Freelance Historian

Edwin B. Raffensperger (1824 – 1885):

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From “History of the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine, Ohio”:

Mr. Raffensperger was married to Anna Frances Whiting, of Johnson, Vermont, at Urbana, November i6, 1854, by Rev. William Cox. November 6, 1854, he was invited to the charge of the First Presbyterian church of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Was installed pastor, July 13, 1855. His services continued in Bellefontaine until April, 1859.

He became pastor-elect of the First Presbyterian church of Toledo, Ohio, April, 1859; resigned in September, 1868. He then
spent a year in Chambersburg, Pa., in labors for Wilson college. Was called as pastor to the Westminster Presbyterian church of Cleveland, Ohio, April, 1870; resigned April, 1873. At once invited to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church of Cumberland, Maryland. He was installed October, 1873, and resigned October, 1877. Was engaged in editorial work in Philadelphia the next four years. In October. 1881, he took charge of the First Presbyterian church of Marion, Ohio; closed his services there in June, 1884. Commenced his labors with the First Presbyterian church of Muncy. Pa., July, 1884. Translation to the ” General Assembly and Church of the First Born,” May 1, 1885.

In September, 1861, having been granted leave of absence by his church in Toledo, he entered the army as chaplain of the 14th O. V. I., under the command of Col. James B. Steedman. He remained with the army until late in the fall of 1862, when he returned to Toledo very low with fever. In January, 1863, he resigned his chaplaincy by advice of his physician and resumed his ministerial labors.

He was for many years one of the trustees of Wooster University, having been one of its most enthusiastic founders. He was
also a trustee of the Chicago Theological Seminary for several years. The honorary degrees of A. B. and A. M. were bestowed by Princeton College, and that of D. D. by Heidleberg College.

Official record: Residence was not listed; 37 years old. Enlisted on 9/17/1861 as a Chaplain. On 9/17/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff OH 14th Infantry He Resigned on 2/24/1863