BIO: JOHN F. SENSEMAN, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 240-241
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    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 millwright 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

    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  241
    
  the 27th Ill. Vol. Inf. After their marriage Samuel 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 loo 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 annum, 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.