William Senter (1813-1888), a native of Portsmouth, N.H., came to Portland in 1828 as an apprentice to watchmaker Oliver Gerrish. He and fellow apprentice Abner Lowell then went into business together.

The watch and jewelry shop burned during the 1866 fire. After the fire Senter operated the nautical instrument division and Lowell the jewelry division. They dissolved their partnership in 1870.

Senter also was a mayor of Portland.