Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana: BF
Bowen, 1913 p 358 -- GEORGE B. PAVEY -- In these days of large commercial transactions,
when credits cuts a large factor in the daily round of business, the province of the
banker is very wide and very important. The excellence of the banks of the present as
compared with those of the past gives to all classes of business men first-class security
for their deposits, assistance when they are in need of ready money to move their
business, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomplished in safety no other
way. In a large measure the success of the present time in all branches of business is
largely the result of the present banking methods. It is quite common for the stockholder
of banks to be business men of prominence in the community - farmers, merchants,
manufacturers and professional men, -- all of whom are known to the depositors and their
standing well established. This gives stability to the bank and confidence to the
community. Such is the confidence in the Bank of Cates, Fountain County Indiana of which
George B. Pavey, of this review, is the cashier. Mr. Pavey was born in this county and
here he has spent his life,t he date of his birth July 31, 1867. He is the son of John
and Alchey Wykoff Pavey, the father born in Parke County in 1834, and mother's birth
occurred in Fountain in 1837. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Pavey, was a native of NC.
He came to Fountain County in the earlyd ays and here devoted his life to general
farming, being well known to the pioneer settlers. His son, John Pavey, was also a
farmer, and he spent his life in that pursuit in this county, dying here on November 10,
1910, having been preceded to the gave by his wife only a few days, she passing away on
Sept 27 of that same year. He was a man of high standing in the community and was active
in the work of the Grange Alliance. His family consisted of 12 children, 9 of whom are
still living: Anderson and Allen both live in this county; George B of this sketch; Barton
B; Sara married Daniel A. Hobson and they live in Fulton Twp, this county; Irvin, Lucy,
Lillie, Susan, Theron, deceased, Rosy deceased and one that died in infancy. George B.
Pavey was reared on the home farm where he assisted with the general work when he became
of proper age, and he received the advantages of an excellent education, attending first
the common schools at Covington, later taking a course in the normal at Valparaiso,
Indiana. He had carefully prepared himself for teaching, which he followed with much
success for a period of 11 years, his services being in great demand; however, he confined
his teaching to Fulton Twp, this county. He gave eminent satisfaction to both pupils and
patrons. He took a great deal of interest in public affairs and when but a young man was
elected township assessor of Fulton township, which office he held for 5 years; he was
then elected Twp. trustee and was incumbent of this office 4 years, having been elected in
1900 and serving until 1905. In both these offices he gave entire satisfaction to the
people, irrespective of party alignment, being a careful, painstaking, and courteous
official against whose record there never was any sucpicion of error, wanton or willful.
After his term of office had expired in January 1905, he moved to Cates and engaged in the
hardware business for a period of 3 years, during which he built up a large trade with the
town and surrounding country, and he still retains an interest in that business, which is
managed by his brother, Allen Pavey. When the Cates Bank was organized in 1907, with a
capital stock of $10,000 the subject became cashier, which position he has held to the
present time, discharging his duties in a manner that is satisfactory to the stockholders
and patrons. Mr. Pavey was married on Sept 22, 1892 to Viola Rardin, daughter of Freeman
and Tamer (Brown) Rardin. Both her father and grandfather were well known residents of
Parke County, the latter having been among the early settlers there. One child has been
born to the subject and wife, Earnest who is at home. Mr. Pavey is a Republican and he has
long been more or less active in the ranks of his party and is influential in the same.
Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Cates Lodge No. 518. He is a self-made
man and is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished for it has
been done by honest, persistent effort along legitimate lines.