Birth: Sep. 24, 1847 Ohio, USA Death: Nov. 25, 1911 Whitehall Muskegon County Michigan, USA Son of Charles Nufer and Julia Hiner Married father of six, one who died at 18 months, another at 8 years Owner, The Nufer Cedar Company, the largest cedar-shingle mill east of the Rocky Mountains ************************ WILLIAM F. NUFER, a leading citizen and President of the Nufer Cedar Company, of Whitehall, Muskegon County, Mich., is numbered among the substantial business men of the State, and, widely known, is highly esteemed. He is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and was born September 14, 1847. His parents, Charles and Julia (Hiner) Nufer, were both natives of Fredericklown, Md. The paternal grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and the family were among the patriots who fought nobly for God and liberty. Mr. Nufer, our subject, had one brother and sister, but, the mother dying when they were very young, they were then separated. Martha J., the sister, married Martin Halbrook, a farmer now living near Warsaw, Ind. The brother, Leonard, reared and finely educated by a wealthy widow in Ohio, after completing his studies was intrusted with the care of the property, which his benefactress intended to bequeath to him. With a promising future before him, he was called away at the early age of twenty-eight years. Our subject, only five years old at the time of his mother's death, was bound out to a farmer, H. W. Bail, a resident of Madison County, near London, Ohio. Until nineteen years of age Mr. Nufer remained with this hard taskmaster, working from four o'clock in the morning until late at night. For ten years he continued this severe round of labor without intermission, but in 1866 left the farm where he had spent so many years of servitude. Journeying to the farther West, our subject located in Muskegon, Mich., and there secured employment in piling lumber in one of the large mills or on the docks. Continuing in this occupation a little less than a year, Mr. Nufer in 1867 came to Whitehall, and here obtained a situation scaling logs and checking lumber on the docks, and on the very spot where his extensive shingle factory now stands. He knew absolutely nothing about the business in which he then engaged, but with a determination which has characterized his entire life he soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the various details required in the discharge of his daily duties, and became an expert upon the docks of a lumbering town. At the expiration of eleven years Mr. Nufer formed a partnership with Mr. Covell and entering into business under the firm name of Covell, Nufer & Co., began the manufacture of shingles. This partnership continued for three years, during which time our subject started another shingle factory on the site of his present mill, the firm being Nufer & Carlton. In 1884 this mill was totally destroyed by fire, but, immediately rebuilt, the partnership continued until 1887. At this latter date the Nufer Cedar Company was incorporated, with William F. Nufer as President; Fred W. Nufer, his son, Vice-president; and William Nufer, another son, Secretary and Treasurer. The Nufer Cedar Company is the most extensive cedar-shingle manufactory in the United States cast of the Rocky Mountains. It has a capacity of seventy millions, and its market extends all over the country. The estimable wife of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Ellen McGrade, a native of New York City, but, early removing to the West with her parents, attained to womanhood in Illinois, and later came to Michigan. Her parents are now deceased and but very little is known regarding their early family history. Of the six children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Nufer, four survive. One died at eighteen months, and the other passed away at the age of eight years. William L., Secretary and Treasurer of the Nufer Cedar Company, is the eldest-born; Fred W., Vice-President of the company, was the next in order of birth; Nellie M. is the only daughter. Julius is the youngest of the family. The sons and daughters were educated in the High School of Whitehall, and all occupy positions of useful influence. Politically, Mr. Nufer is a Republican and has filled with efficiency nearly all the town offices, especially as a member of the Village Council and as President, being most faithful in duty and materially advancing the vital interests of his home locality. Fraternally, Mr. Nufer is associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a Knight Templar. Prospered financially, he possesses, aside from his business interests, a large body of farming land. Beginning life under adverse circumstances, Mr. Nufer has solely through self reliant effort won his way upward to wealth and honor, and commands the respect and thorough confidence of the general public. Known as a man of sterling integrity of character and fine business qualifications, he is ranked among the substantial citizens of Muskegon County, and is accounted a man of liberal spirit, ever ready to assist in all matters of mutual welfare. ~ Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Biographical Publishing, Chicago, IL, 1893, pp 522-523     Family links:   Spouse:   Ellen <i>McGrade</i> Nufer (1852 - 1923)*    Children:   Martha Ella Nufer*   Catherine Ann Nufer*   William L Nufer (1871 - 1920)*   Lola May Nufer (1875 - 1883)*   Nellie M <i>Nufer</i> DeVine (1876 - 1953)*   Julius J Nufer (1878 - 1949)*   *  Reverse Relationships:] body=[This relationship was not directly added to this memorial. Rather, it is calculated based on information added to the related person's memorial. For example: if Joe Public is linked to Jane Public as a spouse, a reciprocal link will automatically be added to Jane Public's memorial.] fade=[on] fadespeed=[.09]" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 136); text-decoration: underline;">Calculated relationship   Inscription: WILLIAM F. NUFER 1847 - 1911   Note: In NUFER family plot containing, Baby, William F. Nufer, Ellen M. Nufer, Julius J. Nufer   Burial: Oakhurst Cemetery  Whitehall Muskegon County Michigan, USA GPS (lat/lon): 43.41012, -86.33012   Created by: Twist Record added: Sep 05, 2011  Find A Grave Memorial# 76038372