BIO:  Joseph Raffensperger, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Shrewsbury Township, Pg 180

JOSEPH RAFFENSPERGER, eldest son of Christian and Rachel (Wagner) Raffensperger, of 
German descent, was born in Paradise Township, August 18, 1838.  Leaving home at the 
age of thirteen he went to live with Rev. Mr. Berg, in Shrewsbury, and at the age of 
seventeen entered the store of Myers & Small; remained with them and their 
successors eleven years.  In the spring of 1868, in partnership with C. F. Ruling, 
he engaged in the mercantile business at Goldsboro, and after one year sold out to 
his partner, returning to Shrewsbury, and clerked with Mr. Hartman until 1872; then 
embarked in the hotel business, continuing with the exception of one year until 
1880, then removed to York; clerked in a mercantile establishment there one year; 
returned and resumed the hotel business in Shrewsbury in 1881, and in the spring of 
1882 purchased the Shrewsbury hotel, which he has since conducted.  He was married 
June 12, 1859, to Arabel Hartman, daughter of Joseph Hartman, and they have had four 
children:  Fannie Eliza, died at the age of four years; Effie D.; Claudie M., wife 
of Jacob Banner, of Baltimore, and Henrietta L.  He is a member of both Lodge and 
Encampment of I. O. O. F., is now (1884) serving his third term as borough 
councilman, and has been delegate to Democratic county convention several times.