BIO: Henry D. Musser, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XLV. EAST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF CAMP HILL. HENRY D. MUSSER, merchant, West Fairview, was born near New Cumberland, in York Co., Penn., December 20, 1828. His grandfather, Dr. John Musser, a native of Lancas- 473 EAST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. ter County, Penn., where he practiced medicine, but who later removed to York County, where he bought a farm, was a noted physician and acquired a reputation for the treatment of white swellings and kindred disorders; his wife was Elizabeth Neff, of Lancaster County, Penn. Their children were Benjamin, Henry, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Susan, Martha and Nancy, now the wife of Joseph Bowman, of Lancaster County, Penn. Benjamin Musser, father of Henry D., born February 22, 1801, married Frances Snavely, of Hampden Township, this county, who bore him thirteen children: Elizabeth, John S., Henry D., Catharine, Annie, Joseph R. and Josiah, living; and Benjamin, David, Jacob, Levi, Daniel and Sarah, deceased. Benjamin Musser had charge of the farm until his father's death, when it was sold to Mr. Garner, father of the present occupant. He then removed to Hampden Township, Cumberland County, staying there three years, when he went West to prospect, but returned and bought a farm and mill property near Millersburg, in Dauphin County, Penn., where he lived seventeen years, when he sold out and returned to Cumberland County, to the farm now occupied by John N. Musser, stayed a year, and then removed to near Fairview, Penn., where he died in 1854. His widow died a few years later at White Hall, Penn. Henry D. attended common school, and qualified for teaching at White Hall Academy. At eighteen years of age he began teaching, and taught for six terms. On his father's death he took charge of the farm for a year, when, his mother selling out, he began farming for himself in 1856, continuing until 1865, continuing until 1865, when he and his brother Joseph engaged in mercantile business, in Fairview, for a year and a half, during which time he also held the position of postmaster. He then retired until 1873, in which year he again engaged in business where he now is. May 16, 1855, he married Mary E. Rupley, born December 19, 1832, daughter of George and Magdalena Rupley, of East Pennsborough Township, this county, and who on the death of her parents became possessed of one-half of their farm, which she and her husband still hold. They have two children living: Charles Emery, born November 30, 1859, and Harry Clinton, born August 14, 1861. Three are dead: George, Whitfield and an infant daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Musser are prominent members of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Musser is president of the Mite Society, and her husband has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for twenty years. They are known as sincere Christians, whose character commands the respect of the community.