|
.BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield County,
Ohio
Illustrated - Published: New York and Chicago:
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company.
1902
< CLICK HERE to
RETURN to 1902 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
>
< CLICK HERE to RETURN
to LIST of BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
| |
THOMAS J.
MACDONOUGH
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 290 |
| |
PHILIP MACKLIN
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page |
| |
GEORGE W. MAGEE - See
WASHINGTON MAGEE |
| |
WASHINGTON MAGEE.
When the tocsin of war sounded it awakened the patriotism of
brave men throughout the north. They came from the
workshops, from the fields, they came from their offices and
counting rooms imbued with one desire - to preserve the
Union in at whatever personal sacrifice it might cost.
Washington Magee was among the number who took his
place beside the standard of the nation and fought valiantly
in its defense. He is now living a retired life in the
village of Oakland, Fairfield county, where he has long made
his home, respected by all who know him. His birth
occurred in Tarlton, Pickaway county, Feb. 19, 1819, his
parents being George W. and Catherine Magee.
The father conducted a tavern during the greater part of his
life. His death occurred in Tarlton at the age of
sixty-two years, while the mother of our subject passed away
in Circleville, but was laid to rest by the side of her
husband in the former place. She was the mother of
twelve children, four of whom are yet living.
Washington Magee spent the days of his minority
in the county of his nativity, and his educational
privileges were those afforded by the common schools.
His time was largely occupied in assisting his father, and
when twenty-one years of age he removed to Circleville,
where he remained for about three years, at the expiration
of which period he became a resident of Tarlton, but after a
short time took up his abode in Oakland, Clear Creek
township, which has since been his place of residence.
He is a mechanic and has followed mechanical pursuits during
the greater part of his life. He learned both the
tinner's and harnessmaker's trade. His business
career, however, was interrupted by his service as a
defender of the Union. He enlisted on the 13th of
February, 1864, as a member of Company H, Fifty-second Ohio
Volunteers, with which he continued until the cessation of
hostilities. At Camp Chase, near Cincinnati, he
received an honorable discharge. At the close of the
war he returned to Oakland, and for time lived on the farm.
He now draws a pension of twenty-five dollars per month
because of impaired health occasioned by his army
experience.
Mr. Magee was united in marriage to Polly
Walters, and until them were born four sons and one
daughter. William H. has been a member of the
standing army since the age of sixteen years.
Elmira is the wife of Jacob Bender, of North
Baltimore. Henry K. resides in Indiana.
George makes his home in Chicago, Illinois.
Newton is deceased. The mother of this family was
called to her final rest and Mr. Magee afterward
married Becky Westenbarger, by whom he had one child,
John L., who is now in England. following the
death of the second wife Mr. Magee was married, in
1870, to Mrs. Aquilla Westenbarger, whose maiden name
was Aquilla Bentz. She was born in Maryland and
is a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Hornbaker) Bentz.
Her father was born in Maryland and was a weaver by trade.
He came to Ohio when Mrs. Magee was about two years
of age and settled with his family in Berne township,
Fairfield county, where both he and his wife died, the
former at the age of sixty-five years, the latter at the age
of ninety years. Mrs. Magee was born about
April 7, 1829, in Maryland, and after arriving at years of
womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to David
Westenbarger, who was born Aug. 27, 1828. Their
children were: Martha Jane; Samuel,
deceased; Charles; Margaret E.; David; and Henry,
who has also passed away. Mr. Westenbarger was
born in Sugar Grove, Fairfield county, and was a farmer by
occupation. He enlisted in Company I, of the Ninetieth
Ohio Regiment, during the Civil war, and after serving in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Mr. and Mrs. Magee now have a pleasant home in
Oakland, where he has so long resided that he is known to
almost all of its citizens, and he also has a wide
acquaintance throughout the county. He is now living
in honorable retirement from labor at the ripe old age of
eighty-three years, and he receives the veneration and
respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled
thus far on the journey of life.
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 243 |
| |
ELNATHAN S. MALLON
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 225 |
| |
H. A. MARTENS.
The German element in our national commonwealth has been a
very important one. the sons of the fatherland coming to the
new world having readily adapted themselves to the different
conditions, customs and habits of our people, and their
enterprise, perseverance and reliability have made them
valued citizens, who have contributed to the progress and
advancement of the land. A well known representative
of this class is Henry A. Martens, recently closely
connected with the industrial and commercial interests of
Lancaster, but is now living in honored retirement from
labor, his earnest and persistent efforts in former years
having brought to him a handsome competence. He is
what the world calls a self-made man. and his strength of
character, his unflagging perseverance, reliability and
activity have commanded for him the admiration and respect
of all with whom business or social relations have brought
him in contact.
Mr. Martens was born in the kingdom of Hanover,
Germany, Mar. 7, 1825. He as reared and educated in
his native county, pursuing his studies between the age of
six and fourteen years in accordance with the laws of his
native land. After putting aside his text books he
entered upon his business career as an apprentice to the
carpenter's trade, serving faithfully for four years.
He then traveled for a time as a journeyman, working at his
trade in different important cities on the continent, but at
length he determined to try his fortune in the new world,
believing better opportunities for advancement in business
were here offered. In 1845 he sailed for the port of
New York, but landed at Baltimore after a hazardous voyage
of nine weeks. At once he continued his journey by
land until he had arrived in Fairfield county, Ohio, where
he resided with his uncle, Frederick Martens,
and there he was employed until his patriotic spirit
prompted his enlistment as a defender of his adopted land in
the war with Mexico. He became a member of the Fourth
Ohio Regiment under command of Colonel Charles
Bruff and took part in a number of engagements.
He was then discharged at the close of hostilities and
returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he made his way to
Fairfield county.
Mr. Martens resumed work at the car
penter's trade and eventually became what was known as a
"boss carpenter" or master workman. His first
independent venture was in the line of merchandising.
He purchased an interest in a hardware store in connection
with T. J. Hansen, the firm be coming T. J. Hansen
& Company, a style that was maintained for twelve years,
on the expiration of which period Mr. Martens
purchased Mr. Hansen's interest and the firm
of H. A. Martens & Sons was organized.
Practical, enterprising business men, the new firm was soon
in the enjoyment of a large and constantly increasing
business. In their store, located on Main street, they
carried an extensive line of shelf and heavy hardware and
farm machinery and buggies, and their enterprise, their
honorable dealings and earnest desire to please secured to
them a profitable trade. The business of Martens
& Sons was long regarded as one of the leading mercantile
concerns of the city, being successfully conducted by our
subject and his sons until January, 1901, when the father
retired from the active management, leaving the younger
members of the firm to control and extend their business
interests. Since that time our subject has devoted his
attention merely to superintending his invested interests
and to the enjoyments of life, which are afforded by his
leisure, the companionship of friends, and the pleasures of
home. A man of resourceful ability, he has not
confined his efforts alone to one line. He was
financially interested in and for several years was the
president of the Hocking Valley National Bank and for an
extended period served as one of its directors.
Of his sons, McClellan and Albert, in
1901, erected what is known as the Martens block,
a tine substantial three-story brick structure, fronting the
public square and extending from Main street to the alley.
It is forty-seven by one hundred and eighty feet and is a
most modern and well equipped block. The first floor
is used for stores and the second and third for offices.
It is heated throughout by steam and lighted by gas and
electricity, and the elevator is run by water power.
This splendid building is not only a credit to the city, but
is a monument to the enterprise and progressive spirit of
Mr. Martens and his three sons.
Mr. Martens was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Shoemaker, of Fairfield county, Ohio, a
daughter of Samuel Shoemaker, a native of
Pennsylvania, who became an early settler and highly
respected citizen of Fairfield county. He married
Miss Martha Bixby, also a native of the
Keystone state, and among their children was Mrs.
Martens. Unto our subject and his wife have been
born six children: William L., who follows
agricultural pursuits; Albert H., McClellan and
Charles D., who are associated in business as hardware
merchants and occupy a leading position in commercial
circles in Lancaster; Sarah, the wife of George
Orman, a member of the firm of Orman
Brothers, prominent lumber dealers of Lancaster; and
Ella, the wife of Charles D. Webb, who is now
residing in Decatur, Illinois. The mother died in
1887, leaving many warm friends to mourn her loss. She was
devot ed to her family and was an acceptable and consistent
member of St. Peter's Lutheran church. Mr.
Martens has since married Charles and Elizalxth
Baumann. In addition to his pleasant home and
other property interests in Lancaster, Mr. Martens
owns a valuable and richly cultivated farm of two hundred
and seven acres in Fair field county, and the rental
therefrom adds materially to his income.
To the Democratic party Mr. Martens gives
his political support, believing firmly in its principles,
and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability,
have frequently called him to public office. For
twelve years he served as justice of the peace, his
impartial rulings and fidelity to duty winning him high
commendation. He was also clerk and treasurer of
Madison township, having been appointed to the latter
position in 1870. In 1875 he was elected treasurer of
Fairfield county for a term of two years and filled the
office so acceptably that he was re-elected in 1877, his
incumbency covering a period of four years, at the
expiration of which time he retired from office as he had
entered it, with the confidence and good will of the public.
His political career, like his private life, is above
reproach. Possessing a philanthropic and benevolent
spirit, many have reason to gratefully remember Henry
Martens for timely assistance rendered in their hour
of need. He was instrumental in establishing the
Fairfield County Children's Home, which was organized in
1882. He became one of its trustees and was also
president of the board, giving his services gratuitously for
the benefit of the institution, which is one of the most
creditable in the county, its beneficent purpose making it
worthy the support and co-operation of all those whose
humanitarian spirit recognizes the brother hood of mankind.
The most envious could not grudge Mr. Martens
his success, so honorably has it been won and so worthily
used. He came to this country in limited financial
circumstances, but embracing every opportunity for business
advancement he has worked his way steadily upward, his
perseverance, diligence and enterprise enabling him to
steadily advance toward the goal of prosperity. He
sustains an unassailable reputation in business circles and
now in the evening of life he commands the respect, good
will, confidence and approbation of his fellow townsmen to
an unusual degree.
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 176 |
| |
HON. CHARLES D.
MARTIN
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 349 |
| |
JOHN D. MARTIN
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 26 |
| |
GEORGE MATT
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 280 |
| |
FRED L. MAUGER
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 194 |
| |
MRS. NANCY McCLEERY
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 222 |
| |
W. T. McCLENAGHAN
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 351 |
| |
REV. GEORGE W.
MECHLING
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 212 |
| |
H. F. MECHLING
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 331 |
| |
M. C. MILLER.
In public office M. C. Miller was won high
commendation by reason of his loyal service i nbehalf of the
public. He was at one time treasurer of Fairfield
county and over his record there falls no shadow of wrong or
suspicion of evil. He has always resided in Fairfield
county, and those who have known him longest and best
entertain for him the highest regard, showing that his life
history is one which will bear closest investigation.
Mr. Miller was born Oct. 2, 1841, on the old
home farm in Berne township, five miles east of Lancaster.
His father, Michael Miller, was a very prominent and
influential citizen at an early date, widely known
throughout the county by reason of his many excellent
characteristics. He was also a self-made man and the
success which he achieved came as the reward of his own
labors. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in
the year 1813, and at an early date he was left an orphan.
He acquired his education in the schools of the Old Dominion
and when about twenty-three years of age emigrated westward,
casting in his lot among the pioneer settlers of Berne
township, Fairfield county, Ohio, where he lived until
called to his final rest at the age of seventy years.
Farming was his life work, and through that industry he was
enabled to provide a comfortable home for himself and
family. In 1837 he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Stoneburner, a native of Rockingham
county, Virginia, and they became the parents of seven
children: Ann Maria, now deceased;
Elizabeth, who married J. B. Turner; M. C.,
the subject of this sketch; John E., of the Lancaster
Bank; Abraham, who has also passed away; David E.,
a resident of Illinois; and Frank P., residing in
Mechanicsville, Iowa. The father of this family was a
stanch advocate of the Democracy, and for thirteen years he
faithfully served as an infirmary director. At that
time the salary was about eighteen dollars each year, while
now it reached into the hundreds. Mr. Miller
was a member of the Menonnite church and from early youth
until his death his life record was honorable and
straightforward. All that he possessed came to him as
the reward of his earnest and honorable labor, and
throughout Fairfield county he was held in high esteem.
M. C. Miller, whose name introduces this record,
is indebted to the district school system for the
educational privileges which he enjoyed, which, however,
were somewhat limited. At that time goose quills were
used for pens and the teacher was required to give
instruction in but three branches known as the three Rs—
readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic. When about twenty
years of age he put aside his text-books and continued to
work upon the home farm until his marriage. Miss
Emma Reed becoming his wife. She was a
native of Lancaster and to their, were born two children:
Stella, who married James A. Berry, of Columbus,
and Robert, who married Abbie Trout,
daughter of H. G. Trout, of Lancaster, and makes his
home in Lancaster. In August, 1894, the mother of
these children passed away, and in 1900 Mr. Miller
was again married, his second union being with Charlotte
Bowes, a native of Berne township.
After his first marriage he purchased of his father a
farm upon which he resided until 1889. In that year he was
elected county treasurer and removed to Lancaster. So
acceptably did he care for the county finances that he was
re-elected for a second term, and when he retired from
office he enjoyed the confidence and good will of all.
His selection for the position was indicated by the largest
majority ever given in that county. Early in the '90s
he built the home in which he now resides. He has of
recent years been engaged in the stock business, together
with the superintendence of his farm, and in both branches
of his enterprise he is meeting with prosperity. In
politics he is a stanch Democrat when state and national
issues are involved, but at local elections he regards only
the capability of the candidate. At different times he
has served as township trustee, and for a number of years
was a member of the school board. The qualities which
go to make up an up right manhood are his, and through the
past decades of his residence in Fairfield county he has
enjoyed the friendship of those who have known him
intimately, and the respect of all with whom he has been
associated.
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 244 |
| |
J. C. MOCK
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 207 |
| |
DR. R. W. MONHANK
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 317 |
| |
J. R. MUMAUGH
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 361 |
| |
A. J. MUSSER.
Extensive agricultural and stock raising interests claim the
attention of Andrew Jackson Musser,
whose operations along this line have brought to him
splendid success. He has also been prominent in public
affairs and at one time served as the treasurer of Fairfield
county. He was born in Walnut township, this county, on the
2nd of July, 1832, and is of Swiss lineage. His
paternal grandfather, John Musser, was born in
the land of the Alps and with his family crossed the broad
Atlantic to America in 1794, establishing his home in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, at which place his wife died.
A few years afterward he removed from the Keystone state to
Fairfield county, Ohio, where he arrived in 1799. The
trip was made down the Ohio river and up the Hocking river
in a flat boat, in which was loaded all of the family
belongings, the boat being pushed along by poles. John
Musser and his family took up their abode in what is now
known as Walnut township in the midst of a tract of dense
timber land. Indians were far more numerous in this
region than the white settlers and stalked through the
forest engaged in hunting and in other pursuits common to
the red race. Arriving at their destination, Mr.
Musser erected a small log cabin and with the aid of
his sons at once began to clear and develop the little farm,
purchasing a tract of eighty acres. This he afterward
sold and removed to Berne township, where he improved a
small tract of land, spending his remaining days thereon.
His entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. In his
family were three sons and a daughter, namely: Henry,
John, Ulric, and Catherine.
Ulric Musser, the youngest son, was the father
of our subject. He was born in Switzerland and was
only seven years of age when the family emigrated to the new
world. The greater part of his youth was passed in
Walnut township, where he attended the subscription schools,
for at that time the public school system was not
established. His educational privileges, however, were
limited to a few months attendance during the winter season
for throughout the remainder of the year his services were
needed in the work of clearing the home and developing
crops, which brought to the family a livelihood. When
he had attained to man's estate, he married Elizabeth
Frye, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in
1793, and was a little maiden of six summers when brought to
Fairfield county by her parents who settled on the Hocking
flats, bordering the Hocking river, their home being in the
neighborhood known as the Stukey settlement.
Many were the hardships and privations endured by these
pioneers farmers, far from civilization. Their homes
were small and they had to depend upon what they could raise
for a living. After their marriage Ulric Musser
and his wife took up their abode in Fairfield county, where
he was actively engaged in clearing a farm, which he
afterward sold preparatory to removing to Walnut township.
In the latter locality he took up his abode on the border of
Clear creek, where he improved and cultivated a farm until
his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife, who
survived him for a number of years, afterward married
Conrad Hite. When the war of 1812 was in
progress Ulric Musser joined the American
forces under Captain Sanderson, the company
having been raised in Lancaster. He was a loyal and
valued soldier, remaining with his company until his
services were no longer needed. It was in 1815 that he
married Miss Frye, and throughout his
remaining days he carried on general farming and
stock-raising with good success, so at the time of his death
he possessed four hundred and twenty acres of rich land.
Although his educational advantages were limited, he
possessed sound common sense, a strong purpose and force of
character, which enabled him to acquire a handsome
competence and also to win the respect of his fellow men.
In his political views he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and his
religious faith was that of the German Reformed church.
His wife, who long survived him, reached the advanced age of
ninety-six years and died in 1889. By her first
marriage she became the mother of seven children, namely:
Henry, a prosperous farmer of this county; Daniel,
who died in 1897; Abraham, who is engaged in business
in partnership with our subject: Sarah, the widow of
Thomas B. Warner; Elizabeth, now Mrs.
Gilmore; and Mrs. Lydia Ashley.
All are yet residents of Fairfield county, way from home in
the morning to the district schools and returning in the
evening. He also performed such a part of the farm
work as his age and strength would permit. He lost his
father when he was only four teen years of age and thus was
early thrown on his own resources, so that he was variously
employed in any way which would yield him an honest living
until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he
entered into partnership with his brother Abraham and
they began dealing in horses, which they prepared for the
market. Later they turned their attention to hogs and
cattle and became breeders and feeders of both, feeding one
hundred steers annually and a large number of hogs.
This business they conducted very successfully from 1851
until 1901, with the exception of four years when Andrew
J. Musser filled the office of county treasurer.
He was elected to that position in 1893 and entered upon his
duties in September, 1894. Chosen for the second term,
he continued in office four years, acquitting himself
carefully as a trustworthy and reliable official. On
his retirement from office he resumed active business in
connection with his brother in feeding and dealing in hogs
and cattle. Together they carried on their extensive
farm, comprising more than five hundred acres under a high
state of cultivation. They also have good dwellings,
barns, sheds, feedyards and stock pens; in fact, their farm
is supplied with all modern facilities for carrying on their
business, is equipped with the latest improved machinery and
is justly accounted one of the best farm properties of the
community. Our subject also superintends another farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Bloom township, which
belongs to his wife.
Mr. Musser has been twice married. He
first wedded Augusta Taylor, of Walnut township, a
daughter of John and Catherinnnne (Lamb) Taylor.
She died in 1873, leaving three children: Clay; Nellie,
the wife of Charles Lamb; and Joseph, now
living in Montana. For his second wife Mr. Musser
chose Elizabeth Courtright of Bloom township, where
she was born and reared, her parents being Zepheniah and
Sarah (Williams) Courtright. Six children have
been born to this union, of whom five are yet living,
namely: Zepheniah, who is clerking for the
natural gas board of Lancaster; Ray and Andrew J.,
who are actively connected in farming pursuits and are now
feeding hogs and cattle; and Roderick and Fannie,
who are yet in school.
Politically Mr. Musser has always affiliated
with the Democracy, and is often seen in the councils of the
party. He takes an active interest in local, county
and state politics but never to the neglect of his extensive
business. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to
Baltimore Lodge, F. & A. M.; Chapter, R. A. M.; and
Lancaster Commandery, K. T. Since 1894, when he
removed from his farm to Lancaster to enter upon the duties
of the office of county treasurer, he has continued to
reside in the county seat and has a neat and comfortable
home on East Main street. From the early age of
fourteen years A. J. Musser has depended entirely
upon his own resources for advancement and the success which
is accorded his efforts is the merited reward of his labors.
He has encountered obstacles and difficulties which would
have utterly discouraged many men of less resolute spirit,
but with determined purpose he has pushed forward, and his
indefatigable industry and capable management have enabled
him to become one of the substantial citizens of Fairfield
county, while his straightforward business methods have
commended him to the confidence and good will of all with
whom he comes in contact.
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 288 |
| |
DAVID MUSSER.
David Musser is the oldest resident of Rush
Creek township and was born upon the farm where he yet
resides, his birth having occurred in January, 1809.
Through almost a century he has witnessed the advancement
which has been reached as man has claimed the wild land for
the use of him self and those to follow him. He has
also witnessed the progress that has been secured along the
various lines of progress; has seen the old stage coach
replaced by the railroad, while the telephone and telegraph
have brought man into close communication with those living
hundreds of miles away. Fairfield county has kept in
touch with the progress and improvement and Mr.
Musser has rejoiced in the advancement of this portion
of the state. He is indeed an honored old settler and
well does he deserve mention in the history of this
locality.
His father, Theobold Musser, was a native of
Germany, and with relatives came to this country when but a
small boy, taking up his abode in Hagerstown, Maryland.
There he lived for about thirty years, and in 1801 came
to Ohio, settling within its borders before the admission of
the state into the Union. His father-in-law,
Christian Binkly, had purchased three and
one-half sections of land at the usual government price, and
he gave three hundred and twenty-acres to his daughter,
Mrs. Musser. Upon that tract she and her
husband took up their abode, it being now the home farm of
David Musser. All was timberland, the
trees growing in great density in places so that it was
almost impossible for the sunlight to penetrate to the
ground beneath. Theobold Musser built a
log cabin in the woods and cleared much of his land, while
his son David cleared the remainder. Later he
purchased an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres
about one mile north of the home of his son David.
Theobold Musser was married in Maryland to
Miss Christina Binkly, a native of that state.
They became the parents of eleven children, five sons and
six daughters, but David Musser is the only one now
living. These were: Mary, Henry, Elizabeth,
Jake, John, Catherine, Becky, Daniel, David, Sarah and
Ann. In addition to the cultivation of his land
Mr. Musser followed the miller's trade. he was
millwright, having become familiar with the business when a
boy, and he erected a great many mills during his lifetime.
Upon his land he built log buildings not only for the
shelter of his family, but also for the protection of the
grain and stock, and as time passed he became the owner of
what was considered a very excellent farm at that day.
Politically he was identified with the Whig party and was a
member of the Lutheran church.
David Musser acquired his early education in the
district schools of the township. The temple of
learning was a little log building and he continued his
studies for about two months each year, for during the
remainder of the season his labors were required upon the
home farm. His education was considered complete when
he was about sixteen or seventeen years of age, as far as
attendance at school was concerned, and after that he gave
his undivided attention to the work of the farm. The
arduous task of clearing and developing the wild land is
familiar to him, for out of his grandfather's rich purchase
three farms were developed and improved. He has never
been away form the county but twice during his entire life,
and during the period of his active business career was
continuously engaged in general farming and in the raising
of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses.
In 1836 David Musser was united in marriage to
Miss Frnaces Huff, a native of Pike county, Ohio, and
they became the parents of ten children, namely:
Caroline, Willard, Edward, Jesse, David, Laura and
Ferdinand (twins), Jacob, Emma and Rebecca.
Of this number five are yet living. Mr. Musser
has given his political support to the Republican party
since its organization, and prior to that time was
identified with the Whig party. He has served as
supervisor of his township and was also school director for
a number of years. He is a member of the Reformed
church and is an honored representative of one of the oldest
pioneer families in the state. He is to day the oldest
man in his township and one of the oldest in the county.
His memory goes back to the time when people lived in little
log buildings, containing but one or two rooms, with
overhead a loft in which the children were put to sleep.
The structure was heated by an immense fireplace, and the
cooking was done over a bed of coals there. Furniture
was primitive and farm implements were crude, but
hospitality reigned supreme in those days, the latch string
always being out. The days were days of toil, but
there were social gatherings and pleasures such as are
unknown at the present time. In the work of his farm
Mr. Musser employs all the modern equipments
and accessories, and as the years have passed he gained a
comfortable competence so that in the evening of life he has
been enabled to enjoy a well earned and well merited rest.
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 261 |
| |
JESSE MUSSER.
Jesse Musser, the subject of this review,
needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the
Musser family is one widely known in this
portion of the state. Our subject was born upon the
old home farm in 1844, his birthplace being a typical log
cabin such as was so frequently seen upon the frontier.
His education was acquired in a school house of similar
character. The children, seated on slab benches,
conned their lessons from the little text books then in
vogue. In the work of the fields he bore his share,
and when he had completed his school life he went
immediately to the war, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred
and Fifty-ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, at Bremen,
under Captain Leslie. He then proceeded
to Zanesville, Ohio, and thence to Harper's Ferry in the
year 1864. He participated in the battle of Manassas
Junction, but was on picket duty during the greater part of
the time, and on the expiration of his three months' term of
service was honorably discharged, in August, 1864. He
was really exempt from military service because of his
youth, having not yet attained his majority, hut his loyal
and patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment as a defender
of the Union.
After his return from the war Jesse Musser
entered the employ of his uncle, in Indianapolis. He
desired, however, to enlist again, and made his way to
Columbus for that purpose, but on reaching that city he
learned that General Lee had surrendered and that the
war was practically ended. During the summer he
continued to reside in Fairfield county, and then returned
to Indianapolis, where he remained for four years. On
the expiration of that period he once more took up his abode
upon the farm where he has since resided and is now
accounted one of the practical, progressive and enterprising
agriculturists of this part of the state.
In 1897 Mr. Musser was united in marriage to
Miss Ota Cuplin, a native of Fairfield county, born
about two miles north of Rushville, and they now have one
child, George C. In his political views Mr.
Musser is a Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to
the party. He is a member of the Reformed church and
his wife of the Methodist Protestant church, and he is
identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 263 |
| |
WILLIAM H. MYERS
Source:
A Biographical Record of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio
- Published: New York and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 286 |
|
