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OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 401

of our subject, was born in Blair county. He was a farmer, and died in his native county.
    Isaac B. Kensinger (father) was born in North Woodbury township, Blair county, in 1828. He was reared a farmer boy and educated in the old subscription schools, common in the early days of this country. He followed farming during his youth, and later taught school for five years throughout Blair county. Giving up the profession of teaching he learned the carpenter trade, which he has since followed. Notwithstanding his age he is still a very active man. Until 1890 he was a democrat in political belief, but since the latter year has supported the principles of the Republican party. Although he was never an active politician, he served as justice of the peace of North Woodbury township for a number of years, and has held various local offices. His marriage with Elizabeth Amsworth, who died in June, 1896, at the age of sixty-nine years, resulted in the birth of eleven children, of whom nine are living. James A. Kensinger was reared on the old homestead, and received his elementary education in the common schools of Blair county, and taught school in Blair and Cambria counties for eight years. During this period he was employed during his vacations in the mercantile business, and in 1891 abandoned the profession of teaching for a business career. In the latter year he engaged with Mr. S. Confer, in a general store at Ben's Creek, this county; the engagement continued until 1895, when he disposed of the business, selling out to the present firm, McElhose & Co. The above firm retained Mr. Kensinger as the manager, which position he still fills. In political affairs he formerly supported the Democratic party, but is now a staunch adherent of the principles of the Republican party. While a resident of Lilly, this county,
he served one year as street commissioner, as clerk of the borough council for two years, resigning that position when he removed to Ben's Creek.
    July 18, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of Myra, and still serves in that capacity. Besides managing the store mentioned above, he is also the representative of the Red Star, American and North German Lloyd Steamship companies. Fraternally he is a member of Lilly Lodge, No. 206, K. of P., and served one time as representative to Grand Lodge, and one term as Deputy Grand Chancellor of Cambria county. He is also Past Commander of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. His family is identified with the Roman Catholic church of Lilly. In December, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Goldy, a daughter of John Goldy, a foundryman at Bennington furnace, Cambria county, and a veteran of the famous Crimean war. Their marriage has been blessed in the birth of five children: William George, Elizabeth May, John Clay, Annie, and Frances Goldy, who died in infancy.


D.R. JOSHUA C. DUNCAN, D. D. S., a skilled dentist of Johnstown, this county, is a son of James W. and Rachel M. (Cole) Duncan, and was born February 1, 1862, in Indiana county.
    Dr. Duncan is a scion of one of those worthy Scotch families to which Indiana county owes her early settlement and development, as well as her present thrift. His grandfather, William Duncan, was born in Dauphin county, in 1798, and his father, William Duncan, moved to Indiana county, in 1808 showing that the family was one of the pioneer families of the county. Their early ancestral home is in the vicinity of Buffington. William Duncan was a man of but limited education so far as


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