BIO:  GEORGE W. NOFTSKER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 595-597
  _____________________________________________________________

  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/zeamer/


    GEORGE W. NOFTSKER, senior member of the firm of Noftsker & Gish,
  manufacturers of carriages, buggies and medicine wagons, at Shippensburg,
  Pa., was born Aug. 24, 1859, in the borough of Shippensburg, son of Henry and
  Barbara Ann (Tritt) Noftsker.
  
    Henry Noftsker, Sr., grandfather of George W., belonged to a pioneer family
  of Franklin county. The Noftskers trace their family back to the old country
  and have the genealogy quite complete with the exception of one link.
  
    596  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
  
    Henry Noftsker was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the Cumberland valley,
  near the line of Franklin and Cumberland counties, March 29, 1820. By trade he
  was a plasterer, which vocation he followed until within a short time of his
  death, which took place in Shippensburg, in 1895. In politics, he was a
  Democrat. He married Barbara Ann Tritt, who was born Sept. 29, 1823, in
  Southampton township, Cumberland Co., daughter of John and Catharine (Line)
  Tritt, old residents and prominent citizens. The Tritts descended from the
  Huguenots who were driven out of France on account of religious belief, and
  the first of the family to settle in America probably made Lancaster county,
  Pa., his home, and from him have come the numerous families of the name in
  this part of the State. John Tritt was born in Cumberland county, one of
  twelve sons born to his parents.
  
    To Henry and Barbara Ann Noftsker were born ten children, viz: John T., of
  Rock Island, Ill.; Sarah C., now Mrs. M. L. Markward; Mary, who died in her
  sixteenth year; Emma J., who died in 1901; William H., of St. Louis, Mo.;
  David E., of Rock Island, Ill.; George W.; Luther G., of Shippensburg; Ella,
  unmarried; and Ada S., who died in infancy.
  
    George W. Noftsker was educated in the public schools of Shippensburg, and
  later attended one term at the Cumberland Valley State Normal School. After
  completing his education, he entered the employ of the firm of Thrush,
  Perlett & Stough, manufacturers of carriages and wagons, with whom he learned
  the carriage-making trade. After completing his apprenticeship, he continued
  with the firm for three years and six months. In 1884 he started into
  business on his own account, and in January, 1885, he formed a partnership
  with John Newton Gish, and they began the manufacture of carriages, buggies
  and small light vehicles. Their shop and factory is located on the corner of
  Orange and Fayette streets, where improved machinery is used, and twelve men
  are employed. Their products show not only the highest artistic skill, but
  superior finish and durability. They have a very large local trade, supplying
  many of the neighboring towns.
  
    On March 23, 1882, Mr. Noftsker was married to Annie May Foglesonger, of
  Shippensburg, daughter of George W. and Catherine (Black) Foglesonger. The
  Foglesongers are among the pioneer settlers of both Cumberland and Franklin
  counties. Mrs. Noftsker was born, reared and educated inS Shippensburg. The
  two children of this marriage are: Paul B., who is a graduate of the
  Shippensburg High School, and a student in the Cumberland Valley State Normal
  School; and Claire T., a student in the High School.
  
    In politics, Mr. Noftsker is a Democrat and in 1890 he was elected chief
  burgess of Shippensburg, the term then being one year. In the spring of 1903
  he was elected a member of the school board for a term of three years, all
  his public services having been of a character to redound to his credit.
  Fraternally, he belongs to Shippensburg Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. F., also to
  the Encampment, No. 34, has passed all the chairs, and has served as Grand
  Chief Patriarch. He belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp 6599.
  
    Mr. Noftsker has a neat residence on East Orange street, Shippensburg, in
  which he has his private office, and also that of secretary of the Centennial
  Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Cumberland and
  
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  597
  
  Franklin counties, having held this position since 1902. Both he and wife
  are members of the Memorial Lutheran Church.