Biographies N
John Wesley & Joseph Osborn Noffsinger
One of the better known citizens of Western Kentucky was John Wesley Noffsinger of New Cypress, Muhlenberg County, who engaged in carious activities in his section of the state and established the general mercantile business that still continues as the original firm. When death came to him in 1940, a good citizen and an enterprising and constructive business man passed from the scene.
John Wesley Noffsinger was born in Midland, Kentucky, on October 26, 1871 and was not quite seventy years of age at the time of his death. His early education was the usual public school attendance at his native town of Midland and 1894 saw him make his first business venture when he engaged in the grocery business at Gishton, Kentucky. After one year of trying his wings in business he returned to Midland and engaged in farming. In 1903 he purchased a farm at New Cypress, Kentucky, and operated it until 1912. In that year he went to Graham, Kentucky, where he engaged in furnishing water to the community by hauling it to his customers. In 1914 he moved to New Cypress, Kentucky and established the general merchandise store which is still an important factor in the community life, being conducted by his son from the Greenville house of the firm. The building in which the New Cypress store is located was erected by Mr. Noffsinger in 1917, and the store at Greenville was opened in 1938.
He married Ona Vick, November 25, 1896,, who was born in Graham, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, April 29, 1874 and now resides in Greenville, Kentucky. They were the parents of one son, Joseph Osborn Noffsinger, who was born in New Cypress, Kentucky, September 22, 1907. Mr. John Wesley Noffsinger joined the Cedar Grove Baptist Church at the age of twenty and served as clerk of that church from 1905 until 1910. On December 11, 1910 he became united with the New Cypress Missionary Baptist Church as a charter member and served as clerk of that church until his death in 1940. During these years he was absent from only one monthly business meeting, except in case of illness. Mr. Noffsinger was most devout in his religious life and in his church activities. It was his habit to close his place of business on Saturday afternoon and evening in order to attend church services.
Joseph O. Noffsinger received his education in the public schools at New Cypress and in the high school at Graham, Kentucky, graduating from the latter in 1927. On graduation he embarked in the radio and repair business, making this a new department of the business of his father in 1927. The health of John Wesley Noffsinger became such that active work was a burden and the son took over in 1929 and in 1938 established the Greenville store. This business has continued to grow and expand and on April 26, 1944, another branch known as Noffsinger's Variety Store was opened in Morganfield, Kentucky.
On November 23, 1927, Joseph Osborn Noffsinger was married to Opal Young, who was born at Morton's Gap, Kentucky, September 16, 1908. They are the parents of three daughters. They are Jean Carolyn Noffsinger who was born at New Cypress, Kentucky, October 17, 1928; Jo-Ann Noffsinger, born at New Cypress, Kentucky, January 24, 1932; and June Faye Noffsinger, born at New Cypress, Kentucky, January 22, 1936.
Joseph Osborn Noffsinger is a valued and active member of the Baptist Church, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Kiwanis Club and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In addition to conducting the business established by his father in a manner worthy of his memory he finds time to give freely of his talents to public and social service and his character and manner of contact with his fellowman have made for him many friends.
Source: Wallis, Frederick A., and Hambleton Tapp, eds. A Sesqui-Centennial History of Kentucky. Vol. 4. Hopkinsville, KY: Historical Record Association, 1945. Pages 2354-2356.
Updated July 9, 2018