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David Noffsinger (1828-1895) was my great-grandfather. According to the book HISTORY OF THE NAFZGER FAMILY IN AMERICA (Glea Brown Richer, 1939, Stump Printing Company, South Whitley, IN), three men, Matthais Nafzger, Peter Nofsker, and Rudolph Nafzger, arrived in Philadelphia on September 15, 1749, aboard the ship Phoenix. Family legend has it that these three were brothers. The fact that Peter had his name recorded by the clerk may account for the spelling. He may have been ill and unable to write.
The names indicate that they were associated with the Swiss Mennonite people who had suffered from governmental decree (that no Catholic should be re-baptized). It is said among the descendants of Rudolph, that he and his companions left their home, near the Swiss-German border, to escape punishment for destroying a statue in a local church. A so-called miracle was said to occur when the statue shed tears upon command by the priest. These young men entered the church secretly, being skeptical, and found the head of the statue hollow, the top of the head lifting off at the level of the eyes. The basin thus formed was filled with water and a slight jar would cause tear drops to trickle down the face of the statue. This jar could be caused by stepping on a piece of loose flooring.
In anger at the deception, Rudolph broke the statue and then realizing that they all would surely be punished, they fled. Making their way to the port, they secreted themselves on a boat carrying a cargo of flour and remained in hiding until the boat was well out to sea. The stowaways, when discovered, were allowed to work out their passage and land in Philadelphia.
Rudolph Nafzger brought his bible, which was published in 1704, in Leipsic, and which was in the possession of a lineal descendant of Rudolph, Mrs. Ida Brown, of Union City, Indiana, in 1939 when THE HISTORY OF THE NAFZGER FAMILY IN AMERICA was written.
The first census of the United States was taken in 1790, in the face of much opposition by many citizens, on religious grounds "that the people should not be numbered", and by many who feared additional taxation.
Listed in the record of the census of Pennsylvania is the name of "Rudy Nossenger", Washington County; family, two females. It has been concluded that Rudolph was, in 1799, deceased. But the book goes on to say that Washington County records show that Rudolph had gone to western Pennsylvania before the Revolutionary War.
Where Rudolph died is not known, but his widow died in Washington County between 1790 and 1800. Rudolph's oldest son was named John (1751-1825), and in 1790 he had a family of his own. John became a soldier in the Revolution, and served in the Washington County Militia from 1777 to 1784. John was granted 246.5 acres of land on Ten Mile Creek as compensation for military service. There is a note that military service is unusual in the history of the Noffsinger family, as they were "known for their scruples against bearing arms."
Four years later he purchased an adjoining tract of the same size from a surveyor "for eighteen pounds, lawful money". This complete estate was called "Jan."
Following a treaty with the Indians in 1795 at Greenville, John moved to Ohio, near Dayton in Montgomery County in 1800 where he died at the age of 73. John had a son Daniel Noffsinger (1771-1844) who resided in Washington County, Pa. and had ten children. David was the youngest.
Daniel remained in Washington County, Pa., living at "Jan" until 1829, when he sold his land and moved to Knox County Ohio. He died there in 1844, and his widow, with three of the sons, moved to Iowa, near South English.
Two married daughters followed, along with two grandchildren, and settled near their parents. Lucy Ann Noffsinger died in South English, Iowa, in 1869. Two daughters and three sons are buried near her grave, which is marked with a bronze tablet - placed there by the Daughters of the American Revolution - as she was the daughter of a revolutionary soldier.
So that brings us to David, who wrote the diary. David and his wife had a family, including a son Hugh, and Hugh had two sons and one daughter. Their names were John, Paul and Alice. Paul was my dad. I never met grandpa Hugh, who was a blacksmith in South English where dad (Paul) grew up.
Dad went to a business college in Des Moines for a short time, then returned to South English to drive a fuel truck. He met mom (Frances) when she was teaching school in Webster, Iowa. They soon moved to Wellman, where they spent the rest of their lives. My sister Joanne was born in 1927, and I in 1931.
Darlene Merrin and I were married in 1956, and raised four children, Karen, Stephanie, Douglas and Denise. For the first 20 years of our marriage I was in the Air Force, retiring in 1974, a Lieutenant Colonel. Then we moved to Lynchburg VA where I became County Administrator of Campbell County.
In 1864, when David was 36 years old, he left South English, traveled to Omaha, and joined a wagon train headed for Virginia City, Montana. He was searching for gold, though I often wonder if his real reason for the trip was to escape the Civil War or some aspect of it.
Several years ago, Doug and I tried to decipher David's diary and transcribe it to the best of our ability. It was written in pencil,- the print was very small and smudged by age, with several misspelled words,-so the task was difficult. Here it is, as nearly as we could get to the original text. When we couldn't decipher a word, we left a blank or inserted a question mark. Most of David's random notes and names are included, just as they appear in the diary.
David Noffsinger
South English, Keokuk County, Iowa
Left home on the
20th day of May 1864, arrived in Omaha on Monday the 23rd day of May 1864
Elen Roe, Marg Sylanc, L. Shieks, T. Leger one dollars of tea, G. W. Thomas
de 100
Left the Missouri river on the morning of the 23d of May. Passed Omaha and watered and fed about one mile west of Omaha on a little branch close to the great . Traveled three miles and camped on cold crick four miles from Omaha. We left our camping and traveled about 10 miles through a hilly country with here and there a house. Well watered but no timber. Very dusty and windy. Noon, traveled 9 miles. Still hilly and dusty. Hitched on the west side of the Elkhorn river which is a considerable of a stream. 25th pulled out and traveled 18 miles. Passed through Fremont and camped 2 1/2 west of town. This is the first day on the plains. 26th left our camping ground traveled about 10 miles. Some settlements. Noon traveled this afternoon through a nice settlement up Platt past a hut of Indians and a train from cottonwood springs. Camped on the banks of the Platt river. 27th left our camping and stopped at Columbus . Got a tire reset then fork of Platt and camped at the edge of the timber on the west bank. At this place lots of Indians but Sivel. 29 left our camping. Traveled 16 miles. The wind very high and the dust flying desparate. Camped on Silver Creek. Prairie Creek there, and half . 30 left our camp on Silver Creek and came 19 miles and camped on Platt. The wind ute in our and blowed hard all day. The dust blew in perfect clouds tonight. The wind falling and changed to the east. Grass plenty here. Our camping three miles east of Warm . 31 Left our camp traveled about 10 miles. Dinner at Lone Tree. Left this place passed several houses camped on Platt and plenty of wood, grass not good. The wind is very hie. Traveled this day 21 miles to Showmakers point. 173 miles from Omaha.
Zreka ball
Jacksonville 6
(At this point, David begins again writing from the back to the front of the diary.)
June the 1st
Left Shumakers point traveled through a nice country pretty well settled. The houses mostly covered with sod. Fed close to ground. 10 miles from Shumakers point. In the afternoon traveled 10 miles. The country well settled. Passed a wind saw mill and on Wood River we passed two water saw mills. Camped close to the one farthest west. Thursday 2nd, left our camp on Wood River and traveled 22 miles. Camped one mile west of Nebraska Center. Cloudy and some rain and cool. Friday the 3rd we left our camp two miles east of Nebraska Center. Traveled opposite Ft. Carney. Noon, here we passed by an emigrant that died of typhoid fever. This afternoon made Platt River. Travelled 16 miles today. Still cloudy and cool. Wind from south. Tried to cross Platt but could not. River too hie. Saturday 4th. Today laid by. Washed and baked. Sunday 5th. The teams left the camping 2 miles above Ft. Kearney and traveled to Elm Creek 22 miles and camped while I staid behind to wait for mail. Staed until noon and then started. Reached Elm creek where they camped. Windy and dirty. Monday 6 we saw a buffalo. We went after him.
Tuesday 8th left our camp on Buffalo Creek. travelled 14 miles and camped on Platt. Rained some this morning. Had a hunt after antelope. Seen Seven. got none.
Wednesday 8th Left the River travelled 12 miles and camped on Platt. Plenty of grass no wood. This day was very warm in the afternoon. Thursday 9th. travelled 15 miles in the forenoon the roads was verry sandy. Passed where the buffalo runs to the river. Dinnered 1 1/2 mile west Camped for night on Skunk Creek. Traveled 9 miles this afternoon. This day traveled 20 miles to Carrion Creek we passed the grave of Manning of Missouri who was killed by the Indians. Buried on the west side of the creek North side of the road. Saturday 11. Today laid by in the evening. Had preaching by Father Whitcomb. Cool all day. Drisling rain. Sunday 12 Today traveled 17 miles and camped on north bluff creek on the west bank. Poor grass and wood. Indian camp on the east bank paid a visit to camp today cloudy and cool. Monday 13 left our camp on north bluff creek traveled 21 miles came over two sand bluffs four little creeks. Camped close to Goose Creek tonight. It rained hard wet everything. Tuesday 14 crossed Goos Creek and then a large sand bluff and came to the Platt again. Passed two small
Tuesday the 14th-
Crossed a sand ridge and crossed Goose Creek, and then a large sand bluff and came to the Platt again. Passed two small streams ( )close to the bluffs. Rocks close to camp northeast. Travelled fifteen miles; roads muddy, cloudy in the forenoon. Passed forty indian huts of the Sioux tribe.
Wednesday the 15th-
Laid by today on the account of rain. Rained all last night and today til noon. Cleared off in the evening. Jake Layman and Abe Flory got lost while on a hunt; went ten mile before they knew where they were.
Thursday the 10th-
Travelled twelve miles, camped mile and a half off Wolf Creek. Forded several small streams. Poor grass and water here. The cattle got separated.
Friday the 17th-
Today we traveled seventeen miles, crossed Wolf Creek fifteen miles, and crossed Cattle Creek, and camped warm and pleasant.
Saturday the 18th-
Traveled 18 mile; very warm, water scarce. Passed Castle Bluff in the morning on south side of road. Camped one mile East of dry creek. Good grass.
Sunday the 19th-
Laid by today, Warm and sultry.
Monday the 20th-
Today we traveled twelve miles; hot and sultry. We got a view of Chimney Rock, several high bluffs. I went up on top of one of the highest and had a nice view of Platt for miles up and down. Camped on Platt Valley; grass fine. Ancient bluffs.
Tuesday the 21st-
Today we traveled fifteen miles; warm all day. Camped opposite Corthouse Rock. Chimney Rock still in view. Poor grass.
Wednesday the 22nd-
Traveled fifteen miles; camped opposite Chimney Rock; still warm. Poor water and grass. Jewel, Layman and Flory went over to Chimney Rock.
Thursday the 23rd-
Traveled sixteen miles; camped four miles east of Scott's Bluffs. Middling good grass. Pleasant weather. Wind gusts and rain.
Friday the 24th-
Traveled sixteen miles; pleasant; good grass. Passed Spring Creek at noon.
Saturday the 25th-
Today we passed a village of Indians. Travelled sixteen miles.
Sunday the 26th-
Travelled eighteen miles. No grass. Camped near Ft. Laramie.
Monday the 27th-
Passed Ft. Laramie. Went over to the fort; quite a place. Camped five miles west of Laramie. Grass poor. Wood plenty. Travelled seven miles.
Tuesday the 28th-
Today we travelled through part of the Black Hills which is very rough and rocky, covered with pine and cedar; hard on cattle. No grass. Camped on river. Made fifteen miles.
Wednesday the 29th-
Travelled from river to older camp nine miles . Seerley brought me the news that my little child was dead.
Thursday the 30th-
Travelled to river; eighteen miles. Warm and dusty. No grass. High wind.
Friday July 1st-
Today we travelled miles. Camped on the river in a bend. Drove our cattle across the river. About forty of the Indians made a dash on some horses, stampeded them and drove them off. Mr. Broman and two other men followed them, shot a few shots at them. Some of returned; the rest still .
Saturday the 2nd-
Travelled six miles and camped for the night. Good grass. Cold nights.
Sunday the 3rd-
Today we travelled 20 miles. In afternoon passed over high craggy bluffs, steep and rocky. Camped on river.
Monday the 4th-
Travelled twenty miles. Bad in forepart of day. Good in afternoon. Sandy. Camped in bend of river. Poor grass. Went to Kearney (?) on the 4th.
Tuesday the 5th-
Travelled fourteen miles over high rolling sand bluffs. Roads bad and very dusty. Seen great quantities of coal. Crossed the river for pasture. camped on Platt. Windy.
Wednesday the 6th-
Traveled seven miles and camped. Good grass.
Thursday the 7th-
Travelled to lower Platt. Bridge here. We left Jewel and to take the cattle off. Cross Platt to pasture stock. Three and a half from bridge, southeast direction.
Friday the 8th-
Nothing of importance.
Saturday the 9th-
Took a hunt on mountains. Had a nice view of surrounding country. On return, killed a dear. Large one too.
Sunday the 10th-
All quiet.
Monday the 11th-
Left our camp south of lower bridge. Crossed over bridge at noon. Camped opposite a red bluff. Crossed the cattle today. Traveled fifteen miles. Hilly and rocky. Some sand hills.
Tuesday the 12th-
laid by. Winds.
Wednesday the 13th-
Left our camp for the diggens, by way of Big Horn Mountain country. Crossed Mineral Springs in the morning. Four miles left the California road. Travelled NW. Roads good. No timber. and greasewood. Camped on a little creek seventeen miles from camp. Good grass, poor water. Salty and brackish.
Thursday the 14th-
Laid by waiting for more wagons.
Friday the fifteenth
Moved early. Traveled over barren country. Nothing growing but sage and grease wood. Roads good. Not hilly, NW direction. Traveled twenty five miles. Camped after dark. Water pretty good. Grass not good. Deep ravine, spring half mile up from road.
Saturday the sixteenth-
Started out 10 O.C. Traveled until 10 O.C. at night without stopping. No water on the road nor grass when stopping. Had to dig water - not good. Camped in deep ravine. Roads still good. This day Seerley killed three antelope. The land destitute of vegetation.
Sunday the Seventeenth-
Started at daylight. Went three miles. Found water - not very good. Some grass but scarce. Lay by until 4 o'clock. Pulled out and traveled 8 miles. Stopped after dark. Good water - cattle nearly given out. Some died today from hard driving.
Monday the eighteenth-
Laid by today on account of exhausted cattle. Water good - grass poor. Wood plenty, the first on the road. Some cattle died today.
Tuesday the nineteenth-
Started on our trip and moved 6 miles. Found plenty of grass and water, the best for some days. This morning some more of the cattle died. Arrived 11 o'clock. Laid by and rested rest of day. Commenced raining 3 o'clock, continued until near dark. Cleared off pleasant.
Wednesday the twentieth
Moved 8 miles. Camped Beaver Dam Creek. Nice water and plenty of grass. Had another hunt with Seerley. Killed black tailed deer, carried it 2 1/2 miles. Some more of cattle died.
Thursday the twenty-first
Laid by to recruit (sic) the cattle. Pleasant. More antelope brought in by Finch and Seerley.
Friday the 22nd
Left camp early. Traveled 8 miles over hills. Woods, grass getting better. Some soil that would produce. Sage is still plenty (mountainous). Stopped at 11 o'clock.
Saturday the 23
Traveled about 6 miles over a desparate road. Mountainous, high and steep. One wagon broke down. Had to lay by the rest of the day in Sleepy Hollow. Mountains on both sides. Cattle in good condition. Good water; good grass two miles off.
Sunday the 24
Started early. Traveled 25 miles. Roads good except two ranges of hills. Cattle nearly gave up. Had no water of any account, no grass. Made Wind River, large stream.
Monday 25
Laid by for ferry boat crossing some teams tonight. Kept crossing all night but few in morning on opposite shore. Helped until midnight.
Tuesday 26
Finished ferrying 9 o'clock. Started at noon. Roads midling rough. Traveled 6 miles, camped on river. Grass good and plenty.
Wednesday 27
Laid by on account of sick men. Mess more cattle died today. Warm tonight. Windy, some cooler. At this place gold has been found by some of our company. Small quantities.
Thursday 28
Pulled out and traveled 12 miles. Roads rough and dusty. Camped on the river. Grass good and plenty.
Friday 29
Today we traveled 15 miles. Roads good but very dusty. Traveled down the river, camped on Second Bottom.
Saturday 30
Today we traveled 12 miles. Roads still good. Heavy timber on the river. Dusty road leaves river here.
Sunday 31
Left Wind River. Traveled to Gray Bull (Note: there is a Graybull Creek on the road map which, I suspect, David referred to here. JLN) Creek 15 miles. Road midling good. Gray Bull Creek good camping. Quite a stream, runs rapid. Water clear here. Some men came back; gave discouraging news.
Monday August 1
Pulled out 10 o'clock; left the Stafford train, traveled 15 miles up Gray Bull Creek. Roads good, level but some stony. Camped where road leaves the river. Just as we started we met a train of freight teams. Bridger in Company.
Tuesday 2
Left Gray Bull at 3 o'clock. Traveled 12 miles. Stopped 9 o'clock. Roads good except some hills which was dangerous. Had no water or grass. Train in 8 different camps.
Wednesday 3
Started at 4 o'clock. Made Stinking Creek 10 o'clock 12 miles. Watered the cattle, traveled down stream 6 miles. Rested our cattle, got dinner. Went 4 miles farther and camped for the night. Grass midling good.
Thursday 4th
Started 4 o'clock in morning. Crossed Stinking Creek, traveled until dark over heavy sand. Camped for the night.
Friday 5
Started at daylight, made water 11. Move on 5 miles and camped for the night 25 miles in 2 days.
Saturday 6
Started 2 o'clock, traveled 10 miles, camped on high ridge. Just before starting a wounded buffalo made his appearance, was followed and killed, after we started. Rest of train behind. He was wounded by Seerley and Shetler.
Sunday 7
Started at daylight, traveled to Black's Fork of Yellowstone River 10 miles. Stopped for breakfast. Stayed until 3 o'clock. Started and crossed the river. Camped on river. Traveled in all today 15 miles.
Monday 8
Traveled 12 miles, made Rosebud. Crossed three times and camped. The wolves hurt a cow so it had to be killed at this place. This stream is desparate stony, very bad crossing, quite a stream.
Tuesday 9
Left Rosebud, traveled up a small branch. At noon left it and passed over a hilly part of country. Traveled 14 miles and camped in deep hollow.
Wednesday 10
Traveled 7 miles, crossed Middle Rose Bud. Camped on north branch. At night went back and seen old train. Seerley still with them. Snow in sight to the west of us.
Thursday 11
Left camp, went back to see Seerley. He could not come. Returned discouraged. The teams had pulled out and gone. Followed up. Traveled 10 miles and camped on another nice stream. Pretty smart of a stream.
Friday 12
Left camp and traveled 20 miles, camped on Yellow Stone. Snow most of the time in sight.
Saturday 13
Traveled up Yellowstone; crossed Gervise's Fork, camped on Yellowstone. Traveled 18 miles. Roads rocky but level.
Sunday 14
Laid by today. The families wanted to wash some and do some family chores. Here Seerley caught up with us and camped with us.
Monday 15
Started on our trip up Yellowstone River. Crossed in forenoon. Left river took over bluffs and at night made river again and camped. Traveled 18 miles. Cold nights; camped between two ranges of mountains.
Tuesday 16
Started early. Soon left the river, took up some high and rocky hills. Now the country not too hilly along he roads. Crossed three branches and camped on the fourth. Traveled 16 miles
Wednesday 17
18 miles. Left our camping, crossed the branch, followed up one and camped on a nice place in a large hollow; Large pines on south of camp here. Seerley brought in a deer, gave me one ham to dry. Him and I laid by a log fire all night.
Thursday 18
Left our camp and traveled through nice pine on both sides of road. This has been the worst roads that we have found on the trip. Sliding and rough. Passed through a gap in mountain and camped. 18 miles.
Friday 19
Left our camp and raised high land. Off of this we made a nice valley through which Gallation river runs; not much of a stream. Heavy timber Camped on edge of timber; traveled 16 miles in this valley. There is some houses. Some land cultivated and cattle herds.
Saturday 20
Left Galation; made Madison and camped on west side. Travel 16 miles. Desperate dusty, Madison as large as two of Galation. High hills on both sides. road runs up river.
Sunday 21
Left our camp on Madison, traveled up the river two miles, then left and took the hills. Stopped at noon at a ranch owned by Missourians. Went 4 miles farther and camped. Traveled 14 miles.
Monday 22
Laid by today. Went to see the Norwegian Gulch; not much doing. Teams left; I went a prospecting; found nothing.
Wednesday 24
Went back to finish prospecting. Still found nothing. Getting discouraged.
Thursday 25
Teams pulled out for Virginia. Traveled 15 miles.
Camped on Madison. Things in Palley's wagon in poor fix; not satisfied yet.
Friday 26
This morning went across river for grass; on our return several fell down, 9
in number. Water swift. Started for town; arrived there ahead of teams. Distance
12 miles. Very hilly and rocky.
The next page of David's diary simply says "little children", and there
are no more entries except for shopping lists, names, etc. Thus it ends.
Jim Noffsinger
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