Bios: Hensel Family History, 1798 - 1920: Philadelphia et al. Copyright (c) 1997 by JemYem. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. JemYem@home.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation without the consent of the submitter or her legal representative. Hensel Family History, 1798 - 1920 John Gotleb Hensel (Mother's name Sophia Schneider) was born at Rosenthal in the town of Oschatz, Saxony, December 16,1798 and died in Philadelphia, PA July 10 1876. He married Mary Dorthea Vogt, who was born in Litchtenau, Baden, Germany, February 6, 1799 and died at Philadelphia, PA. September 30, 1883. It is beleived the marriage was performed in Philadelphia. As a very young man John G. Hensel sailed to the United States (exact time unknown) with a brother, Christian Hensel, born January 15,1794. John Hensel settled in the Philadelphia area, while his brother settled near Newburg, Cumberland County, PA in the beautiful valley between two ranges of the Blue Mountains. He devoted himself to farming and has a number of descendants living today throughout this section. [This was as of 1921] John Hensel occasionally visited his brother, Christian, but the life of the city appealed to him and for a number of years he carried on the business of a baker and confectioner at a shop on the north side of Callowhill Street, near 4th or 5th street, Philadelphia. The house and shop still stand but the exact location can not now be determined. [This was as of 1921]. John G. Hensel had seven sons and four daughters probably all of whom were born in the Callowhill Street home. With his family he was a mamber of and attended services in the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church on Race Street below 6th Street, which was the oldest English Lutheran Church in the world. The Church was torn down about the year 1924 to make way for the Philadelphia approach to the Delaware River Bridge. John G. Hensel, later in life, his children all having married or left home, evidently wished to move to the country. With the help of his son, Henry W. Hensel, he purchased a small place of about three acres, where he lived for several years. This agricultural experience was limited to supporting his needs with limited livestock and land. The little farm was beautifully located on the East bank of Schuylkill River and a few miles to the north of Norristown, PA. Here he and his wife lived quietly. As old age set in he accepted the invitation of his eldest son, Henry W. Hensel, at 2113 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, where he lived until his death by heat exhaustion in 1876. His wife, Mary Dorthea Vogt Hensel, after the move from the farm, lived the balance of her days with her daughter Mary Hensel Wolf at 1718 N. Park Avenue, Philadelphia, until her sudden death resulting from a fall on a stairway in 1883. John G. Hensel and his wife are buried on a hillside of the south Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia. The lot faces the east and west river drives of Fairmont Park, with the broad and beautiful expanse of the Schuylkill River flowing between them. The Children Of John Gotleb Hensel and Mary Dorthea Vogt: 1.Wilhemina Hensel b.Philadelphia, 1-21-1824 (m.Christian Koehler) d. Philadelphia, 1-10-1900 2. G. Fredrick Hensel b. Philadelphia, 9-1-1827 (m.Ella Caven) d. Philadelphia, 11-2-1860 3. Henry William Hensel b. Philadelphia, 2-6-1829 (m.Mary Elizabeth Hory) d. Philadelphia, 12-26-1867 4. Daniel Hensel b. Philadelphia, 12-19-1830 (m.Sarah & Susan Summers d. Philadelphia, 2-10-1920 5. Samuel Hensel b. Philadelphia, 10-27-1832 (m.Bedela Wade) d. Philadelphia, 5-10-1905 6. George Simon Hensel b. Philadelphia, 12-31-1838 (m.Amanda Belknap Colladay) d. Philadelphia, 11-10-1905 7. Mary Hensel b. Philadelphia, unknown d. Philadelphia,12-17-1904 8. Benjamin J. F. Hensel b. Philadelphia, unknown d. Killed Civil War, U.S. Regt. Penna Vol. 114, Comp "A" 9. John Hensel b. Philadelphia, unknown d. Was buried at sea. 10. Sophia Hensel b. Philadelphia, 1850 d. Unknown 11. Anna Hensel b. Philadelphia, no record of dates d. Wilhemina Hensel married 11-8-1841 to Christain Koehler b. 12-13-1818, d. 8-24-1864. The children of Wilhemina Hensel and Christian Koehler: 1. John Herman Koehler b. 3-12-1843 (unmarried) d. 1-13-1869 2. Emma Matilda Koehler b. 3-16-1847 (unmarried) d. 2-14-1920 3. Henry William Koehler b.5-12-1849 (m. Augusta Kaylor) d.5-12-1876 4. Daniel Edward Koehler b. 8-11-1851 (m.Eliza Binley) d.3-21-1923 5. Ida Amelia Koehler b.7-26-1853 (m.John Watts) d. Unknown 6. Benjamin Christian Koehler b.4-4-1855 (m.Clara Kuntz) d.1-1-1901 Henry William Koehler married 6-30-1875 to Augusta Kaylor. The children are: 1. Henry William Koehler, Jr. b. 5-1-1876 (m.Lillian West) d. 3-6-1902 He married Lillian West, they had no children. Daniel Edward Koehler married 2-14-1877 Eliza Binley. The children are: 1. Edna Amelia Koehler b.6-26-1878 (m.John Cassidy) d.1914 Edna Amelia Koehler married John Cassidy. They had no children. Ida Amelia Koehler married 4-8-1884 to John Watts. The children are: 1. Ethel Ione Watts b.10-20-1886 (unmarried) d. Unknown 2. John Arthur Watts b.10-1-1888 (m.Ann Catharine Allbright) d. Unknown John Arthur Watts married Ann Catherine Allbright. They had no children. Benjamin Christian Koehler married Clara Kuntz who died 3-28-1901. They had no children. Henry William Hensel married 8-22-1854 to Mary Elizabeth Hory b. 9-19-1832, d.5-29-1903. The marriage was performed by Rev. Chas. R. Demme, D.D., in Philadelphia. Henry W. Hensel founded and established in 1851 one of the first factories in the United States for the manufacture of dress and cloak trimmings, cords, tassels, undertakers casket trimmings and other textile products. It was not only the oldest, but also the largest establishment of its kind in the United States and was conducted under the name of H. W. Hensel until his death. The business has been continued under various names without interuption, until the present time, for 76 years. [As of 1927] Henry Hensel made a trip to Europe about the year 1860 and purchased at that time or a little later some Jacquared looms for steam power. The looms were the first of its kind imported into the United States, all weaving was previously done on hand powered looms. In this connection it is of interest to note that H. W. Hensel had an exhibit of steam powered looms at the Great Central Fair, 1864, in aid of the U.S. Sanitary Comission held at Logan Square. This is now included in the Parkway, 18th to 19th Streets and Race to Vine Streets, Philadelphia. The children of Henry W.Hensel and Mary Elizabeth Hory are: 1. John Henry Hensel b.6-24-1855 (m.Anna Cecelia Norton) d.11-16-1927 2. George Fredrick Hensel b.7-30-1857 (m. Ella Caven) d.4-24-1929 3. Amelia Hensel b.8-29-1859 (m.Thomas Mott Lewry) d. unknown 4.Anne Mary Hensel b.10-12-1861 (unmarried) d.1-31-1927 5.Charles Albert Hensel b. 1-27-1864 (m.Rebekah Matilda Boyd) d. Unknown John Henry Hensel married 5-7-1879 to Anna Cecelia Norton. J. Henry Hensel in early manhood was engaged in the wholesale dry goods business in Philadelphia with Hood Bright & Co.which was at that time the leading house of its kind in the city. Later, he moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where for some years he conducted a retail dry goods store. He declined to accept a position in an official capacity with Northern Pacific railroads of the northwest in St. Paul. The children of John Henry Hensel and Anna Cecelia Norton are: 1. Elizabeth Hensel b. Nebraska City,NE. 1-30-1880 (unmarried) d. Unknown 2. Margaret Norton Hensel b. Nebraska City, NE. 2-8-1881 d. Philadelphia, PA. unknown 3. Charles Norton Hensel b. Fargo,N.D. 3-3-1882 (m. Rea Lillian Goodenaw) d. Unknown 4. Edith Hensel b. Sims, N.D. 1-22-1884 d. Sims, N.D. unknown 5. LeRoy Hensel b. Sims, N.D. 1-8-1885 (m.Claudia deHaven Moak) d. Tacoma, WA. 6-1921 6. Elliott Chapman Hensel b.St. Paul, MN. 8-24-1887 (m. Hazel Dell Bolton) d. Glendale, CA. Elliott & Percy are twins. 7.Percy Norton Hensel b. St. Paul, MN. 8-24-1887 d. St. Paul, MN. 9-1889 8.Kenneth Norton Hensel b. St. Paul, MN. 9-14-1889 d. Charles Norton Hensel married 6-21-1911 to Rea Lillian Goodenaw. Charles Norton Hensel was a physician in St. Paul. He attended medical school in Vienna, Austria. He specialised in diseases of the heart. The children of Charles Norton Hensel and Rea Lillian Goodenaw are: 1. Lillian Goodenaw Hensel b.9-19-1913 d. unknown 2. Charles Norton Hensel, Jr. b. 7-8-1916 d. Unknown LeRoy Hensel married 8-17-1912 to Claudia deHaven Moak. Their children are: 1. Mary Elizabeth Hensel b.9-12-1918 Elliott Chapman Hensel married 2-10-1912 to Hazel Dell Bolton. Elliott Hensel was the Advertising Editor of the Oakland Tribune. One of the first people to attend the opening of the Oakland Bridge. He later published a book on advertising and salesmanship while residing in Glendale, Ca. The children of Elliott Chapman Hensel and Hazel Dell Bolton are: 1. Elliott Bolton Hensel b.2-13-1916 (m. Frances Hooks) d. George Fredrick Hensel married Ella Caven. George F. Hensel he joined the family business of manufacturing textiles and trimmings establishing the Hensel Silk Company which continued under that name after he withdrew from the company to engage in Investment Banking. The children of George F. Hensel and Ella Caven are: 1. Caven Hensel b. Unknown d. Unknown 2. Elanore Hensel b. Unknown d. Unknown 3. Alberta Hensel b. Unknown (m. Joseph N. Pugh, Jr) d. Unknown Alberta & Edwina are twins 4. Edwina Hensel b. Unknown (Wharton Smith, M.D.) d. Unknown Amelia Hensel married 10-10-1882 to Thomas Mott Lewry b.11-12-1855, d.4-15-1889. Their children are: 1. Thomas Mott Lewry, Jr. b.Philadelphia, PA. 8-18-1883 (m.Neva Harrison Maupin Cocke) d. Phoenix, AZ. 7-26-1914 2. Alan Hensel Lewry b. Philadelphia, PA. 7-16-1885 (unmarried) d.1914 3. Mary Elizabeth Lewry b. Philadelphia, PA. 9-1-1887 (m.Russell Lee Sammis) d. Philadelphia, PA. 1-11-1923 Thomas Mott Lewry, Jr. married Neva Harrison Maupin Cocke. Their children are: 1.Thomas Mott Lewry, 3rd b. New York, 1-17-1909 d. Unknown 2. Amelia Catharine Lewry b. Philadelphia, PA. 11-3-1911 d. Unknown Mary Elizabeth Lewry married Russell Lee Sammis b. 5-14-1878. Their children are: 1. John Wesley Sammis, 2nd b.5-26-1920 d. Unknown 2. Mary Elizabeth Sammis b.12-30-1922 d. Unknown Charles Albert Hensel married Rebekah M. Boyd b. 6-1865, d.12-1893. They had one daughter, Mary Hensel, who died in Baltimore as a young girl. Charles Albert Hensel later married Margaret Ellen Baker. Charles A. Hensel studied for the ministry at the Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA. Upon finishing his theological course, he became assistant rector to Rev. Floyd W. Tompkins, D.D., in the leading Episcopal Church of Hartford, Conn. until he was accepted to a call to Baltimore, MD. He was there connected with the leading churches of his denomination for about 35 years. For twenty odd years he has been rector of the Redeemer located at Roland Park, Baltimore, MD. The children of Charles A. Hensel and Margaret Ellen Baker are: 1. Howard Baker Hensel b. Baltimore, MD. 3-24-1900 Howard Hensel was a graduate of John Hopkins University. He became a mining engineer for a large company in Colorado. 2. Karl Goldsmith Hensel b. Baltimore, MD. 11-4-1901 Graduate of the Annapolis Academy and was an officer in the US Navy. Assigned to the U.S.S. West Virginia. Daniel Hensel married Sarah Summers and then married Susan Summers. Daniel Hensel had a business for the sale of paintings, engravings, picture frames and mirrors. The children of Daniel Hensel and Sarah Summers are: 1.John Calhoun Hensel b.12-17-1859 (m.Jennie Wallace) d. Unknown 2. Edward Summers Hensel b.4-3-1861 (m.Elizabeth Allen Smith) d. Unknown. The children of Daniel Hensel and Susan Summers are: 1.Albert Hensel b.6-14-1868 d.2-2-1869 2. Fredrick William Hensel b.10-24-1871 d.3-10-1877 3. Florence Nightengale Hensel b.1-4-1880 (m. Burke Stephens) d. Unknown John Calhoun Hensel married Jennie Wallace b. 1864. John Calhoun Hensel graduated from the Industrial Department of the Academy of Fine Arts and pursued a carrer as a designer of metal-wood and other art objects. The children of John C. Hensel and Jennie Wallace are: 1. Wallace Hensel b. 1892 d. 1892 2. Helen Hensel b. 1897 d. Unknown 3. Edith Hensel b. 1899 d. Unknown Edward Summers Hensel married Elizabeth Allen Smith, b. 1866. Edward S. Hensel was a landscape artist and portrait painter in his early years. In the middle of his life he suffered ill health and he turned to music as a profession and became a very proficient piano teacher. The children of Edward S. Hensel and Elizabeth Allen Smith are: 1.Sarah Summers Hensel b.1897? (m.Charles Willard Taylor) d. unknown no children 2. Emily Hollinshead Hensel b. 1899? d. Unknown Samuel Hensel married Bedela Wade b. 1-31-1836,D.2-22-1907. Samuel Hensel was a carpenter by trade. He fought in the ranks of the Civil War, as a member of Company H, 114th Regiment, Penna. Vol. The children of Samuel Hensel and Bedela Wade are: 1. Sophia Hensel died in infancy 2. Anna Elizabeth Hensel died in infancy 3. Clara Eugina Hensel b.8-27-1859 (m.Charles Wesley Johnson) d.1-28-1895. 4. Benjamin Franklin Hensel b.8-9-1861 (unmarried) d.1-8-1884 5. Elizabeth Eulalia Hensel b.10-17-1863 (m.Thomas Danfield Denney) d.7-20-1884 6. Sarah Agnes Hensel b.12-5-1865 (m.William Ross Seiler) d. Unknown 7. Mary Hensel b.9-25-1869 (unmarried) d.11-1894 8. Catharine Hensel b.9-25-1869 d. 1870 9. Anna Dorthea Hensel b.1871 d.1875 10. Amanda Agnes Hensel b. 1876 d.1876 Clara Eugina Hensel married Charles Wesley Johnson. Their children are: 1. Anna Bedela Johnson b.1886 (m. William Morse) d. 1912 2. Charles Benjamin Johnson b.1888 (m. Ruth Hemphill) d. Unknown 3. David Johnson b. 1889 d.1923 4. Edward Hensel Johnson b.1891 d.1892 5. Leo Johnson b.1894 d.1894 Elizabeth Eulalia Hensel married Thomas Danfield Denney. Their children are: 1. Thomas Howell Denney b.7-1881 d.unknown 2. Samuel Wade Denney b.8-2-1883 d. Unknown Sarah Agnes Hensel married William Ross Seiler. They had no children. George Simon Hensel married Amanda Belknap Colladay, b. 3-1-1841, d.1-23- 1912. George Simon Hensel at the age of fourteen accepted a position with his brother, Henry W. In the manufacture of trimmings and textiles. He learned the business thouroughly and was then qualified to carry on after the death of his brother in 1867. Because of his cheerful disposition and primary ability, he had many friends in church circles, masonary, and in the business world. He continued the business until his death in 1905. The children of George S. Hensel and Amanda Belknap Colladay are: 1. Charlotte Colladay Hensel b.1-8-1864 (unmarried) d.10-15-1924 2. William Henry Hensel b.9-22-1865 (m.Grace Russell Reeves) d. Unknown 3. Georgiette Hensel b.8-20-1866 d.7-27-1867 Georgiette & Amanda are twins 4. Amanda Belknap Hensel, Jr. b.8-20-1866 (m.Alfred Alling Reeves) d.7-25-1897 William Henry Hensel married 4-29-1891 in Newark, N.J. to Grace Russell Reeves, b.5-30-1866. William H. Hensel attended Eastburn Academy in PA. He was also a student for two years at Princeton University, after which he became connected with the Hensel Colladay Company in the manufacture and sale of dress, cloak and milinery trimmings, which business had been established in 1851 by his uncle Henry W., later carried on by his son George S. Hensel, and at his death his son William H. Hensel. The children of William Henry Hensel and Grace Russell Reeves are: 1. Madelin Reeves Hensel b. 3-29-1892 (m.William Otto Pipping) d. Unknown 2. Grace Reeves Hensel b. 6-18-1894 (m.John Gorgas Robinson) d. Unknown 3. William Henry Hensel, jr. b. 3-9-1897 d. 6-25-1897 4. Katherine Amanda Hensel b. 8-18-1898 (unmarried) d. Unknown Madeline Reeves Hensel married William Otto Pipping, b.7-24-1890. They had one child who died in infancy. Grace Reeves Hensel married John Gorgas Robinson, b.3-17-1891. Their children are: 1.Jane Robinson b.7-9-1918 d. Unknown Amanda Belknap Hensel, Jr.married Alfred Alling Reeves, b.12-7-1863. Their children are: 1. Marguerite Hensel Reeves b.9-15-1890 (m.George Bennett) d. Unknown 2. Alfred Alling Reeves, jr. b.8-2-1892 (m.Helene Antrim Pole) d.unknown 3. George Hensel Reeves b.11-19-1894 (m.Hazel Graham) d.unknown Marguerite Hensel Reeves married George Bennett, b. 9-9-1870. Their children are: 1. George Bennett, jr. b. 12-31-1917 d. Unknown 2. Natalie Reeves Bennett b. 2-10-1920 d. Unknown Alfred Alling Reeves, Jr. married Helen Antrim Pole, Erie PA. Alfred Alling Reeves, Jr. attended Irving School at Tarryntown, New York. With the family he moved to New York City about 1907. He joined the Seventh Regiment, New York National Guard just prior to the entrance of the U.S. into World War I, being a member of Company C. Afterward the regiment became the 107th Infantry, 27th Division. He was sent with the regiment to the Mexican border in May 1916, being located in McAllen Texas, where they remained unti November 1916, where they were on border patrol and drilling on the Rio Grande. Upon returning home he drilled in New York from June 30, 1917 when the regiment was called to service until September 1917, and then the regiment was sent to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, NC. After 8 months of training he was sent to Newport News and sailed to France on May 9, 1918 on the U.S.S. Susquehanna, formerly an interned German Liner. He landed at Brest on May 23rd. His regiment was attached to the British forces in northeastern France and remained with them throughout the war. He was a corporal and had many arduous commissions to perform. On October 18,1918, at Jonc de Mer, he was struck in the back by five machine gun bullets which caused serious abdominal wounds. After being passed through several English hospitals at the front, and later in London, he sailed home from Liverpool, the ship being crowded with wounded. He landed at New York, December 10,1918. After months in hospitals in New York and Pittsburg he was discharged on June 24, 1919. His splendid and courageous work on the field of battle won him a special mention citation from the United States Army. He continued the rest of his life in Erie, PA where he engaged in the business of real estate and insurance business. Children of Alfred Alling Reeves and Helen Antrim Pole are: 1.Billie Antrim Reeves b.2-25-1921 d. Unknown George Hensel Reeves married Hazel Graham in N.Y. George Hensel Reeves He also attended the same schools as his brother Alling. When the war broke out he joined in 1917 the Veteran Corps Artillery with headquarters at the 71st Regiment Armory, 34th street and Fourth Avenue, New York. Later in 1917, the Veterans Corps combined with the 9th Coast Artillery, the armory being at 14th Street and Ninth Avenue. On May 4th, 1918 he was sent to Fort Slocum, N.Y. remaining but a short time until transferred to Camp Hancock, Augusta, Georgia, which was a machine gun center. He was then placed on special duty, with a two month physical training course. He was made a physical training instructor and receieved a warrant as Sergeant. In July 1918 he was transferred to Central Officer's Training School located at Camp Gordon, Atlanta Georgia, 13th Company, and on October 14th was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry. From training school he was assigned to the 5th Infantry Replacement Regiment "Prov." at Camp Gordon where he remained until his discharge on Decemebr 7, 1918. After the war he was connected with the Equitable Trust Company of New York City in the bond department.