My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM P. HENSZEY, a member of the firm of Burnham-Williams Co., owning Baldwin Locomotive Works, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also actively and prominently identified with other corporations, is a man well endowed with rare business and executive ability, and the high position he occupies in business circles has been won through earnest and honorable effort. He is a native of the city of Philadelphia, the date of his birth being December 24, 1832.

The family of which William P. Henszey is a member originated in Amblecote county, England. Joshua Henszey (great-great-grandfather) was a noted glass maker, conducting extensive operation in that vicinity, and achieving great financial success. He was the owner of vast estates in his native country, and was a man of high standing and influence. He married an English lady and they reared a large family of children.

Joshua Henszey (great-grandfather), son of Joshua Henszey, was born in England, reared and educated there, and about the year 1686 came to America, becoming the founder of the American branch of the family. He was a glass maker by trade, which occupation he followed in the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which section of the country he settled upon his arrival in the new world. He was united in marriage to Mary ______.

Joseph Henszey (grandfather), son of Joshua and Mary Henszey, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon attaining years of maturity he accepted the position of steward of the old Philadelphia Hospital, and his wife, Deborah Henszey, served in the capacity of matron of the same. They held the positions for a number of years, and were faithful and conscientious in the performance of their duties. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Ann, Joseph, Joshua, Thomas and Samuel C. The father of these children, after a life of great usefulness and activity, died in 1796.

Samuel C. Henszey (father), son of Joseph and Deborah Henszey, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1788. He was educated in the best schools of the day, the knowledge thus obtained thoroughly qualifying him for an active career. He accepted a clerkship in the Bank of North America, in Philadelphia, which he held for the long period of twenty years. He was later in life appointed secretary and treasurer of the Western Saving Fund, retaining that position until his death in 1862. He was a man of sterling qualities, and therefore merited the respect and esteem in which he was held by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. He married Priscilla H. Peddle, deceased, a daughter of George Peddle, a member of an old Philadelphia family. They were the parents of several children, among whom was a son, William P. Henszey.

William P. Henszey obtained his early education in the public schools of his native city, Philadelphia, and then pursued a course of advanced studies at the high school, from which he was graduated in 1848. He then entered the employ of a wholesale boot and shoe house as clerk, and while serving in that capacity made the start that resulted in his being in his present position. He purchased a number of books and with no other aid began the study of mechanical engineering. In 1859 he entered the employ of the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia as a draughtsman, and by paying the closest attention to the details of the work, and also by the display of mechanical genius and ability, rose rapidly in the estimation of his employers, and in 1870 was admitted as a member of the firm, since which time he has kept a general supervision over the engineering department. He is a member of the board of directors of the Bank of North America and the Delaware Insurance Company, and manager of the Western Saving Fund. Mr. Henszey is a Republican in politics, has never sought or held political office, but at all times is ready and willing to aid his party to the extent of his power and ability. He is a member of the Society of Friends, holding a birthright in Philadelphia Meeting.

Mr. Henszey was united in marriage in 1857 to Miss Anna B. Hitchcock, a daughter of Dr. Hitchcock, of Maine. One child was the issue of this union, Mary L., wife of Dr. Thomas G. Ashton, and mother of one child, Anna H. In 1879 Mr. Henszey removed to his beautiful and commodious home at Wynnewood, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.