck married Emily L. Rouse. Her father was born in Indiana but moved to Iowa at an early day and in 1878 to Kansas, locating in Morris county where he took up land and engaged in farming. He served in the Iowa state militia when a young man. Mr. Rouse now resides in Wabaunsee county. Five children have been born to Dr. Schenck and his wife—two girls and three boys—the youngest two of whom are in school at Burlingame. Since coming to Burlingame Dr. Schenck has made many friends and has won a wide reputation as a skillful physician.