Biographical Sketch of Louis Duval SENAT; Philadelphia Co., PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith 
[christillavalley@comcast.net] 

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"Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years"
Publisher:  S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912.     Vol. 3, page 425
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer
 
LOUIS DUVAL SENAT

     In mercantile circles the name of Senat was for a number of years an 
important one, figuring conspicuously in connection with commercial interests in 
the first half of the nineteenth century.  Louis D. Senat was born in 
Philadelphia, April 3, 1824, a son of Prosper Louis Senat, a native of Tours, 
France.  When a young man the father crossed the Atlantic to continue his 
education in Yale and was there graduated in due course of time.  He was the 
only member of his family who came to the new world.  Pleased with America, its 
form of government, its business conditions and its opportunities, he decided to 
remain and following his graduation took up his abode in Philadelphia, where he 
engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business.  Here he was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna Barnes, a native of Philadelphia, and unto them were born four 
children, three sons and a daughter, of whom Louis Duval was the youngest.  Our 
subject's uncle, George L. Senat, is mentioned in the naval history of the 
United States as commanding the ship Porcupine in the battle of Lake Erie during 
the war of 1812.

     Louis Duval Senat was educated in the private schools of Philadelphia and 
entered business circles in connection with a prominent dry-goods firm of this 
city, which he represented on the road for several years.  He looked after the 
foreign business of the house, going abroad several times each year.  
Subsequently he connected himself with the firm of Senat Brothers & Company, in 
which he remained an active factor until his demise.  Throughout his business 
life he made continuous progress, holding at all times to a definite aim and 
unfaltering purpose.

     Mr. Senat was united in marriage to Miss Cecelia A. Wright, a daughter of 
Peter Wright, a very prominent Philadelphian and the promoter and organizer of 
the American Steamship Company.  The Wrights were members of the Society of 
Friends and prominent representatives of that sect.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Senat 
were born five children:  Norwood Penrose, now a resident of Pittsburg; Miss 
Mary W. Senat, who resides at Hotel Delmar in Germantown, Philadelphia; Prosper 
L., an artist of fame, whose permanent address is The Delmar;  Anna B., the wife 
of Walter M. Gorham, of Germantown; and Louis D., also an artist, living at 
Ridley Park.  The family has long been a prominent one in this city and its 
representatives in the present generation have added new laurels to an 
untarnished family name.