The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-04-19
JUDGE GEORGE W. RAFF
Breathes His Last at 6 80 O'clrah
on Saturday Night.
lie Was Attacked by Pneumonia FhDrp
Weeks Ago and had Nearly Recov-
cred, but a Paralytic Stroke
Ends Il Days,

Ex-Probate Judge George w. RaG
passed from this life on Saturday un
$50 p. m. at the residence of Mrs. Les-
ter, corner of Poplar and Fifth streets
where he and family were boardiDs
while their new residence was oet.5uTr
ready. For several days his death hAB
been anticipated, and for years he hs.s
been in precarious health and had tried
California without material benefit
His attending physician visited him az
noon on Saturday, and he informed 3
DEMOCRAT reporter soon afterward
Jiat his death was only question Of a
few hours.
On March q, Judge Raft complained
OF feeling unwell and physician was
Immediately sent for. He took his bed
that day, and when the physician az
rived he found that the Judge was Ia
he visited with a severe attack of pue,l-
monia. He was treated for this dis
ease by the physician, and he had re
covered from it so as to be able to Rs
up In bed. He has been suffering
somewhat from heart trouble, and ole
day last week he received a paralVtie
stroke which dispelled all hopes of his
recovery. While he was prOstrate&
with pneumonia he became so debili-
tated from want of nerve force. that
his paralysis was directly caused BIZ
this nervous exhaustion. His one side
was so completely paralyzed that he
had no control of it whatever. He
sank into comatOse condition on
Friday and remained so for several
hours, until death finally bore him to
the city of the silent.
In the death of Judge Raft, Stark
county loses one of her foremost cit5
zens and removes another of the eT-
Probate Judges from the list. OF tlsa
six incumbents who have held that
office since it was established under the
constitution of 1851, but two remain
Judge Underhill and Judge Meyer.
George w. Raft was born in Tusca-
rawas township, Stark county, Ohio,
about the year 1923, and was therefore6s
years OF age. His birth took place in a
block house that was built and used as
a fort in the war Of 1872 Losing his
father at an early age, and being the
Oldest of the family of five children. he
was required to make himself uSefEH
which he cheerfully did. The family
name was Ratfensberger and his ur.cls
Daniel having been appointed Clerk of
Court in 1916, deceased became deputy
clerk and most faithful and accom-
plished deputy he was. 1t is proper to
say that Judge Raft had his name
changed by an act of the Legislature.
On the adoption of the present Constitl.
tion Of the State in 1851, deceased was
elected Probate Judge on the Demo
cratic ticket, but was defeated for re-
election in 1854, when Know Nothing
ism swept the county. In 1856 he
was married to the daughter
of Mr.. F. A. Schneider of Canton. About
the year 1858 he concluded to make his
home in the west and emigrated to
Omaha, Neb. He remained there but
short time and then returned to Can
ton. He then began the practice Of
law and continued at this for some
time until he was invited by c. AnIt-
man to become his private secretary.
This position he held until the death al
Mr.. Aultman, which occurred in De-
cember, 1884. About a year ago he
again determined to make his home i'm
the west, and he emigrated to CalifOE-
mia. But there, as in Nebraska, he did
not remain long, on account of the eli
mate, and returned again to his native
county of Stark.
Judge Raft was man of undoubte&
integrity, and was much esteemed hv
all who knew him. He is the author OF
Raff's Guide, book much used in
Ohio, a small work on administrations
and executors and road manual. AT
the time of his death he was Presi-
dent of the Central Savings
Bank. He is the father of two Sons,
Edward, who is cashier of the Central
Savings Bank, and Norman, who is
now in Canton, but resident of New
Mexico.
His legal knowledge was extensive
and practical and he commanded the
confidence of all who knew him. He
stood high in this community and his
loss will be long and deeply felt. PeO-
pie generally will mourn and sympa-
thize with his dear ones to whom be
was so devoted.