BIO: Michael M. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ M. M. MUSSER, a well-known retired merchant of Aaronsburg, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, is a representative of a family that has been identified with the development of Penn's Valley for more than a century, and at a still earlier day had become prominent among the pioneers of Linn township, Northampton Co., Penn., where the first American ancestors settled on their arrival from Germany. About 1789, Philip Musser, the grandfather of our subject, located in Penn's Valley, and was engaged in agriculture there until his death, July 19, 1804. Of his eight children, the three sons were named Philip, David and John. John Musser, our subject's father, was born in Gregg township, Centre county, January 8, 1793, and was married May 15, 1822, to Miss Susan Fiedler, a native of Penn township, Centre county, born July 19, 1801. He followed 338 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the carpenter's trade until 1832, when he moved to the farm of his father-in-law, Jacob Fiedler, but soon afterward went to Miles township, Centre county, to start a fulling-mill. This he disposed of after a time and returned to Gregg township, the remainder of his life being spent in farming. In 1842 he moved to Spring township, Centre county, and died there April 29, 1880, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife passed away in the same township, in January, 1875, and both were buried in the Union Cemetery at Bellefonte. John Musser was small in stature, but heavy set, weighing about 150 pounds. While he was not a learned man, he had excellent judgment, and was noted for precision of thought and speech, and for that most uncommon quality - common sense. He was "self-made," and by his industry and thrift accumulated property to a considerable amount. In early life he was an Old-line Whig, later becoming a steadfast Republican, and at times he held township offices. During many years he was an elder in the Lutheran Church, to which he and his wife both belonged, and he had a great influence in the society. He had ten children, whose names, with dates of birth are as follows: Philip, January 19, 1823, is a carpenter at Lena, Ill.; Catherine, May 6, 1824, married Joseph Keller, and died in Rudd, Iowa; Molly, November 6, 1825, married George Breon, and resides at Lena, Ill.; Rebecca, March 12, 1827, married William A. Keslin, and died at Rudd, Iowa; John, March 31, 1829, is a farmer in Spring township, Centre county; Susan, January 26, 1831, is the wife of John Wetzel, of the same township; Samuel, December 7, 1832, formerly of Millheim, now resides in Scranton, Penn.; M. M., October 11, 1834, is mentioned more fully below; Israel, January 30, 1838, was second lieutenant of Company D, 148th P. V. I., and lost his life in the service, dying May 26, 1863, in the hospital at Falmouth, Va.; and Mary, July 1, 1842, is the wife of Rev. William Schoch, a Lutheran minister of New Berlin, Pennsylvania. M. M. Musser was born in Miles township, Centre county, and he first attended school in the Beaver Dam District, in Gregg township, with John S. Price as teacher. He lived at home until he was twenty-five, and during that time he attended, for one term, a school at Aaronsburg taught by Prof. Burrell. His own experience as a teacher was limited to one term in the Roupsburg District, in Benner township, Centre county; but his attention was soon turned to mercantile pursuits, and he began clerking in Bellefonte in the store owned by David Wagner, John B. Awl and Isaac May. In August, 1862, Mr. Musser enlisted in Company K, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, better known as the "Anderson Cavalry." Their first engagement was at Stone River, and Mr. Musser was one of the gallant three hundred who were sent out by Gen. Rosecrans as an advance guard. At Chickamauga he was one of the orderlies of Gen. Rosecrans, with the rank of sergeant. Promotions came in the regular order, and at the time of his discharge at Nashville in June, 1865, he held a commission as second lieutenant. He never had a leave of absence, and never lost any time through wounds or sickness. In September, 1865, our subject was married at Farmers Mills to Miss Catherine Fisher, who was born in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Penn., September 9, 1838, a daughter of Adam and Mary (Brussman) Fisher. In the following year Mr. Musser located at Farmers Mills, purchasing a store from his father-in-law, and in 1867 he removed his stock of goods to the place now called Fiedler P. O., in Haines township, Centre county. In the fall of 1873 he bought his present property in Aaronsburg from Jacob Wile, and during the next year he remodeled the building, making it more convenient for a dwelling as well as for business purposes. His business was continued successfully at that location until 1894, when, owing to ill health, he sold his stock and retired. Mr. Musser has a refined and courteous manner, and through his wide reading has kept well informed on current topics. His judgment is sound, and has gained great influence for him among his acquaintances. To his children he has given good educations, and they have done justice to their opportunities. William. S., who was born in Gregg township, July 20, 1866, is station agent for the Pennsylvania railroad at Rising Spring; Irene C., born October 8, 1867, in Haines township, is at home; Charles H., a twin of Irene C., is in Kirkbride Hospital, Philadelphia; Mary S., born in Haines township, April 17, 1870, married Mr. Mertis; and Edward, of Bloomsburg, Penn., is an insurance agent in Philadelphia. In his political affiliations Mr. Musser has always been a Republican, and is one of the influential workers of the party, representing his locality in the county conventions. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is a trustee, and has held every office except that of minister. He helped to organize the Grand Army Post No. 298, at Millheim, and at present is its commander; and is postmaster at his home, Aaronsburg. 1850 Spring Township, Centre County census - John Musser, 56 Susan Musser, 50 Susan Musser, 17 Samuel Musser, 15 Michael Musser, 13 Israel Musser, 11 Mary A. Musser, 8