Thomas Mussen

One of the best known merchants of the past generation in Montreal, and a man whose well ordered life and high business principles commanded the respect of all who knew him, was born in 1804, in Yorkshire, England, and came to Canada with his parents in 1817, the family home being established in the south part of the province of Quebec near the Vermont line.

Thomas Mussen early entered business life in Montreal, becoming a clerk with the firm of William Smith & Company with whom he remained for about ten years. He was careful with his earnings and in 1827, he had saved sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a small stock of dry goods, opening a store on St. Paul Street, near Jacques Cartier Square, then the heart of the retail district.

The business prospered from the first and when larger quarters were demanded he removed to Notre Dame Street, at the corner of St. Gabriel, being the first merchant to locate on Notre Dame Street, and afterwards located at the corner of St. Lawrence boulevard and Notre Dame Street, where he continued until 1865. In that year the store was removed to Craig Street, near St. Lawrence boulevard, where he continued until his new building was erected at the corner of St. Lambert and Notre Dame. There the business was successfully continued by him until his death April 5, 1892. Each removal had indicated a demand for larger quarters. The business was marked by continuous growth and development under the strong guiding hand of Mr. Mussen, who came to be ranked with the leading merchants of the city. His store was one of the leading commercial establishments of the province. After the death of Mr. Mussen, the business was carried on by his sons, William W. and Henry S., until 1900 when it was discontinued, the brothers retiring from active business. William W. Mussen died in 1904 and Henry S. Mussen passed away in 1912.

Harold Beaufort Mussen, son of William W., and a well known insurance and real-estate broker of Montreal, after acquiring his education in the schools of his native city, entered the employ of the Canada Atlantic Railway, where his developing powers and ability won him promotion until he became general agent. He continued with them until October, 1904, when after a service of twelve years he withdrew to engage in business on his own account.