BIOGRAPHY: James A. KENSINGER, Cambria County, PA 

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann 
Olsen. 

Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty 
Mirovich and Sharon Ringler.

USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives 
remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in 
accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of 
providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by 
anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities 
so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic 
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including 
copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to 
uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb 
Archives to store the file permanently for free access. 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ 
____________________________________________________________

From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 400-1
____________________________________________________________

JAMES A. KENSINGER, manager of the general store of McElhose & Co., Limited, and 
present postmaster of Myra, this county, and a son of Isaac B. and Elizabeth 
(Amsworth) Kensinger, was born on the old homestead, in Blair county, 
Pennsylvania, September 7, 1862. His early ancestors were of German descent. 
Daniel Kensinger, great-grandfather, was one of the Hessian soldiers captured by 
Washington at the battle of Trenton. On leaving the army he remained in this 
country, settling in Blair county, where a number of his descendants now reside. 
His son, John Kensinger, who was the grandfather of our subject, was born in 
Blair county. He was a farmer, and died in his native county.
    Isaac B. Kensinger (father) was born in North Woodbury township, Blair 
county, in 1828. He was reared a farmer boy and educated in the old subscription 
schools, common in the early days of this country. He followed farming during 
his youth, and later taught school for five years throughout Blair county. 
Giving up the profession of teaching he learned the carpenter trade, which he 
has since followed. Notwithstanding his age he is still a very active man. Until 
1890 he was a democrat in political belief, but since the latter year has 
supported the principles of the Republican party. Although he was never an 
active politician, he served as justice of the peace of North Woodbury township 
for a number of years, and has held various local offices. His marriage with 
Elizabeth Amsworth, who died in June, 1896, at the age of sixty-nine years, 
resulted in the birth of eleven children, of whom nine are living. James A. 
Kensinger was reared on the old homestead, and received his elementary education 
in the common schools of Blair county, and taught school in Blair and Cambria 
counties for eight years. During this period he was employed during his 
vacations in the mercantile business, and in 1891 abandoned the profession of 
teaching for a business career. In the latter year he engaged with Mr. S. 
Confer, in a general store at Ben's Creek, this county; the engagement continued 
until 1895, when he disposed of the business, selling out to the present firm, 
McElhose & Co. The above firm retained Mr. Kensinger as the manager, which 
position he still fills. In political affairs he formerly supported the 
Democratic party, but is now a staunch adherent of the principles of the 
Republican party. While a resident of Lilly, this county, he served one year as 
street commissioner, as clerk of the borough council for two years, resigning 
that position when he removed to Ben's Creek.
    July 18, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of Myra, and still serves in that 
capacity. Besides managing the store mentioned above, he is also the 
representative of the Red Star, American and North German Lloyd Steamship 
companies. Fraternally he is a member of Lilly Lodge, No. 206, K. of P., and 
served one time as representative to Grand Lodge, and one term as Deputy Grand 
Chancellor of Cambria county. He is also Past Commander of the Knights of the 
Mystic Chain. His family is identified with the Roman Catholic church of Lilly. 
In December, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Goldy, a daughter 
of John Goldy, a foundryman at Bennington furnace, Cambria county, and a veteran 
of the famous Crimean war. Their marriage has been blessed in the birth of five 
children: William George, Elizabeth May, John Clay, Annie, and Frances Goldy, 
who died in infancy.