My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS SHARP, of Springfield, is so fortunate as to possess abundant means which enables him to travel extensively and in other ways make profitable use of his leisure, and the fortune which he acquired during the years of energetic business life. He is an interesting conversationalist, having observed keenly and read much, and both profit and pleasure may be derived from an hour spent in his society. He is a native of Cincinnati, born April 28, 1814, and is one of eight children belonging to the parental family. His brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Hester Ackerman, Mrs. Elizabeth Hopper, Mrs. Mary Hopper, Mathias, John, Morris and James.

The ancestral name was Sharpenstein, and the family were formerly residents of Holland. The first of the name to come to America crossed the Atlantic in the third or fourth vessel that landed at New Amsterdam, and John Sharpenstein, the grandfather of our subject, is believed to have been born in the metropolis. He removed to Bergen County, N. J., in Colonial times, and there prosecuted his business of ship-building, residing there until his death. There Morris Sharpenstein, the father of our subject, was born, and lived until 1812. He served three years in the Revolutionary War, receiving for his services a land warrant for one thousand acres. After the war he carried on the business of ship-building in his native county, until the year above mentioned, when he determined to remove to Ohio.

Accompanied by his wife, seven children and two sons-in-law, Morris Sharpenstein turned his face Westward. The removal was made with three large Pennsylvania wagons, each drawn by four horses, the journey being through a wilderness in a portion of which the travelers had to cut their road. With his land warrant Mr. Sharpenstein secured one thousand acres of timber land in Hamilton County, and there began his labors as a pioneer of Anderson Township. He first built a small house of round logs, but soon afterward erected a more commodious dwelling of hewn logs. At the time of his death, in 1821, he was preparing to build a brick dwelling. His wife, who survived him for twenty-five years, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stagg.

The subject of this sketch was but six years old when his father died, but he continued to reside on the home farm, attending the pioneer schools of the county. The temple of learning was a log schoolhouse, which was heated by a fireplace and supplied with home made furniture, the benches being made of slabs with common wooden pins for legs. When sixteen years old, the lad went to Cincinnati, and entering the store of his brothers, John and James, remained in their employ until twenty-one years of age, learning book-keeping, and all the details of mercantile business. He then engaged in the dry goods trade on his own account, his store being located on Market Street, this being before Pearl Street was laid out. For some years he carried on the retail business, and then embarked as a wholesale dealer on Walnut Street, continuing in that branch of the dry-goods trade until his removal to Springfield.

Mr. Sharp (by whom and his brothers the family name was shortened to its present dimensions) had frequently visited and passed through Springfield, where his attention had been attracted by a certain piece of property. He told a friend to let him know if it was ever for sale. One day, in 1868, he received a telegram from this friend, informing him that the place was for sale, and he at once came to this city and purchased it It is a country residence in the city, the dwelling being surrounded by large grounds, adorned with a grove of oak trees, and occupying a rise of ground sufficiently high to command a view, not only of the city, but of the surrounding country. The dwelling is a commodious brick structure, home-like in its appearance, and furnished with every comfort and the adornments which the taste of the occupants has made desirable.

For nearly fifty years the joys and sorrows of life which have befallen Mr. Sharp, were shared by a devoted wife. The rites of wedlock were celebrated between them in March, 1836, the bride having been known as Miss Eliza J. Wood. She was born in the Empire State, and was a daughter of Ebenezer Wood, one of the pioneers of Cincinnati. She died in 1884, and her remains are interred in Ferncliff. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Sharp died in infancy. Mr. Sharp has been a member of the Methodist Church since early youth, and is now connected with the society worshipping on High Street.