History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1545

and later withdrew his connection there to associate himself with the
Fourth National Bank, which he is now serving honorably and well in
the capacity of director. He is also a director in the Commercial Savings
Bank and vice-president of the People's Savings Bank of this city. Since
he withdrew from his connection with the National Grocer Company,
Mr. Musselman has been identified with the Boyne River Power Company, of which he is vice-president, and he is a director of the Tillamook
Yellow Fir Company and of the Boyne City Lumber Company. Numerous other leading financial and industrial concerns of the city claim a
share of his attention, and it is not too much to say that each and every
one of them has profited by his connection therewith.
In his civic activities, Mr. Musselman's record is above reproach. He
was a charter member of the Grand Rapids Board of Trade, and a
director of the board until it was superseded by the Association of Commerce. He also served that organization as president and treasurer at
one time. He has served also as chairman of the Committee on Statistics,
and because of his most excellent record in that office he was selected
by the Census Bureau on the recommendation of the Board of Trade, as
the person best fitted to prepare the manufacturing statistics of the city
for the general census of I890, a duty which he discharged in a manner
so acceptable as to win for him the encomiums of the Census Department. Through all of his career thus far, Mr. Musselman has given of
his time and money in a most cheerful manner to every worthy project
that has been brought to his notice, and every movement for the good of
the city, either of a commercial, moral or spiritual aspect, receives his
sympathy and his earnest support.
Not the least of Mr. Musselman's activities have been in a political
way. During the senatorial campaign of William Alden Smith, some
seven years ago, Mr. Musselman acted as chairman of the Executive
Committee, and much of the success of that memorable campaign was
directly due to the energy with which he directed the work of the several
committees and the hundreds of individual workers. On the successful
termination of the struggle Mr. Musselman's name very naturally came
into prominence in connection with the gubernatorial office, and he was
urged by many stanch friends to enter the field. Two years later he
yielded to their importunities and became a candidate for that office. The
contest, unfortunately, developed into a three cornered affair, and inasmuch as Mr. Musselman was not a man to enter such a contest with the
expectation of winning at the polls through a lavish expenditure of
money, he lost the primary. He made a second run for the nomination
when it was announced that Mr. Osborn would not make a second run
and was successful in securing the nomination, but owing to the Progressive party taking more than forty per cent of the Republican vote,
was defeated at the election by a small majority, Roosevelt carrying the
state by sixty thousand. It is everywhere felt, however, that he is quite
as potent a power for good in his present position as he would be in the
office of governor, for he is a man whose influence is far reaching, and
whose activities in the best interests of his city and state are unceasing
and praiseworthy.
On September 12, 1877, Mr. Musselman was united in marriage with
Ella Hostetter, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Musselman
was as active in her woman's sphere as was her husband in his, and because of her culture and refinement soon took a leading place in the
literary, church and philanthropic circles of the city. She died in their
beautiful country home March I, 19I4. While they both loved children
none came to bless and brighten their home.