BIO:  Joseph MUSSELMAN, Hamiltonban Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/
_______________________________________________ 

History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
_______________________________________________ 

Part III, History of Adams County, Page 444

JOSEPH MUSSELMAN, farmer, P.O. Fairfield, is the oldest living member of this 
family in Hamiltonban and adjoining townships.  His father, John Musselman, was 
born near New Holland in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1783, and came to this 
county in 1804, settling on “Carroll’s Tract,” near Fairfield, where he bought 
two farms, one being for his brother David (who, however, went to Canada instead 
of coming here, so John kept both farms), and on one of these the subject of 
this sketch lives.  John at one time sold this farm to a relative, but bought it 
back in 1847.  He went on a visit to Canada on horseback, and returned in 
company with Joseph Kittinger.  He married Mary Reiff, born in 1788, a daughter 
of David Reiff, and they lived and died on the farm now occupied by their son 
Peter.  John Musselman died September 15, 1852, aged sixty-nine, and his widow 
March 15, 1857, aged seventy one.  They had twelve children, one of whom died 
quite young.  The sons, who were all farmers, were David, who died October 18, 
1872, aged sixty-seven; Christian, who died at the age of fifty-seven; John, who 
died at the age of sixty-one; Isaac, who died a young man; Joseph, our subject; 
Jacob, who died in 1884, aged sixty-two; Daniel, who lives on the farm at 
Fairfield; and Peter, who lives on the home farm.  The daughters were Elizabeth 
(deceased wife of George Trohn), Martha (deceased wife of John Hartman), and 
Mary (wife of Emanuel Harr, of Lancaster County).  The father of this family 
accumulated a large property, and left to his heirs eight improved farms and 
several pieces of mountain land.  Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was born 
February 1, 1821, on the home farm, and on his marriage moved thence to the 
farm, where he has since resided.  In 1874 he was married to Hetty Martin, who 
died in 1858, aged thirty-eight.  They had six children:  John M., born June 21, 
1848, a merchant in Fairfield, this county); Susanna E., born September 21, 1849 
(wife of Joseph Creager, also of Fairfield); Mary, born February 22, 1851 
(deceased); Elizabeth H. (wife of John Kugler, living in Kansas); Sarah J., born 
July 31, 1855 (wife of Harvey Bream); and Joseph W., born April 28, 1857 
(married to Nannie Plank, and living on his father’s farm).  In 1859 Mr. 
Musselman married, on second occasion, Evaline McCleaf, who was born in 1828, 
and to this union three children have been born:  Laura Jane, born September 29, 
1859 (at home); Henry Clay, born September 18, 1861 (died March 25, 1863); and 
Cyrus Grant, born July 19, 1864 (living with his parents).  Mr. Musselman is a 
member of the Mennonite Church.