My Genealogy Hound

Custer C. Sharp, a prominent pioneer citizen of Knox County, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., August 15, 1825, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Custer) Sharp, both natives of the same county and State. Abraham immigrated to Missouri with his family in the fall of 1839, and settled in Lyon Township, where he entered land, and followed farming successfully until his death. The mother died in the same township. Of five sons and four daughters raised to maturity, but one son has died. Custer C. is the eldest, and then come Abraham, John, Stephen, and George (deceased). The daughters are Elizabeth (widow of Russell Grant), Sarah (widow of Cyrus Fowler), Clarinda (wife of William Hannahs) and Deborah Ann (wife of George Snow). Custer Sharp lived upon the farm in this county during his youth, and his education was but limited, being received in a primitive log schoolhouse. He farmed with his father until the latter’s death, and then began life for himself with no capital but pluck and industry, and after half a century of hard work and good management he succeeded in becoming the owner of a large farm, and owns in this and Adair Counties over 1,500 acres of land. He is a good example of a self-made man, and is worthy of emulation by the rising generation. He has applied himself strictly to farming and stock raising, with the exception of a year spent in the goldfields of California in 1850, and what he possesses is due entirely to his own efforts. In February, 1848, he married Mary E. Palmer, a native of Indiana, and to this union the following children have been born: George W., Mason P., Thomas E., Stephen H., James R., Charles W., Lorena A. (wife of A. P. Scott) and Dora E. Mr. Sharp has always been a Democrat, and has always refused to run for office. Himself and wife are members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. He has lately removed to Edina, retired from active work, and is recognized as one of Knox County’s most successful and upright pioneer citizens, and can relate many interesting early reminiscences of early life in Northeast Missouri.