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

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 445

PETER MUSSELMAN, farmer, P.O. Fairfield, is a younger brother of Joseph 
Musselman, under whose name is given a sketch of the ancestors of this well-
known family.  The descendants have inherited the characteristics of their 
ancestor, whose frugality, industry and good management enable him to give his 
children a good start in life.  Peter, the subject of this sketch, the youngest 
of John’s family, was born July 8, 1829, in the house in which he now lives, on 
the home-farm which he inherited, and in which his whole life has been spent.  
The house is a substantial stone structure, built in 1822.  Here his father and 
mother both died after rearing a numerous family.  The scene around it differs 
from what it was when John Musselman first came here.  It was then covered with 
heavy woods, with but few roads.  When he was married to Mary Reiff, in 
Cashtown, this county, he had to proceed there on horseback, there being no 
wagon-road between the two places.  Now the valley is full of fine farms, in an 
excellent state of cultivation, good roads leading in every direction, and a 
prosperous community, living where but few people could then be found.  The 
subject of this sketch worked on his father’s farm until the latter’s death, 
when he and his brother, Daniel, lived together on it for four years.  Daniel 
was married, but Peter was single, and on the latter’s marriage the former 
removed to a farm, which he owns, adjoining Fairfield, Peter owning the home-
farm.  October 2, 1856, our subject was married at Harrisburg, Penn., to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Christian Musselman, of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland 
County, Penn., where she was born July 10, 1831.  Her father and her husband’s 
father were distant cousins.  Mr. and Mrs. Musselman had seven children, one 
dying in infancy.  Those living are Sarah Matilda, born April 14, 1858, married 
to David A. Mickley, of Franklin Township, this county; Mary Elizabeth, born 
November 1, 1859, wife of J. Mahlon Weikert, of Cumberland Township, this 
county; Fanny Elvira, born September 1, 1861, living at home; Christian Peter, 
born October 28, 1863, married to Allodial Brown, living in Cumberland Township; 
Emma Louisa, born December 1, 1866; and Martha Rebecca, born January 30, 1871, 
living with their parents.  Mr. Musselman has given his entire time and 
attention to his farm, which is one of the best in the township.  In politics he 
is a Republican.