My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH E. MUSSER, a retired farmer of Silver Spring township, Cumberland county, was born on what is known as the Herman Myers farm, Sept. 30, 1843. His great-grandfather, the earliest ancestor of whom we have any definite data, was Benjamin Musser, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., where he followed the occupation of a blacksmith.

(II) Jacob Musser, son of Benjamin, and grandfather of Joseph E., was born and reared in Lancaster county, where he was a farmer. He married Margaret Frye, also a native of Lancaster county, and they became the parents of five children: John, Joseph, Fanny, Mary and Margaret. Jacob Musser moved to York county about 1817, residing there until 1833, when he moved to Cumberland county, where he made his home until his death.

(III) John Musser, son of Jacob, and father of Joseph E., was also born in Lancaster county in 1813, and removed with his parents to Cumberland county in 1833. He was married in the spring of that year to Elizabeth Eckerd, daughter of Jacob Eckerd, of York county, and four children were born of this union: Jacob, Henry, Catherine and Joseph E.

(IV) Joseph E. Musser received his education in the public school at Hogestown, Pa., which he attended, as was the custom, during the summer months, until he was about fifteen years of age, thereafter going in the winter season. After leaving school, at the age of nineteen years, he worked on the old homestead for his father until he was twenty-six, at which time he married Eveline R. Lehman, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Gibbler) Lehman, of Monroe township. Four children were born to them, three of whom are still living: John L., Catherine E., Gertrude Ellen and Jacob Fulmer. The last named died Aug. 2, 1897, at the age of seventeen years, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. John L. married Daisy Albright, daughter of Samuel Albright, of Lancaster, Pa., and they have one child: Marguerite Evaline Albright, born Aug. 17, 1902. Catherine E. married Harvey H. Mentzer, son of Francis Mentzer of Frankford township, and has one child, Evaline Mary, born July 26, 1903. Gertrude Ellen married Clarence H. Miller, son of Solomon Miller, of Mechanicsburg, and has two children, Joseph Musser and Lester Solomon. Mrs. Musser was born in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, Oct. 17, 1844, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Gibbler) Lehman, residents of Monroe township, and she is a most charming lady, an excellent housekeeper and homemaker.

After his marriage Joseph E. Musser devoted his time and attention to farming, and has been very successful, being now the owner of three farms in Silver Spring township and one in South Middleton township, his land aggregating 434 acres — all under an excellent state of cultivation, and in first-class condition.

Mr. Musser is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, as is his wife, and he is a deacon and one of the trustees of the Trindle Spring Church. His political views have allied him with the Democratic party, to which he has devoted his energies with unfailing loyalty, and he has served one term as school director. His success in life can he attributed to his industry, thrift and good management. He is public-spirited, giving his aid to every movement he believes will result in permanent good to the community at large. At present he is living in his beautiful home at Hogestown, which is one of the finest in the place, and enjoys the unlimited respect and esteem of a wide circle of warm personal friends.