Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 70

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1358

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 70
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 70
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 70
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 70

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Mr. Hall was born in Bellefonte, May 1, 1831. and is a son of John and Sarah (Weaver) Hall. the former a native of Chester county, and the latter of Berks county. Penn. His paternal grandparents, Hon. John W. and Hannah Hall. were born in Pennsylvania, and in 1796 located in Centre county; thus for a century has the family been prominently identified with the interests of that county. The grandfather, an expert blacksmith by trade, established one of the first smithies in the county, but spent his last days in retirement upon a farm. He took a prominent part in public affairs, and was the first member of the Legislature sent from Centre county, being elected in 1800.

The father of our subject accompanied his parents to Centre county and located in Belle- fonte. In his family were seven children, namely: Joseph B., who died at Howard, in March, 1894: Daniel W., an extensive farmer of Fayette county, Iowa; Hannah, widow of Rev. Thomas Barn- hart, of Red Oak, Iowa: Sarah, wife of ex-Sheriff Daniel Z. Kline, of Centre county: John N .. the subject of this review; William M., an expert blacksmith, who died in October, 1880, and Mary J., who died September 27, 1895.

Since the early age of six years the subject of this sketch has resided upon his present farm in Howard township, whose well-tilled fields and neat appearance testify to his skill and ability as a practical farmer. His literary education was

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obtained in the schools of Centre county. On April 17, 1856, Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Susannah Allbaugh, of Blair county, Penn., and to them have been born six children, namely: John D., of Bellefonte, is a conductor on the Pennsylvania Central railroad, and made the first trip on that road in which an accident occurred, the engine turning over owing to the rails being spread, but no one was hurt. Ida M. is the wife of D. N. Johnson, a farmer of Marion, Linn Co., Iowa. Sarah Alice is the wife of George R. Stiffler, and both are school teachers in Blair county, Penn. Temperance, who has engaged in teaching for fifteen years, is at home. Mollie K., who has also taught for eight terms, resides with her parents. William H. is also at home.

Mrs. Hall is a native of Blair county, her birth having occurred in Hollidaysburg, Novem- ber 16, 1829, and she is a daughter of Rev. David and Elizabeth (Snyder) Allbaugh, the for- mer a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Blair county, Penn., where their marriage was celebrated in 1814. By occupation the father was a farmer and miller, and he also served as a minister of the German Baptist Church. He was born August 23, 1776, and died at the home . of his daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Harris, in Cam- bria county, Penn., March 4, 1865; his wife passed away in Blair county, January 25, 1855, at the age of sixty-nine years. Their family consisted of ten children: Sallie, widow of Levi Hoover, of Linn county, Iowa; Jacob, John and Thomas, who all died when young; Mary, widow of William Harris, residing near Johnstown, Cam- bria county; Catherine, who married Abraham Good, but both are now deceased; Susannah A., wife of our subject; Joseph, who served for three · years during the Civil war, and is now a gardener of Cambria county; David, who died when young; and Daniel W., who was also a Union soldier, and was killed at the battle of Nashville. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hall, David and Florence Allbaugh, were natives of Virginia, and died upon a farm in Blair county, Penn., while the maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Snyder, were born in Hagerstown, Md., and also spent their last days upon a farm in Blair county.

Politically, Mr. Hall supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has served his fellow citizens in several official posi- tions. In 1874 he was elected county commis- sioner, and so acceptable was his service that he was re-elected the following year for a three- years term. After faithfully serving for six years as school director, he retired from office in 1895,

during which time he had been secretary of the board, and attended every meeting, 108 in all. For two years he was also overseer of the poor. Socially he is a member of the Grange at How- ard, and religiously holds to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and possesses a large share of the benevolence which induces him to take an active interest in that which is going on around him, and which most nearly af- fects the welfare of the community.

D ANIEL A. MUSSER (deceased). Among the sagacious, farsighted and enterprising business men who have contributed to the devel- opment of Penn's Valley, Centre county, the sub- ject of this memoir deserves a place. He was a native of that county, with which throughout his life he was identified, and was a descendant of a well-known pioneer family. The name was for- merly spelled Moser, and while the Penn's Val- ley branch has adopted the spelling used by our subject, various forms are found among the other branches in the different parts of the United States.

Sebastian Musser, the grandfather of our sub- ject, and the first of this line to settle in Centre county, was born in Linn township, Northamp- ton Co., Penn., January 3, 1760, and his wife. Anna Maria Miller, a native of the same town- ship, was born July 15, 1762. They had only one child, Philip B., born in Northampton coun- ty, August 27, 1785, and a few years later the little family came to this section.

Philip B. Musser, our subject's father, was a shrewd and successful business man and a lead- ing farmer of his day, accumulating a handsome competence. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and an influential worker in local affairs, serving at one time as justice of the peace. On November 4. 1806, he was mar- ried in Centre county to Elizabeth Ilgen, who was born August 26, 1790, the daughter of Rev. Lud- wig A. Ilgen, an old-time Lutheran minister. Thirteen children were born to them, the names with dates of birth being as follows: John Se- bastian, March 29, 1808, was a farmer and min- ister of the Evangelical Church, and his death occurred in Penn township, Centre county, Jan- uary 9, 1887: Ludwig A. W. dater W. [ .. ), Au- gust to. 18 to, died at Millhem, October 4. 1880. Maria E., October 10, 1811, married George Musser, and died in Gregg township. Centre county: John P., November 4. 1813, died in mn- fancy: Philip A .. December 9, 1816, a farmer. died in Penn township, Centre county, October 11, 1894: Anna B., July 3. 18ts, married John

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DANIEL A. MUSSER

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hubler, and died in Brush Valley; John G .. De- cen ber 12, 1820, died in Millheim: Daniel A., June 28, 1822, is the subject proper of this sketch: Maria C., February 116, 1826. widow of Thomas Frank, resides in Millheim, as do also Lydia E., March 16, 1828, John F. Ilgen, Janu- ary 23, 1830, and Sarah C., now Mrs. Frederick Catherinan, February 20, 1833: James J., No- vember 19, 1834, is a resident of Hartleton, Union Co., Penn. The mother of this family died July 15, 1854, and was buried at Aaronsburg. The father, for his second wife, married a widow, but there were no children by this union. He died November 29, 1874.

The late D. A. Musser was reared as a farm- er s boy, attending only the country schools of his day. Early in life he learned the miller's trade at what is now known as Fisher's Mill, of which his father was then the owner. In June, 1846, his parents removed to. Millheim, and our subject ran a gristinill there for some time. On June 29, 1851, he was married in Mifflinburg to Miss Lydia A. Shreffler, a native of Millheim, born March 3. 1826. She was one of the eight children-four sonsand four daughters-of Daniel and Rachel (Moyer) Shreffler, and was educated at Millheim, her first teacher being John Toner, a noted peninan and one of the pioncer educators of this region.

At the time of his marriage. Mr. Musser had $400 saved from his earnings, and this sum he invested in mountain land in Poe Valley, in part- nership with his brother, W. L. Musser. The venture proving successful, he built a residence, and a sawmill which did a profitable business. Later he was associated with J. P. Gephart in the same line, his success continuing undimin- ished. In 1855 he built the present home at Millheim, in which his widow still resides, and where he spent his last years, his death occur- ring June 30, 1888, very suddenly. Of seven children, five are living. The names of all with dates of birth are here given: F. Pierce. Octo- ber 31, 1852, resides at Millheim: Junie .A., Angust 5. 1855, married A. Walter, of Millheim: Elizabeth A., September 16, 1837, died in in- fancy; Jane Mary Belle. April 6, 1800, married C. A. Sturgis, and died in Millheim: Rose E .. August 4. 1863, married T. R. Stam, of West Union, lowa: H. Olymer, September 6. 1800, and Milton O., February 2, 1870, are well-known shoe dealers at West Union, Iowa: both are married.

Mr. Musser was so intimately connected with the varied activities of his locality, that his in- fence seemed to touch all phases of life. Asa business man be identified himself with many tre county, bom July to. iSor 22

enterprises, notably the Millheim Banking Co. At the time of his death he owned two large flouring-mills, several farms and much valuable real estate in and near Millheim, aside from the family residence. Despite the constant labor and thought which enabled him to secure his handsome fortune, he found time for public affairs. He was a lieutenant in the militia in the .. olden time," and always took keen inter- est in local politics. He was a leader in the Democratic organization. holding many town- ship offices, and at the time of his death was president of the Millheim borough council. In county politics his advice was sought and influ- ence felt. He was deputy sheriff during the term of his brother, W. L. Musser, as sheriff. and in 1875 was elected county treasurer with an increased Democratic majority. His son, Pierce. filled the office by Mr. Musser's appointment. The centennial celebration of Millheim was an event in which he manifested great interest, and it was a source of grief to all classes in the com- munity that he could not share in the successful realization of the plans which he had so warmly approved. In religious work he was active, contributing both time and means. In 1860 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and until his death was a leading worker in the Church and Sunday-school. His chief recreation was the chase, and he annually spent several weeks in the mountains in search of deer and other game. Of all his various interests. how- ever, his home and family stood first in his affec- tions, and throughout his wedded life the dearest place on earth was his own fireside.

M M. MUSSER, a well-known retired mer- chant of Aaronsburg, andlan honored voter- an of the Civil war, is a representative of a tam- ily that has been identified with the development of Penn's Valley for more than a centary, and at a still earlier day had become prominent among the pioneers of Linn township. North- ampton Co., Penn .. where the first American ancestors settled on their arrival from Germany About 1789. Philip Musser, the grandfather of our subject, located in Penn's Valley, and was engaged in agriculture there until his death, July 19. 1804. Of his eight children, the three solls were named Philip. David and John.

John Musser, our subject's father, was born in Gregg towaship, Centre county, january S. 170%, and was married May 15, 1822, to Mat Susan Fiedler, a native of Penn township, Cen- He Bilowed

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the carpenter's trade until 1832, when he moved to the farm of his father-in-law, Jacob Fiedler, but soon afterward went to Miles township, Cen- tre county, to start a fulling-mill. This he dis- posed of after a time and returned to Gregg township, the remainder of his life being spent in farming. In 1842 he moved to Spring town- ship, Centre county, and died there April 29, 1880, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife passed away in the same township, in January, 1875, and both were buried in the Union Cemetery at Bellefonte.

John Musser was small in stature, but heavy set, weighing about 150 pounds. While he was not a learned man, he had excellent judgment, and was noted for precision of thought and speech, and for that most uncommon quality- common sense. He was "self-made," and by his industry and thrift accumulated property to a considerable amount. In early life he was an Old-line Whig, later becoming a steadfast Re- publican, and at times he held township offices. During many years he was an elder in the Lu- theran Church, to which he and his wife both be- longed, and he had a great influence in the so- ciety.

He had ten children, whose names, with dates of birth are as follows: Philip, January 19, 1823, is a carpenter at Lena, Ill .; Catherine, May 6, 1824, married Joseph Keller, and died in Rudd, Iowa; Molly, November 6, 1825, married George Breon, and resides at Lena, Ill .; Re- becca, March 12, 1827, married William A. Kes- lin, and died at Rudd, Iowa; John, March 31, 1829, is a farmer in Spring township, Centre county; Susan, January 26, 1831, is the wife of John Wetzel, of the same township; Samuel, De- cember 7, 1832, formerly of Millheim, now re- sides in Scranton, Penn .; M. M., October II, 1834, is mentioned more fully below; Israel, Jan- uary 30, 1838, was second lieutenant of Com- pany D, 148th P. V. I., and lost his life in the service, dying May 26, 1863, in the hospital at Falmouth, Va .; and Mary, July 1, 1842, is the wife of Rev. William Schoch, a Lutheran minis- ter of New Berlin, Pennsylvania.

M. M. Musser was born in Miles township, Centre county, and he first attended school in the Beaver Dam District, in Gregg township. with John S. Price as teacher. He lived. at honie until he was twenty-five, and during that time he attended, for one term, a school at Aaronsburg taught by Prof. Burrell. His own experience as a teacher was limited to one term in the Roupsburg District, in Benner township, Centre county; but his attention was soon turned to mercantile pursuits, and he began clerking in

Bellefonte in the store owned by David Wagner. John B. Awl and Isaac May.

In August, 1862, Mr. Musser enlisted in Com- pany K, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, better known as the " Anderson Cavalry." Their first engage- ment was at Stone River, and Mr. Musser was one of the gallant three hundred who were sent out by Gen. Rosecrans as an advance guard. At Chickamauga he was one of the orderlies of Gen. Rosecrans, with the rank of sergeant. Promotions came in the regular order, and at the time of his discharge at Nashville in June, 1865, he held a commission as second lieutenant. He never had a leave of absence, and never lost any time through wounds or sickness.

In September. 1865, our subject was mar- ried at Farmers Mills to Miss Catherine Fisher, who was born in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Penn., September 9, 1838. a daughter of Adam and Mary (Brussman) Fisher. In the fol- lowing year Mr. Musser located at Farmers Mills, purchasing a store from his father-in-law, and in 1867 he removed his stock of goods to the place now called Fiedler P. O., in Haines town- ship, Centre county. In the fall of 1873 he bought his present property in Aaronsburg from Jacob Wile, and during the next year he remod- eled the building, making it more convenient for a dwelling as well as for business purposes. His business was continued successfully at that loca- tion until 1894, when, owing to ill health, he sold his stock and retired.

Mr. Musser has a refined and courteous man- ner, and through his wide reading has kept well informed on current topics. His judgment is sound, and has gained great influence for him among his acquaintances. To his children he has given good educations, and they have done justice to their opportunities. William S., who was born in Gregg township, July 20, 1866, is station agent for the Pennsylvania railroad at Rising Spring: Irene C., born October 8, 1867. in Haines township, is at home; Charles H., a twin of Irene C., is in Kirkbride Hospital, Phila- delphia: Mary S., born in Haines township, April 17, 1870, married Mr. Mertis; and Edward, of Bloomsburg, Penn., is an insurance agent in Philadelphia. In his political affiliations Mr. Musser has always been a Republican, and is one of the influential workers of the party, rep- resenting his locality in the county conventions. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is a trustee, and has held every office except that of minister. He helped to organize the Grand Army Post No. 298, at Millheim, and at present is its commander; and is postmaster i at his home, Aaronsburg.

.... .

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

R O. BRAUCHT, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Coburn Hotel," is one of the prosperous business men of Penn's Valley, one who has made his own way in the world un- aided by capital or influential friends, and at one time served as stable boy at the hotel of which he is now the owner. He was born in Penn township, Centre county, September 10, 1865, a son of William and Harriet (Geary) Braucht.

George Braucht, grandfather of our subject, was the first of the family to come to Centre county, his home being previously in Lancaster county, Penn., and in Penn township married Elizabeth Kersteter, a daughter of Leonard Ker- steter. They lived upon the farm where the father of our subject spent his entire life, and there reared their seven children, namely: John, of Penn township; Daniel, of Coburn; William, who died near Coburn; Dena, who died near Penn Hall; Sarah, who married John Heckman, and died near the same place; Lydia, wife of Ja- cob Breon, of Penn Hall; and Elizabeth, wife of William Neese, of Gregg township, Centre coun- ty. Upon the homestead farm the parents of these children spent their entire married life, and at their death were buried in the cemetery at Aaronsburg. Both were earnest members of the Reformed Church, and highly respected citizens of the community.

William Braucht was born in Penn township, January II. 1838, and was educated in the country schools near his home. In January, 1865, he married Miss Harriet Geary, who was born in the same township, August 6, 1846, a daughter of Reuben and Catherine (Musser) Geary, in whose family were eight children: Sam- uel and Mary (twins), the former a resident of Lewisburg, Penn., the latter being the widow of Andrew Stover, and a resident of Coburn; Dan- iel, of Penn township; Sarah, widow of Michael Rishel, of Brush Valley, Centre county; Philip and Catharine, who died in childhood; Harriet, the mother of our subject; and Diana, who mar- ried Simon Wolf, and died in Sugar Valley, Penn. The father of these children, who was an agriculturist, died at the age of seventy on the farm where he had made his home for many years. He was buried at Millheim by the side of his wife, who had died previously in the faith of the Reformed Church, of which he was also a member.

When a young man, William Braucht learned the carpenter's trade, and, although he located on a farm after his marriage, was prin- cipally employed at his trade. After suffering for two years from heart disease, he died sudden- ly in September, 1873, and his remains were in-

terred at Aaronsburg. He was a stanch Demo- crat in politics, but cared nothing for political distinction. In his family were four children: R. O., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth; Abigail, who died at the age ot thirteen years; and Will- iam, a resident of Glen Union, Penn. The mother continued to reside upon the farm left by him, and is now the wife of Jonathan Dingles, by whom she has two children: Cloy and Frank. She is a consistent member of the Evangelical Church.

R. O. Braucht was but a small boy at the time of his father's death, and as his mother's financial condition was not very good, he was de- prived of many privileges afforded most boys. Being robust and strong, he left home at the age of twelve years, and began working as a farm hand for Daniel Kramer for $2.50 per month. By nature steady and industrious, he could always find employment, and remained with Mr. Kra- mer, of Penn township, for two years. His edu- cational privileges were necessarily limited to a few months' attendance, at the country schools during the winter season, and often he was obliged to work for his board. He worked as hostler at the hotel which he now conducts, and also as a farm hand for many of the best farmers of Penn township. At the age of seventeen he went to the lumber woods, where he was vari- ously employed, his first contract being for trucking logs at Poe Mills, and later worked in the sawmill for Luther Guiswite, at Engleby. In the spring of 1886, he went to Stephenson county, Ill., where he worked as a farm hand one summer, and on his return to Centre county again worked at Poe Mills for four years and a half. In the spring of 1891 he became connect- ed with the livery business in Coburn, buying out the establishment of William Kremer, which he conducted for three years, and then purchased the "Coburn Hotel." This property he has greatly improved, making it one of the best hostelries of Penn's Valley. Of an agreeable disposition, and unusual willingness to adminis- ter to the wants of his guests, his house has be- come a favorite with the traveling public.

In 1889, in Millheim, Centre county, Mr. Braucht was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary L. Gates, a native of Sunbury, Penn., where her parents, Amos W. and Louisa Gates, still reside. Two children grace their union: Bes- sie, born March 5. 1890; and Daniel, born April 24, 1893.

Mr. Braucht uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, while fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Millheim, and the

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Patriotic Order Sons of America at Coburn. Honest in his business dealings, public spirited and liberal, he has won the confidence and re- spect of the entire community, and for the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit.

G REEN C. DECKER, a prosperous agricult- urist of George's Valley, Centre county, is a man of recognized influence in the community in which he lives. His parents, Michael and Barbara (Price) Decker. were highly esteemed residents of that locality, and our subject was born October 22, 1839, on the same farm which he now owns and cultivates.

The Decker district school in Gregg town- ship, Centre county, was named in honor of his family, and Mr. Decker received his education within its walls, Thomas Toner being his first in- structor. The order and discipline of the olden time impressed Mr. Decker most favorably, and he is an advocate of a return to the old system when the control of the schools was vested in the directors, and county superintendents were un- known. As a farmer's son, Mr. Decker was trained to habits of industry, and his work at home was varied during his boyhood with en- ployment in a sawmill, where he gained a knowl- edge of that business. Until the age of twenty- six he remained at home receiving nothing in the way of remuneration except his board and home- spun clothes. He used to assist his mother in preparing flax, as she wove most of the material used in clothing the family, making the green baize cloth so common in that day, as well as the linen required.

In 1865 Mr. Decker was married in Huston township, Centre county, to Miss Keziah Will- iams, daughter of Scott Williams, and he took his bride to the old homestead which he rented from his father. In 1880, after his father's death. he purchased the place, and he has since built a new residence and made other substantial im- provements, all the buildings, except the barn, having been erected by him. The farm com- prises 168 acres of excellent land, and he also owns to acres of mountain land. He has a handsome competence gained by his own efforts. Over confidence in others has caused him losses to the amount of $1, ooo or more: but fortunately he has not suffered seriously. Possessing ro- markable mechanical ability, he has done all of his own work in wood, iron and stone, and his confortable home displays many evidences of his skill.

Mr. Decker is an active member of the Evan-

gelical Church, in which he was class leader for years. He has always been a generous supporter of religious and philanthropic movements and before he united with the Church he helped to organize the Sunday-school at Locust Grove. and has served as secretary and treasurer. while assisting in other ways to bring it into its present flourishing condition. He has always attended the " Locust Grove Church. " where he is equally active, contributing liberally of time and means to aid its work. His first wife, who was also a devout and consistent member of the Evangeli- cal Church, passed to the unseen life, and her re- mains now repose in the Sprucetown cemetery. Mr. Decker for his second wife wedded Mrs. Allie Nicolls (nee Wilcox), a widow, who was born in New York State. There were twelve children by the first marriage: Michael died in infancy; Ella and Scott are at home; the fourth child, a son. died in infancy ; Thomas, Katy ( Mrs. Wm. Rishel), Colonel G., Joseph, Densmore D .. Edward D. and Jennie are at home, and Robert died in infancy.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 70

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1358

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1358