BIO: A. Clark MUSSER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ A. CLARK MUSSER, who holds a leading place among the enterprising and prominent business men of Millheim, was born there April 22, 1848. His father, J. G. Musser, was born in Gregg township, Centre county, December 12, 1820, a son of Philip B. and Elizabeth (Ilgen) Musser, and in the subscription schools held near his home acquired his education, which was principally in the German language. On December 8, 1842, at Millheim, he wedded Miss Julia Hubler, who was born August 15, 1817, a daughter of Adam Hubler, who was for years identified with the milling interests of the county as owner of the Hubler mill, and was killed by falling from a barn that occupied the present site of the residence of Mrs. D. A. Musser. A short time after his marriage the father of our subject removed to the hotel now conducted by W. S. Musser, having purchased the same from Jacob Widener, and was its host for some years. Prior to this he had engaged in mercantile pursuits in connection with his brother, W. L. Musser. He was a great hunter and fisher, in which sports he found his greatest pleasure, and in politics he was a stanch Democrat. His death occurred January 12, 1892, that of his wife on February 26, 1884, and the remains of both were interred in the Millheim cemetery. The family of this worthy couple numbered the following children: Ralph M. is a miller of Williamsport, Penn.; Clarence died May 1, 1846; Emma C. is the wife of J. H. Swartz, of Renovo, Penn.; A. Clark is next in order of birth; Charles died February 1, 1852; Mary died February 10, 1854; James B. is a resident of California; and Anna died April 28, 1861. In the public schools of Millheim the subject proper of this review received his literary education, his first teacher being George M. Swartz. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, aiding in the support of the family, till, in April, 1869, he entered the shop of B. O. Deininger to learn the trade of marble cutter. At the end of two years and a half, however, he went to Lock Haven, Penn., where he worked for five months, and after his return to Millheim in the spring of 1872, he pur- 418 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. chased a third interest in the establishment of Mr. Deininger. Three years later he secured a half interest, and in 1885 became sole owner; but after conducting the business for a short time he sold a half interest to W. K. Alexander, and the firm has since been Musser & Alexander. Their work is first-class in every particular, and, by courteous treatment and fair and honorable dealing, they have succeeded in building up a large and lucrative business. On July 5, 1874, Mr. Musser was married to Miss Margaret C. Kister, of Aaronsburg, Centre county, who was born in that village March 15, 1841, a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (miller) Kister. Twelve children have graced their union: Bertha E., a printer of Millheim; Lulu C., at home; Norman Lester; Thomas B. and Frederick W., both deceased; John F.; Grover G.; Lizzie (deceased); Orvis; Paul; May and Claude E. Jeremiah Kister, the father of Mrs. Musser, was born in Greene township, Clinton Co., Penn., October 7, 1825, a son of Lawrence Kister. During the Civil war he became a member of Company F, 12th P.V.C., and in battle was shot in the face. After lingering two weeks, he died in the hospital at Chester, Penn., in August, 1864, and was there buried. He was a shoemaker and plasterer by trade, a Democrat in politics, and a consistent member of the Reformed Church. He left a widow and six children, of whom, Mrs. Musser and her twin sister, Susan, were the second and third in order of birth. The other four were sons. The mother, who was a native of Aaronsburg, Centre county, and a daughter of Benjamin Miller, died in July, 1889, at the home of her son, B. F. Kister, of Millheim. Mr. Musser began his domestic life in Millheim, where he has since made his home, and is numbered among its most progressive and wide- awake business men, of undoubted integrity and honor. His political support is ever given the Democratic party, and he has been called upon to fill several official positions of honor and trust, including those of assessor, tax collector, chief burgess and councilman, and was a member of the school board for some years. With the Lutheran Church both he and his excellent wife hold membership.