Margaret May (Harry) Musser (1886 - 1974)

Born 24 May 1886 in Rebersburg, Miles Township, Centre, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Wife of William Earl Musser — married 31 Dec 1915 in Bellefonte, Centre, Pennsylvania, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Feb 1974 at age 87 in Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Margaret was born in 1886 in Rebersburg PA. She passed away in 1974 in Allentown PA.

RESIDENCE: 1900: Miles, Center Cnty PA [per census] 1910: N. Atherton St., State College PA (per census) 1920: W. College Ave, State College PA (per census) 1930 Pugh St., State College PA (per census) 1936: 522 E. College Ave, State College, PA 1940: 109 South Frazier Street, State College, PA (per census) 1974: 18104 Allentown, Lehigh, PA (per US Social Security Death index)

US Social Security Death Index: Margaret Musser, Last Residence 18104 Allentown, Lehigh, PA, b. 5/24/1886, d. Feb 1974

1900 census: Seren.. Harry 59 day laborer living in Miles, Center Cnty PA with Hannah Harry 47, Anna M. Harry 17 servant, Margaret M. Harry 14 day laborer

1910 census: Margaret M. Harry 23 living on N. Atherton St., State College PA, servant with private family (Harvey A. Lertzel)

1920 census: W E Musser 30, ironworker/blacksmith, & Margaret Musser 33 living on W. College Ave in St. College PA. Other fam mbrs: Charles H. Musser 14, Irene Musser 5, Arlene Musser 5, Katherine Musser 2, Hanna Harry 67

1930 census: WE Musser 42, Chevrolet salesman, & Margaret Musser 43 living on Pugh St. in State College PA. Other fam mbrs: Arlene Musser 15, Irene Musser 15, Catherine Musser 13, Maude Musser 6, Hanna Harry 77. All fam mbrs & their parents b. in PA.

1940 census: Margaret Musser living at 109 S. Frazier State College PA, age 54, b. PA, widowed, completed high school, worked 52 weeks in 1939 doing housework in private home. Other household members (all born in PA): Hannah Harry 87, Irene Musser 25 drug store clerk, Kathryn Musser 22 drug store clerk, Alice Musser 16

1950 Census – 1523 Second Ave (first floor), Altoona PA: Margaret Musser, 64, widow, b. PA, matron / 5 & 10 store. [Note: this is almost certainly a short-term address. From personal recollection it is known that she continued to live at her 1940 address (109 S. Frazier, State College PA) through at least the mid-1960s. This address is just over a mile from the residence of her sister Irma Stoner, so she may have just been visiting Altoona at the time the census was conducted.]

Per Prudential Life Insurance Co. of America life insurance application dated 8/2/1943: Margaret M. Musser, 109 S. Frazier, State College PA; b. 5/24/1886 in Rebersburg, Center Cnty PA; Occupation: Housework; 5'1", 147 lbs.; present health: good; beneficiary: Arlene Wetzel, 28, daughter (changed to Irene Frey 9/16/1970)

DEATH Obituary from The Morning Call, Allentown PA, 2/21/1974: Mrs. Margaret May Musser, 87, formerly of State College, Centre County, died Wednesday in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. She was the widow of William Musser. Born in Snulton, a daughter of the late Serenes and Hannah (Weaver) Harry, Mrs. Musser was a member of Faith United Church of Christ, State College. Survivng are a daughter, Alice M., wife of Roy Bay of Louisville, Hy.; a brother, Ernest Harry of Weternport, Md., and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services will be at 9 a.m. Friday in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are being made by the Heinzelman Funeral Home, 43 Summit Road, Schnecksville.

2nd Obituary from The Morning Call, Allentown PA, 2/21/1974: Musser--Mrs. Margaret May (Harry), 87 years 8 months 26 days, of Phoebe Home, Allentown, formerly of State College, Centre County, Feb. 20, 1974; widow of William Musser. Services 9 a.m. Friday, Phoebe Home, Allentown. Interment, Spring Creek Cemetery, State College. No calling hours.

Per findagrave.com/memorial/21663152: Margaret May (Harry) Musser, b. 5/24/1886 d. 2/20/1974, buried Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery in State College PA; parents Sirenaeus Harry & Hannah Louise Harry, spouse William Earl Musser, children: Kathryn Louise Musser, Charles Irvin Harry

CHILDREN Apparently she had Charles Irvin Harry out of wedlock when she was 19 and he died at age 19.

Charles Irvin Harry in the Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964: Name: Charles Irvin Harry, Gender: Male, Race: White, Marital Status: Single, Age: 19, Birth Date: 18 Sep 1905, Birth Place: Pennsylvania, Death Date: 12 Sep 1925, Death Place: Lock Haven, Clinton, Pennsylvania, USA; Father: Harry Cole, Mother: Margaret Harry; Informant: Mrs. Margaret Musser, State College, PA [Mother]' Certificate Number: 89896

Sources

• Census records, findagrave.com/memorial/21663152, Social Security Death Index, Life Insurance app, Charles Irvin Harry death certificate