Details
Title Hensel, Daniel
Date December 19, 1830-November 5, 1919
Description Daniel Hensel, a Philadelphia lithographer, framer, and looking-glass store proprietor, was born in Philadelphia on December 19, 1830. Son of German immigrants John G. Hensel (1789-1866), a baker, and Mary D. Vogt (1799-1883), Hensel was the second oldest of six children. Married before 1860, he had two children John C. (1859-1954) and Edward S. (b. 1861) with his first wife Sarah Summers (1833-1861). With his second wife, Susan Summers (1845-1912), his first wife's sister, he had Albert H. (1868-1869), Frederick W. (1871-1877), and Florence N. (1880-1955).
For most of his lithographic career, Hensel lived in North Philadelphia, starting with a residence at 309 Crown Street and by 1861 at 1731 Wylie Street. Around 1880, he relocated to Camden where he spent the rest of his life, active as a "mirror finisher" as of 1900.
Although a lithographer by 1850, and partner in Hensel & Urwiler (ca. 1855-1856), most of Hensel's known work dates to his 1857-1866 partnership with Edward Herline. Operating from 630 Chestnut Street, the partnership produced lithographs in all branches of the field, including illustrations, maps, sheet music, and portraits with their chromolithography, bird's eye views, and panoramic maps garnering most note. The work proved profitable, and in 1865 Hensel was taxed on income equivalent to over $40,000 dollars in today's figures.
Despite this success, the partnership ended in 1866. Following the dissolution, Hensel retained the Chestnut Street studio and worked as an engraver, publisher, lithographer, and partner in the looking glass business L. B. Loux & Co. before entering into his long term career as a looking-glass, picture, and frame manufacturer in 1876. He remained in business in Philadelphia until ca. 1896.
Retired as of the 1910 census, Hensel passed away almost a decade later on November 5, 1919.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
References See Herline & Hensel.
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Census 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910
Electronic correspondence with Hensel relative, July 2009
Camden City Directories, 1882-1899
Groce & Wallace, 309
Philadelphia City Directories, 1855-1881
U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1865
WWWAA, 1535