BIO: John F. Senseman, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER LII.

                            MONROE TOWNSHIP.

  JOHN F. SENSEMAN, farmer, P. O. Williams Mill.  The great-
grandparents of our subject were born in Germany, and his grandfather 
was born in Lancaster County, Penn., and worked at his trade, that of a 
miller, near Ephratah.  He was the father of eight children:  John, 
Joseph, William, Samuel, Daniel, Rebecca L. and Hannah.  Samuel, the 
fourth son (father of our subject), was born in Ephratah, Lancaster 
Co., Penn., in 1796, and in early life learned carpentering.  He 
married Miss Elizabeth Haines, also a native of Lancaster County, and 
ten children were born to them:  Susan, Jeremiah, John, Harriet, Lydia, 
Samuel, David, Adam, William and Sarah.  Samuel Senseman, Sr., moved to 
this county in 1828, and bought a farm in Silver Spring Township.  He 
and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church.  In politics he was a 
Democrat.  The confidence of the people in his integrity and ability is 
shown in the fact that in settling many estates every 

515 	MONROE TOWNSHIP.

dollar was strictly accounted for and the estates wisely administered.  
John F. Senseman was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1822; he came 
with his father to this county and passed his early years on the farm.  
In his life he had many experiences, having traveled a great deal 
through his native country, engaged in different mercantile pursuits.  
In 1854 he married Miss Mary L. Landis, of this county.  He then began 
agriculture, near Mechanicsburg, and remained thirty-two years on the 
same farm.  To our subject and wife were born five children:  Charles, 
George W., Harry, Anna and David E.  In 1878 Mr. Senseman traveled in 
Europe, visiting its principal cities and the Paris Exposition.  In 
1885 he purchased his present homestead, which is pleasantly situated, 
with fine, substantial buildings.  Mr. Senseman is a self-made man in 
every sense of the word, and has secured his property by industry.  His 
life is a good illustration of what can be attained by energy and 
perseverance.