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Source: NMHS Newsletter Nov 1997
From Biographical Memoirs of
Wabash County, Indiana - 1901
L.
F. Noftzger
Levi J. Noftzger, hardware dealer and prominent
business man of North Manchester, was born on a farm in
Wayne county, Ohio, on September 3, 1836, but at the age
of six emigrated to Wabash county Ind., where his
parents settled on his farm in Pleasant township. Here
young Levi grew to manhood amid the environments of the
country, imbibing the strengthening influences of life
on the farm.
At the age of twenty-four, having just been married, he
moved to Kosciusko county, where he settled on a farm,
remaining there for eight years. In 1869 he returned to
Wabash county, engaging in the dry goods business in
North
Manchester, being a partner of the late G.W. Lawrence.
At the same time he did a pretty extensive stock and
grain business. He made such a success at this that he
has continued following that vocation ever since, with
the exception of two years. In 1871 he purchased an
interest in a hardware store and has retained such
interest up to this time, having had a number of
partners. He owns one business block in North
Manchester, which he erected, and he has always been
very closely identified with the growth and development
of the town and its enterprises. To him, possibly more
than to any other one man, is due much of the advance
that the town has made in the past decade.
A township trustee for many years, and also a justice of
the peace in Jackson township , Mr. Noftzger has been at
the forefront of all official matters in the history of
the town for many years past. He superintended the
building of the first graded school-house in North
Manchester and, though he gave it a great deal of his
personal attention, he got not one cent for his
services.
On November l5, 1860, Mr. Noftzger was married to Miss
Mary C. Bussard, daughter of the late Samuel Bussard.
Mrs. Noftzger was born in Pleasant township, Wabash
county, September 2, 1840. To the union was born six
children, two dying in infancy. The survivors are:
Thomas A.; Edith, the wife of J. S. Lautzenheiser;
Samuel A. and Charles F.
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