A. Milton Musser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amos Milton Musser |
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A. Milton Musser in May 1873
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| Religion | Latter Day Saints |
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| Nationality | American |
| Born | May 20, 1830 Donegal, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | September 24, 1909 (aged 79) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
Amos Milton Musser (born May 20, 1830, died September 24, 1909) was an important early member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He helped lead the church and community in many ways, even becoming an Assistant Church Historian from 1902 until his death.
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Early Life and Journey
Amos Milton Musser was born in Donegal, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His father passed away when Amos was only two years old. In 1837, his family moved to Quincy, Illinois.
When he was about 16, Musser was part of the events at Nauvoo, Illinois, and then had to move with his family to Iowa. After leaving Nauvoo, he worked as a store clerk in Eddyville, Iowa. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1851, after arriving in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Church Service and Missions
In 1851, Musser arrived in Utah Territory with the Easton Kelsey Company. He started working as a clerk in the church's tithing office. The next year, he became one of the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to travel to India.
A book called Nothing More Heroic by R. Lanier Britsch tells the story of this early mission, as if Musser himself were narrating it. After his mission, he returned to Utah in 1857.
From 1860 to 1876, Musser served as a traveling bishop in Utah. He was very active in this role, visiting all the main settlements in Utah at least twice a year. In 1876, he was chosen as an assistant trustee-in-trust for the Church. This was a high-ranking job that involved managing the Church's money and properties. Soon after, he went on another mission to the eastern United States.
Musser had worked as a clerk in the Church Historian's office for several years. In 1902, he was officially appointed as an Assistant Church Historian.
Community Contributions in Utah
Musser held many important roles in the community. He worked with the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society. He was also involved with the Utah Bee Association and the Utah Silk Association.
Musser helped start Zion's Bank and Trust Company. He also worked on plans to build new railroads. While serving as a traveling bishop, Musser was the general superintendent of the Deseret Telegraph Company. From the late 1870s to the early 1890s, he served as the Fish and Game Commissioner for Utah Territory.
As a Writer
Amos Milton Musser wrote many pamphlets to support the beliefs of the Latter-day Saints. He was also the editor of two magazines: The Utah Farmer, which was about farming, and The Palantic, a literary magazine that supported the Church.
He wrote several pamphlets to defend the faith. For example, in 1877, he wrote "To The Press Of The United States." This was a message to newspapers, defending the Church against unfair accusations.
Family and Legacy
Musser married Ann Leaver on January 31, 1858. He later married Mary Elizabeth White in 1864, Belinda Marden Pratt in 1872, and Anna Seegmiller in 1874. Belinda was the daughter of Parley P. Pratt, another important early Church leader.
Musser was the father of Joseph White Musser, who became a leader in a religious movement.
Amos Milton Musser passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 79, due to health issues. The community of Milton in Morgan County, Utah, was named in his honor.
