Philip Daubenspeck obituary

Submitted by Patricia Doverspike Lamb, possibly a great great great granddaughter

WELL KNOW CITIZEN DIED
Suddenly at His Home On Center Avenue Sunday

Philip Daubenspeck, age 82, a retired farmer and real estate man, and known throughout the bounds of Pittsburgh synod of the Reformed church for his benevolences to St. Paul's Orphan's home and other charitable institutions, died unexpectedly at his home on Center avenue at 6:45 Sunday evening.

Death was due to infirmities of age and general break down.

Mr. Daubenspeck was able to be out the latter part of last week and attended to business at the court house only a day or two prior to his death.

The news of his death will be read with surprise and regret by his many friends in Butler county.

The deceased was born in 1829 in Parker township, Butler county, and was the son of George and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Daubenspeck, pioneers of that community.

He obtained a common school education and began life as a farmer, residing, after his marriage to Miss Nancy Scott, in Parker township until 1882 when he removed to Butler and purchased a home on Center avenue, in which he lived until his death.

He was one of the largest real estate owners of the First ward and became wealthy though early investments that greatly enhanced in value as the city increased in size.

Mr. Daubenspeck was a member of St. Paul's Reformed church its largest contributor at the time the church was built. It was also through his generosity the congregation was enabled to repair the building at a cost of over $2,000.00 a year or two ago.

He will be remembered principally for his benefactions to St. Paul's Orphan's home when that insitution was located in Butler and was one of the leaders of the movement in 1906, when the property was sold to the East Oakland Land company, to retain the home in the Butler district.

The amount of charity bestowed among the poor and unfortunate of the commuinity will never be known.

Politically Mr. Daubenspeck was allied with the Prohibition party. He took active interest in public affairs and aided every movement that tended to the betterment of the community. He was held in high esteem by every one for his innumerable charities, his honorable business career and his clean Christian life, and his death will be regardd as a distinct loss to the community.

Surviving him are his wife and the following brothers and sisters: Abraham Daubenspeck, of Parker township, George F. Daubenspeck of Butler, Jacob Daubenspeck of Bruin, Mrs Susan Harper of Jennette and Mrs James D. Gibson of Butler.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and will be in charge of Rev. D. N. Harnist pastor of St. Paul's Reformed church.