Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-04

Musselman g. Loveridge, composed OF
James Fox, Amos s. Musslman and L.
L. Loveridge. opened for business on
South Division street. The co-psrtner-
ship continued for five years. when
Mr.. Musselman purchased the interests
of his partners and formed co-part-
nership with William Widdicomb under
the style of Amos s. Musselmen & Go.
Three years later the firm name became
Musselman & Widdicomb. and the
place of business was changed TO It's
present location in the Blodgett build
ing on South Ionia street In February,
1893, Mr.. Widdicomb retired from bus
mess and the firm was succeeded by a
corporation, with paid-in apital OF
SO. 600, of which Mr.. Musselman was
the President and General Manager.
AS an evidence of the esteem in which
he was held by the business public.it is
only necessary to refer to the fact that
his associates in the company included
men of large means and great shrewd-
ness. and that when it was known he
was to have the management of
newly organized grocery company
many of the leading inanciers of the
city we're among those whose applica-
tion for stock could not be granted.
So prosperous was the house and so
aggressive was the management that
two branch houses we're subsequently
established one at Traverse City. under
the management of Howard A. Mussel-
man, and another at Sault Ste. Marie.
under the management of Johr Moran.
Both of these houses soon came to be
strong factors in their respective local
tiles and carved out for themselves ca
reers quite as creditable, relatively
speaking. as that enjoyed by the Grand
Rapids house.
Mr.. Musselman was one of the chief
factors in the organization of the Ma
tional Grocer Co. and was elected First
Vice President. About two years ago
he was elected President of the organi-
zation in place of Mr.. Higginbotham,
since which time he has had the man
agement of the business. The company
is composed of thirteen different houses
and the annual sale aggregate SO. 600, :
OOO
Mr.. Musselman has been a member
of the Westminster Presbyterian church
ever since he came to Grand Rapids,
and is one of its most prominent and
hard working members. He took an
active part in the organization of the
Madison Aven.e Presbyterian church,
of which he was practically the found
er When he took bold of the project
there was only a small Sunday school.
Now there is prosperous and grow
( ing church society located in build
ing of its own.
! Mr.. Musselman is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, including the
knights Templar. the Knights of Pyth-
las, Royal Arcanum and Penin sular
and Colonial Clubs. He is member
of the Board of Trustees of the Michi'
gan Reformatory. at Ionia, which he
has served since he was first appointed
by Governor Pingree.
Mr.. Musselmsn was married in 1877
to Miss Ella Hostetter, of Lancaster,
Penn. For many years they resided
in comfortable home at 3s South
Prospect street, but about two years
ago they purchased tract of land or
Robinson road, overlooking Fisk Lake,
on which they have erected one of the
most beautiful and commodious coun'
try-houses in Michigan. No children
have come to grace the family circle,
but both are fond of children and they
frequently entertain them at their
home
Mr. Musselman was for severa
years Vice President of the Grand
Rapids National Bank. but subsequent
ly identified himself with the Fourth
National Bank, which he serves we
and faithfully in the capacity of di'
rector. He is an officer and director
in the Boyne City Lumber Co. ano
Boyne River Power Co. and connected
financially and officially, with numer'
Gus other leading industrial and manu-
featuring institutions.
Mr. Musselman was a charter mem
ber of the Grand Rapids Board Of
Trade and has been a director of the
Board OF Trade ever since it was or
ganized and has also served the organ
ization in the capacity of Presiden
and Treasurer. He has also acted a
Chairman of the Committee on Stats
tics and the record he made in tina
Office caused him to be elected by the
Census Bureau, on the recommendation
of the Board of Trade. as the most eli
gible person to prepare the manufactur
ing statistics for the general census o
1890 This duty was discharged so &C
ceptably as to win for him the encon
iums of the Census Department.
Mr. Musselman has given cheerful,
and largely of both time and money Il
every good project which has brough
to his attention. Every movement TO
the good of the city, commercial, mora
or spiritual, receives his deepest sym
pathy and earnest support.
Mr. Musselman is firm believer ii
boroIffs, an1 ~, 90 hoe ~. ..ro1ff 80, ~ ~,