Joseph S. Risser
Biography from Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, PA, page 467
Submitted by Pete MorozJOSEPH S. RISSER, one of the old and successful farmers of Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county, was born in Londonderry, Lebanon Co., Pa., Dec. 28, 1836, a son of John and Mary (Shenk) Risser, both natives of Lebanon county, where they died full of years and honor. The father, a farmer, who died in 1869, at the age of sixty years, ten months and twelve days, had lived retired many years. His widow passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-six years, seven months and twenty-eight days. They were interred in the Risser Church burying ground in Lancaster county. They were members of the Mennonite Church, and had the following family: Fannie, born Aug. 5, 1835, now an invalid and the widow of John H. Risser, of Mt. Joy township, who was born Feb. 21, 1834, and died Nov. 5, 1901; Joseph S.; Abraham, who died aged thirty-eight years; John, a prominent man in Lebanon county, and a director of a National bank in Elizabethtown; Samuel, a farmer in Lebanon county.
Several of the Risser family came to America during the eighteenth century. Ulrich and Jacob Risser came from Rotterdam in the ship �Adventurer,� John Davis, master, qualified Oct. 2, 1727. John Risser came at the age of twenty-three, in the ship �Queen Elizabeth,� Alexander Hope, master, from Rotterdam, qualified Sept. 16, 1738. Philip Risser came in the �Loyal Judith,� Edward Painter, commander, from Rotterdam, qualified Sept. 3, 1739. Peter Risser and his wife, Anna Snyder, sailed from Rotterdam in the �Robert and Alice,� Walter Goodman, commander, qualified Sept. 3, 1739. The last couple were the great-grandparents of Joseph S. Risser.
The paternal grandparents of Joseph Risser were Peter and Fanny (Witmer) Risser, farming people of Lebanon county, where their lives were spent. The grandfather died in 1856, at the age of seventy-six. The Rissers are of Swiss descent, and have always been sturdy and industrious people of good character and fine standing. The same thing may justly be said of Mr. Risser�s maternal grandparents, Joseph and Fanny (Ober) Shenk, of Lebanon county, where their peaceful and upright lives were passed. The Shenks also came originally from Switzerland.
Joseph S. Risser was married Nov. 8, 1864, in Lancaster county, to Miss Annie L. Gerber, who was born in Rapho township and died Sept. 24, 1888, at the age of forty-two years. Her remains were laid to rest in the Kraybill cemetery. She was a sister of David L. Gerber, of East Donegal township.
Mr. Risser remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, when he rented a farm in East Donegal township. There he remained until 1873, when he came to the farm on which he is found to-day, and where he has made a signal success in its cultivation. In his religion he has united himself with the Mennonite Church, and his clean and wholesome life has cast no discredit upon his profession of faith. In politics he is a Republican, and is known as an upright and conscientious citizen. He has worked hard, been prudent and careful, and has amassed a very comfortable competence.
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