HEADER
George W Doverspike
GEORGE W. DOVERSPIKE, deceased, whose long years of activity in the banking
circles of Kittanning made him one of the most widely known business men of
Armstrong county, was one of its native-born citizens. He was born on his
father’s farm on Mahoning creek in Mahoning township, March 1, 1884, son of
Daniel Doverspike and grandson of John Doverspike. The latter was a native of
Germany, and in early life came to America and settled in Armstrong County,
Pa., purchasing a tract of land near Putneyville where he followed farming. He
married Catherine Knight, of Clarion county, Pa., and they had a family of
five children, four sons and one daughter. The father assisted each of his
sons to secure a good farm.Daniel Doverspike, the eldest son of John and Catherine (Knight) Doverspike,
was born Jan. 9, 1818, within one mile of Putneyville, and became one of the
prosperous farmers of that section, where he lived all his life. His death
occurred in 1894. He was an active and useful member of the Litheran Church,
in which he held office, and in politics was a Democrat, but he took no part
in party or public affairs.George W. Doverspike passed his early life near Putneyville, obtaining his
education in the common schools and at Glade Run Academy. After commencing
work he followed farming for several years, during which time he also taught
school for four terms. In 1868 he came to Kittanning and entered the employ of
James E. Brown. For several months he was engaged in superintending wharfing,
assisting in the surveying of lands, etc., and then for eighteen months was
clerk in what was known as the old iron store on Water street, Kittanning,
carried on in connection with the Kittanning woolen mills. His connection with
First National Bank began as bookkeeper, and he finally became assistant
cashier, his ability and absolute trustworthiness winning him steady
promotion. When the Farmers’ National Bank was orgianized, in 1884, he changed
from the First National to become cashier of the new institution, and held
that important position, being also one of the board of directors, until his
death. Mr. Doverspike was more than faithful to his immediate duties. He was a
man who studied conditions and improved every opportunity to acquire wide
familarity with all that concerned the banking business, and as a result he
was not only respected for his substantial worth by his immediate associates,
but looked up to as a reliable authority on many questions of finance. His
opinion was sought and valued, and his personal standing was unquestioned.Mr. Doverspike was a leading member of the First Presbyterian Church of
Kittanning, was a member of the committee which selected the present site of
the church and, on account of his special fitness for such responsibility, was
placed on the finance committee, which had the task of raising funds for the
erection of the beautiful church built by the congregation. For twenty-eight
years he was an elder of the church and foe a number of years he was a trustee
of the Western Theological Seminaryat Allegheny. He was also interested in the
Sunday school, and served as its superintendent. In political association he
was a member of the Republican party. He died May 26, 1908.On June 4, 1873, Mr. Doverspike married Margaret Barnard Hasting, and to
this union was born one child, Anna Barton.William W. Hasting, father of Mrs. Doverspike, was born in 1804, near
Bellefonte, Pa., and in 1824 removed to Kittanning, where he passed the
remainder of his life, dying Sept. 12, 1874. By trade he was a tailor, but
during most of his active career was engaged in the dry good business. In
religious connection he was a Presbyterian, in politics a Republican and
active in the work of his party; he served two terms as county commissioneer,
and it was during his incumbency that the present courthouse was erected. Mr.
Hastings married Margaret Johnston, daughter of David Johnston, an early
settler of Kittanning, and they had a family of eight children, namely: David
Johnston, John Robinson, Isabel, Susanna, Mary, Sara, William Barton and
Margaret Barnard (Mrs.Doverspike).Source Page 406 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present,
J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by Rodney G Rosborough for the Armstrong County
Beers Project.
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission.Return to the Beers Project
Â
Return to the
Armstrong County Genealogy ProjectÂ
Return to the
Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the
Armstrong County Genealogy Project
(c) Armstrong County
Genealogy Project
About Author
