J. D. Musser was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1842, came to Johnson County in the fall of 1856, and after three years in Iowa City settled in Fremont Township. In 1863 he married Elizabeth Rayner, a native of England whose father, Joseph Rayner of Yorkshire, farmed and shipped stock near River Junction. In 1875 Musser opened a dry-goods and grocery store at River Junction and became its postmaster, and when he died in 1900 his son John D. Musser, Jr., took over the store. Two other sons, Frank and Joseph R. Musser, farmed in Fremont and Pleasant Valley Townships, and in 1910 Frank bought the old Musser homestead. A separate family, that of Iowa City lumberman William Musser, son of Muscatine mayor Richard Musser, also has a sketch in the 1912 history, but the books never connect it to the River Junction Mussers. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Johnson County history.
Earliest in the record
Joseph Raynerborn 1812Most recent in our records
John D. Musser, Jr.born 1874Each number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Father of Elizabeth (Rayner) Musser
JOSEPH RAYNER, farmer, post-office. River Junction; was born in Yorkshire, England, January, 1812, where he spent his early life until 1852; he came to America and stopped one winter at Altoona, Pennsylvania; then came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, where he has since lived, and followed farming, and buying and shipping stock; he owns 240 acres of land. He was married in England to Elizabeth Raw, who is still living. They have five children, viz.: Joseph, Elizabeth, now Mrs. J. D. Musser; William, Frank, and George. Mr. Rayner is a member of the Reform Church at Lone Tree.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, merchant and postmaster, River Junction
Farmer, Fremont Township
Frank Musser is one of the well-known farmers of Fremont township, and is a native of Johnson county, where he has spent nearly his entire life. He was born in Fremont township, in January, 1865, and is a son of J. D. and Elizabeth (Raynor) Musser. The family, one that is well known in the county, is mentioned at some length in connection with the sketch of John D. Musser, a brother of Frank. Another brother, Joseph R., is also given a sketch in this work. The father was for many years engaged in farming in Fremont township. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania and England.
Reared to farm work, Frank Musser has followed this occupation all his life. At the age of twenty-two years he engaged in farming on his own account and has been successful in a gratifying degree. About 1893 he purchased a farm at Pleasant Valley, and in 1910 purchased the old family homestead in Fremont township, which he now occupies. He is an intelligent and able farmer and stands well with his neighbors. He has many friends in the community and takes an active interest in local affairs. In political views he is a democrat and in religious views he is a Methodist. He belongs to the church at River Junction. The family are well known socially and have a pleasant and attractive home.
In June, 1892, Mr. Musser was united in marriage with Miss Velta May Winman, a native of Iowa and daughter of John Winman and wife. There have been three children born of this union: Fred, John, and Emma. Mrs. Musser died January, 1909, mourned by the whole community. She had been a loving wife and mother and a kind neighbor and is sadly missed hv all who knew her.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, Fremont Township
JOSEPH R. MUSSER
Joseph R, Musser belongs to a well-known family of Johnson county and is one of its native sons. He was born in Fremont township, February 20, 1873, son of John D. and Elizabeth (Rayner) Musser, natives of England. There were six children in the family, those besides Joseph R. being: John D., a sketch of whom appears in this work; Frank, also given a sketch herein; Sarah G., now Mrs.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Merchant, River Junction
JOHN D. MUSSER
John D. Musser, Sr., at the time of his death, July 24, 1900, was a well known merchant of River Junction, Iowa. His son, John D., our subject, succeeded his father and is at present engaged in the mercantile business at River Junction. Formerly the senior Musser was a farmer, and the farm which he occupied in Fremont township, and which he cultivated until 1875, is still known as the Musser homestead. John D. Musser, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Elizabeth Rayner, mother of our subject, was a native of England. The latter survived her husband nearly nine years, dying January 18, 1909. The elder Musser came to Johnson county with his parents when a child, and from that time his entire life has been lived in this county. Six children were born to John D. and Elizabeth Musser: Frank, living on the old homestead (see personal sketch); Sarah G., now Mrs. J. I). Decker, living in Pleasant Valley township; Jane E., now Mrs. M. S. Maxim; Mary R., now Mrs. H. W. Hilton, living in South Dakota; Joseph R.. married and farming in Fremont township (see personal sketch); our subject.
John D. Musser, Jr., was born in Fremont township in November, 1874. His first business was farming, an occupation which he followed until 1900, when he succeeded his father in the mercantile business at River Junction. He owns a beautiful farm in Pleasant Valley township, and is interested in farming as well as in other lines of business.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Lumberman, Iowa City; son of Richard Musser of Muscatine
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