From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 864-865

William A. Musser was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Feb. 17, 1839, a son of Henry and Mary (Leppard) Musser, natives of the same county, his father born in 1808 and his mother in 1810. His parents were married in 1838 and in 1854 moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and the next year to this county and settled on section 18, Richland Township, the home now of our subject, where the mother died July 15, 1859, and the father Feb. 18, 1861. Mr. H. Musser was in early life a Whig but after its organization affiliated with the Republican party. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Their children were five in number -- William A., John, Edwin, Samuel and David. All save the youngest were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. Edwin enlisted in the Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry and died at Henderson, Ky., of measles, in April, 1862. Samuel also gave his life for his country, enlisting in 1863, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and died at Chattanooga in May, 1864. John was a member of Company B, One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. William A. Musser lived at home till his marriage Feb. 26, 1860, to Lucinda E. Stevens, who was born in Morrow County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1839, daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Langford) Stevens. Her mother died May 9, 1850, and her father afterward married Mrs. Jane Sprague. In 1853 he moved to Delaware County and in 1856 to Hardin County, Ohio, and three years later came to Steuben County, and settled in Scott Township. His family consisted of nine children, seven of whom are living -- Mrs. Lydia Rapp, Mrs. Lucinda Musser, Mrs. Mary L. Hart, Mrs. Sarah E. Hanna, Mrs. Susan A. Zimmerman, Albert D. and Alexander. The eldest, Gilman B., enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Infantry and was killled at Winchester, Va., in December, 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Musser have been born two children -- George W., born Feb. 22, 1861, and Ida Myrtie, born Aug. 6, 1867, died March 7, 1869. March 17, 1871, they adopted a little girl, Nora, at that time two years of age, now a bright young lady of sixteen years. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served till Sept. 15, 1865. He participated in the Atlanta campaign under General Sherman; was at Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, and other battles of lesser note. After the fall of Atlanta he was with Thomas's army in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and in all the engagements did his duty faithfully and distinguished himself as a gallant and brave soldier.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com