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THE “SENSINEYS” OF AMERICA

SENSENY

SENSENIG

SENSENICH

SENSENEY

Family Crest

(See page 159)

Compiled by Barton Sensenig,

Collaborating with

R. Eugene (Sensenig) Montgomery,

Dr. Roscoe Lloyd Sensenich,

Jeannette Senseney, and others.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

1943

Copyrighted by

Barton Sensenig

A. D. 1943

Printed by

Lyon & Armor, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pa.

ARRANGEMENT OF MATERIAL:

Preface, acknowledgments and explanations

Introduction

CHAPTER I

progeny of Christian and Margaret Muller Senseny, who after

1780 settled in Chambersburg, Pa., and in Maryland—the

Senseny Branch .

CHAPTER II

first three generations of Jacob Sensenig’s descendants.

CHAPTER III

Pike Mennonite Group, who are descended through Michael,

b. 1723, oldest son of Jacob, and through Michael Sensenig,

d. 1806, and his first wife, Barbara Shirk.

CHAPTER IV

Goodville Branch, descended through Michael, d. 1806, and his

second wife, Barbara Oberholtzer…

CHAPTER V

Sensenich group, descended through Christian Sensenich

(1757-1832), son of Michael, b. 1723 .

CHAPTER VI

Conestoga Branch, which descended through John (1764-

1826) and his son Christian (1793-1863) .

CHAPTER VII

Home Farm Group, which has had possession of the farm, or

the homestead part of it, from the beginning until now. This

group descends through the 2nd Jacob (1730-1814) .

CHAPTER VIII

Brecknock Township Group, whose line of descent is Michael,

b. 1723; John (1764-1826); Jacob (1790-1833); and Daniel

Witwer Sensenig (1812-1864) .

CHAPTER IX

The Farmersville Group, whose line of descent is Michael, b. 1723;

John (1764-1826); John (1802-1878) ; and John M. Sensenig

(1832-1923) 131-141

CHAPTER X

The Virginia Branch, descended through Peter Senseney, the

youngest son of Jacob, the first, and the youngest brother of

Michael, b. 1723. Peter was born in 1738 and died in 1804. 142-155

CHAPTER XI

The Tennessee Branch of the Virginia Branch. 156—158

Appendix . 159

BARTON SENSENIG

Compiler of the record, at age 65

R. EUGENE (Sensenig) MONTGOMERY

Chief CoRahorator

PREFACE

NO PERSON can build up a family record without the help of others.

There must be collaboration by many persons, and the record will

be just as complete as the contributions which have been sent in

to the compiler of the record. If the information in certain places seems

to be lacking, it is because information was withheld, or was not sent in.

It is in order here to make acknowledgments to those who have contributed

to the record:

A very large contribution has been made by R. Eugene (Sensenig)

Montgomery, who spent time and money in gathering data. Most of the

Virginia Branch, and of the Christian Senseny-Margareth Muller branch

are his contribution, along with other information obtained by examining

wills and deeds.

Mrs. Caroline S. Coldren, Secretary of the Lancaster County Historical

Society, made large contributions by way of untangling some knotty tangles.

She also contributed much information bearing on the early Sensenigs who

settled in Lancaster County. She proved that Magdalena Wenger, and not

Barbara Oberholtzer, was the wife of Michael Sensenig, b. 1723.

Isaac G. Sensenig, in reporting for the farm group, sent in over 300

names and dates. That was a big piece of work.

Bertha Sensenich Singer, daughter of Harry W. Sensenich, had access

to the records he had gathered, and which he did not live to complete.

Chester D. Sensenich sent us the information about the Irwin branch

of the Sensenich family.

Mrs. Magdalena Sensenig Wenger gave us all the information about

the Franklin County branch of the Goodville group.

Allen Burns Senseney, of Knoxville, Tenn., gave us the information

about the Tennessee group.

The compiler of the record had special advantage in having been born

in Lancaster County, from which radiated all the various branches of the

big “Sensiney” family. As a man seventy-seven years of age and still of

clear mind, and knowing Sensenigs in five generations, he was drafted by

members of the Sensenig family to build up the record. He knew the key

persons from whom to get information, and his educational training fitted

him for the task. He is responsible for the Introduction and the longer

articles appearing in the book. These are based on personal knowledge,

or on information furnished by others.

It would not be fair not to include the many names of persons who in a lesser degree made contribution to this book, and we shall here set

down their names and addresses:

Rev. Peter Weaver, Ephrata, Pa.;

Mary Snyder Nolt, Bareville, Pa.;

Mrs. Levi Garman, Goodville, Pa.;

Miss Emma Sensenig, Lititz, Pa.;

Earl Sensenig, Reading, Pa.;

Clyde Gamber, Lancaster, Pa.;

Mrs. Walter Sensenich, New Holland, Pa.;

Mrs. Blanche Goheen Renninger, New Holland, Pa.;

Lemon Sensenig, Reading, Pa.;

Mrs. J. Winters Weaver, Narvon, Pa.;

Rev. Oliver H. Sensenig, Altoona, Pa.;

William S. Martin, Altadena, California;

Rev. Elmer Sensenig, Allentown, Pa.;

Prof. Heber Sensenig, Newport, Rhode Island;

Bishop Noah Mack, New Holland, Pa.;

Mrs. Warren Yerger, Terre Hill, Pa.;

Dr. Wayne Sensenig, Cynwyd, Pa.;

Anna Sensenig, Philadelphia, Pa.;

William Eby, Blue Ball, Pa.;

Katie Sensenig, Meadville, Missouri;

Peter Albert Sensenig, Rahway, New Jersey;

Ella Martin Sensenig, Philadelphia, Pa.;

Florence Wilkinson, Middletown, Virginia;

Mrs. Sue Winters Richwine, Washington, D. C.;

Mrs. Lydia Sensenig Kauffroth, Gap, Pa.;

Mrs. Ethel Senseney Gutridge, Cheverly, Maryland;

Edna Sensenich, Philadelphia, Pa.;

Rev. Daniel S. Sensenig, New Holland, Pa.;

Mrs. Mary Sensenig Becker, Lititz, Pa.;

Mrs. Martha Sensenig Reber, Sinking Springs, Pa.;

Amos Sensenig, East Earl, Pa.;

Sensenich Brothers, Lititz, Pa.;

Mrs. Magdalena Sensenig Hess, Ephrata, Pa.;

Jeannette Senseney, Chambersburg, Pa.;

Cora Horst, Shippensburg, Pa.;

Miss Nelle Senseney, Huntington, W. Va.;

John R. Senseney, Alexandria, Louisiana;

Ella Beard Cannon, York County Historical Society.

We also made use of other family lineage records.

PREFACE

EXPLANATIONS:

As to abbreviations:

b. stands for born; d. for died; m. for married; b. 7-6-1884 means

born July 6, 1884. John Sensenig, b. 5-8-1875; d. 8-12-1942; m. Mary

Good, b. 6-3-1876; d. 7-10-1938—all this means that John Sensenig was born

May 8, 1875; died August 12, 1942; married Mary Good, who was born

June 3, 1876, and died July 10, 1938. Mtgy. stands for R. Eugene (Sensenig)

Montgomery; C— stands for Caroline Coldren of the Lancaster County

Historical Society. B.S. stands for the compiler of this record; J. stands

for Jeannette Senseny of Chambersburg, Pa.; (*) stands for no issue.

As to designation:

a, b, c, d, etc., designate the members of a family from the oldest to

the youngest (generally).

If (a)bcf stands for the head of a family, then by dropping the f, you

will have (a) be representing his father, found a page or so earlier. Drop

the c and you have (a)b, representing the grandfather, and (a) will repre¬

sent the great grandfather. In general, by dropping the end letter, you go

back a generation.

Our method of dealing with this matter of lineage is altogether

original, and is an attempt to do away with the system of numbers generally

employed in setting forth the subject, as we find in other books. We think

there is an advantage in using letters to designate persons. Suppose Christian

Senseny has four sons—a., b., c. and d., then in the preceding paragraph,

(a) bcf would represent the fourth generation in the line of the first son.

(b) bcf would designate the fourth generation in the line of the 2nd son,

etc. It will all be plain after you see the system in operation in the treat¬

ment of the Christian Senseny-Margaret Muller branch of the family —the

Senseny branch. B.S.

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE BOOK FUND:

(In order to enable us to sell this book at two dollars, the following

have each contributed twenty-five dollars to the Book Fund.)

Anna Sensenig, Philadelphia, Pa. 25.00

Mr. and Mrs. William S. Martin, Altadena, California. 25.00

Sensenich Brothers, Lititz, Pa. 25.00

Chester G. Sensenich, Irwin, Pa. 25.00

John R. Senseney, Alexandria, Louisiana . 25.00

George Eyster Senseney, Ipswich, Massachusetts. 25.00

Dr. Roscoe Lloyd Sensenich, South Bend, Indiana. 25.00

INTRODUCTION

M ANY readers of this introduction are familiar with the history of

Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Bigotry and

intolerance were rampant. The Catholic Church has never been

a democratic institution as to doctrine. Its keynote during these centuries

was Believe as we tell you or be damned. The Council of Toulouse forbade

the reading of the Scriptures by laymen, and adopted severe measures against

heresy. In Germany and Switzerland, at this time, only the Catholic,

Lutheran, and Reformed churches were tolerated by law. The adherents

of the “sects,” as they were called, were persecuted, and among these were the

Mennonites. Yes, the Reformers were persecutors, along with the Catholics.

To be free of Rome did not make them free of intolerance. It was John

Calvin who was responsible for the burning of Michael Servetus at the

stake, October 27, 1553. Those who believed that there were “infants in

hell a span long,” believed in a cruel God, and they felt they were support¬

ing divinity when they persecuted.

Dr. Roscoe Lloyd Sensenich, while searching for information relative

to our family, contacted an Austrian army officer, Rudolph Sintzenich, who

stated that in the 16th century the Protestant branch of our family was

forced to flee to Switzerland to avoid persecution, while the Catholic branch,

of which he was a member, remained in Austria. Later, intolerance swept

them out of Switzerland, also; and upon invitation of William Penn, they

settled in Pennsylvania.

The question which immediately presents itself is, Why were the Men¬

nonites persecuted? The main reason is that they didn’t believe in infant

baptism. They thought the good God would not punish children who had

not yet come to years of understanding; that children are sinless; that

baptism should not be administered until people had reached years of

accountability, and of their own volition desired to be baptized. For this

reason, and for lesser reasons, they absented themselves from established

churches. The Swiss persecution of the Mennonites stands out as a blot

on the Protestant Reformation. Both Dutch and German Reformers were

horrified that Swiss Protestants persecuted Mennonites. It was truly an age

of intolerance.

The Edict of Nantes, in force from April 30, 1598, till October 20,

1685, allowed Protestants the free exercise of their religion in France, and

threw open to them all the offices of the state. When the edict was revoked,

about 500,000 Protestants fled to the Netherlands and to England and other

Protestant countries. These countries gained what France lost, as the best artisans were numbered among these Huguenots. Many of these were Mennonites, who rose to distinction. Mosheim said of them, at a little later

period, “It is certain that the Mennonites in Holland at this day are, in their

tables, their equipages, and their country seats, the most luxuriant of the

Dutch nation. This is especially true of the Mennonites of Amsterdam.”

We see that the nonconformist religious groups gravitated from one

country to another to escape religious persecution, and among these were

the Sensenigs, with the variations in spelling the name. They are found

in Jugo-Slavia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark,

Germany, and England. So far as we have been able to find out, all the

old Sensenig Bibles were printed in German. We have not heard of one

printed in French, and we may safely conclude that the “Sensineys” were

of Germanic stock, though living in other countries than Germany. Those

in France would adopt a spelling to conform to French pronunciation,

Senseney. Those in Germany would spell the name Sensenich or Sentzenich,

the pronunciation of both ways being the same; and those of Holland,

Belgium, Switzerland, and Denmark would use the ending nig or neg, which

in German would have the same pronunciation as ich. Thus, the German

word ewig (everlasting) is pronounced evich. The word seiigkeit (hap¬

piness) is pronounced like selichkeit. So, the use of ig and ich is a matter

of choice, but ig is shorter and has come into more common use.

One of our family group travelling in Belgium found a nice house

named Chateau Senseneg. From another member of the family we learn

of a family in France, near Lyons, which spelled the name Senseney. We

may not conclude that the Protestants who fled from France were French.

People had gone there because of religious freedom and left again when

the Edict of Nantes was repealed. If Zimmermans who had been living

in Germany for centuries move to England and take the name Carpenter ,

which means the same, and twenty years later move to the United States with

the name Carpenter, are these people English or German? The fact is that

early Sensenig wills were written in German. Dr. Peter Senseney named his

house Germany , and he had a German Bible. Michael Sensenig married

Magdalena Wenger, and we know that both Sensenigs and Wengers were in

Austria 500 years ago. The Sensenigs, under the name Sintzenich, were at

Ulm on the Danube in Austria in 1505. The record of the name is found on

page 17, book 5, of Erklarung des Wappans, in Vienna. This subject

embraces the explanations of coats of arms. There was a Sintzenich coat

of arms, of which we shall speak in the Appendix.

To revert to the spelling of the name, Faust and Brumbaugh wrote two

volumes containing lists of Swiss Emigrants in the 18th Century to the

American Colonies, and in the 2nd volume incidentally mention the fact that

Margareth Muller was married to Christian Sinzenig. In Patent Book A,

Volume XIII, we find the farm patented to Jacob Sensiney. In signing a

release of a part of the land, the three sons of Jacob signed: John Sinsinigh,

Peter Sensenig, and Michael Sentzenig. Take notice that the ending in each

case has the effect of nig. These three sons, each in his own way, tried to

give English expression to the name. The brothers didn’t always write the

name in the same way. Michael, at different times, signed Sinsinig, Sen-

senich, Sensenigh, Sinsenig , and on his tombstone we read Sensnig. When

Michael signed Sinsenig , his wife, Magdalena, made it Sensenich; and one

of her sons, Christian, adopted that way of spelling the name. But now a

majority of the “Sensineys” spell it Sensenig. Rupp, in his History of

Lancaster County, written over a hundred years ago, spoke of the Sensineys,

and that is in line with the popular pronunciation.

The early Sensenigs were Mennonites, and were opposed to taking part

in civil government, and you look in vain for the name Sensenig on the

civil list. But to my surprise, I found them taking part in military training

after the Revolutionary War, between 1783 and 1790. We find Sensenig

names on the militia rolls of Lancaster County. They may have served under

pressure. Be that as it may, the record appears, as follows:

Christian Senseney was a part of Captain Werntz’s Company, 8th

Battalion of Lancaster County Militia in 1784. Isaac Senseney served in

John Armor’s Company in 1786. Abraham Sensenich served in William

Skiles’ Company. Peter Senseney was to have been in the York Co. Militia,

but he wouldn’t serve and was heavily fined. Jacob Sensnick served in

Captain Henry’s Company in 1786. Since Mennonites are opposed to war,

one wonders how it came about that these men took military training.

Perhaps, they chose the lesser of two evils, as we are doing today. In the

Kellog Pact we set ourselves against war as a means of settling world

disputes, but today we are arming to the hilt in the greatest war of all times.

Does this seem unreasonable? Let’s look into this matter:

If the sheep in a certain field stand for peace and righteousness and

are animated by high Christian motives, and the wolves in the adjacent field

believe in the god of force and deride the lofty sentiment of the sheep, what

will happen to the sheep? Can we afford to let it happen? No! We must

fight that righteousness may not perish from the face of the earth. We

must fight to maintain the gains that have been made through Christian

teaching. War is dreadful, but honor demands that we stand for the right

even unto death. Jesus died for the truth. All the world knew that America

stood for peace, and for the rights of weaker nations; but while we were

preparing for peace others prepared for war; and shall we now let these

bandit nations get away with the loot of the world? We must fight that

righteousness may have a chance to make headway in the world. As the

son of a Mennonite, that represents my view. After all, peace is only one

word in the Christian catalogue of words. I have great respect for the man

who is willing to die for what he thinks is right. To die for a good cause

is unselfish; to live in peace, and wear away one’s life trying to make

money, is selfish. Peace in the ultimate is what we are all striving for, but

before it can be achieved, I think great battles will have to be fought. Those

who spurn the Christian philosophy of life will have to be beaten into

submission. America stands for peace but not at any price.

As to taking part in civil life, the Mennonites in Europe shrank from

taking part in government, and there was reason for this. The governing

authority persecuted them. But in this democratic country, where govern¬

ment is as good as the people make it, what religious scruples can anybody

have against taking part in government? Those who are anxious that

righteousness should prevail in government should by all means register

their convictions. My father was a Mennonite and took active part in

elections. David M. Sensenig constantly strove for righteousness in politics,

and voted at every election as a Christian duty.

The sects have made large contribution to the cause of freedom of

thought, but now that there are so many sects, representing all phases of

religious thought, the challenge to these sects is to cooperate for the good

of all. Instead of tearing apart, let’s get together and work for the common

good. Already, the various Methodist groups have consolidated into one

body, and now there is an effort in progress to unite Methodists, Presby¬

terians, and Episcopalians into one body. We all think about the same as

to essentials of Christian belief, and why should the unessentials keep us

apart? After all, people can think differently and belong to the same church.

I like the spirit of the Sensenichs who helped to start the Evangelical church

at Bridgeville, though they were Mennonites.

Every Sensenig will be interested as to the time when the first Sensenigs

came to this country. Between 1726 and 1776, thirty thousand immigrants

came to Pennsylvania. You will not find the Sensenigs among these. They

had come earlier. Jacob Sensenig married Maria Krey in this country and

their oldest child Michael was born in 1723. Margareth Muller came here

in 1714-15 and married Christian Sensenig, Jacob’s brother. We have good

reason to think that they were married before 1720. They were both from

Switzerland and probably knew each other before they came here; both

fleeing from persecution. The Society of Friends in their yearly meeting

in London in 1709 voted fifty pounds to help poor Mennonites to make the

big journey across the Atlantic. In 1711 and 1717 larger numbers came,

and we think the Sensenigs were among these. For a while, they lived in

the vicinity of Germantown, and from there made prospector’s journeys into

Lancaster County (before it was a separate County), where Jacob and brother

Christian chose land a short distance apart in what was later Earl Township.

Poor Mennonites also managed to get to Pennsylvania. They would

work for several years for their more fortunate brothers to pay for their

ship-passage. The Mennonite church also contributed money to this end.

We have a record of Jacob Sensenig, contributing sixty dollars to help pay

for the ship-passage of Christian Eshelman and family of six children. Let

us also remember that the passage of the Atlantic in those days was a

gruelling experience. Only rugged people could stand the voyage. It is

estimated that as many as two thousand people died in one year in the trips

over the Atlantic. The voyage was long and tedious, and impure water

and filthy living conditions were factors in turning ships into hospitals;

and Philadelphia, the port of destination, became the medical center of

America, a distinction which it still holds. All honor to the pioneers who

braved the voyage across the Atlantic and the privations of the wilderness.

In looking over the record, the reader will find the farm group

exceeding in number all the rest of the big “Sensiney” family. Like Phillips

Brooks, we can pride ourselves in having forty generations of farmers at

our back. It is a great advantage to have been born on a farm and to have

grown to manhood on it. The diversity of farm life leads to the acquisition

of many skills. A well-conducted farm is a big school. Boys and girls

from the farms are as a rule very practical, and are not afraid to face

the issues of life; and they are not too lazy to put forth the effort to achieve

success. When a farm boy goes in for the higher education, he generally

achieves success, because he learns to give expression to a well-rounded

experience which has already been acquired on the farm. The case of

David M. Sensenig demonstrates what a farm boy can do in the educational

field.

I was born on a farm and lived on it for eight years, when my father

moved into the village of Goodville. In my early teens, my father felt

that it would be to my advantage to spend a summer on a farm to learn

to do a day’s work. I consider the summer on the farm as rich in expe¬

rience, and my sympathy to this day is with the working classes. The high-

hat crowd which are afraid to put their hands to the plow, are at a discount

in my thinking. The farm group has the largest families, because the farm

is the best place to raise a large family.

Finally, the stress of this book is on character, rather than on wealth

and public glamor. The dominant strain of the family is sympathetic. The

first Jacob showed this strain when he helped to bring over Eshelman and

his family in 1770. His brother Christian is spoken of by Hans Huber

in his will as “his good and trusty friend Christian Sensenny.” I have found

this sympathetic strain in all branches of the family. The fact that the

family has furnished more than twenty doctors is further confirmation of the

sympathetic strain. Another characteristic strain is friendliness. The

“Sensineys” are friendly and cheerful, but they will not let arrogant people

walk over them. May we all measure up to the high standards which have

been set by the best representatives of our family.

B.S.

CHAPTER I.

THE SENSENY BRANCH

T HE “Sensineys” who have sprung from the union of Christian Senseny

and Margareth Muller spell the name Senseny, excepting those

descended through John Senseney.

In Land Warrant Book, Index No. 77, 150 acres of land are set down

in the name of Christian Sensiney. This tract was surveyed January 27,

1734. It was returned April 22, 1747, as 216 acres. Reference: Patent

Book A-9-266; Survey Book C-182-179.

In the Patent Book, his name is Senzenich. In the Survey Book, it is

Christian Senzeney, alias, Christian Sansanick.

His land joined that of Jacob Milin, Christian Martin, and Dr. Lewis,

and land not yet taken.

In A-9-266, the stipulation for payments is: “On the 1st of March, each

year, he must pay to the Penn heirs a half-penny Sterling per acre.”

Christian was naturalized September 25, 1747 (Pennsylvania Archives,

2nd volume of the 2nd series, page 374).

A photostat of his will is on file with the Lancaster County Historical

Society. He lived near New Holland; made his will May 12, 1753, and

died June 1753. C—

In his will, he names his. wife Margaret, and his sons—Jacob, Michael,

John, and Christian. In the body of the will he gives each of his sons a

farm, and provides that Margaret shall continue to dwell in her house as

long as she lives.

Margaret and Jacob were the executors of his estate. Both Jacob and

John were doctors.

When Hans Hoober ordained Christian Sensenny as an executor of his

will, he alluded to him as “My well beloved and trusty friend.” That state¬

ment helps us to estimate Christian as a man.

We shall name this branch of the family The Senseny Branch, and the

reader will find the name spelled that way throughout this chapter, excepting

the offspring of Dr. John Senseney.

Christian Senseny married Margaret Muller, who came to this country

from Switzerland in 1714-15. He and his brother Jacob acted in consort.

They acted and planned together. In the Land Warrant Book, Jacob’s

number is 76 and Christian’s 77. The children born to this union are: (2nd

Gen.)

a. Dr. John Senseny, d. 1800;

b. Dr. Jacob Senseny, d. 1769;

c. Christian Senseny, d. 1761;

d. Michael Senseny, d. 1773.

(a) John Senseny was “a practitioner of Physic” who resided in Leacock

Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. He married Mary -. He

purchased several farms, which were willed or given to his sons. These

farms were located in Maryland, to which State John had moved after

1782. The farm on which he lived and on which is the family grave¬

yard, is now in possession of Ernest Senseny. Dr. John has only a

sandstone as a memorial. The children to this union: (3rd Gen.)

a. Isaac Senseny, (1766-1804);

b. Jacob Senseny, d. 1829;

c. John E. Senseny (willed a farm by his father, located on Pipe

Creek);

d. Abraham Senseny, d. 1811 (unmarried). The father willed him

a farm and his doctor’s instruments.

e. Christian Senseny (1776-1836);

f. Margaret;

g. Mary.

Mtgy.

(b) Dr. Jacob Senseny, d. 1769, married Barbara Musselman. They lived

in Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. We found out that this man was

a doctor through an inventory, as follows:

Inventory:

Jacob Senseny of Warwick, Doctor of Physick,

Late Deceased:

June 30, 1769

July, 1, 1769 (Exhibited) Signed,

Barbara Senciney

Henry Carpenter C—

Christian Bamberger

Jacob and Barbara owned a 100-acre farm. Their children: (3d

Gen.)

a. John Senseny, (9-23-1758; d. 3-30-1819.);

b. Abraham, b. 6-19-1761; d. 2-23-1844;

c. Joshua, d. 1826;

d. Sarah.

(c) Christian, d. 1761, m. Ursula Shoneur. After his death his widow

married his Cousin, Peter Senseney, who lived on the farm his father

willed him in Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. Peter was the guardian

of Christian’s two minor daughters until he left Lancaster County.

Then John, d. 1800, became the guardian of Mary and Barbara (3d

Gen.). Mtgy.

(d) Michael Senseny, d. 1773, married Freena Veronica. They lived on

the 125-acre farm his father had bought for him from Paul and Anna

Teterhaar, in Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. He died intestate and

his widow married Christian Eby (lower). Their children: (3d Gen.)

a. Barbara Senseny, b. 1-30-1750; d. 4-24-1787; m. George Eby.

She is buried in the Eby family plot not far from Hammer Creek

Cemetery.

b. Esther Senseny, b. 1-30-1754; d. 1824; m. John Huber (1750-

1811). They are buried in the cemetery of Salem U. B. Church,

Franklin Co., Pa.

c. Christian, b. 1767, living in Warwick Twp. in 1790; m. Barbara

Brubaker, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Baer Brubaker. They

were married in Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pa., June

17, 1788.

d. Anna Senseny (over 14 years of age in 1773). Dr. John Senseny

was her guardian.

e. Mary;

f. Susanna;

g. Maria (John Shantz was her guardian). C— and Mtgy.

The Fourth Generation:

(a)a. Isaac Senseny, b. 1766; d. 1804; m. Mary-. They resided

in Salisbury Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. He was willed a farm of 115

acres by his father (Will is on record in Frederick Co., Md.).

Children: (4th Gen.)

John, Isaac, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine. We know nothing more

about this group.

(a)b. Jacob, d. 1829, married Anna Baer. He was willed a 120-acre farm.

This will is also on record in Frederick County, Md. Children: (4th

Gen.)

a. Jacob, b. 1791;

b. Elizabeth, b. 5-9-1804; d. 10-17-1868;

c. Catherine;

d. Peter, b. 2-3-1789; d. 2-21-1855.

(a)e. Christian, b. 1776; d. 3-1-1836; m. Anna Appier, b. 1782; d. 3-5-1853,

daughter of Jacob Appier. He was willed 127 acres of land by his

father. Children: (4th Gen.)

a. Susanna;

b. Mary;

c. Kitty Ann;

d. Lydia Senseny, b. 4-11-1805; d. 10-20-1869 (buried in Church

of God Cemetery, Uniontown, Md.);

e. A. Hanson Senseny, b. 8-13-1812; d. 11-26-1844;

f. Washington Senseny, b. 5-26-1815; d. 12-18-1868;

g. Angeline Senseny, b. 9-28-1825; d. 12-18-1899;

h. William Senseny, d. 1852;

i. John W. Senseny, b. 1818; m. Sister of Mrs. Cleveland, accord¬

ing to Mrs. Joseph England;

j. Eleanor.

(b)a. John Senseny (1758-1819) married Margaret Zwalley Siehrest, b.

5-24-1748; d. 1-23-1819, widow of Solomon Siehrest, and daughter of

Christian Zwalley, a prominent man in his day. John owned property

in Warwick Twp., also, in the city of Lancaster, a residence on North

Queen Street. He also owned stock in the Phila. and Lane. Turnpike

Co., and was County Commissioner in 1795. At the time of his death

he was a tax-collector. He met his death when a bandit frightened

his horse, causing it to stumble and fall down the steep bank of

Cocalico Creek. Several days later his body was found several miles

down stream, and his wallet was missing. He and his wife were

buried on Zwalley farm until several years ago, when his remains

were interred in Jerusalem Evangelical churchyard, Rothsville, Pa.

There were no children born to this union.

(b)b. Dr. Abraham Senseny, son of Dr. Jacob Senseny, d. 1769, was born

in 1761 and died in 1844. He married Margaret Hoover, b. 11-5-1761;

d. 11-5-1851. She was the daughter of Frederick Hoover, a physician

living in Chambersburg, Pa. This Dr. Hoover served in the Revolu¬

tionary War, contracted a fever, and died in the Philadelphia Hospital.

Abraham and Margaret were married in Trinity Reformed Church

of York, Pa., September 30, 1783. Dr. Abraham moved from Lan¬

caster County in 1781.

Dr. Senseny was born in New Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa., and at an

early age went to York and began the study of his profession. He

remained in that town till 1781 and then made Chambersburg his

permanent home. He probably studied medicine under Dr. Peter in

York, as Peter resided there in 1781. Dr. Abraham practiced medi¬

cine in Chambersburg for 63 years.

One night as Dr. Abraham was sitting in his office, he was confronted

by two heavily armed bandits, who asked him to go with them to

attend a very sick woman. They promised that no harm would come

to him, but that he would have to allow himself to be blindfolded

after they left the town. His wife urged him not to go, but he said,

“If a very sick woman needs my services I must go.” He went with

them quite a long distance before they dismounted from their horses.

He was led into a cave to the sick woman, who gave birth to a baby

before the doctor left. They brought him back blindfolded to the

edge of tlie town, where they gave him a bag of gold, and told him

not to look around until he no longer heard their horses’ hoofs. These

men were English bandits who lived in a cave several miles from

Chambersburg. J.

The children born to this union: (4th Gen.)

a. Catherine, b. 1-25-1787; d. 8-13-1876;

b. Jeremiah, b. 8-14-1779; d. 8-6-1863;

c. John Senseny, married to Elizabeth Snyder;

d. Magdalene, married to Henry Reges;

e. Rebecca, b. 1796; d. 8-7-1875;

f. Eliza, 1789; d. 10-31-1882;

g. Mary (Polly) married John Hershberger, a graduate of West

Point, and a drillmaster there when General Grant attended the

Academy, and he drilled Grant; J.

h. Charlotte, b. 5-1-1802; d. 6-15-1863;

i. Jacob, b. 1864; d. 10-7-1885.

(b)c. Joshua, d. 1826, married Nancy -. He was a shoemaker,

who resided in Baltimore, Md. After the death of his brother John,

he moved to Lancaster. Issue: (4th Gen.)

Joshua, b. 8-18-1795, Anna, Susan, Jacob (d. 1833), and Polly.

(b)d. Sarah Senseny married Christian Zwalley, b. 5-3-1751; d. 1835, son

of Christian Zwalley. No Issue.

(d)a. Barbara Senseny, b. 1-30-1750; d. 4-24-1787; m. 9-17-1769; George

Eby, b. 12-11-1748; d. 6-10-1800, son of Christian and Elizabeth

(Mayer) Eby. Children: (4th Gen.)

a. Christian Eby, m. Catherine Schaff;

b. Samuel Eby, 5-8-1872; d. 2-10-1840; m. Magdalena Herb;

c. David Eby;

d. George Eby, b. 5-8-1776; d. 11-17-1858; m. Barbara Wenger;

e. Joseph Eby, m. Elizabeth Hershey;

f. Anna Eby, m. Frederick Boyer;

g. Esther Eby, m. Peter Risser;

h. Elizabeth Eby, m. – McKane;

i. Susanna Eby, m. Jacob Summa.

(d)b. Esther Senseny (1764-1824), m. 1-30-1774, John Huber, b. 3-25-1750;

d. 1811. He was the son of Martin Huber. The Hubers were originally

Mennonites; but soon after Bishop Newcomer preached in John

Huber’s house, the entire family united with the United Brethren

Church. The Hubers lived at Hockey Spring, Franklin Co., Pa.

Children: Mtgy.

Esther, Anna, John, David, Samuel, Benjamin, Abraham, Fanny,

and Sarah (Record in Huber-Hoover History, by Harry Huber).

(d)c. Christian Senseny, b. 1767, m. Barbara Brubaker. Issue: (4th Gen.)

a. Jesse, m. Eleanor-. His children: (5th Gen.)

a. Mary Ann (1805-1877);

b. Joshua;

c. Anna.

b. Anna Senseny, m. John Forney (d. 1867), inn-keeper in West

Earl Twp., Lan. Co., He sold no liquor; kept a rooming house.

Anna was 2nd wife; Barb. Baker, 1st.

c. Susan Senseny, m. Eli Goodrich, inn-keeper;

d. Jacob Senseny, m. June Evans, b. 4-16-1815; d. 10-25-1882.

They are buried in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Md.

Jacob was a miller in Harford Co., Md. They had one child,

Amanda (1829-1899). (5th Gen.)

e. Polly, m. Peter McLaughlin, a tailor, living in Baltimore. Issue:

John and Peter McLaughlin. (5th Gen.) Mtgy.

5th Generation:

(a)ba. Jacob Senseny, b. 1791, m. Elizabeth Krize, b. 10-26-1799, daughter

of Peter and Elizabeth (Troxell) Krise. Issue:

a. James Senseny;

b. Alice Senseny.

(a)bb. Elizabeth Senseny (1804-1868), m. 6-6-1823, Peter Chrest, b. 7-19-

1786; d. 3-3-1876; buried in Church of God Cem., Uniontown, Md.

Children: (5th Gen.)

a. Jerusha (1825-1888);

b. Jacob;

c. Daniel (died in Leadville, Col.)

(a)be. Catherine Senseny, m. Philip Bishop of Adams Co. Mtgy.

(a)bd. Peter Senseny (1789-1855), m» 6-6-1821, Keturah Stevenson, b.

1788; d. 6-11-1858. They are buried in St. Paul’s Evangelical

cemetery, Uniontown, Md. Issue: (5th Gen.)

a. Mary Senseny, b. 1824; d. 9-2-1879;

b. Sarah, b. 1823; m. Richard Parrish;

c. Charles, b. 1-25-1825; d. 1-6-1913;

d. John Q. Senseny, b. March, 1827; d. 6-16-1911.

(a)ee. Alexander Hanson Senseny (1812-1894) m. 5-9-1838, Lavinia Engler,

b. 1-8-1819; d. 9-3-1904. He was a minister in the German

Baptist Church for many years. Children:

a. Silas P. Senseny, b. 1854;

b. Mary L. Senseny, b. 11-15-1839; d. 8-22-1922;

c. Sarah E. Senseny, b. 7-31-1850; d. 6-7-1888;

d. Hannah A. Senseny, b. 12-7-1843; d. 11-12-1914;

e. Ezra Senseny, b. 3-14-1849; d. 2-22-1935;

f. Amos Senseny, b. 1846; d. 1847.

(a)ea. Susanna Senseny, m. Joseph Sweegart (moved to Ohio).

(a)eb. Mary Senseny, m. – Ebersole. Issue:

Kitty and Ann Ebersole.

(a) eg. Angeline Senseny (1825-1899), m. David Heltabile (1822-1899).

They are buried in Pipe Creek Dunkard Cem., Uniontown, Md.

(a) ef. Washington Senseny (1815-1868); m. 10-15-1838, Mary Ann Grimes,

b. 7-27-1815; d. 6-20-1875. They are buried in Church of God Cem.,

Uniontown, Md. Children: (5th Gen.)

a. Mary, b. 1-5-1846; d. 10-5-1925;

b. Lydia E. (1848-1900);

c. Louisa Adelaide, b. 11-27-1851; d. 10-5-1913;

d. Caroline R., b. 1854; d. 3-22-1940;

e. Margaret, b. 8-25-1843; d. 4-3-1885;

f. John E. Senseney, b. 10-25-1840; d. 9-22-1921. Mtgy.

(b) ba. Catherine Senseny (1787-1876), m. – Hysinger. Buried

in Cedar Grove Cem., Chambersburg, Pa.

(b)bb. Dr. Jeremiah Senseny (1789-1863), m. Catherine Hoover, daughter

of Abraham Hoover of Bridgeport. They are buried in Zion

Reformed Cemetery. Children: (5th Gen.)

a. Abraham Hoover Senseny (1811-1874);

b. Christian H. Senseny, b. 1814; d. 9-1-1874;

c. Martha Senseny, b. 7-26-1828; d. 12-16-1900;

d. Jeremiah H. Senseny (1821-1873);

e. Ferdinand Senseny (1822-1894).

(b)bc. John Senseny, m. Elizabeth Snyder, daughter of Peter and Hannah

Cook Snyder. Children: (5th Gen.)

a. Jeremiah S. Senseny, b. 10-2-1821; d. 11-17-1873;

b. Abraham S.;

c. Ferdinand, b. 5-20-1823; d. 2-18-1894; m. Jane Carson;

d. Margaret Senseny, m. Henry Sierer.

(b)bd. Magdalene Senseny, m. Henry Reges, a captain in Jeremiah Snyder’s

Regiment of Penna. Volunteers in the War of 1812. They guarded

the harbor of Baltimore when the Star Spangled Banner was being

written on board of a ship. J.

(b)be. Rebecca Senseny (1796-1885), m. Nov. 23, 1813, Henry Ruby, b.

4-8-1804; d. 3-5-1891, son of Caspar and Sarah (Piesel) Ruby.

They are buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery. He came to Chambers*

burg in 1814, and entered the printing office of his uncle, F. W.

Schophfin, the publisher of a German language newspaper. After

the death of the uncle he became owner, and conducted the shop

for four years. In 1831, he began the publication of the Franklin

Telegraph, out of which grew the Valley Spirit. Later he was Supt.

of the German Reformed Messenger establishment until 1839. He

was appointed register and recorder of Franklin County by Governor

Porter, and elected to the same office at the first election under the

new Constitution. In 1847 he was elected Associate Judge. In 1853,

he was postmaster at Orrstown. In 1856 he moved to Shippensburg,

and for twenty years was in the grain and forwarding business.

He was a member of the German Reformed Church, a democrat,

and a Mason. Mtgy.

(b)bf. Eliza Senseny (1789-1882), m. John Strealy (1794-1857), son of

John and Margaret (Snyder) Strealy, a schoolteacher and later a

book printer. Children: (5th Gen.)

a. John Strealy (1820-1898); m. Martha Sieman, and went to Ky.;

b. Catherine Strealy (1822-1875), m. Matthew P. Welsh;

c. Jacob Strealy (1825-1914), m. Kathrine Kerr;

d. Margaret Strealy (1832-1898) ;

e. Abraham Strealy, b. 1837; m. Annie Lewis. Lived in W. Va.

Mtgy.

(b)bh. Charlotte Senseney, m. Henry Smith, b. 2-3-1805; d. 9-15-1855.

Sixth Generation:

(a)baa, James Senseny, m. 1848, Elizabeth Ann Luscaleet.

(a)bba. Jerusha Senseny, b. 11-30-1825; d. 1888; m. Ephraim Barner,

b. 11-8-1815; d. 4-18-1900. Children:

a. Jesse Barner, b. 1862;

b. Emma Barner, b. 1860;

c. Alva Barner, b. 1865.

(a)bbb. Jacob Senseny married, and had a daughter who married William

Grist.

(a)bda. Mary Senseny (1824-1879), m. Richard Pfoutz (1825-1884).

Issue: (6th Gen.)

a. Samuel Pfoutz, who married Louisa Senseny.

(a)bdb. Sarah Senseny, b. 1823, m. Richard Parrish, b. 5-10-1822; d.

12-2-1857. They are buried in Methodist Cemetery, Uniontown, Md.

Issue:

a. Charles Parrish, b. 1856; d. 6-17-1940; m. Martha Shreiner,

d. 1920.

I)R. ABRAHAM SENSENY DR. ABRAHAM HOOVER SENSENY

(1761-1844) (1811-1874)

DR. BENJAMIN RUSH SENSENY JEANNETTE SENSENY

(1842-1880) B – Music

b. Frances Parrish;

c. Virginia, b. 6-5-1854; d. 2-28-1940; m. John Senseny. Buried

in Mt. View Cemetery.

(a)bdc. Charles Senseny (1825-1913), m. 5-18-1847, Rachel Rebecca

Blackson (1826-1862); buried in St. Paul’s Evangel. Cem., Union-

town, Md. They had one child:

a. John H. Senseney—a brakeman on the B. & 0. R. R.

(a)efe. Margaret Senseny (1843-1885), m. Joseph Engler, b. 10-13-1885;

d. 11-13-1916, son of Nathan and Martha (Kinzer) Engler. Buried

in Beaver Dam Church Cemetery, of the United Brethren Church.

Issue: (6th Gen.)

a. John Lee Engler, b. 1863; d. 11-23-1942; m. Emma Brown.

Residence: 5100 Maple Park Ave., Baltimore, Md. They

have four daughters—Mrs. Frank Farver, Mrs. Frank Mills,

Mrs. Eleanor McCormick, and Miss Catherine Engler.

b. Carrie Engler, b. 12-24-1864; d. 9-3-1923;

c. Harry S. Engler, b. 9-11-1867; d. 12-8-1923; m. Nancy

Wallen. They live at Seattle, Washington.

d. Grace Engler, b. 1-27-1870; d. 6-18-1873;

e. Mary Engler, b. 10-8-1875; m. E. Joseph Engler, b. 1-12-1862.

(a) eff. John E. Senseney (1840-1921), m. Elizabeth Engler, daughter of

David and Louisa (Royer) Engler. They are buried in Pipe Creek

Cemetery. Issue:

a. Mary Louisa Senseny, b. 5-17-1865; d. 12-6-1938;

b. E. Ernest Senseney, b. 11-11-1869. Mtgy.

(b) ba. Abraham Hoover Senseny (1811-1874), m. Jane Kirby Davis. When

Dr. Abraham Hoover was a student at Jefferson Medical College,

his professor of Obstetrics said, “Abraham has the eye of a hawk,

the heart of a lion, and the hand of a woman.” He said to

Abraham, “My boy, stay here—you will make your mark in Ob¬

stetrics.” He was a great friend of Dr. McClellan, whose father

studied with Dr. Benjamin Rush of Revolutionary fame, and whose

son was General McClellan. Abraham didn’t stay at college, but

he raised three sons to graduate from it; and in all, the Sensenys

furnished doctors for Chambersburg for over a hundred years.

When Abraham Hoover Senseny died, all the stores of Chambersburg

closed from 9 to 12, during the time of the funeral. Thousands

passed by his coffin. His wife, Jane Kirby Davis, was a lovely and

devoted wife and mother. She was a descendant of the Davis family

of Bucks County, who were prominent at the time when the Revolu¬

tionary forces encamped at Valley Forge, and who were loyal and

helpful to Washington. The Kirbys were noted teachers and scholars.

Issue: (6th Gen.) J.

a. William Davis Senseny, M.D.;

b. Alexander Hamilton Senseny, died of heart disease;*

c. Benjamin Rush Senseny, M.D.;

d. Edgar Nevin Senseny, M.D.; m. Fanny Gehr—no issue;*

e. George McClellan Senseny (1861-1862);*

f. ^Catherine Senseny, b. 11-25-1846; d. 3-29-1921; m. Wm.

McKnight;

g. Alice Denny Senseny, b. 9-29-1851; still living at age 91*;

m. 5-11-1882, John D. Grier, d. 8-10-1888; 2nd marriage,

11-18-1894, Albert L. Gardner, of Baltimore;

h. Jeannette Senseny (died at age of six).*

(a)bdd. John Q. Senseney (1827-1911), m. Marion Howard, 2-19-1860;

b. 4-25-1835; d. 12-1-1899. Residence: Linwood, Md. Buried in

Mt. View Cem., Uniontown, Md. Issue: (6th Gen.)

a. George Senseney, b. 12-11-1860; d. 4-14-1912;

b. Mary;

c. John, died 1938;

d. Clara, m. Harvey Stokes. Res.: Winona Lake, Ind.;

e. Rose, m. Andrew Hamilton. Res.: Baltimore;

f. Edgar, b. 2-10-1875; d. 11-11-1917;

g. Bessie;

h. Martha;

i. Ethel, b. 1879, m. Charles Hitshaw 3-27-1899.

(a)eea. Silas D. Senseney, b. 1854, m. 10-21-1881, Annie E. Repp (1854-

1935). He is president of the Union Bridge Banking and Trust Co.

Res.: Union Bridge, Route 1. Issue:

a. A. Marie Senseny.

(a)eeb. Mary Lavinia Senseney, b. 1839; d. 1922; m. 11-30-1861, John D.

Roop, b. 2-7-1838; d. 8-21-1929. He was an elder in the German

Baptist Church. Buried in Brethren Cem.

(a)eec. Sarah Elizabeth Senseney (1850-1888), m. Isaac Repp, b. 10-19-1849;

d. 12-12-1899. Issue: (6th Cen.)

a. Ada Louvina Repp (1878-1882);

b. Edna Repp, b. 1884, m. Edgar Graham.

(a)eed. Hannah Senseney (1843-1914), m. Elhanan Dohever, b. 12-9-1850;

d. 1-7-1892, son of Joshua and Sarah (Parkman) Dohever. Issue:

a. Clara, d. 3-9-1930; m. Cleveland Garber.

(a)eee. Ezra Senseney (1849-1935), m. 11-27-1874, Clara E. Welty, b.

6-12-1851; d. -. Buried in Pipe Creek Cem. Ezra was a

minister in the Church of the Brethren. Issue:

a. Eva Senseny;

b. Bertha Senseny, d. 2-26-1878;

c. Daughter, d. 1875;

d. Marshall Senseney;

e. S. Raymond Senseny, b. Sept. 1880; d. March, 1918;

f. Earl Senseny.

(a)efb. Lydia Ella Senseney (1848-1900), m. 5-20-1872, John N. Weaver

(1841-1925). Buried in Mt. View Cem., Union Bridge, Md.

(a) efd. Caroline R. Senseney (1854-1940), m. William Messier (1859-1933).

Buried in Church of God Cem., Uniontown, Md. Issue:

a. Addie Messier, m. Seward Engler;

b. John S. Messier, resides in York, Pa.

(b) bbb. Christian Hoover Senseny (1814-1874), died in the Civil War.

He was married to Margaret Peyton of Virginia. Issue:

Lula, Lela, and Harry (all dec’d).

(b)bbd. Jeremiah Senseny (1821-1873), married Elizabeth Logan, b. 3-28-

1825; d. 8-25-1905. She came from an English family. Children:

(6th Gen.) J.

a. Mary Catherine Senseny, b. 1849; d. Dec. 17, 1936;

b. Anna Rebecca Senseny (1850-1893);

c. Sarah C. Senseny (1854-1927);

d. James Logan Senseny (1856-1922), m. Emma C. Eckel (1857-

1917);

e. Jennie May Senseny (1866- ), the last surviving member

of this family, and blind—a very lovable person.

(b)bbe. Ferdinand Senseny, b. 5-20-1823; d. 2-18-1894; m. Mary Jane

Carson, b. 10-10-1827; d. 2-20-1889. They lived in Loudon and

are buried in Fort Loudon Cemetery. Issue:

a. Ellen Marion Senseny, b. 10-30-1850; d. 10-14-1928 (Single) ;

b. William Carson Senseny, b. 7-8-1852; d. 6-4-1919; m. Mary

Elizabeth Long, b. 7-6-1866; d. 4-7-1929. Issue:

a. Edna Mary Senseny, b. 12-30-1887; m. John A. McClellan,

and they have one child—Mary Edna McClellan, b.

2-15-1926.

b. Helen Catherine Senseny, b. 11-17-1888;

c. Ray William Senseny, b. 1-9-1894; m. Olive I. Kuhn.

No issue.

d. Ruth Carson Senseny, b. 4-6-1898;

c. Jane Catherine Senseny, b. 9-9-1857; d. 11-1-1933 (single);

d. George McClellan Senseny, b. 10-8-1861; d. 9-14-1862.

Seventh Generation:

(a)bcda. John H. Senseney married Virginia Parrish, b. 6-5-1854; d. 2-28-

1914, daughter of Richard and Mary Ann (Senseny) Parrish.

Buried in Mt. View Cemetery, Union Bridge, Md. Children: (7th

Gen.)

a. William Clinton Senseny, b. 1874; d. 11-16-1937;

b. Deihle Senseny;

c. Dayton Senseny.

(a)eeea. Eva Senseney, m. Herman Schnader, b. 1875; d. 4-15-1938. Issue:

Thelma Schnader.

(a)eeed. Marshall Senseney, m. 1-12-1893, Effie R. Repp. Issue: Catherine

Senseny.

(a)eeef. Earl Senseney, m. Louise Beecham, residence: Westminster, Md.

Issue:

a. Thomas;

b. Patricia;

c. Frederick.

(a) effa. Mary Louisa Senseney (1865-1938), m. Samuel Pfoutz. Issue: a

daughter, who married John D. Roop, Jr. Issue: Louise, Roger,

Carroll, and Elizabeth Roop. (7th Gen.)

(b) bbaa. William Davis Senseny, M.D., graduated from Jefferson College

in 1861, came home with his diploma, and an appointment as

surgeon in the army, but died in May, 1861, as the result of over¬

work while at college. J.

(b)bbac. Benjamin Rush Senseny, M.D., m. Rosalie Johnson Murdoch of

St. Louis, a woman greatly beloved by the whole town. She was

the first President of the Literary Club, which established the

Library. There was only one child born to this union:

a. Jeannette Senseny.

Dr. Benjamin Rush Senseny was internationally famous, as appears

in the following article:

The Sensenys of Chambersburg, Pa., practiced medicine for about

a hundred years, and Dr. Benjamin Rush Senseny, born December

12, 1842, was a member of the fifth generation of Sensenys to

practice medicine. He was educated in the Chambersburg schools

and academy, and at the age of twenty years presented himself

before a board of United States army surgeons in Philadelphia,

passed a creditable examination, and was commissioned a cadet

surgeon in the United States army. This commission has been

preserved and bears the signature of Edwin M. Stanton, secretary

of war, and is dated February 26, 1863.

Dr. Senseny was at once placed in Cherry Hill Hospital, Phila¬

delphia, but was soon transferred to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis,

Missouri. While there he studied medicine in Pope Medical

College, and in 1864 was granted the M.D. degree. Smallpox

was prevalent in that section, and the doctor gained wide expe¬

rience in treating the disease. In 1866, he returned to Chambersburg and entered practice with his father.

Dr. Benjamin Rush Senseny was disabled in childhood, and never

enjoyed robust health. With the hope of recovering failing health,

he went to a mining camp in White Pine Valley in western Nevada.

During the winter of 1868-69, smallpox spread in the camp, and

Dr. Senseny was the only doctor within 200 miles, and he was

compelled to treat the epidemic as best he could, under threats

of guns and pistols. Later, in writing of this experience, he said,

“No pen can adequately describe the horrors that confronted me

during my sojourn in that plague-stricken charnel house of the

White Pine Mountains of Nevada.”

With his health renewed, Dr. Senseny returned to Chambersburg

in 1874, and established the Pennsylvania Vaccine Farm in Hamil¬

ton Twp., on a farm owned by his father, and named Goshen.

Here, healthy young heifers from four to six months old were

leased from farmers for a period of four weeks. The Gernsey

stock was preferred because of having a thinner skin. At times,

the farm had as many as a hundred calves under treatment, and

in the course of six years more than a thousand heifers were used

to produce the animal vaccine.

Dr. Senseny had ready sale for large quantities of this animal

virus, and over a wide range of country; and a general agency

for its distribution was established in Philadelphia. This virus

was shipped as far as the Sandwich Islands, Japan, China, Africa,

New Zealand, and Canada. The United States government was

a heavy purchaser, for use in the army and navy and marine corps.

In a California epidemic, 40,000 persons were vaccinated in a

short time by virus made by Dr. Senseny in Chambersburg. The

Governor of Mississippi expressed thanks to Dr. Senseny for

promptly supplying virus to head off a great epidemic in his state.

Today, a case of smallpox is rarely seen, and yet, less than a

century ago, one was expected to have at least a touch of small¬

pox, just as now, one expects children to get the measles.

“The small insignificant operation of vaccination with animal

virus, now so universally performed, has done more for the human

race than any other procedure recorded in the history of man¬

kind.” The city of Chambersburg is highly honored in having

had as a citizen Dr. Benjamin Rush Senseny, whose labors resulted

in preventing the dreaded epidemics of smallpox. Dr. Jenner

made the first successful experiment in vaccinating a boy with

virus obtained from a milkmaid’s hand infected with cow pox,

but milkmaids with infected hands were not at hand when small¬

pox epidemics broke out, and epidemics continued until Dr.

Senseny produced virus on a large scale. All honor to Dr.

Senseny.

The strain of this great work was too much for the delicate health

of Dr. Senseny, and his life ended March 28, 1880, not yet 37

years old. No other member of the “Sensiney” family is more

worthy of honor. (This article is based on a paper read before

a doctor’s meeting in Chambersburg.) B.S.

(b)bbad. In Dr. Edgar Nevin Senseny centered the last hope of a long line

of physicians. The news of his death came as a startling reality,

and everyone had a kind word to say of him, courtly and talented,

the very ideal of strength and beauty centered in him, the last

of a long line of physicians conspicuous in southern Pennsylvania.

He had graduated with high honors from Jefferson Medical College

in 1870. J.

(b)bbaf. Katherine Senseny, b. 1846; m. William McKnight, b. 2-19-1841,

at Washington, Pa.; d. 5-30-1899. They were married 12-19-1866

at Chambersburg, Pa. The children born to the union:

a. Joseph B. (1867-1941); m. Sarah Downs—one child, Marcus;

b. Alice (1869-1918);

c. Edgar S. (1872-1936); m. Mary Sipes, and they have four

children: Albert, Alice G., Arthur, and George.

d. William A. (1874-1877);

e. Elizabeth, b. 1879; d. -;

f. Arthur L. (1883-1901);

g. Marcus A. (1886-1887);

h. Mary Jane, b. 1889; m. Eric Kimmell Plough. Issue:

Katherine, Mary, Alice, Jeanne, Elizabeth, and William

Plough. The above McKnight family is of the 7th generation

and the Plough children are of the 8th generation.

(b)bbdd. James Logan Senseny was a splendid man, a devoted son and

brother. He was at the head of a church publishing house in Ohio.

(b)bbec. Helen Catherine Senseny, b. 6-17-1888 at Fort Loudon, Pa., m.

Rudolph Miller, b. 2-4-1876 in Basel on the Rhine in Switzerland.

He is a Tool and Die maker. Issue:

a. Edna Ruth Miller, Graduate Nurse, Providence Hospital,

Detroit, Michigan;

b. Dorothy Miller, Stenographer, Detroit Board of Education.

Edna Ruth married Robert Repp, and they have one son:

a. John Robert Repp, b. 9-2-1942.

The post-office address for this group is 14657 Cavell Street,

Detroit, Michigan.

(b)bbed. Ray William Senseny, b. 1-9-1894; m. 4-5T923, Olive I. Kuhn of

Greencastle, Pa., b. 9-13-1895. They live at 107 N. 6th Street,

Chambersburg, Pa. He is a clerk in the Transportation Depart¬

ment of the Letterkenny Ordnance Depot. No issue.

(b)bbee. Ruth Carson Senseny, married June 1928, Garland Voorhes Quick.

They live at 246 Roseville Ave., Newark, N. J.

Eighth Generation:

(a)bcdaa. William Clinton Senseney (1874-1937), m. Grace Crawmer.

Issue: (8th Gen.)

a. Virginia Senseney, married- Owings;

b. Maria Senseney, m. -;

c. Truman Senseney.

(a)bcdab. Deihle Senseney, m. 3-16-1899, Harry T. R. Hollenbach. Issue:

Fenton, Bray, and Carrie Hollenbach (d. 1907).

(a) bcdac. Dayton Senseney, m. Elizabeth -. Children:

Lillian, b. 1907; Edwina, d. 1906.

(b) bbaca. Jeannette Senseny, B.Music, the only daughter of Dr. Benjamin

Rush Senseny, taught music in Wilson College for twenty-seven

years, and has made an enviable record; not only in her chosen

field of work but as a very lovable person, who endeared herself to

all the students that came under her training. Jeannette is so very

modest that we could get her to say little about herself; but,

indirectly, we have found out that she endeared herself to many

people. Miss Florence Wilkinson, in writing from Middletown

with reference to the Virginia branch of the family says: “I

enjoyed so much to have Jeannette from Chambersburg with us

for a few days. She is delightful to know.” You always find

Jeannette helping someone who needs assistance. She is cer¬

tainly following in the footsteps of her father in trying to do a

lot of good in the world. Wouldn’t Christian and Margaret

Muller Senseny be glad to know that Jeannette belongs to their

line of the big “Sensiney” family? Well, we Sensenigs are

proud to call her cousin. B.S.

Jeannette has written a book—“Singing Made Easy,” which may

be obtained by writing to her at 127 North Main Street, Cham¬

bersburg, Pa. I think I shall buy one of those books, as I need

things made pretty easy along that line.

Jeannette has a book on medicine printed in 1578 in Germany,

a volume treating of rare medicinal herbs, now 364 years old,

bound in leather, with silver clasps. She holds on tight to that

book.

CHAPTER II

THE FIRST THREE GENERATIONS OF THE JACOB SENSENIG

BRANCH OF THE “SENSINEY” FAMILY

W E HAVE been told many things that have come down by word of

mouth, and this we call tradition. Though tradition is not history,

it is generally based on fact. Tradition says that three brothers came

here from Switzerland, lived a while in the Germantown vicinity, and then

moved to Lancaster County, before it was a separate county, and took land

in what was later Earl Township. It is further asserted that Jacob and

Christian married and their brother John remained a bachelor. Now, let

us look at the record to see how much of this can be substantiated.

In the Land Warrant Book, in charge of the Secretary of Internal Affairs

at Harrisburg, we find that warrant No. 76 is to Jacob Sensiney and warrant

No. 77 is to Christian Sensiney, and that both warrants are dated January

27, 1734, showing that these two men worked together with the same purpose

in view. John later took land contiguous to Jacob’s tract, but relinquished

it to Michael Witwer (Witware), either because he made a profit by the

transaction, or because he couldn’t fulfill the stipulations of the agreement

into which he had entered. A third reason may have been that he was

moving to another part of the county. From this point forward we know

nothing more of John.

Foust and Brumbaugh in their two volumes on “Lists of Swiss Emi¬

grants in the 18th Century to the American Colonies,” speak of a property

settlement in Switzerland in which it is revealed that Margaret Muller came

here with her brothers in 1714 and married Christian Sinzenig. This is our

Christian, as later facts prove. It is also well proved that Jacob Sensiney

married Maria Krey while living in the Germantown area. The Kreys had

come here quite early, in the 17th century.

Though land was not surveyed for Jacob and Christian before 1734,

it must not be assumed that they had not already lived on the tracts they

had later surveyed for themselves. Johnny B. Sensenig, forty-six years ago,

told me that Jacob and his bride came to their future farm in 1722. Johnny

was then about 80 years of age and of clear mind, and he said he had often

heard his parents speak about the matter, and he showed me the place

where they alighted and where they built a shelter. All this twelve years

before the Penns surveyed the land for them.

When a boy in my teens, I was told by John S. Weaver, who was then

well on to eighty years of age, that people would come into Lancaster County

from the Germantown area to prospect for land, and when they had found

a tract that pleased them, with a good spring of water on it, they would

break the tops of the shrubbery and small trees about the spring and bend

them down, to show other prospectors that the land was being applied for.

That would prevent duplicate claims for the same tract. Then to assure

the tract to themselves, they would move on it, and have it surveyed later,

and enter into a gradual payment plan, and the farm would be patented

to them when the final payment was made. Thus we find that Jacob’s tract

was surveyed in 1734, but the 155% acres were not patented to him till

1747, Christian’s tract was also patented to him in 1747, and it had been

stipulated that on the 1st of March, each year, he was to pay the Penn

Heirs one-half penny sterling per acre; or for his farm of 216.95 acres,

he would pay about $2.17 in our money. That seems very little, but we

must remember that dollars bought more in those days than now. After

1747, these brothers paid no more money to the Penns.

JACOB SENSENIG

All the “Sensineys” will want to know something about these early

Sensineys who had come here from Europe. Were they men of good

standing among the people? We find that there were two doctors in the

Christian Senseny family and also two in Jacob’s family. That speaks

strongly of their native ability. Would they help a friend in need? As to

Jacob, we have the following testimonial which has come to hand through

Fayette C. Eshelman, M.D., the historian for the Eshelman family, who has

in his possession the diary of Deacon Wenger, in which is found this

memorandum: “On November 18, 1770, I, Joseph Wenger, have handed

over to Nicholas Schantz money which I have borrowed from old Jacob

Sensenig, which shall be used to pay for the ship-passage of Christian

Eshelman, of the sum of twelve pounds.” In other words, Jacob Sensenig

put up $60 to help pay for the ship-passage of Christian Eshelman, his wife

and six children, October 29, 1770, on the Ship Sally. Dr. Eshelman says,

“No doubt, Jacob Sensenig made this loan out of the goodness of his heart

and for the Mennonite cause.”

One testimonial like that is sufficient to give us a line on the character

of Jacob Sensenig, from whom all the Lancaster County Sensenigs and

Sensenichs, and also the Virginia Senseneys, have sprung.

The picture shows a part of the original log house now used as a shed.

The house was very well built, and the slab of plaster work on the left end

of the house is about 220 years old and has not crumbled. The timber work

is also of the best. This, also, in an indirect way, bears witness of the

character of the first Jacob.

Jacob Sensenig married Maria Krey, daughter of John and Helena

Krey. The Kreys had come here in the latter part of the 17th century

After Helena died, John married Sytge Updegraff; and when John died,

she married Herbert Cassell. We do not know the date of marriage of

Jacob and Maria, but it must have been about 1722; as Michael, their

oldest child, was born in 1723. The children born to this union: (2nd Gen.)

a. Michael Sensenig (1723-1801);

b. Mary Sensenig, married in 1762 to Michael Witwer (2nd wife) ;

c. Gertraut Sensenig, m. David Martin;

d. Jacob Sensenig (1730-1814) ;

e. John Sensenig, Practitioner of Physic, located at Middletown, Pa.;

f. Peter Senseney, b. 1738; d. 9-7-1804.

Reckoning the first three brothers as the first generation, the above

named family of children represent the 2nd generation, and we shall now

list the third generation.

The Third Generation:

(a) Michael Sensenig, b. 1723, married the oldest daughter of Christian

Wenger, Magdalena Wenger, b. 8-26-1729. Both Wengers and Sensenigs

were in Austria 500 years ago. Some 300 Palatines came here on the

ship Molly in 1727, and among these was Christian Wenger; but he

may have been in Lancaster County as early as 1718, if he is the

Wenger spoken of by Rupp in his History of Lancaster County. Be

that as it may, the following is the well authenticated family of Christian

Wenger into whose family Michael Sensenig married:

Christian Wenger married to Eve Grabill, d. 1790, had this family:

a. Magdalena Wenger, b. 8-26-1729; m. Michael Sensenig;

b. Hans, b. 3-9-1731; m. Anna Shirk (0. C. Docket 1791, Cocalico

Twp.);

c. Christian, b. 3-23-1733;

d. Mary, b. 11-27-1734; m. Joseph Long (Long Bible Photostat in

the Lancaster County Historical Society);

e. Eve, b. 10-10-1736; m. Henry Weaver;

f. Barbara, b. 11-11-1739 (died before release was signed);

g. Michael, b. 8-1-1741; m. 1st, Mary Groff; 2nd,-Good;

3rd, Landis;

h. Elizabeth, b. 7-4-1745; m. Henry Sheibly (Biograph. Annual,

Lane. Co.);

i. Joseph, b. 8-8-1747; m. 1st, Barbara Hoover (1747-1792); 2nd,

Anna Hochman; C—

j. Abraham, b. 10-9-1749;

k. Henry, b. 10-25-1753; m. Anna Huber, b. 1755; d. in Virginia.

Since so many relationships crop out in the above record, we thought

Tombstone of Michael Sensenig Tombstone of Jacob Senseni

(1723-1801) (1730-1814)

Part of Original House

it worth while to include it in our record. In addition to the above

record, the signatures of Michael Sensenig and his wife Magdalena are

found in different recorded documents, and no other fact is better

established than that Magdalena was the wife of Michael Sensenig,

b. 1723. However, note the fact that Michael was six years older than

Magdalena, and might have been married before. And bearing on

this point, we have the following notice which appeared in the Pennsyl¬

vania German Magazine, Vol. 2, page 442 (printed at Lititz, Pa.) :

“Elizabeth Reiff was married to Michael Sensenig by Rev. A. J. Fretz,

Oak Ridge, Passaic Co., New Jersey.”

Michael’s sister, Mary, had three sons married to Reiff girls, and their

father may have had a sister Elizabeth, who would have been of

Michael’s age, and to whom he may have been married. The following

children were born to Michael and Magdalena:

a. Jacob Sensenig, b. 10-9-1751; d. 1803;*

b. Christian Sensenig, b. 3-12-1757; d. 1-12-1832;

c. Michael Sensenig, d. 1806;

d. John Sensenig, b. 10-12-1764; d. 10-18-1826;

e. Mary, m. Henry Buckwalter. She was his 2nd wife. By the 1st

wife Henry had three daughters—Magdalene, Mary, and Barbara.

Mtgy.

(b) Mary Sensenig, married in 1762 Michael Witwer. Their family:

a. Jonas S. Witwer, b. 2-24-1763; m. Fanny Reiff;

b. David, b. 11-6-1765; m. Maria Reiff (1765-1845);

c. Barbara, b. May, 1764; m. Benjamin Weaver;

d. Daniel, b. 1767; m. in 1790 Anna Reiff (1770-1812);

e. Fanny, b. about 1770; m. – Geyer;

f. Anna, b. about 1772; m.-Gidinger;

g. Maria, b. 8-25-1773; m. Hans Eby.

Michael Witwer died not later than 1785, because his wife Mary was

then a widow, judging by the following record:

“Deed P-3-530, May 21, 1785,

Jacob Sensenig and his wife Barbara to Mary Witwer, widow, part

of larger tract which David Martin and Gertraut, John, and Mary

Witwer, and Peter released to Jacob Sentzenig and Barbara, May 21,

1785.” C

(c) Gertraut Sensenig married David Martin, a farmer of Manor Twp.,

died 1805, and they had this family:

Christian, Jacob, Elizabeth, Barbara, and Ann Martin.

Ann married Jacob Stoner, and we have no further information. Mtgy.

(d) Jacob Sensenig, b. 1730; d. 1814, to whom, the first Jacob deeded the

farm, was married to Barbara -. He was a public-spirited

citizen, as appears from the following:

The first public school in Pennsylvania was founded in New Holland,

Pa., in 1786, and Frank R. Diffenderfer, in writing the history of the

school gives a list of the subscribers to the school fund in terms of

money and services. Among the subscribers we find Jacob Sensenig,

who contributed a log and hauled it free of charge to the schoolhouse

which was building, though he lived several miles away.

Dr. Diffenderfer, as a boy went to this school, and dedicated this little

stanza in Pennsylvania dutch in appreciation:

“Do bin ich ganga in die Schul;

Wo ich nicht war gans kle;

Dort war dar Meschter in seim Stuhl;

Dort war sei Wip, and dort sei Ruhl;

Ich kans noch alles seh.”

When Jacob was 82 years old, he willed the plantation on which he

was living to Daniel, his son. This will is K-l-593, Earl Twp., June 15,

1812; and this will was signed by these children (we have included

Daniel):

a. Daniel, b. 8-12-1782; d. 7-28-1841; m. Eliza McQuate;

b. John (1784-1870); m. Esther Buckwalter;

c. Jacob (1778-1841) ; never married;*

d. Mary (1762-1840) m. John Shirk, son of Peter Shirk, d. 1870;

e. Anna, m. Andrew Summers, and they had these children: Jacob;

Nancy, who married Jacob Witmer; Barbara, who married John

Niekirk; Elizabeth, who married John Strite; Magdalena;

Catherine, who married Henry Harsh; John.

f. Elizabeth, m. John Weaver;

g. Esther, m. Joseph Resh (b. 1771), moved to Washington Co., Md.;

h. Sarah married Peter Shirk. She was his 2nd wife, and mother

of Joseph, the inventor, b. 1-30-1820; d. 8-19-1902. He was the

father of six sons and seven daughters. Among the sons were

Peter Shirk, machinist, Blue Ball, Pa., and Rev. Christian Shirk

of the Methodist Church.

i. Fronica, m. Isaac Witmer, her cousin, b. 12-14-1789; d. 4-30-1876.

Cousin Daniel Witwer was the executor of this will; dated March

26, 1814. C— and Mtgy.

Note on Jacob:

Jacob died in 1814 at the age of 84 years. We know that Barbara

-was his wife from 1785 to 1814 and she outlived him; and

we have reasons for thinking that she was considerably younger and

was his 2nd wife. If she had been as old as he was, she would have

been 59 years old when Fronica was born (1789). We have in our

files a record from the farm graveyard, copied from the tombstone of

Jacob, a bachelor, who died in 1841 at the age of 63 years. This

record states that he was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth. If there has

been no mistake made in copying this record, we are led to infer that

all the children born before Jacob, the bachelor, were also children

of Jacob and Elizabeth.

(e) John Sensenig, who wrote his name John Sinsinigh in signing a release,

was a “Practitioner of Physic,” who held forth at Middletown, now

in Dauphin County, where he paid taxes in Paxtang Township in 1780.

His wife’s name was Anna. There is nothing in Dauphin County records

to give us information. John and Anna may have had children. Mtgy.

Mrs. Coldren has sent us this note:

When Charles Christopher died in 1767, he had no direct heirs. But

in a release dated November 4, 1772, we find the release signed by

John and Anna Sensenig. Anna was probably a niece of Charles

Christopher. C—

(f) Peter Sensenig, born in 1738, was the youngest member of the original

Jacob Sensenig family, who married first Ursula Shoneur, the widow

of his first cousin Christian. His 2nd wife was Maria Holl. Peter

was born in Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., and moved to York County,

and from there he went to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where he

became a very prominent man. He stands at the head of the Virginia

Branch and we shall speak of him at greater length under that heading.

1171192

THE PIKE MENNONITE GROUP OF THE SENSENIG FAMILY

Lineage:

Jacob Sensenig, married to Maria Krey;

Michael Sensenig (1723-1801), married Magdalena Wenger;

Michael Sensenig (died 1806), married Barbara Shirk;

Peter Sensenig (1790-1872), married to Anna Wenger.

Peter is the progenitor of the Pike Mennonite Group.

CHAPTER III

THE PIKE MENNONITE GROUP

T HIS branch of the Sensenig family was chiefly instrumental in starting

the Pike Mennonite Church; and one of their number, Aaron Sensenig,

was a minister in that church. Peter Sensenig (1790-1870) stands at

the head of this group. He has been called “Cloverseed Peter,” because he

was the first to use cloverseed in that community, and he had a thresher

to thresh out the seed for the farmers who raised it. He, also, operated a

gristmill. Peter was one of the children of Michael Sensenig (d. 1806) and

Barbara Shirk Sensenig, his first wife. Their children: (4th Gen.)

a. Magdalena (1788-1788), buried in farm graveyard;

b. Peter Sensenig (1790-1872), buried in farm graveyard;

c. Barbara Sensenig (1793-1814), buried in farm graveyard;

d. Maria Sensenig, m. Benjamin Weaver.

(b) Peter Sensenig married Nancy Wenger, and they had this family,

which belongs to the fifth generation:

a. Isaac Sensenig (1821-1901), m. Eliza Bowman (1825-1901);

b. Michael Sensenig (1814-1871), m. 1st Lydia Weaver (1811-1844);

2nd wife, Lydia Stauffer (1819-1891);

c. Mary Sensenig, m. Samuel Weaver, and moved to Ohio,

d. Esther Sensenig, m. Samuel Horst, and moved to Ohio,

e. Barbara Sensenig, m. Isaac Groff;

f. Anna Sensenig, m. David Weaver.

(d) Maria Sensenig, b. 9-2-1785; d. 11-11-1873; m. Benjamin Weaver, and

they had these children:

a. Moses S. Weaver, m. Maria Wanner, and they had this family:

Lemon, Moses W., Benjamin F., Alice Weaver Martin, and Martha

W. Zimmerman;

b. Barbara Weaver, married to David Shirk;

c. Mary Weaver (single);

d. Isaac and Michael, who both died young.

(b)a. Isaac Sensenig and Eliza Bowman had this family (6th Gen.) :

a. Samuel B. Sensenig (1846-1899), m. Susan Ferry (1846-1899);

b. Isaac B. Sensenig, M.D. (1847-1913), m. Mary Eby (1845-1911) ;

c. Israel B. Sensenig (1853-1926), m. Rebecca Keller (1845-1911);

d. Peter Sensenig, d. 1851.*

(b)b. Michael Sensenig, m. Lydia Weaver; children (6th Gen.):

a. Anna Sensenig (1835-1900), m. Bishop Joseph Brubaker (1838-

1916). Children (7th Gen.):

a. David S. Brubaker (1860-1914), m. Christiana Carpenter;

b. Katie S., b. 1862, single;*

c. Mary S., born 1864;

d. Annie S. (1865-1921);*

e. Lydia S. (1863-1921) ;

f. Lizzie S. (1874-1941), m. William Carpenter.

b. Some children died in infancy;

c. Aaron Sensenig (1854-1916), m. 1st, Anna Martin (1851-1873).

His 2nd wife was Magdalena Weaver (1855-1940);

d. Lydia Sensenig, single.*

(b)aa. Samuel B. Sensenig (1846-1889), m. Susan Ferry, and they had

this family (7th Gen.) :

a. Annie F., m. George Diehm. They have four children and

their address is Ephrata, Pa., Route 3;

b. Isaac, who was the first born; dec’d*;

c. Fannie F. Sensenig, m. John Kramer; they have six children,

and live at Willow Street, Lane. Co., Pa.

d. Susan, b. 12-1-1879; m. Hiram C. Eckman. They have no

children, and live at 318 Coral Street, Lancaster, Pa.

e. Eliza F. Sensenig, m. Harry Mease in 1890.

f. Samuel F. Sensenig (1871-1934), m. Amelia Brown, and they

had one son (8th Gen.) :

a. Clarence B. Sensenig, b. 10-21-1894, at Mountville, Pa.

He married Minnie Fassnacht in 1922, and they have two

children of the 9th generation:

a. Elizabeth Jane Sensenig, b. 9-24-1922;

b. Romaine Sensenig, b. 10-20-1924.

(b)ab. Isaac B. Sensenig, M.D. (1847-1913), m. Mary Eby, and their

children, of the 7th generation, are:

a. Ellen (1870-1871);*

b. Naomi, b. 1873, single;*

c. Elizabeth, b. 1876, m. 1st William Messner in 1901. He died

in 1902. 2nd marriage, to Charles Kieffer in 1905. He died

in 1920. No children born to these unions.

d. Rev. Oliver H. Sensenig, b. 1880 (single).

Dr. Isaac B. Sensenig of Witmer, Pa., was born in Brecknock Town¬

ship, Lancaster Co., Pa. After teaching for several years, he studied

medicine under Dr. Isaac Winters, and in 1869 received the M.D.

degree from Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He began to prac¬

tice medicine at Denver, Pa., but soon removed to the neighborhood

of New Holland, where he remained till 1875, when he moved to

Columbus, Ohio; but returned to Lancaster County, Pa., in 1880.

He was a member of the Columbus Academy of Medicine; of the

Columbus Pathological Society; of the Ohio State Medical Associa¬

tion, and of the Lancaster County and city medical societies. Dr.

Sensenig was a member of Company H, One Hundred Ninety-fifth

Regular Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War. He is buried

in the Pike Mennonite Cemetery.

(b)abd. Rev. Oliver H. Sensenig was born at the home of his paternal

grandparents near Bird-in-Hand, Pa., April 11, 1880. He was con¬

firmed in Heller’s Church, near Mechanicsburg, Pa., October 29,

1892. He served twenty-two months with the Y.M.C.A. at Camp

Lee, Virginia, during World War I, and was ordained May 29th,

1919, at Conover, New Hampshire, where he served his first pas¬

torate from May, 1919, to December 31, 1921. The 2nd pastorate

was at Claysburg, Pa., from 1-1-1922 to 2-28-1931. His 3d pastorate

was at Alexandria, Pa., from 3-1-1931 to 6-30-1935. His 4th pas¬

torate was at Altoona, Pa., from 7-1-1935 to 2-15-1942; and he has

been stationed there since February 15, 1942. He has taken numer¬

ous summer courses at various universities.

(b)ac. Israel B. Sensenig (1853-1926), m. Rebecca Keller, and they had

these children (7th Gen.):

a. Keller Sensenig (1871-1934), m. Mary Zimmerman (1865-

1919). They had one child:

a. Mary Z. Sensenig, b. 1899; m. Aaron Sensenig, b. 1899.

b. Wilson Sensenig (1873-1874);*

c. Isaac K. Sensenig (1876- ), m. Catherine A. Weaver (1866-

1926);

d. Emma K. Sensenig, b. 1884; m. Michael Nolt;

e. Israel K. Sensenig, b. 1890; m. Mary Jane Grove, b. 1888;

f. Samuel K. Sensenig, m. Mary Ellen Wanner, b. 1866;

g. Annie K. Sensenig, b. 1887; m. Clayton Martin. Address:

Ephrata, Pa. Occupation: Farmer.

h. Christian K. Sensenig (1878-1932), m. Fannie Stauffer;

i. Peter K. Sensenig (1893-1922).*

(b)acc. Isaac K. Sensenig married to Catherine A. Weaver’ had these

children (8th Gen.) :

a. Samuel W. Sensenig, b. 1895; m. Elizabeth Brubaker;

b. Rebecca Sensenig, b. 1897; m. Aaron Brubaker, b. 1898;

c. Leah Sensenig, b. 1904; m. Aaron Stauffer; d. 1933;

d. Susanna Sensenig, m. Noah Martin;

e. Isaac W. (1904-1925);*

f. Catherine W. Sensenig (1906-1926).*

(b)ace. Israel K. Sensenig, married to Mary Jane Grove, is a dealer in

second-hand machinery. Address: Ephrata, R.D. Children:

a. Dorothy Sensenig, b. 1916; m. Henry Blantz, and they have

one daughter—Janet Blantz.

b. Harold G. Sensenig, b. 1918; m. Ruth Blantz, and they have

one son—Larry L. Sensenig. Their address is Lincoln, Pa.

Occupation: Mechanic.

(b)acf. Samuel K. Sensenig, married to Mary Ellen Wanner, is a Farmer,

and they reside at Ephrata, Pa. Their children (8th Gen.) :

a. Paul W. Sensenig, b. 1913; m. Elizabeth Stauffer, b. 1914;

b. Dora Sensenig, b. 1914; m. Daniel Stauffer. He deals in

general repairs. Address: Ephrata, Pa.

c. Wilmer Sensenig, b. 1917; m. Brita Elmeda Martin. They

farm, and the address is Ephrata, Pa.;

d. Stella W. Sensenig, b. 1920; m. Aaron B. Stauffer. They

farm, and the address is Ephrata, Pa.;

e. Mary W. Sensenig, b. 1918; m. Levi W. Stauffer. Their ad¬

dress is Ephrata, Pa.

(b)ach. Christian K. Sensenig (1878-1932), m. Fannie Stauffer, and they

live in Martindale, Pa. Their children (8th Gen.) :

a. Harvey S. Sensenig, b. 1902; m. Frances Flickinger. Occu¬

pation: Works in hat factory, Reamstown, Pa.

b. Ada Sensenig, 1904; m. Adam Crills, whose occupation is

Silk Knitter. Address: Ephrata, Pa., R. D. 3;

c. Jacob S. Sensenig, b. 1905; m. Anna Brossman. He died in

1926. They had one son Eugene, b. 1925 (9th Gen.);

d. Cora Sensenig, b. 1906; m. Abram B. Witmer. They reside

at Farmersville, Pa. Occupation: Garage;

e. Annie S. Sensenig, b. 1908; m. Charles Crills. They farm,

and the address is New Holland, Pa., R. D. 1.

(b)bc. Rev. Aaron Sensenig (1854-1916), married to Anna Martin, had

one son:

a. Martin M. Sensenig, b. 1874; m. Mary A. Martin, b. 1875;

d. 12-10-1940, daughter of Daniel and Anna Martin.

Children to the 2nd wife, Magdalena Weaver:

b. Michael W. Sensenig, b. 1877; m. Emma Landis in 1899;

c. Daniel W. Sensenig, b. 1881; m. Mary Horst, b. 1884.

(b)bca. Martin M. Sensenig, b. 1874, married to Mary A. Martin, had these

children:

a. Infant, died in 1893;

b. Infant died in 1899;

c. Aaron M. Sensenig, 1899; m. Mary Sensenig;

d. Daniel M. Sensenig (1901-1902);

e. Martin M., b. 1905 (Single);

f. Magdalena Sensenig, b. 1900; m. Levi S. Weaver, b. 1910.

They were both killed on their wedding trip in an automobile

accident, and were buried in one grave.

(b)bcb. Michael W. Sensenig, b. 1877; m. to Emma Landis, had these

children:

a. Landis Sensenig, b. 1899; m. Anna Sauder;

b. Harry L. Sensenig, b. 1901; m. Anna Sensenig;

c. Magdalena Sensenig, b. 1900; m. Paul Brubaker, son of

Emmanuel Brubaker. They farm. Address: Ephrata;

d. Aaron L. Sensenig, b. 1904; m. Emma Martin;

e. Elam L. Sensenig, b. 1906; m. Florence Ortz;

f. Anna Mary Sensenig, b. 1912; m. Raymond Mast, b. 3-29-1909;

g. Paul L. Sensenig, b. 1915; h. Titus L. Sensenig, b. 1925.

(b)bcc. Daniel W. Sensenig married to Mary Horst, is a Farmer and their

address is New Holland, Pa. Their children (8th Gen.) :

a. Elmer H., b. 1905; m. Clara Griffith, b. 1904. Elmer is a clerk

and they live in New Holland, Pa.;

b. Oliver H., b. 1906; m. Mary Zimmerman, b. 1904. They

farm and live at Stevens, Pa.;

c. Bertha, b. 1908; m. Harvey Eckert. They live in Ephrata,

where he works in the hat factory;

d. Ruth, b. 1909; m. Harvey Reed, b. 1910. They live in New

Holland, where he is in the poultry business;

e. Mary, b. 1911; m. Andrew Weaver, b. 1911. They live in

Terre Hill, Pa., where he is in the poultry business;

f. Mae, b. 1920; m. Lloyd Martin, b. 1919. They farm, and

they live in New Holland, Pa.

Ninth Generation:

(b)bcba. Landis Sensenig married Anna Sauder. They live at East Earl,

and have these children:

a. Grace E. Sensenig, b. 10-26-1923;

b. Nora M. Sensenig, b. 6-4-1927;

c. Wilmer G. Sensenig, b. 5-9-1935.

(b)bcbb. Harry L. Sensenig, b. 1902; m. Anna Sensenig. His occupation:

lineman. Address: Ephrata. Children:

a. Chester E. Sensenig, b. 5-31-1926;

b. Roy M. Sensenig, b. 2-7-1929;

c. Irvin J. Sensenig, b. 8-26-1934;

d. Arthur P. Sensenig, b. 2-17-1940.

(b)bcbd. Aaron L. Sensenig, b. 1904; m. Emma Martin. He is a lineman,

and their address is Ephrata, Pa. Children:

a. Earl M. Sensenig, b. 9-4-1927;

b. Anna Mary Sensenig, b. 7-17-1934;

c. Esther Mae Sensenig, b. 7-25-1937.

(b)bcbe. Elam L. Sensenig, b. 1906; m. Florence Ortz. Children:

a. Charles E. Sensenig, b. 8-14-1930;

b. Elaine M. Sensenig, b. 3-10-1934;

c. Marlin R. Sensenig, b. 5-15-1938.

(b)bcbf. Anna Mary Sensenig, b. 1912; m. Raymond Mast. Their address

is: Supplee, Chester Co., Pa. Their children:

a. Pearl Mast, b. 4-30-1936;

b. Raymond Clair Mast, b. 5-8-1937;

c. Anna Grace Mast and Aaron Leroy Mast, b. 11-3-1938;

d. Michael Merle Mast, b. 11-6-1939;

e. Ernest Sensenig Mast, b. 4-19-1941.

(b)acfa. Paul Wanner Sensenig, b. 1913; m. Elizabeth Stauffer. They

farm, and their address is: Ephrata, Pa. Children:

a. Phares S. Sensenig, b. 1936;

b. Esther S. Sensenig, b. 1938;

c. Florence S. Sensenig, b. 1939;

d. Anna S. Sensenig, b. 1941.

(b)acca. Samuel Weaver Sensenig, b. 1895; m. Elizabeth Brubaker, is a

farmer; and their address is Lititz, Pa. Children:

a. Emma B. Sensenig, b. 1920;

b. Mattie B. Sensenig, b. 1923;

c. Amos B. Sensenig, b. 1926;

d. Frank B. Sensenig, b. 1927;

e. Edith B. Sensenig, b. 1929;

f. Irene B. Sensenig, b. 1930;

g. Bertha B. Sensenig, b. 1932;

h. Minnie B. Sensenig, b. 1934;

i. Samuel B. Sensenig, b. 1936.

(b)bcac. Aaron M. Sensenig, b. 1899; m. Mary Z. Sensenig. They farm,

and their address is: Ephrata, Pa., Route No. 3. Children:

a. Lester S. Sensenig, b. 1918;

b. Clarence, b. 1920;

c. Ervin S. Sensenig, b. 1921; m. Mabel H. Zimmerman. They

farm, and their address is Ephrata, Pa.;

d. Mary S. Sensenig, b. 1922; m. Ivan G. Witmer. Address:

Elverson, Pa.;

e. Aaron S., bom 1925;

f. Miles, b. 1927;

g. Keller, born 1930.

(b)bcca. Elmer Horst Sensenig, b. 1905; m. Clara Griffith, b. 1904.

Children:

a. Alberta Sensenig, b. 1923; m. Landis Martin;

b. Lloyd Sensenig, b. 1925;

c. Elmer Sensenig, b. 1927;

d. Wilmer Sensenig, b. 1932;

e. Velma Sensenig, b. 1932;

f. Pauline Sensenig, b. 1935.

(b)bccb. Oliver Horst Sensenig, b. 1906; m. Mary Zimmerman. Their

children:

a. Raymond, b. 1929;

b. Melvin, b. 1931;

c. Leroy, b. 1933;

d. Minerva, b. 1934;

e. Shirley, b. 1937.

(b)bcbc. Magdalena Sensenig, b. 11-30-1902; m. Paul Brubaker; had one

daughter:

Amelia S. Brubaker, b. 5-23-1938; d. 5-20-1942.

Tenth Generation:

(b)bcaca. Lester S. Sensenig, b. 1918; m. Anna M. Sauder. Children:

a. Lester Sauder Sensenig, b. 1938;

b. Magdalena Sauder Sensenig, b. 1940.

They live at East Earl, Pa.

THE GOODVILLE BRANCH OF SENSENIGS

Lineage:

Jacob Sensenig married to Maria Krey;

Michael Sensenig (1723-1801) m. Magdalena Wenger;

Michael Sensenig, d. 1806; m. Barbara Oberholtzer, his 2nd wife;

Michael Sensenig (1805-1870) m. Barbara Martin, and inherited the

farm to the north of Goodville. We regard him as the progenitor of the

Goodville branch of the family, most of whom now live in other areas.

CHAPTER IV

THE GOODVILLE BRANCH OF THE SENSENIG FAMILY

W E REGARD Michael Sensenig (1805-1870) married to Barbara

Martin, as the progenitor of the Goodville Sensenigs. He was a

man rather tall and slender, and no member of the family inclined

to corpulency. My father was almost six feet tall and weighed about 175

pounds. Our grandfather first lived on his farm bordering Goodville,

raised his family on it, and moved away when Martin married and moved

on the farm. He first conducted a store on a small scale at the crossroads

north of Goodville. Later he and his oldest son Michael started a store

at Spring Grove. They sold this business place to John High, and built

the large hardware store on the main street and in the center of Goodville,

associating his two sons, Michael and Peter, with him in the business. The

last named had been a clerk in the store of Jonas Martin in Lancaster, and

was well equipped to become the dynamic partner he proved himself to be.

To quote from the History of Lancaster County: “This was one of the best

equipped enterprises of the interior of the County.” Upon the death of

the Senior member of the firm, and the sale of the farm in 1873, Martin,

who had been in charge of the farm, became a member of the firm, and

the name of the firm from this time on was The Sensenig Hardware Com*

pany. In 1879, this firm purchased the store of J. S. Weaver and Son,

and Michael became the managing partner of that store, while Martin and

Peter gave their close attention to the hardware business. The drygoods

store was rebuilt and the hardware store was enlarged. The hardware

store far and near was referred to as one of the conspicuous landmarks of

local business history.

Michael Sensenig , b. 10-20-1805; d. 10-11-1870; m. Barbara Martin,

b. 8-10-1807; d. 8-18-1880. They lived in Goodville and conducted the

large farm that borders the village on the north side. The children born

to this union:

a. Annie Sensenig, b. 2-5-1931; d. 12-24-1864;

b. Michael Sensenig (1831-1833);*

c. Magdalena Sensenig (1832-1858);

d. Jacob Sensenig (1834-1834);*

e. Samuel Sensenig (1835-1837);*

f. Michael Sensenig, b. 2-7-1837; d. 3-11-1900;

g. Martin M. Sensenig, b. 9-10-1838; d. 7-25-1887;

h. Maria Sensenig (1833-1847) ;*

i. David M. Sensenig, b. 12-17-1840; d. 1907;*

j. Moses Sensenig (1842-1846);*

k. Peter M. Sensenig, b. 5-30-1844; d. 1898;

l. Barbara Sensenig (1846-1860).*

(a) Annie Sensenig married Isaac Horst, b. 8-30-1832; d. 2-11-1903, son

of Joseph and Anna Horst. They were married 1-20-1852, by Bishop

Jacob Zimmerman of the Mennonite Church. They moved to Franklin

County, near Shippensburg, where they had a farm on which their

children were raised. They are buried in the Row Cemetery. Their

children: (6th Gen.)

a. Barbara S. Horst, b. 9-11-1853; d. 5-1-1921; m. Levi B. Lehman,

b. 10-23-1856; d. 4-5-1921. No children to this union. Occupa¬

tion: farmer.

b. Solomon S. Horst, b. 12-4-1854; d. 12-31-1925;

c. Michael S. Horst, b. 1-4-1856; d. 11-6-1924;

d. Susanna S. Horst, b. 9-9-1857; d. 12-23-1858;*

e. Annie S. Horst, b. 3-23-1859; d. 10-25-1895;*

f. Lydia B. Horst, b. 7-23-1860; d. 1-26-1941;*

g. William S, Horst, b. 10-27-1861; d. 8-17-1931;

h. Magdalena S. Horst, b. 7-17-1863;

i. David S. Horst, b. 12-14-1864; d. 5-27-1892.*

(a)b. Solomon S. Horst , m. Mary E. Wenger, b. 3-28-1857; d. 9-12-1920.

They had a farm near Shippensburg, Pa. Issue: (7th Gen.)

a. Cora Mae Horst, b. 12-22-1882. Res.: Shippensburg, Route 3;

b. Rebecca Kate Horst, b. 9-22-1888; m. Reuben Ebersole, b. 8-27-

1890; Farmer; Res.: Shippensburg, Pa., Route No. 3. Issue:

a. Cora May, b. 2-12-1916;

b. Mary Ann, b. 10-13-1917. (8th Gen.)

c. Mary Lena Horst, b. 9-29-1889; d. 12-12-1918; m. Christopher

Sollenberger, farmer. Res.: Chambersburg, Pa., Route No. 4.

They had two children of the 8th Gen.:

a. Mary Elizabeth Sollenberger, b. 7-31-1916; m. Harry Haw-

baker, Farmer, Chambersburg, Pa., Route No. 4. Issue:

(9th Gen.)

a. Martha Jane Hawbaker, b. 12-12-1938;

b. Meriam Arlene Hawbaker, b. January, 1941;

b. Solomon J. Sollenberger, b. 12-1-1918; m. Mamie Butts.

He is a truck-driver, and resides at St. Thomas, Pa.

(a)c. Michael S. Horst, m. Lydia Lehman, b. 8-12-1859; d. 2-3-1923. They

had a farm near Chambersburg, Pa. (Retd.) Issue: (7th Gen.)

a. Samuel H. Horst, b. 10-27-1885; m. Martha Martin. They are

farmers; res., Chambersburg, Pa., Route No. 7. Their children

are of the 8th generation:

48

THE “SENSINEYS” OF AMERICA

a. Michael Martin Horst, b. 5-20-1911; m. Esther Eby. Their

children are of the 9th Generation: (Farmer, Greencastle, Pa.)

a. James Edward Horst, b. 8-26-1937;

b. Joseph Lee Horst, b. 10-26-1941;

b. Fannie Rebecca Horst, b. 6-17-1913; m. Clyde Martin. He is

in the dairy business, Hagerstown, Md. One child:

a. Dorcas Arlene Martin, b. 7-14-1938;

c. Lydia Marie Horst, b. 3-25-1916; m. Noah Wadel. No issue.

He is a truck farmer, Chambersburg, Pa., Route No. 6.

d. Martha Ellen Horst, b. 2-15-1923. Works for Stanley Co.,

Chambersburg, Pa., Route No. 7.

e. Elizabeth Irene Horst, b. 5-29-1919, Chambersburg, Route

No. 7;

f. Lina Ruth Horst, b. 10-3-1924;

g. Mary Celestine Horst, b. 6-12-1927;

h. Samuel H. Horst, b. 4-16-1932;

b. Isaac Horst, b. 7-31-1887; m. Maude Lesher. He is a farmer and

his address is Chambersburg, Pa., R. D. No. 1.

c. John L. Horst, b. 11-9-1889; m. Emma Zimmerman. He spent

his early days on the farm, and a year in the railroad shops at

Chambersburg, Pa. In 1920, he found his way to the Mennonite

Publishing House, located at Scottdale, Pa.; and has been engaged

as a linotype operator, proofreader and editor. He has been

Editor of the Christian Monitor since the first issue in 1930, and

was ordained to the ministry of the Scottdale Mennonite Church

on December 1, 1929. He attended public school, the Eastern

Mennonite School at Harrisonberg, Va., and the Bible Institute

at Los Angeles, California. He is at present Editor of the Men¬

nonite Junior-Teachers Quarterly, and Associate Editor of the

Gospel Herald, and Editor of a little monthly paper, The Way,

a very instructive paper for both juniors and seniors. Res.: 404

Homestead Ave., Scottdale, Pa. Children: (8th Gen.)

a. John Lehman Horst, b. 8-18-1938;

b. Rachel Elizabeth Horst, b. 10-22-1940.

(a)g. William Sensenig Horst , m. Mary Elizabeth Caufman. He had been

a farmer. Her address is: Chambersburg, Pa., Route No. 2. Issue:

(7th Gen.)

a. Anna Caufman Horst, b. 7-27-1902; m. Paul Keener, farmer, and

their address is Shippensburg, Pa., Route No. 3. Issue (8th Gen.)

a. John Elton Keener, b. 9-9-1930;

b. Clarence Aden Keener, b. 5-14-1932;

c. Marian Irene Keener, b. 11-18-1933;

d. Ivan Samuel Keener, b. 8-13-1936;

e. Paul Aaron Keener, b. 7-12-1938;

f. Esther Mae Keener, b. 1-16-1941;

b. Lewis Horst, b. 2-9-1905; in State Hospital, Harrisburg, Pa.;*

c. Catherine Horst, b. 9-24-1908; d. 10-6-1911;*

d. Esther Horst, b. 2-18-1911; m. Amos Shank, a Mennonite Minister

and farmer. Res.: Hanover, Pa.

(a)h. Magdalena Sensenig Horst , b. 7-12-1863; m. George Wenger, b. 6-20-

1859; d. 12-17-1927. Magdalena lives in the Mennonite Home at

Orville, Pa. She has given much assistance in giving data on the

Franklin County Branch, which stems from Annie Sensenig, oldest

daughter of Michael Sensenig, Goodville, Pa. Children: (7th Gen.)

a. Anna Catherine Wenger, b. 11-4-1886; d. 12-19-1917; a teacher;

b. Henry Lloyd Wenger, b. 4-7-1886; d. 1-22-1893;

c. Mary Ella Wenger, b. 12-14-1890; d. 1-11-1893;

d. William Isaac Wenger, b. 9-25-1893; m. Mary Metzler. He is a

Poultry Farmer at Van Nuys, California. Children: (8th Gen.)

a. John Robert Wenger, b. 11-13-1916; m. Dorothy Irene

Cormode;

b. George Metzler Wenger, b. 10-21-1919. Works for Govern¬

ment;

e. Rhoda Mae Wenger, b. 11-5-1895; d. 12-19-1924; m. Isaac Metzler,

farmer, who resides at Ronks, Lancaster Co., Pa. Issue: (8th Gen.) •

a. Mildred Elizabeth Metzler, b. 8-13-1918; m. William

Marchael. They live at 136 Crystal Street, Lancaster, Pa.

Issue: (9th Gen.)

a. William Marchael, b. 10-27-1939;

b. Richard Wayne Marchael, b. 8-13-1941;

b. Evelyn Ruth Metzler, b. 11-11-1917. She attends Bus. Col.;

c. William Wayne Metzler, b. 12-19-1921. He is in the Army;

d. Isaac Harold Metzler, b. 12-18-1924. He is an apprentice

to an airplane machinist, and lives at 2923 Berwick Ave.,

Baltimore, Md.

f. Jonas Wayne Wenger, b. 1-26-1898; m. Mary Hoover. They live

in Manheim, Pa. He is a machinist. No children.

(c) Magdalena Sensenig (1832-1858) married George High. Only one

child was born to this union—Susanna S. High, who married Harry W.

Sensenich. Their family will appear in the Sensenich group.

(f) Michael M. Sensenig, the oldest son to grow to manhood, and the

senior member of the Sensenig Hardware Company, married when he

was about forty years of age, Mary Galt, b. 12-12-1846; d. 7-28-1883.

Of all democrats, Michael was the most democratic. He would go bail

for any of his townsmen who were in trouble, and anyone needing

50

THE “SENSINEYS” OF AMERICA

financial assistance would first think of “Mike.” But he wouldn’t

stand for cheating at elections, and he wouldn’t go bail for any member

of the Buzzard Gang. His eyesight was impaired when a boy, and this

somewhat restricted his activity as an active salesman, and it, also, in

a measure, contributed to his being rather untidy, though it must also

be understood that nobody walked about with creased trousers in the

village of Goodville in those days. “Mike” used all the tobacco his

brothers didn’t use. He enjoyed fun and would help along in any

scheme to liven up the town. He had a good level head and wore a

J 1 /} hat. I used to try on his silk hats when I was a boy, but my head

would go in down to the shoulders. He had quite a collection of

them, but I never saw him wear any. When he bought a big bill

of goods in Philadelphia, the salesman would show him favor by buying

a silk hat for him.

Michael was easy to approach and delighted in conversation. The

people enjoyed his unique personality, and from that standpoint he was

a good front-porch attraction. He never commented on anybody’s

personal appearance, and everybody felt at home in his presence.

Perhaps, the reader will best understand Michael if we quote his

favorite sentiment—“0 why should the spirit of Mortals be proud.”

He wished everybody well.

To Michael and Mary Galt Sensenig there was born only one daughter—

Anna Barbara Sensenig, b. 9-11-1877; d. 1-11-1912; m. William Stroman,

who is in the hardware business in Goodville, Pa. Issue:

a. Reta Mae Stroman, b. 5-2-1895; d. 7-3-1912;*

b. Michael S. Stroman, b. 3-8-1896; d. 10-25-1918*;

c. Pearl Stroman, b. 4-24-1897; d. 5-24-1919; m. Wayne Kern.

There was no son to continue the Sensenig name.

(g) Martin M. Sensenig was one of the most widely known persons in the

eastern part of Lancaster County. He was a member of the Weaverland

Mennonite Church, and knew everybody belonging to it. His mother

was a Martin, and he was directly and indirectly related to a large

number of the people in the Conestoga Valley. Not only was he known

widely but also favorably. Everybody wanted to talk with him, and he

generally shook hands with most of the men at the church before he

left for home. One of my friends sent me a newspaper clipping telling

of Martin’s funeral. He had kept this clipping for fifty years, because

the funeral was very unusual. By actual count 303 carriages were

numbered by the hostlers; and most of these in a cortege a mile long,

followed the hearse to the Weaverland Cemetery. This indicates

the esteem in which he was held. The clipping says, “He was a

thoroughly reliable business man; generous to a fault, pleasant and

MARTIN M. SENSENIG

as a young man

MAGDALENA RUTT SENSENIG FAMILY GROUP IN 1899

THE GOODVILLE BRANCH

affable to all; and, above all, scrupulously honest in all his dealings.

The community will greatly miss him.” Martin died at the age of

49 years.

When Martin M. Sensenig (1837-1887), the first of the boys in the

Michael Sensenig family to get married, was given charge of the farm,

the rest of the family moved into the village of Goodville. Martin

could not have made a better choice than the young bride of nineteen

for his life partner.

Magdalena Rutt Sensenig was an exceedingly capable farmer’s wife, who

knew how to do things as easily on a large scale as others would do

much less. Nothing went to waste, and with her Elias Howe sewing

machine, perhaps, the first one used in her neighborhood, she made

all her children’s clothes. With the spring water at her disposal to keep

milk and cream constantly fresh, she produced butter of the best

quality, and received several cents a pound more for it than quoted

prices.

They made a success of farming during the twelve years they had

charge of the farm, and during that period seven children were born to

this union. We shall now introduce the reader to each member of the

family from the oldest to the youngest, who were made orphans by the

father’s untimely death.

Martin M. Sensenig (1837-1887) married Magdalena Rutt Sensenig

1841-1917), daughter of Christian Sensenig, the miller, and this is their

family:

a. Harry S. Sensenig, b. 9-17-1861; d. 4-18-1936;

b. Emma Sensenig, b. 11-18-1862;*

c. William S. Sensenig, b. 1-31-1864; d. 1-31-1890;*

d. Barton Sensenig, b. 7-12-1865;

e. Susanna Sensenig, b. 11-11-1866; d. 7-27-1926;

f. David S. Sensenig, b. 4-1-1868;

g. Anna Sensenig, b. 6-26-1871;*

h. Christian Sensenig, b. 10-14-1869; d. 8-25-1938;*

i. Mary Ellen Sensenig, b. 2-22-1875;*

j. Martin Sensenig, b. 7-15-1873; d. 8-17-1931;*

k. Magdalena Sensenig, b. 11-12-1876;

l. Wayne Sensenig, b. 4-23-1879;

m. Elizabeth Sensenig, b. 6-7-1881; d. 9-7-1905.*

(g)a. Harry S. Sensenig (1861-1936) married Annie Evans, daughter of

Isaac Evans, who owned one of the best farms in the valley. Harry

had attended the State Normal School at West Chester and taught

school for several years, but inclined to business rather than teaching.

Those who patronized the hardware store at Goodville fifty years ago

will remember Harry as a clerk who was always friendly. In his

later years he lived in Philadelphia. Issue: (7th Gen.)

a. Helen Evans Sensenig, born and died in 1889;*

b. James Evans Sensenig, born and died in 1891;*

c. Isaac Evans Sensenig, b. 7-10-1892, married Marguerite Bitting,

b. 7-14-1897, in Norristown. They have one daughter, Mary

Janet Sensenig, b. 10-24-1923, in Philadelphia. Janet graduated

from the Overbrook High School, January 1941, and is now a

student at Drexel Institute of Technology, taking a course in

Business Administration.

Evans’ place of business is at 709 South Broad Street, where

he deals in automotive replacement parts and fixes all sorts of

automobile ailments, generally employing about six men. They

say that Evans is easy on Sensenigs. Give him a trial.

(g)b. Emma Sensenig stayed with mother longer than others of the family

and has the widest knowledge of family lineage, as mother told her

lots about family matters. Emma has had wide experience. She has

taught school, dealt in millinery, made dresses, and for a number of

years was a clerk in the drygoods department of the Sensenig Hard¬

ware Company in Goodville. She now lives retired with her sister,

Mrs. John Becker, and is a member of the Cedar Grove Presbyterian

Church. Her address is Lititz, R. D. No. 2.

(g)c. William S. Sensenig , b. 1-31-1864, as a boy, was exceedingly anxious

to make his mark in the world. He wanted to go to school and hoped

to see the time when he would be able to do so, but his sickness

prevented him from accomplishing his purpose, and he had to leave

us at the age of 26 years.

(g)d. Barton Sensenig , b. 7-12-1865, at age fifteen was a clerk in the village

drygoods store. The desire to continue with school work was ever

present and at age nineteen he attended the West Chester State Normal

School, and then taught the village school for one year. Reentering

the Normal, he graduated with the Class of 1889. He was offered

a scholarship at Haverford College which he accepted and graduated

in the Scientific Course with the Class of 1893. The day after gradu¬

ation he was offered the choice of two positions. He was invited to

teach mathematics in the Friends School in Wilmington, and he was

offered a fellowship in Gallaudet College for the Deaf, Washington,

D. C., to learn how to teach the deaf. He decided to cast in his lot

with the deaf as one of their teachers, and graduated from the teachers

training department in 1894, with the degree of M.A. He accepted

the position of Supervisor of Boys in the Advanced Department of

the Penna. School for the Deaf; held this position for a year, and then

entered upon his career as a teacher of the deaf.

The chief business of a teacher of the deaf is to simplify the 