SHARP, Harry P. (1887-1948)

SHARP

Posted By: Mike Amidon (email)
Date: 2/28/2016 at 15:35:44

Toledo Chronicle - May 20, 1948
Sheriff Harry P Sharp Dies

Was Lifelong Resident; Born in Toledo in June 1887

Death came shortly after 10 o'clock this Thursday morning to Harry P. Sharp, popular Tama county sheriff. Sharp had been seriously ill for a short time preceding his death. He was serving his 10th year as sheriff of Tama county and had announced his candidacy for renomination at the primary election in June on the republican ticket. Since his first term of office, Sharp has polled the largest vote of any candidate in the country at each general election. He has had an enviable record here and throughout the state. He has chosen men for his assistants who were well qualified for these positions and has maintained a high order of law enforcement in this community. Members of the Iowa highway patrol have recently expressed their appreciation of the cooperation which they have received from the Tama county sheriff's office.

A lifelong resident of this community, Sharp was born at Toledo June 27, 1887, the son of Joseph William and Melissa Olive Sharp. He received his education in the Toledo high school and farmed for a time with his father. On April 10, 1907, he was married to Grace Amidon. They resided on farms in this community from 1907 until 1926. From 1926 to 1939, Sharp was a salesman for the Vana & Hokel Ford agency in Toledo. He assumed the office of sheriff in 1939, having been elected to that office at the general election in 1938. Funeral services will be Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Henderson funeral home. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery. Rev. J.E. Pritchard, pastor of the Toledo Methodist church, will be in charge of the services. There will be Masonic rites. Sharp's professional and fraternal affiliations include the local A.F. & A.M. lodge, the Iowa State Sheriff's association, the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, Toledo Lions Club, and he was a member of the Methodist church.