Robert Mussell 
 
ROBERT M. MUSSELL, Biography / Grant Twp, Clare Co, MI 
 
Submitted for use by USGENWEB Clare County, Michigan November 2002 
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Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan. Chicago: Record 
Publishing Co., 1895. 
 
ROBERT M. MUSSELL has been proprietor of a drug store in Clare for the past 
twelve or thirteen years, and has been a resident of the county since October, 
1879. He was born near Ogdensburg, N.Y., April 8, 1861, and his boyhood was 
passed near his native place. 
 
The parents of our subject were John and Agnes Mussell, the former of whom 
died when his son was an infant of only nine months. The mother is now living at 
Drayton, N. Dak. The Mussell family is of English origin, and members of it have 
occupied prominent places in the history of this country. John and Agnes Mussell 
were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living. John is engaged in 
lumbering in Alpena County, Mich.; Isaac operates a flouring-mill at Drayton, N. 
Dak.; Aaron J. is a lumberman of Bayfield, Wis.; James H. is engaged in mining 
in California; and Katie is the wife of John Barton, of St. Thomas, N. Dak. 
 
In 1876 Robert M. Mussell went to Dakota and passed some three years in the 
Northwest, some of the time being in Minnesota and Manitoba. For a short time 
while a resident of Dakota, he worked in a drug store and obtained a general 
knowledge of the business. In 1879 he came to this county and was employed as 
a bookkeeper by A.W. Wright. He possesses good business ability, and has 
been the architect of his own fortunes. In order to supplement his early education 
he attended night school on going to the West, and has made his own way since 
he was a mere boy. He owns two valuable and well improved farms in Isabella 
County, and carries a well selected stock of drugs, stationery, etc., in this place. 
He is now building a fine three-story brick building, 25x90 feet in dimensions, on 
Main Street, into which, as soon as completed, he will move his stock of goods. 
 
In questions of political importance Mr. Mussell is always to be found on the side 
of the Democratic party. He is now Master of John Q. Look Lodge No. 404, A.F. 
& A.M., and is also a member of the chapter. Religiously he is identified with the 
membership of the Congregational Church and is Superintendent of the Sunday 
school. 
 
July 11, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mussell and Anna E. Husted, who 
was born in Oakland County, Mich., and at the time of her marriage was making 
her home in Clare. Mr. and Mrs. Mussell have one child, a son, to whom they 
have given the name of Arthur R. The young couple have many sincere friends in 
this section.