Hiram Senseman

As printed in 1881

HIRAM SENSEMAN, physician; Tremont City. All communities, every town, city and every profession and business, have their representative men, and in the medical profession in the village of Tremont, we mention Dr. Hiram Senseman as one of the most prominent; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., May 10, 1826; a son of Daniel and Mary (Fry) Senseman, also natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany; his wife of Wales. The maternal grandparents of Pennsylvania. Daniel studied medicine, and entered upon the practice as a physician when a young man, and spent his short life in the profession in Lancaster and Cumberland Cos., practicing in the former county four years, and in the latter six years, when his career of prosperity and usefulness was suddenly terminated by death, from a stroke of apoplexy, being only 34 years of age. He had been quite successful; was building up an extensive practice, and had the highest hopes and prospects of a successful future; but which, in.the Providence of God, was so soon terminated, and he in the strength and bloom of manhood, called to his last home. They had six children, four now survive— Reuben, Hiram, Jacob and Sallie Ann; deceased, Andrew and Daniel. The mother, being left in very limited circumstances financially, the children were placed among relatives to be raised. After about six years, the mother married a Mr. Miley, by whom she had two children—Mary Emiline and one dying in infancy. The mother is still residing in Cumberland Co., Penn. Our subject, after the death of his father, labored on a farm till 14 years of age, and in that toilsome, but healthful vocation, laid the foundation of physical strength so essential to carry out the work of his future calling. He now commenced to learn the tanner’s trade. at which he served one year; but not being pleased with that business, he proceeded to learn the cabinet trade, and served three years under a very proficient German, from whom he became a thorough and skilled workman. At this period—now 18 years of age—he made a tour East to Connecticut; while on this visit he gained some information by which his aspirations were raised, and ideas formed, which culminated in a determination to study medicine, and enter upon the profession of his father. Although lacking in finances to carry out his plans as he would desire, yet he was decided that “where there was a will there was a way," and he commenced action accordingly. By a special offer from, and arrangement with, Dr. P. N. Long, a practicing physician of Mechanicsburg, Penn., he commenced his studies under him, with whom he continued four years; during which time he attended two courses of lectures in Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he finished his course and graduated in March, 1849. Dr. Senseman commenced the practice of his profession at Plainfield Cumberland Co., Penn., where he continued two and a half years; thence located at Hagerstown, in the same county; thence, in 1853, he seid out and started for “the West." He located at Tremont, Clark Co., where he has continued in practice till the present, with theexception of four years, during which he practiced in Springfield, Clark Co., and West Charleston, Miami Co., Ohio. At the breaking-out of the civil war, in 1861, he offered his services as a surgeon (a thorough examination having been passed), and received an appointment; but on account of his close professional engagements at home, he never entered the service. He was married in November, 1854, to Mrs. Mary A. Richardson, daughter of John G. and Sarah Fry. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in 1875, aged 85 years. Mrs. Senseman was born Jan. 30, 1831, in Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Penn. She early learned the duties of housewifery, so essential to real home efficiency, and which she has so ably practiced to this day. They began their married life as it has been continued, with mutual affection, and have known but one heavy blow—Leander Boyd—a son to Mrs. Senseman by her former marriage, sickened and died. Fond hopes had been centered on this child, and tender care lavished upon him; but a mysterious Providence took him to Himself ere 4 summers had been added to his young life. Dr. Senseman's life has been one of success; and has been accomplished under difficulties most embarrassing; but by rightly conceived plans, and an indomitable will

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.