The Moser , Mosser , Musser Families of Pennsylvania :Information about Daniel Emmanuel Musser
ESQ Daniel Emmanuel Musser (b. June 28, 1822, d. June 30, 1888)
Notes for Daniel Emmanuel Musser:
From Pa Commerative Record , PAGE 336-337
Daniel was among the sagacious , farsighted and enterprising business men who contributed to the development of Penns Valley . He was a native of the county , with which throughout his life he was identified
as a leader in Centre counties development . He was a descendant of a well known pioneer family . The name was formerly spelled Mosser and Moser .His Brother John Sebastion started the spelling of Musser . However different spellings are used by different families from the originalimmigrants in different areas of the United States .
He was reared on a farm attending only the country schools of his day . Early in life he learned the miller's trade at what was known as GunkleMill of which his father was the owner at that time . At the time he married Lydia he had saved $400.00. He invested the sum into Poe Mountain in partnership with his brother Ludwig. Theadventure proved successful and he build a residence . and a sawmill which did a profitable business .
Daniel was so intimately connected with varied activities of the locality , that his influence seemed to touch all phases of life . As a business man he identified himself with many enterprises , notably the Millheim Banking Company .At the the time of his death he owned two large flouring mills , several farms and much valuable real estate in and near Millheim , as well as the family mansionDespite the constant labor and thought which enabled him to secure his handsome fortune , he found time for public affairs . He was a lieutenant the militia in "olden times"
and always took keen interest in politics. He was a leader in the Democratic organization , holding many township offices, and at the time of his death he was president of Millheim Borough Council . In county politics his advice was sought and his influence felt . He was deputy sheriff during the term that his brother Ludwig was sheriff .
In 1875 he was elected county treasurer with an increased Democratic majority . He was an avid hunter . Of
all his interests his home and family stood first in his affection .
His family first lived in the mill house at 103 Park Street . In1855 he built a new home across the park road at 130 East Main Street .In the 1860's he added to the house and it became known as the mansion . After his death , his widow stayed on and her daughter June and her husband moved in eventually they brought the house from the Musser estate.
In 1888 after Daniel died his grave was at the front of the cemetery andmarked by a 10 foot high tombstone A flaw appeared in the stone in the shape of a dagger , and word spread quickly. People came for miles to see the 'dagger tombstone ' and they spreadstories of why the dagger appeared . The stories all suggested that a dark secret
in his past was haunting him. The family was not amused and his son-in-law Alfred Walter had the fending mark sanded out but it reappeared .Mr Walter then had a bronze plate put over it . People still came for years to see the tombstone .
More About Daniel Emmanuel Musser:
Burial: Union Cemetery.Millheim , Centre County Pa.
More About Daniel Emmanuel Musser and Lydia A. Schreffer:
Marriage: June 29, 1851, Centre County Pa.
Children of Daniel Emmanuel Musser and Lydia A. Schreffer are:
- Franklin Pierce Musser, b. October 31, 1852, d. 1915.
- June Ada Musser, b. August 05, 1855, Millheim Centre County Pa,d., Millheim Centre County Pa.
- Elizabeth A. Musser, b. September 16, 1857, d. March 29, 1859, Died in Childhood.
- +Mary Jane Belle Musser, b. April 06, 1860, d. April 11, 1883, Millheim Centre County Pa.
- Rose Musser, b. August 04, 1863.
- +H.Clymer Musser, b. September 06, 1866, Penn Twp, Centre County, PA.
- Milton O. Musser, b. February 02, 1870.