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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ALFRED M. MUSSELMAN, one of the well-known and prosperous young farmers of Monroe township, Cumberland county, was born in Silver Spring township, but ever since 1873 has been a resident of Monroe township, in which he was educated. He is a son of John Musselman, and a member of a fine old family of Lancaster and Cumberland counties.

Samuel Musselman, grandfather of Alfred M., was born Aug. 12, 1793, in Lancaster county, and he died Aug. 27, 1868. He married the widow of John Martin, of Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, who was formerly Anna Eberly, and three children were born to the former union, one of whom survives. The five children born to the second marriage, which took place in 1826, were: John, Elizabeth, Anna, Catherine and Simon. In 1827 Samuel Musselman moved to Cumberland county, and settled on a good farm along the New Kingstown turnpike road, which he bought of William Bell, for $40 an acre, and later sold, for $210 an acre. In 1843 his wife united with the Evangelical Church, and she died July 10, 1849, aged fifty-two years, three months and eighteen days. In July, 1852, Samuel Musselman married the Widow Suavely, and they moved to New Kingstown. Mr. Musselman died Aug. 27, 1868, much lamented by all who knew him as he was a good, Christian man. He was very prominent in the Evangelical Association, and served a long time as church trustee helping to build the church at New Kingstown. He was survived sixteen years by his second wife, who died Aug. 8, 1884, at New Kingstown, aged eighty-one years, five months and three days, and was buried by the side of Mr. Suavely in St. John’s cemetery.

John Musselman, father of Alfred M., was born in October, 1826, and was a successful farmer in Monroe township, where he bought a farm. In 1850 he married Margaret Musser, daughter of Jacob Musser, of Cumberland county, who died in 1892, aged sixty-three years. His death took place Jan. 21, 1901. His children were: John Amos, born Oct. 3, 1853, died in 1854; S. Emory, born Feb. 16, 1857, resides in Monroe township; Lizzie E., born Jan. 13, 1859, married Dr. James W. Young, who died in a hospital at Harrisburg in 1886; Alfred M., born March 2, 1861; Laura, born in 1863, died in 1867; Alice L., born Feb. 27, 1865, married C. R. Firestone, of Monroe township; John, born June 22, 1870, is deceased; Dessia A., born Nov. 12, 1872, died Jan. 12, 1873; Anna A. married Rev. James C. Reeser in 1879, now stationed in Carlisle; Rev. Samuel Oliver married Carrie Fulton, who died in Kansas, and he married (second) Anna Gensler; and Mary, who married John Basehore, in 1892, resides in Middlesex township.

Alfred M. Musselman has been a resident of Monroe township the greater part of his life. He is one of the prominent Republican politicians of this locality, taking a very active part in public affairs, serving on important committees, and as a delegate to various conventions. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masons at Carlisle, and Knights of Pythias at Allen.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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