Person:William Sharp (55)

[Alamance County_Feb 2006_backup.FTW]

Notes from Edward Schanus, RootsWeb, WorldConnect:

From Past and Present, Nodaway County Missouri published in 1910 pages 699 and 700.

The general public has ever taken pleasure in tracing the history of a man who started out on life's career handicapped in many ways, but who, not with standing innumerable obstacles, pushed forward manfully and finally reached the goal of success. Mr. Sharp is too well known in Monroe township to need a formal introduction to the people of that locality. Eminently a self-made man, having carved his own way in the world, honestly earning every dollar in his possession, he is now numbered with the respected citizens of the township, and is eminently deserving of representation in a work of this character.

William Sharp was born in Clinton county Missouri, on March 25 1853, and is the son of Daniel and Melinda (Keck) Sharp. These parents were natives of North Carolina, who came to Clinton county Missouri, in an early day, and here followed farming. When the subject of this sketch was a mere lad, the family came to Nodaway county, locating in the southeast part of Green township, where the father bought a farm. A few years later he sold this farm and moved to the north part of Monroe township, locating on the farm adjoining that on which stood the Albright school house. There the parents spent the remainder of their years. They became the parents of eleven children, of which number three died in childhood, the living children being briefly mentioned as follows: Isaac lives near Hubbard Nebraska; George lives near Quitman Green township, this county; Monroe has lived in Nebraska, but expects soon to loacate at Maryville, this county; Elizabeth is the wife of J.T. Linville, of Green township; Eliza Missouri is the wife of Clark Harris, of Quitman, this county; Henry Powell lives near Hubbard Nebraska; Evan is the wife of Fremont Smith and lives in Canada.

William Sharp was reared by his parents and received a limited education in the common schools. He started early in life on his own account,working out by the day. Though his wages were not large, he was wisely economical, and eventually started farming operations on a rented farm. He followed this plan about four years, meeting with fair success, and then he and his oldest brother bought forty acres of land in partnership and farmed together during the following two years. At the end of that period Mr. Sharp bought his brother's interest in the place and farmedit on his own account about five years longer. He was industrious and a good manager, so that when he sold that place he was enabled to buy eighty acres of land in the northeast corner of section 36, in Monroe township. He located at once on this place and devoted himself to its cultivation, with a gratifying measure of success until in March 1908, when he bought a good residence property in Skidmore and moved to that town. He retains his land, and from it receives a good annual income. Mr. Sharp is a thoroughly practical farmer and shrewd business man, and though not favored with a thorough education, his deficiency in this line has been more than made up by a large fund of good common sense, and he has at all times enjoyed a good reputation as a reliable and intelligent man of affairs. His property is free of all incumberances and his credit is the very best. The Golden Rule has been his guide as to his dealings with others, and he has gotten along amicably with all with whom he has dealt.

On January 1 1890, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Laura Lee Patton, a native of Nodaway county, and the daughter of Thomas Patton. To this union has been born a son, Clarence Henry, who is now living on and operating his father's farm. Politically, Mr Sharp has been a life long Democrat, but, though he is deeply interested in public affairs, he is no politician, nor has he any longings for public office. In 1895 Mr Sharp embraced the Christian faith, and since that time has been an earnest, consistent Christian, one of his chief enjoyments being the reading of God's word. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church South. Sterling qualities of manhood have earned for Mr Sharp the good opinion of all who know him and he has many warm friends.

1. ↑ Edward Schanus, RootsWeb, WorldConnect.