BIO: Emanuel 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. _____________________________________________________________________ EMANUEL MUSSER* is recognized as one of the most intelligent men and skillful farmers of College township, Centre county, though he is now practically living a retired life. He is pursuing the even tenor of his way as an honest man and good citizen, furthering the good of his community as he has opportunity, and enjoying the respect of his neighbors. Almost his entire life has been passed in Centre county, his early home being in Gregg township, where he was born June 1, 1834. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Michael Moser, who was born in that part of Northampton county, now Lehigh county, early in the latter half of the eighteenth century, was twice married, having by his first wife five children: George and Jonathan, residents of Gregg township; Mrs. Betsy Kepler (deceased); Mrs. George Haring, of Gregg township; and Mrs. John Confer, of Illinois. At an early day the father of these children came to Centre county and took up government land in Haines (now Gregg) township, where he passed away about 1859 at a ripe old age. George Moser, who was born July 7, 1804, attended school at the Cross Road school house in Gregg township, but his educational privileges were very limited. After operating his father's farm for a few years he purchased 161 acres, on which he spent the balance of his life, dying on the 2nd of February, 1846, when our subject was only eleven years old. He was, of the Christian faith, a member of the Lutheran Church, and a Whig in politics, casting his Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. His wife, who was born October to, 1811, was a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Ilgen) Moser, and died in Gregg township, January 7, 1846. In their family were eight children, namely: Rosetta, widow of John W. Krumrine, late of State College, Centre county; Elias, a farmer, who died in Gregg township, in 1888; Emanuel, of this review; Mrs. Rebecca Wolf, who died in Logansville, Penn., in 1883; Maria, wife of Henry Gramley, of Iowa; George M., who died in childhood; William H. H., of Mercer, N. Dak.: and Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Gates, of Illinois. Upon the old homestead in Gregg township Emanuel Musser passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and acquired his education in the Crossroad and Heckman schools of the same township, which he attended until sixteen years of age, when he started out to earn his own livelihood as a farm hand at $6.00 per month. After one year spent in this way he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for four years in Boalsburg, Harris township, Centre county. On the expiration of that period, he went to Illinois, where for six months he worked at the carpenter's trade; but failing health caused him to return home, and for four years he again followed farming. After his marriage he operated his father-in-law's farm two years, at Buffalo Run Valley, and then rented a place for the same length of time in Pine Grove, after which he purchased sixty-seven acres near Houserville. After cultivating that tract for nine years he sold out and bought 164 acres of good land near State College, where he has made his home since 1874. He has made many noticeable improvements upon the farm which add to its value and attractive appearance, including an extensive dairy, which he has conducted for fifteen years with excellent success. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Musser was in her maidenhood Miss Katharine Bottorf, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Anspach) Bottorf, and was born in Centre county, February 29, 1836. By her marriage she has become the mother of nine children: Luther Willis, a teacher in the borough of State College; Lillie Curtis, wife of David O. Etters, superintendent of public schools of Bellefonte; George Frederick, insurance agent, of that city; Jacob Arthur, who has charge of a gents' furnishing department in Allegheny; James Franklin, a ma- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 259 chinist of Williamsport, Penn.; Boyd Anspach, assistant principal in the Bellefonte High School, Bellefonte; Lydia Catherine, wife of Roger Bowman, commission merchant of Philadelphia; and Nanie Lingenfelter and Helena Dale, at home. The children have been given good collegiate educations, and now occupy honorable positions in society. Mr. Musser uses his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party, but supported Abraham Lincoln when he was the Presidential candidate. He is an active worker in the Lutheran Church, and a charter member of Oak Hall Grange. For many years he was one of the most energetic and industrious farmers of the community, but to a certain extent has laid aside business cares, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest at his elegant home, which is situated on a prominence a quarter of a mile north of State College. Surrounded by many warm friends and acquaintances, he and his estimable wife are passing their declining years in the rest and retirement that should always follow useful and well-spent lives. They are valued members of society, their intelligence, pleasant and courteous manners making them welcome guests wherever they visit. *This name has been changed by local custom. The original name having been Moser, as it appears farther on in this review.