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
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project