History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed.
by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 780.
[Nicholas County] [Headquarters Precinct]
JOHN W. SHARP, farmer, P. O. Headquarters; was born in Fayette County,
March 11, 1803, and is a son of John T. and Sophia (Nicholson) Sharp, both
natives of Sussex Co., Del. The former was born March 26, 1773. His wife,
Sophia, was born Jan. 6, 1774. They were among the first to enter upon
pioneer life in Kentucky and settled in Fayette in 1801, where they
remained six years, then moved to Nicholas County and were the first
settlers on the farm now owned by Benjamin Thomas. A few years later they
again sought a new home, this time in St. Louis County, Mo., where Mr.
Sharp died, Aug. 3d, 1840. His wife survived him six years and died Nov.
4th, 1847. The result of their union was nine children, of whom John W.
our subject, was the fifth, and is now the only one living. He was left
in Kentucky by his parents without a relative or friend, and nothing but
his hands with which to enter upon the battle of life. His education was
very limited, he never having the opportunity to attend school to exceed
six months, but being possessed with a stout heart and an energetic
spirit, he determined to make his own way in the world. He engaged with
Mr. Daniel Thompson as a farm hand, receiving a compensation of ten
dollars per month. His persistent energy and strict performance of his
duties won him many friends, and when but 19 years of age he was elected
to a captaincy in the State Militia. He was married in Nicholas County,
March 29, 1832, to Miss Lucy F. Collier, who was born in Charlotte County,
Virginia, May 30, 1811. She bore him six children, viz: Elizabeth M.,
born Dec. 25, 1832. She now lives in Virden, Ill. She was married Feb.
12, 1850, to Willis Sims, who died in 1880. Ann E. was born Nov. 1,
1834, and married in 1854 to Lafayette Rollen, now living in Virden, Ill.
John W., born May 28, 1839, died oct. 30, 1861. Thomas M. born Jan. 5,
1842, a farmer, now living in Nicholas County. He has held the offices
of Constable and Magistrate for a number of years. He was married Sept.
15, 1868, to Miss Louisa E. Smith, who was born Feb. 3, 1844. They have
two children, viz: Carrie and Maud. Charles W., born July 17, 1844. (See
history.) Ellen M. born Sept. 2, 1848, and died Nov. 17, 1850. Mrs. Sharp
died Jun 20, 1851. She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Williams)
Collier, both natives of Charlotte County, Virginia. Mr. Sharp was
married again Dec. 1, 1857, to Miss Charity C. Baskett, who was born in
Nicholas County, Nov. 11, 1827. They have three children, viz: Hamlet C.,
born Dec. 31, 1858. (See history.) Lucy F., born May 26, 1860. She is
a lady of marked ability as a scholar and in art, having produced several
works deserving of merit. James Mc., born August 12, 1864. He is still
at home assisting his father on the farm. Mrs. Sharp was a daughter of
Jesse and Charlotte (Williams) Baskett. He was born in Virginia, March
30, 1768 and died in March 1833. His wife, Charlotte, was born in
Maryland, July 28, 1785, and died Oct. 30, 1881. Mr. Sharp soon after
his first marriage moved upon the farm he now owns, and a part of which
he purchased in 1840, since which time he has continued to add to his
possession, until he now owns a farm containing 231 acres, which, "as a
practical farmer" he keeps in a high state of cultivation. He has served
the county for a number of years in different offices, viz: Constable,
Magistrate, Coroner and County Commissioner, and was appointed by the
Government as Gauger and Storekeeper, which he subsequently resigned in
favor of his son. In 1838, the Whig party substantiated the appreciation
of his abilities, and the high esteem in which he was regarded by the
people, by electing him to a seat in the Legislature, the duties of which
he performed with marked ability, zeal and integrity. On account of his
business qualifications, he has been employed numerous times, by large
stock dealers to make shipments for them to different parts of the
country. He is a man of noble impulses, generous spirit, and noted for
his hospitality; is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and a charter
member of the Orient Lodge at Headquarters. He has always been a prominent
Republican and the proudest feature of his political career is the fact
that he never asked for an office without receiving it.
Sharp Nicholson Thompson Collier Sims Rollen Smith Williams
Thomas Baskett
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Fayette-KY Charlotte-VA Sussex-DE St._Louis-MO IL VA MD
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