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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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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.

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 Shippensljtburg, 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 in 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 Franklin counties, having held this position since 1902. Both he and wife are members of the Memorial Lutheran Church.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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