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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