BIO: Daniel A. MUSSER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB 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. _____________________________________________________________________ DANIEL A. MUSSER (deceased). Among the sagacious, farsighted and enterprising business men who have contributed to the development of Penn's Valley, Centre county, the subject of this memoir deserves a place. He was a native of that county, with which throughout his life he was identified, and was a descendant of a well-known pioneer family. The name was formerly spelled Moser, and while the Penn's Valley branch has adopted the spelling used by our subject, various forms are found among the other branches in the different parts of the United States. Sebastian Musser, the grandfather of our subject, and the first of this line to settle in Centre county, was born in Linn township, Northampton Co., Penn., January 3, 1760, and his wife, Anna Maria Miller, a native of the same township, was born July 15, 1762. They had only one child, Philip B., born in Northampton county, August 27, 1785, and a few years later the little family came to this section. Philip B. Musser, our subject's father, was a shrewd and successful business man and a leading farmer of his day, accumulating a handsome competence. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and an influential worker in local affairs, serving at one time as justice of the peace. On November 4, 1806, he was married in Centre county to Elizabeth Ilgen, who was born August 26, 1790, the daughter of Rev. Ludwig A. Ilgen, an old-time Lutheran minister. Thirteen children were born to them, the names with dates of birth being as follows: John Sebastian, March 29, 1808, was a farmer and minister of the Evangelical Church, and his death occurred in Penn township, Centre county, January 9, 1887; Ludwig A. W. (later W. L.), August 10, 1810, died at Millheim, October 4, 1889; Maria E., October 10, 1811, married George Musser, and died in Gregg township, Centre county; John P., November 4, 1813, died in infancy; Philip A., December 9, 1816, a farmer, died in Penn township, Centre county, October 11, 1894; Anna B., July 3, 1818, married John COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 337 Hubler, and died in Brush Valley; John G., December 12, 1820, died in Millheim; Daniel A., June 28, 1822, is the subject proper of this sketch; Maria C., February 16, 1826, widow of Thomas Frank, resides in Millheim, as do also Lydia E., March 16, 1828, John F. Ilgen, January 23, 1830, and Sarah C., now Mrs. Frederick Catherman, February 20, 1833; James J., November 19, 1834, is a resident of Hartleton, Union Co., Penn. The mother of this family died July 15, 1854, and was buried at Aaronsburg. The father, for his second wife, married a widow, but there were no children by this union. He died November 29, 1874. The late D. A. Musser was reared as a farmer's boy, attending only the country schools of his day. Early in life he learned the miller's trade at what is now known as Fisher's Mill, of which his father was then the owner. In June, 1846, his parents removed to Millheim, and our subject ran a gristmill there for some time. On June 29, 1851, he was married in Mifflinburg to Miss Lydia A. Shreffler, a native of Millheim, born March 5, 1826. She was one of the eight children - four sons and four daughters - of Daniel and Rachel (Moyer) Shreffler, and was educated at Millheim, her first teacher being John Toner, a noted penman and one of the pioneer educators of this region. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Musser had $400 saved from his earnings, and this sum he invested in mountain land in Poe Valley, in partnership with his brother, W. L. Musser. The venture proving successful, he built a residence, and a sawmill which did a profitable business. Later he was associated with J. P. Gephart in the same line, his success continuing undiminished. In 1855 he built the present home at Millheim, in which his widow still resides, and where he spent his last years, his death occurring June 30, 1888, very suddenly. Of seven children, five are living. The names of all with dates of birth are here given: F. Pierce, October 31, 1852, resides at Millheim; Junie A., August 5, 1855, married A. Walter, of Millheim; Elizabeth A., September 16, 1857, died in infancy; Jane Mary Belle, April 6, 1860, married C. A. Sturgis, and died in Millheim; Rose E., August 4, 1863, married T. R. Stam, of West Union, Iowa; H. Clymer, September 6, 1866, and Milton O., February 2, 1870, are well-known shoe dealers at West Union, Iowa; both are married. Mr. Musser was so intimately connected with the varied activities of his locality, that his influence seemed to touch all phases of life. As a business man he identified himself with many enterprises, notably the Millheim Banking Co. At the time of his death he owned two large flouring-mills, several farms and much valuable real estate in and near Millheim, aside from the family residence. Despite the constant labor and thought which enabled him to secure his handsome fortune, he found time for public affairs. He was a lieutenant in the militia in the "olden time," and always took keen interest in local politics. He was a leader in the Democratic organization, holding many township offices, and at the time of his death was president of the Millheim borough council. In county politics his advice was sought and influence felt. He was deputy sheriff during the term of his brother, W. L. Musser, as sheriff, and in 1875 was elected county treasurer with an increased Democratic majority. His son, Pierce, filled the office by Mr. Musser's appointment. The centennial celebration of Millheim was an event in which he manifested great interest, and it was a source of grief to all classes in the community that he could not share in the successful realization of the plans which he had so warmly approved. In religious work he was active, contributing both time and means. In 1860 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and until his death was a leading worker in the Church and Sunday-school. His chief recreation was the chase, and he annually spent several weeks in the mountains in search of deer and other game. Of all his various interests, however, his home and family stood first in his affections, and throughout his wedded life the dearest place on earth was his own fireside.