Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Raker, Frederick 1856 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com August 6, 2005, 5:26 am Author: Biographical Publishing Co. DR. FREDERICK D. RAKER. Among the many able physicians who are practicing their profession in Shamokin at the present time none have met with greater-success than the subject of this sketch, Dr. F. D. Raker. Few are better known or more skilful, and none have a larger practice than that which occupies the entire time and attention of this active physician and surgeon, who owes his prominence in his profession to his own perseverance, which has enabled him to surmount all difficulties and become what the world rightly terms a self-made man. He is a native of Northumberland County. He acceptably filled the office of county coroner for twp terms of three years each. Although he takes a lively interest in public affairs and is a good illustration of the representative Shamokin citizen, his extensive practice prevents active undertakings outside of his profession. Dr. Raker was born in Little Mahanoy township, on December 26, 1856, and attended the ungraded district schools when not working on his father's farm. Then he entered the Elysburg and Freeburg academies, and at the age of twenty years commenced teaching school in Washington township. In 1877, he went to Wyoming township and began reading medicine with Dr. D. H. Dornsife. By 1879 he had saved sufficient money to complete his medical education and he entered Jefferson Medical College, from which institution he was graduated two years later. Heathen began to practice his profession at Beaumont, Wyoming County, but remained there only seven months. On January 10, i88J2, Dr. Raker removed to Shamokin, where he has since been in continual practice. The young physician pushed rapidly to the front after locating in Shamokin, his professional skill soon being recognized by all classes of the people. It was not long before he had as many patrons as he could attend, and the result has been that in addition to acquiring an excellent reputation as an able physician and surgeon he has amassed a goodly share of this world's goods as well. He does not confine his practice to any one branch of his profession. Like all others who have attained success in his vocation, he has had to pay the penalty in hard work and untiring zeal for the relief of suffering humanity. He still burns the midnight oil in keeping himself well informed on all new developments in the medical world. In 1889, in connection with Dr. D. S. Hollenback, he established the drug business under the firm name of Hollenback & Raker. He carried the Democratic banner successfully through the election of 1887 as candidate for the office of coroner, and again in 1890, and has also served as physician for the Shamokin and Coal township poor district. He has invested his earnings in real estate and owns a number of desirable building lots at Marshallton, which he is now disposing of at reasonable prices. Frederick Raker, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Little Mahanoy township and a son of Conrad Raker, who was one of the pioneer settlers in the Mahanoy Valley. Frederick Raker spent his life in Little Mahanoy township, where he followed both farming and blacksmithing, and died at the age of forty years. He married Elizabeth Hoffman, who lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years; her family was noted for longevity. C. H. Raker, father of Dr. Raker, was probably born at Block House, in Tioga County, and has lived at the old homestead all his life, except a short time spent in the West. He learned the trade of a gunsmith and followed that occupation to some extent. He is an ardent Democrat, but not an office-seeker, and has never held office other than a township office. In religious matters his preferment is the Lutheran Church, of which he is a useful and active member. He and his wife were parents of a family of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Following are the names of those now living: Frederick D., subject of this sketch; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Alvin Raker, residing at Shamokin; Rev. John H., who graduated at Muhlenberg College at Allentown, and is now a minister at Lebanon, Pa.; Lydia, wife of John Schlegel, of Shamokin, Pa.; Hattie, wife of Samuel Moyer, of Shamokin; Albert, who resides on the old homestead at Raker, Northumberland County; Ida, wife of John Hillbush, of Shamokin; and Edward, a student at Muhlenberg College. In 1882 Dr. Raker was united in marriage with Alveretta Wirt, who died June 19, 1885. May 27, 1890, he wedded a second wife, being united with Mary Ada Deppen, a daughter of Joseph Deppen, a successful real estate dealer of Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, Pa. Two sons_and two daughters now bless their home: Conrad and Ralph; Eva and Alma. Mrs. Raker died May 8, 1898. Dr. Raker is a member of the Columbian Medical Society of Shamokin; the Northumberland County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania State Medical Association; the Jefferson Medical College Alumni; and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the I. O. O. F., and an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/pafiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb