Augustus SCHENCK was born 12 May 1810 in Germany.  He immigrated to the United States prior to  April, 1839.  The earliest record of Augustus living in York County indicates that he purchased  land in York Township from Christian Soldner for $440.  According to census records, Augustus was  a farmer.  On 25 July 1839, Augustus married Magdalena (Mary) Elizabeth Peters.  Augustus filed a  Declaration of Intention in York County on 29 August 1846.  In that declaration, he indicated that  it was his intention to become a citizen of the United States.  He renounced "his allegiance and  fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or soverinty, particularly to Ludwig King of  Bacern".  Augustus was naturalized in York on 24 August 1853.  In 1855, he built a stone farmhouse  in York Township in the area where the York Imperial apple was propogated.  Of particular interest  are the large cornerstones used in the house and the cornerstone which reads "Build By Augustus  Shenk 1855".  Augustus added "seventy-six acres more or less" to his farm on 13 March 1867 when he  purchased land from John Hoke for $6,000.  In June 1873, Augustus suffered a serious accident at  the corner of Beaver and Philadelphia Streets in York.  Augustus, jolted from his seat, hung onto  the wagon until it crossed over a gutter.  The horse and wagon then ran over him causing broken  bones and internal injuries.  He was taken to his son William's house on New Street where two  physicians attended him.  As a result of the injuries sustained in the accident, he died 29 June  1873.  He was buried at Salem Union Church in Jacobus.  Augustus wrote his will 27 June 1873 and  appointed his sons John and William as executors.  Probated 7 July 1873, his will indicated that  his property was to be sold, his wife Mary was to receive $1,000 and the remainder of his estate  was to be equally divided between his wife and children.