Sharp, John

ALBRIGHT, FRITZ, HOMER, GOODSEL

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/6/2009 at 19:51:40

Although two decades have passed since John Sharp was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the older residents of Bremer county as one of its substantial and esteemed citizens who was actively engaged in farming here for a number of years, owning at the time of his demise a valuable tract of land comprising four hundred acres and situated two and a half miles northwest of Janesville. His birth occurred in Ohio in 1825, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Albright) Sharp. The father served as one of the patriots of the Revolutionalry war.

It was in the year 1870 that John Sharp came with his family to Bremer county, Iowa, here purchasing land and devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. He prospered in his undertakings and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, owned four hundred acres of rich and productive land two and a half miles northwest of Janesville. In his passing it was generally recognized that the community had lost one of its prosperous, representative and esteemed citizens.

In 1849, in Ohio, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fritz, who was born in that state in 1833, her parents being Jacob and Lydia (Homer) Fritz, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio and in that state spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were three in number, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Sharp; Michael, who passed away in Ohio; and Nancy C., whose demise also occurred in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp had a large family of children, seven of whom still survive, as follows: Daniel, who is a resident of Ohio; Michael, living in Texas; Edward, who makes his home in Ohio; Allen and Casville, twins, the latter a resident of Waterloo, Iowa; Nancy, who is the wife of Earl Goodsel and resides in Arkansas; Frank, residing in Oklahoma. Martha, Jacob and Lydia have passed away, and others died in infancy.

Mr. Sharp gave his political allegiance to the republican party, loyally supporting its men and measures at the polls. His widow, who has now attained the age of eighty years, makes her home in Janesville but still owns the old home farm of two hundred acres. Her religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and she exemplifies its teachings in her daily life. The period of her residence in this county covers forty-three years and she is widely and favorable known throughout the community, enjoying the warm regard and esteem of all with whom she has come in contact.