Jefferson County, West Virginia Biography of Clifford Starr MUSSER This file was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: The submitter does not have a connection to the subject of this sketch. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 213 CLIFFORD STARR MUSSER. In the mutations incident to the solid development of any community there is urgent need of men of wisdom, of strength of character and even of genius in their chosen lines of endeavor, and this applies particularly to the newspaper field, the journals of a local- ity generally reflecting the character and to some extent influencing the course of the people. In the person of Clifford Starr Musser the thriving City of Shepherdstown has a man who possesses the qualities noted above. As publisher and editor of the Shepherdstown Independent he has done much to aid his community and its people, and in business circles, as secretary of the Shepherdstown Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Morgan Grove fair As- sociation, has likewise contributed to the progress of the place of his adoption. Mr. Musser was born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 5, 1878, and is a son of Charles Edward Musser. His grandfather, Charles Musser, served in a Pennsylvania volunteer infantry regiment of the Union Army during the Civil war, and was captured by the enemy and incarcerated in Libby Prison. Escaping therefrom, he made his way to his home, but his experiences had been such that he died two weeks later. Charles Edward Musser served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the Times-Star at Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania, and for a time published the Mount Holly Echo, at Mount Holly Springs, that state. He is now superintendent of printing of the York (Pennsylvania) Printing Company. Mr. Musser married Amanda Eliza- beth Green, who was born near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her father, Captain Green, commanded a company of Vir- ginia volunteer infantry in the Confederate Army during the war between the states, and was killed while leading his command in a valiant charge at the battle of the Wil- derness. Mrs. Charles E. Musser died at the age of forty- four years, leaving three children: Edna May, who be- came the wife of Edward Burnaier; Charles Edward, Jr., who is a machinist and linotype operator and now superin- tendent of printing of the Charleston (South Carolina) Observer; and Clifford Starr. Clifford Starr Musser attended the public schools of Har- risburg and Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, following which he served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade with the Mount Holly Printing Company. After being with that concern for five years he was with the Atlantic City Press as foreman for seven years, and in 1906 came to Shepherdstown and established the Independent, a weekly newspaper which is devoted to the interests of the entire people and which upholds the principles of the republican party. Mr. Musser presents to his readers an attractive weekly, with authentic news, interesting local items, timely and well-written editorials and other matter of interest, and the publication enjoys a large circulation not only at Shepherdstown but throughout the surrounding country- side. As before noted, he is secretary of the local cham- ber of commerce and of the Morgan Grove Fair Association, and takes an active part in all movements affecting the wel- fare of the community. He is also well known in fraternal circles, being a thirty-two degree Mason, and holding mem- bership in the following: Mount Nebo Lodge No. 91, A. F. and A. M.; Mecklenburg Chapter, E. A. M.; Martinsburg Lodge of Perfection No. 7; Charleroix Chapter No. 1, Rose Croix; Albert Pike Council, Knights of Kadosh No. 1; and West Virginia Consistory, all of the Masonic fraternity; Caledonia Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., of which he is a past noble grand; and Washington Lodge No. 8, P. 0. S. of A., of which he is a past president and past state officer; and for- mer editor and publisher of the West Virginia Patriot, a monthly journal he founded devoted to the interests of this order. On May 10, 1922, he assumed the postmastership of Shep- herdstown after being appointed by President Warren G. Harding and confirmed by the United States Senate, and is giving to this office a business administration that in- sures the patrons of this office not only the best of service, but one that will reflect credit upon the incumbent. On October 5, 1899, Mr. Musser was united in marriage with Miss Ada Florence Wilson, who was born at Shep- herdstown, daughter of Nelson and Mary Ellen Wilson. To this union there have been born two sons: Nelson and William Freeston.