Handbook N-P - Fulton County Public Library

No
I have sold my retail business and will hereafter pay all my attention to my four grain
elevators, and all who know themselves indebted to me are earnestly requested to call at my old
stand and settle and greatly oblige. Yours respectfully, B. Noftsger.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 6, 1899]
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Benjamin NOFTSGER, aged 83, a pioneer settler of Fulton county and for the past 47
years a resident of Rochester, died at his home, 719 Madison street, at 2 o’clock Thursday
morning. About seven months ago Mr. Noftsger suffered a stroke of paralysis and this affliction
which was accompanied by other diseases of advanced years gradually brought about his death.
Benjamin, son of Nelson M. and Mary CLARK NOFTSGER, was born on a farm in
Hamilton county, Ohio, March 17th, 1846, and moved with his parents to Fulton county when but
a lad of seven years. When the deceased was 17 years old his father died and for a time he was
employed by COWGILL & BEARSS lumber company as a timber buyer. A short time later
Noftsger purchased and operated a general store in the Sugar Grove neighborhood during which
time he also served as postmaster of that locality.
In the year of 1881, a fire destroyed the Sharon store. Mr. Noftsger then moved to
Rochester where he was engaged in the farming implement business with A. C. MITCHELL as a
partner. A short time later he purchased Mr. Mitchell’s interest in the store and branched out in the
grain business in the year of 1885. Mr. Noftsger’s activities in the grain and elevator business
expanded to such an extent that he soon relinquished his holding in the implement business to
Milo BRUGH. At one time the deceased was owner of five elevators four of which were disposed
of several years ago when he retired from active management of these concerns. The Noftsger’s
Athens elevator was sold to the Erie R. R., his Tiosa elevator was transferred to George
PERSCHBACHER, the Rochester Elevator to the Farmer’s Co-operative, the Walnut elevator was
traded for farm property. The Loyal elevator is one which is now owned by the deceased.
On November 2nd, 1865, Mr. Noftsger was united in marriage to Sarah Ann
MITCHELL, who survives with the following relatives: one son, Bennie E. [NOFTSGER], of
Mishawaka; a brother Nahman [NOFTSGER], of this city; a half-brother, Sylvester PERRY, of
Columbia City; a half-sister, Mrs. Minerva FERREE, of Warsaw; four grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren.
Funeral services in charge of Rev. J. B. GLEASON will be held at 2 o’clock [at the]
church. Burial will be made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. The body will lie in state until the hour of
the funeral.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, July 18, 1929]
NOFTSGER ELEVATOR [Athens, Indiana]
See Erie Elevator, Athens, Indiana
NOFTSGER ELEVATORS [Fulton County]
At one time Benjamin F. Noftsger was owner of five elevators, four of which were
disposed of several years ago when he retired from active management of these concerns. Mr.
Noftsger’s Athens elevator was sold to the Erie R.R., his Tiosa elevator was transferred to George
Perschbacher, the Rochester elevator to the Farmer’s Cooperative, the Walnut elevator was traded
for farm property. The Loyal elevator is one which Mr. Noftsger owned at the time of his death,
July 11, 1929..
[William A. Sausaman, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
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B. F. NOFTSGER SELLS LOCAL HIS ELEVATOR
After having been on the market for several months for the purchase of a grain elevator
the Farmers Association of Fulton county closed a deal Wednesday night whereby they became