John Augustus Raffetto
John Augustus Raffetto, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Newtown, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 1954 (aged 90) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, hotelier, banker |
| Known for | Establishing the First National Bank of Placerville; ownership of Ivy House Hotel and Cary House |
John Augustus Raffetto, Sr. (March 1, 1864 – October 11, 1954) was an Italian-American businessman who established the First National Bank of Placerville and oversaw operations at the Ivy House and Cary House hotels.
Background
Raffetto was born in Newtown, California to Domenico Raffetto and Anna Pensa, immigrants originating from Ognio, a small village near Genoa, Italy. His father arrived in California in 1859 via the Isthmus of Panama, followed later by his mother. The couple were among California’s early settlers and engaged in subsistence farming while supplementing their earnings by supplying firewood to the Arcade Bakery in Placerville.
Career
During his younger years, Raffetto undertook seasonal farming work in Genoa, Nevada, traveling over 60 miles one way and earning $60 per summer. He subsequently worked as a miner with a daily wage of $1.50.
Ivy House Hotel
On February 4, 1895, Raffetto and a business partner acquired the Conklin Academy building in Placerville and transformed it into the Ivy House Hotel. By 1890, Raffetto had become the sole owner. The hotel offered fifty guest rooms along with a dining hall that primarily catered to miners by serving three meals daily. His son, John Augustus Raffetto Jr., later took charge of both the Ivy House and the neighboring Ivy Motel. The Ivy House eventually evolved into the Placerville Academy, recognized as one of California’s earliest boarding schools. In the 1950s, the City of Placerville demolished the hotel to make way for parking facilities.
Raffetto acquired the Cary House in either 1908 or 1911. In 1915, he reconstructed it into a three-story establishment featuring fifty-four rooms—fifteen equipped with private baths—a coffee shop, and a dining area. His eldest son renamed it the Raffles Hotel; however, it has since reverted to its original name, Cary House. Distinguished guests included Mark Twain, President Ulysses S. Grant, and John Studebaker. The hotel also hosted Hollywood personalities such as Bette Davis, Brooke Shields, and Lou Diamond Phillips.
In addition to his hotel ventures, Raffetto served on the board of directors for the First National Bank of Placerville. In 1917, representing the Cary House, he was one of three founding members involved in establishing the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce in Placerville.
Personal
Raffetto married Adela Isadeen Creighton (1875–1927) from Smithflat, California on April 22, 1896. They had six children together; four survived past early childhood. All their children were born at the Ivy House Hotel with assistance solely from a midwife:
- Lloyd Raffetto (1897–1988): Co-founder of Mother Lode Bank
- Elwyn Creighton Raffetto ("Michael Raffetto") (1899–1990): Prominent national radio personality during the 1930s and 1940s
- John Augustus Raffetto Jr. (1908–1977): Co-founder of Placer National Bank
- Son Peter Raffetto: former president of River City Bank, Truckee River Bank, Sierra West Bank, and Calnet Business Bank
- Isadeen Adela Raffetto Murray (1910–1998): Married Alexander Howison Murray Jr., who served twice as mayor of Placerville
Politically affiliated as a Democrat, Raffetto was also active in fraternal organizations including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Native Sons of the Golden West. Additionally, he is recorded among first-degree "Mark Masons" in the Proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California.
John Augustus Raffetto passed away at age 89 on October 11, 1954, at his son John Jr.’s residence in Auburn, California.
See also
- Lloyd Raffetto
- Michael Raffetto
- John Augustus Raffetto Jr.
- Alexander Howison Murray Jr.
- Placerville, California
- Newtown, California