William H. Gish, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Hummel) Gish, cashier of the National Bank of Slatington, was born at Berlinsville, Northampton County, on January 9, 1839. He attended the schools of his district, also the Eastern Academy and Union Seminary at New Berlin, Pa. and in 1856 he began to teach school at Berlinsville and taught there one term and two terms at Slatington; then for a number of years he filled very credibly the position of chief bookkeeper of the Carbon Iron Co., at Parryville, and also of the Lehigh Slate Co., at Slatington.

In 1866, he located at Slatington to take charge of the Dime Savings Bank and he conducted this institution for several years in a faithful manner, acquiring thereby an intimate knowledge of baking affairs which enabled him to render valuable and efficient aid as one of the organizers of the national bank at that place in 1875 and he became the first cashier of this financial institution and since then has filled this position most creditably, its remarkable success being to a large degree attributable to his wife and conservative management which is evidenced by its growth from total resources of less than $300,000 to total resources in April 1914, of almost $1,000,000.

During his period of almost fifty years, he manifested a constant interest in everything that related to the industrial as well as the financial welfare and development of the community. In this behalf he had the earnest co-operation and support of his father-in-law, Robert McDowell, Hon. D. D. Roper and Thomas Kern, of Slatington, Dr. H. H. Reigel of Catasauqua, Col. John H. Craig, of Lehigh Gap; Peter Gross, of Schnecksville, and V. W. Weaver, of Millertown (now Macungie.)

In politcs Mr. Gish has been a staunch Republican from the inception of the party. As such he was elected treasurer of the borough and served several terms. Mr. Gish's name was oft-times mentioned in connection with important public offices, but he had no ambition for public life.

Simple and unostentatious in his tastes and pleasures he was a man who after the cares of the day, liked best to go to his own home, to rest and bring cheer to those he loved. In religious matters, he has been equally zealous. He connected himself with the United Evangelical Church and served the congregation in various ways.

In 1867 he was married to Helen McDowell, a daughter of Robert and Sarah E. (Mulhallan), McDowell, and they lived together in affectionate companionship for nearly fifty years.

She died July 16, 1912. They had an only daughter, Elizabeth May, a graduate of the Slatington High School, and of Wilson College Chambersburg, Pa., is at home with her father.