Moore Irwin Patrick Sharpe

SHARPE

Posted By: Erlene Best (email)
Date: 11/12/2010 at 13:02:52

Source: Old newspaper clipping. My great grandfather

In Memory
M.I. Sharpe

Moore Irwin Sharpe was born in Monegan County, Ireland, August 10th, 1840, and died at his home 416 South Third Street, Perry, Iowa, Friday, May 12, 1922, age of 81 years, 9 months and 2 days. He came to America when a young man 18 years of age, in company with his brother, William, who was two years older, and began his life in this new land of opportunity assisted by no one. Locating at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, he at once entered upon and later completed a three years' apprenticeship in what was then known as carriage blacksmithing. In this vocation he acquired much skill and for fifty years followed it, never finding himself without employment.

On August 12th, 1872, he was married to Catherine Rebecca Johnson, at St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, and to this union there were born nine children, all of whom are living. They are Attorney James J Sharpe, Hampton, Iowa; Annie E Sharpe a school teacher, Akron, Iowa; William Sharpe, Auditor allied Chemical and Dy Corporation, New York City; Mrs. Carl Bremmer, Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Mrs. Emma K. Robinson, principal Lincoln School, Perry, Iowa; Stewart Sharpe, Probate Judge, South Dakota; Mrs. Harry Coleman, Superior, Iowa; Alfred L Sharpe, a mechanic, Shakopee, Minnesota; and John L. Sharpe, Chief Clerk Auditing Department Illinois Central Railroad, Chicago, Illinois.

There are also two brothers and two sisters surviving, Joe Sharpe, Devils Lake, North Dakota and Samuel Sharpe, Mrs. Margaret J Wilson and Mrs. Elizabeth Stockdale, Hampton, Iowa; twenty-eight grandchildren and one great grandchild survive him. His beloved wife passed away Novemeber 5th, 1919 and since then his daughter, Mrs. Emma K. Robinson has been caring for the home in Perry.

All of the nine children are present at the last sad rites, except William, who has been very sick at his home in New York and is still under the doctor's care. Mrs. elizabeth Stockdale and two of her sons, Howard and Jesse, were present from Hampton, Iowa; Mrs. Carl Bremmer and three of their children, from Ft. Dodge; Mrs. John Sharpe from Chicago and Mrs. Harry Coleman, from Superior, were also present.

Mr. Sharpe was connected with the Frick shops at Waynesboro, Pa., soon after his marriage, and remained in their employ until he came west in 1885, when he settled at Iowa Falls, Iowa. there he was employed by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway Company, and for 28 years worked for that company and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific at Iowa Falls and Des Moines. About ten years ago he retired and has since been living at Perry, Iowa.

Seven of the nine children were graduated from the high school at Iowa Falls, Iowa, another from the high school at Hampton, Iowa, one continued his education at the State University of Iowa, another at the State Univerisity of South Dakota, and still others at Cedar Falls Normal College, Drake university and other higher institutions of learning. Most of the children have taught school at one time or another. Mr. Sharpe firmly believed in the value of education and denied himself many of the luxuries of life in order to keep his children in school and college. At the same time he impressed upon them the importance of not being afraid of work. He always insisted, in season and out of season, that a practical education is of more worth than a legacy of great wealth, giving them something with which to fight the battles of life. He taught them to do right and to be true, and to uphold the dignity of labor. The children, in turn, appreciated what father and mother died for them and for the educational opportunities they sacrificed so much to give them.

Mr. Sharpe was highly respected and much esteemed by all who know him. He was life long member of the Presbyterian church and as a layman he did what he could to extend the Kingdom of Christ on earth. He made a careful and constant study of the Holy Scriptures; was an active member of the Union Gospel Team last winter, going out with it at his advanced age, and taking active part in its work as an exhorter; he endeavored by precept and example to follow the footsteps of Christ.