My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. NOFTSKER, who is one of the prominent business men of Sedalia, is the largest contractor in plastering in the city, and makes a specialty of laying cement sidewalks. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Shippensburg in 1855.

Henry Noftsker, the father of our subject, was also born in the last-mentioned town, and for many years was a plasterer. His parents were farmers by occupation, and the grandfather was also employed for some time in teaming between Baltimore and Pittsburg. Henry Noftsker died March 29, 1895, after having accumulated a goodly amount of this world’s goods. He was a Democrat in politics, and a devoted member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Ann Barbara Tritt. She was born in Franklin County, Pa., and was the daughter of John Tritt, a farmer in that state. She celebrated her golden wedding in the fall of 1894, being at that time seventy-two years of age, while her husband was four years her senior. They became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living. John T., the eldest, is engaged in business in Rock Island, Ill.; William H., of this sketch, was the next-born; David E. deals in cornices in Rock Island; George W. is a carriage manufacturer of Shippensburg, Pa.; Luther G. is a plasterer of that city; Sadie C., Emma J. and Ella all reside in Shippensburg.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, and when quite young was apprenticed to learn the plasterer’s trade. He remained at home until one year after reaching his majority, and in 1877 came West, locating in Sedalia, Mo. He joined his uncle, William H. Tritt, who was living here at that time, and with him was engaged in business for some time. He has been given the contract for the plaster work in many of the public buildings and residences of the city, among them being the Prospect, Summit North and Southeast Sedalia Schoolhouses, the Methodist Church, the Broadway Presbyterian Church, Hoffman Building, Knights of Pythias Building and the court house. He now makes a specialty of constructing cement sidewalks, and his workmanship in this line gives perfect satisfaction. In the busy season he employs about twenty men, and is regarded as the best man in his particular line of work in the city.

Mr. Noftsker owns considerable property in Sedalia, and during his long residence here has maintained an unblemished reputation as a man of integrity and honor. He was married in this city, in 1881, to Miss Florence Wright, who was born in Pettis County, and who is the only daughter of Felix Wright, a farmer of Washington Township, who located here on his removal from Kentucky, his native state. His wife, formerly Elizabeth M. Mather, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Noftsker. Mr. Wright died many years ago. Mrs. Noftsker’s maternal grandfather, B. T. Mather, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., where he was a hatter and furrier. He later removed to Ohio, and about 1857 came to Missouri, settling in Washington Township, where his daughter was married. She is therefore one of the oldest residents of that section.

The two children born to our subject and his wife are Harry and Anna. Mr. Noftsker is a Knight of Pythias, in which order he is a past officer, and is Treasurer of the Royal Tribe of Joseph. He has served as a member of the City Council, and takes a prominent part in local affairs, actively supporting Democratic principles. In religious matters he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.