My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD MUSSELMAN, junior partner of the firm of S. B. Eaton & Co., the extensive coal operators and merchants of Du Quoin, was born in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, October 4, 1853. The great-grandfather of our subject was one of the earliest settlers of that county and built the first flouring mill within its borders. Michael Musselman, the grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania and served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and also in the war with Mexico. His death occurred in the Buckeye State at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife passed away at the advanced age of eighty-one. The family have all been millers. As before stated, the great-grandfather established the business in Ross County, Ohio, and it was followed by the grandfather, father and our subject.

John Musselman, the father, was born in Ohio, and there engaged in milling for some years, but later in life he removed to Minneapolis, Kan., where he is now engaged in farming. He married Elizabeth Angeline Hanson, who was born in the Buckeye State and died when our subject was only six years of age. He was the eldest in a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. Chauncy W. is now clerking in Du Quoin; Charles is with his father in Kansas; Zoe is the wife of Eugene Sankes, of Minneapolis, Kan.; and Minnie M. resides with an uncle in Ohio.

Mr. Musselman of this sketch acquired a good education, and, like his family through the four previous generations, he became a miller. July 6, 1876, was the date of his arrival in Du Quoin. Here he formed a connection with the Star Milling Company, with which he continued for a period of ten years, when he severed his connection with that enterprise and became a member of the firm of S. B. Eaton & Co., his partner being his brother-in-law, Mr. Musselman having married Miss Mary E. Eaton on the 19th of May, 1881.

Our subject started out in life with no means save a young man’s bright hope of the future and a determination to succeed, but by strict attention to business and well directed efforts he has become one of the wealthy young men of Du Quoin. He is sagacious, practical and progressive, and his success is certainly well deserved. He is now half-owner in the Jupiter Coal Mines, as well as in the large store of Eaton & Co., and is one of the stock holders in the First National Bank.

In politics Mr. Musselman is a Prohibitionist, for he warmly believes in temperance. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and council, and for two years was Master of the blue lodge of Du Quoin. His wife, a most estimable lady, is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Musselman is now preparing to build one of the finest residences in the beautiful and thriving city of Du Quoin. It will be a monument to his success in life and will tell of a prosperous business career.