ceased); and Marlys (Mrs. Wm.) Dusenbery of West Chester, IA. David Alaric worked for a time for the new "Upper Iowa Power Co." as an operator of the power plant at the Lower Dam on the Upper Iowa River. The Upper Iowa Power Co. sold out to the Interstate Power Co. After that David Alaric operated a power plant at Mitchell, IA for a few years and then the new power plant at Delhi for several years. He finally bought a drug store at Delhi and operated that for 30 years.

Musser, Michael and Elizabeth (Fye)

(Mel Faldet)

Left to right: Nettie (Blegen), David Musser, Emma (Sampson), Will Musser, Hattie (Ruffridge), Mike Musser, Mary Anne (Dinger), Michael Musser and Elizabeth (Fye) Musser.

Michael Musser was born in Pennsylvania on 4 Aug 1836. He and his sister, Mary Magdaline were immigrants to Pleasant Twp, Winneshiek Co. Michael settled on the Canoe Creek in the early 1850’s. They selected 60 acres in the southeast quarter of Sec 27 of Pleasant Twp. It was adjoining the 20 acre farm of Jacob and Susan Fye and their family of seven children. The Fye family had also just emigrated here from Pennsylvania. On 13 Jan 1859 Michael was married to Elizabeth Fye, the oldest daughter of the Jacob Fye family.

The Musser and Fye farms were located on the Canoe Creek about a half mile northwest of the present Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. The log house still stands and has been in constant use. The log portion of the house has been covered with siding and is across the bridge on the northeast side.

The oldest daughter of Michael and Elizabeth was named Mary Ann. She married Peter Dinger and lived on a small farm about a half mile south of the Mussers and just across the main road.

The Dingers had four daughters: Florence (m. Albert Lien), Phoebe (Duemmer), Susan (m. Benedict Sorenson) and Hattie (m. Albert Peterson).

Michael’s son, William H. Musser, married Amelia Blegen. They lived on a small farm a quarter of a mile south of the Michael Musser farm. William and Amelia had a son named Willard. On 30 Oct 1949 Willard married llyn Ingvalson of the Highland area. They became the parents of William (Bill) Musser of Luther College in Decorah. Another older son, Wayne A. married Violet Thiessen. Wayne and Violet had three children. Willard and llyn’s daughter, lla married Larry Haagenson. They had a son, Brad. The youngest daughter, Elaine married Dana Kjome of Spring Grove, MN. They have three children.

Michael’s daughter, Emma married William Sampson. They became the parents of six boys - Eddie, LeRoy, Perry, Morris, Dewey and Lloyd.

Michael’s daughter, Hattie married George Ruffridge. They operated the Locust Store for many years. Hattie and George had seven children: Edgar, John (Jack), Frank, Walter, Viola, Gladys and Arlen.

Michael’s daughter, Nettie married Andrew Blegen. They became the parents of eight children: Louise (m. Carl Gabrielson), Emma (m. a Hagen), Clara (m. a Bolson), Johanna (m. a Myrah), Norris, Olaf (killed in a quarry accident) and twin boys Nathan and Arthur.

Michael’s daughter, Laura married, but died shortly after she was married. She is buried in the Locust Cemetery.

Michael’s son, Michael, Jr. married Julia Johnson of the Cris Johnson family of 10 children. Mike and Julia became the parents of three children: Irene (m. Nels Fardahl), Walter (unmarried) and Arlen. Mike, as he was known around Decorah, was a city policeman for many years. Julia lived to be over 100 years old.

Michael’s son, David Musser was my grandfather. David married Ardelia Brandt, daughter of Eli and Katherine Brandt. They became the parents of five children: Mabel, Grace, Hattie, Blanche and David Alaric. Mabel married Oscar Hegg. They did not have any children. Hattie was a local nurse and never married. Blanche married J.C. “Mac” MacArthur who was a local businessman in Decorah for many years. They adopted a son, George.

Grace married Nels Faldet on 23 Jun 1912. They operated the Canoe Country Store for over 40 years. The became the parents of Alphea (m. Homer Olson), Arnold (m. Irene Kubik), Dervin (m. Phyllis Knutson) and Melbourne (m. Virginia Baker). Arnold and Dervin were in the appliance business in Calmar for many years. Melbourne worked for the Bell Telephone Co. for 37 years. He is now retired and lives in Decorah. David Alaric Musser married Bertha Anderson. They became the parents of Boyden, tola (deceased), Robert (deceased) and Marlys. David Alaric was the operator of water power dams for the Interstate Power Co. for most of his life, including the Lower Dam east of Decorah.

Michael Musser (4 Aug 1836-1914) and Elizabeth (5 Jul 1838-1913) are buried in the Canoe Ridge Church Cemetery in Pleasant Twp.

Musser, Willard and llyn (Ingvalson)

(Bill Musser)

Willard Melvin Musser was born 6 Oct 1904 in a small log house about 1/4 mile west of the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in Pleasant Twp., the only child of William and Emelia (Blegen) Musser (See William & Emelia (Blegen) Musser story). He attended various rural schools as well as both West and East Side schools in Decorah through the 8th grade. In 1919, while he and his parents