Mercer County PAGenWeb


JOHN P. AMSPOKER 


JOHN P. AMSPOKER.-A man of superior talents and scholarly attainments, conspicuous for his constructive and administrative ability; John P. Amspoker is actively identified with the educational progress of Mercer county, and as proprietor of the Sharon College of Commerce, at Sharon, has made it possible for every ambitious young man or woman to thoroughly fit himself or herself for a business career. Every young person, whether poor or rich, more especially the latter, mayhap, should have such knowledge of commercial law, business transactions, and of the methods used in conducting financial operations, as to look after his own interests, or care for the property of others if called upon to do so. A practical knowledge of the methods and practices of banking institutions, clearing houses, trust and transportation companies is essential to every one desirous of filling a clerical position, and this finely-equipped college makes a specialty of giving such knowledge to its pupils. Two courses of study are given in this institution, viz: commercial, and shorthand courses, the former including among other subjects taught, Commercial Calculations and Rapid Reckoning, Commercial Law, Bookkeeping, Business Customs, and Correspondence, while the latter course includes instruction in Shorthand, Typewriting and English. The Sharon College of Commerce, with its practical equipments and especially fine corps of teachers, gives the special training that eminently qualifies its graduates for any office position, or for entrance into any line of business. Under the efficient management of Mr. Amspoker this college has had a rapid and healthful growth, and is now one of the leading institutions of the kind in Western Pennsylvania, being widely known and well patronized, the number of its pupils increasing each term, and its curriculum being extended.

John P. Amspoker was born near Unionport, Jefferson county, Ohio, a son of Jonas and Ellen (Porter) Amspoker, both of whom were natives of the same state, the birth of the father occurring in Harrison county, and that of the mother in Jefferson county. Reared on the home farm, he had better opportunities for obtaining an education than most farmers' sons, having attended the Scio College, and the Oberlin College, where he made a thorough study of the higher branches of learning. Going then to Iowa, Mr. Amspoker was for a time connected with a large mercantile establishment at Grinnell, afterwards serving as deputy auditor of Poweshiek county. Beginning then his professional career, he taught in the Queen City Business College in Seattle, Washington, from there going to Nashville, Tennessee, as an instructor in Goodman's College. Coming to Sharon in 1896, Mr. Amspoker established the Sharon College of Commerce, which he has since managed wisely and well.

Mr. Amspoker married, in 1899, Matilda Hyde, of Sharon. She died in 1906, in early womanhood, their happy married life having been of brief duration. Religiously, Mr. Amspoker is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Source: (Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, pages 590-591.)


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