Sharp, Henry D.

SHARP, DE VAUGHN, DOAK, WEST, SCHNELL, SHUTTS, CASTORF, ROHRDANZ, MCDONOUGH, SPARKS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/21/2009 at 07:28:37

Sharp, Henry D.

Located on the road about one and three-quarters of a mile north of Killduff, beautifully situated, is the handsome home of Henry D. Sharp, modern throughout in every particular and beautifully finished inside and out. It is doubtful if there is a finer residence in the county, in fact it is said to be one of the finest in Jasper County. Mr. Sharp is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land at this place, purchased in 1902 of J. C. Donahey. He is a farmer and stock raiser and very successful.

Mr. Sharp was born in Sherman Township, July 11, 1869, and was the eldest child born to Adam and Isabel (De Vaughn) Sharp. His mother was a native of Alexandria, Virginia; his father, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania. When a young man he went to Illinois and engaged in farming, and when the war broke out he enlisted in the Ninety-third Illinois, Company B. He served until the close of the war and was mustered out with an honorable discharge. He participated in several important engagements, such as the Battle of Champion's Hill, the Siege of Vicksburg, and went with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea. At the close of the war, or shortly afterward, probably in the year 1866-67, he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and bought land in Sherman Township, where he farmed for many years. He also owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Richland Township. At the present time he is retired and lives in Grinnell, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife is aged sixty years.

He was raised in the Catholic faith, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Henry D. Sharp was one of four children, all sons, born to this worthy couple, whose names are as follows: Frank E., living in Richland Township, married Mary Doak; William M. died when a child; Charles, who lives in Grinnell, engaged in the butcher business, married Cora West.

Until he reached the age of twenty-five the subject lived at home. At that time he started out to work for himself, and for two years he worked by the month as a farm hand. At the expiration of that time he rented a farm for himself, and after one year he bought the place where he now resides. In 1909 he erected the handsome house, which now stands there.

On December 21, 1898, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage to Ella Schnell, the daughter of John A. and Caroline (Shutts) Schnell, both natives of Germany, who came to America when quite young. The father's family lived in New York for a few years, then moved to Illinois, near Rock Island.

Mr. Schnell came to Iowa nearly fifty years ago and bought forty acres of land in Buena Vista Township, later acquired more land, and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine land. He is now living a quiet and retired life in Newton, Iowa, in which place he has resided for the past seven years. To this estimable couple were born seven children, of whom five survive, namely: John W., who lives on a farm in section 23, in Buena Vista Township, married Margaret Castorf; Louis C., who lives in Richland Township, on the line of Buena Vista Township, married Myrtle Rohrdanz; Emma married Charles McDonough and lives in Richland Township; Mary married Artie Sparks and lives in Lynn Grove Township, one mile east of Sully; Henry and Edward died in childhood. Mrs. Sharp's father at this time is sixty-eight years of age and her mother is sixty. Mrs. Sharp was born March 4, 1876, in Buena Vista Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have been born two children, namely: Hilda Marie, born July 9, 1900, and Roy, born November 20, 1906. Mrs. Sharp is a member of the Lutheran Church in Elk Creek Township. Mr. Sharp has held various township offices, serving as clerk in Richland Township for six years. In politics he is a Republican. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 803