My Genealogy Hound

JOHN F. SENSEMAN, a retired salesman and farmer, who now resides at Mechanicsburg, was born Feb. 21, 1822, near Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Haines) Senseman. His grandfather, John Senseman, was a mill-wright by trade. His children were: John, William, Samuel, Daniel, Rebecca, Lydia and Hannah.

Samuel Senseman, the father of John F., was born July 25, 1796, and died in Mechanicsburg April 7, 1877. He married Elizabeth Haines, daughter of William Haines, a native of Lancaster county, of Irish descent, and they had the following children: John F.; Susan, deceased; Jeremiah, deceased; Harriet, deceased; Lydia, a widow with three children; Adam, of Philadelphia; William, of Boiling Springs; and David, who was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Chattanooga, in 1863, while serving as sergeant major of the 27th Ill. Vol. Inf. After their marriage Sanuiel Senseman and his wife settled near Ephrata, where he followed the carpenter’s trade until 1826, at that time moving to Cumberland county and settling on a farm of 100 acres in Silver Spring township. Here he resided a number of years, engaged in farming and stockraising, and then bought property in Mechanicsburg to which he moved and whereon he resided until the close of his life. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat in politics and held a number of the minor offices in his township, such as assessor and supervisor, also acting as administrator and executor of many estates. His wife died Feb. 21, 1879.

John F. Senseman spent his boyhood on his father’s farm and during the winter months attended the district schools of Silver Spring township until his seventeenth year, when he settled down to assist his father, with whom he remained until his twenty-second year. Then he went to Ohio, taking a boat at Pittsburg for Cincinnati, and went from there to Dayton, where he found his uncle, William Senseman. This gentleman had a large farm and gladly accepted his nephew’s services for two years. Then he returned to Cumberland county and for a time did farm work, receiving $45 per annual, but two years later he entered the employ of George W. Rathburn, a manufacturer of stoves. His duties of traveling salesman brought him $15 a month and expenses, and a commission of $1 a stove. Mr. Senseman found himself well qualified for this work and made a success of it, and after three years with this company he was employed by the American Stove Co. on a higher salary, continuing in this business for a number of years.

In 1854 Mr. Senseman married Mary Landis, second daughter of Jacob and Mary (Mohler) Landis, and a member of a prominent old family of Lancaster county, although Jacob Landis was born in York county. Mrs. Senseman was born Feb. 10, 1831, and was educated in the district school in Allen township. Mr. and Mrs. Senseman have had the following children: Charles, deceased; George W., of Erie, Pa.; Harry H., who is deceased; Anna, deceased; and David, a machinist in York.

After marriage Mr. Senseman settled on 100 acres in Monroe township and successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. This property cost him $18,600, and is improved with excellent buildings, which he has under rental. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg. Politically Mr. Senseman is a Jeffersonian Democrat, but has never consented to accept political office. He is a man well versed on general subjects and has improved his opportunities when traveling. His last trip was taken in 1878, with his friend, Frank Sidel. Together they went abroad and enjoyed the Paris Exposition for ten days, and then visited London, Manchester, Liverpool and other points. Mr. Senseman has many friends, who find in him a pleasant, genial gentleman. His wife is a consistent member of the Bethel Church.