Clinton E. Sharp
Clinton E. Sharp, a representative farmer and stockraiser of Genoa Township, where he owns a valuable and well-improved farm, was born in Genoa Township, Delaware County, Ohio, June 12, 1846. His parents were Stephen and Hester Ann (Oldham) Sharp.
The Sharp family came from New York to Ohio, and Garrett Sharp, accompanied by his family, settled in Franklin Comity in 1810. He bought 400 acres of land, the greater part of which was situated in Delaware County, and much of this he cleared, erecting buildings on several parts of it. He lived to the age of 84 years and was the father of 14 children. His wile was Anna Goodspeed.
Stephen Sharp was born in New York, April 23, 1807, and was a child of three years when his father moved to Franklin County. He attended the old subscription schools and later, for many years, taught school. In childhood he was accidentally injured by fire which caused him to partially lose the use of one hand. He was, nevertheless, active in farm work and with the assistance of his sons cleared up a farm of 117 acres, on which he resided until his death, in his eightieth year. He was a man of legal learning and of great force ot character and be served so long and so efficiently as a justice of the peace that he was known all over Delaware County. He also assisted in helping the southern slaves to escape by operating one of the stations of the Underground Railroad. In politics he was an old-line Whig, a Know-nothing, and later identified himself with the Republican party. In religious belief and observance he was a Methodist. Stephen Sharp was married (first), February 7, 1833, to Julia Dixon, of a pioneer family of Delaware County. At death she left one daughter, Emily Ann. In 1839 Stephen Sharp married (secondly) Hester Ann Oldham, who was born in New Jersey, November 6, 1819. She was seven years of age when she accompanied her parents to Delaware County, where her father, Thomas Oldham, cleared up a farm. The children born of Stephen Sharp's second marriage were: Andrew Jackson, one who died in infancy, Clinton E.. William Isaac, Anna C, Stephen Alfred. John Wesley (deceased in infancy) and Louis Franklin. All were born on the old homestead and all are now deceased except the eldest and Clinton E.
Clinton E. Sharp attended the district schools and from boyhood was trained in the hard work that falls to the lot of farmer boys. For 19 years after marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp lived on their farm in Genoa Township. In 1888 he moved on his present place on which he has made all the excellent improvements. He carries on a general farming line and raises considerable stock. Mr. Sharp is a charter member of the Jas. Price Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has held all the offices. He saw some very hard service in the Civil War. On February 20, 1864, he enlisted for the three years' service, in Company A, Sixtieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel McElroy and served until the close of the war as sergeant, participating in the following battles: The Wilderness, Nye River, Spottsylvania Court House, North Ann Harbor, Bethesda Church, Shady Grove, Cold Harbor, Gaines' Mill, the two days' battle and the siege of Petersburg and the capture of the same. He also was in the battle of Stedman. He was wounded in the battle of Petersburg, June 17, 1864, in the left fore arm and elbow. He was disabled for a while but returned to duty in time to participate in the siege of Petersburg, and was mustered out in July, 1865. His military record shows that he was a brave, efficient soldier and is entitled to the esteem in which he is held as such.
Several years after his return from the army, on October 21, 1868, Mr. Sharp was married to Martha A. Hutches, who was born in Mifflin Township, Franklin County, Ohio, February 24, 1846, and is a daughter of Nathan and Mary A. (Williar) Hutches. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Sharp is a charter member of Jas. Price Woman's Relief Corps, No. 80.
Her father, Nathan Hutches, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, February 3, 1817, where he was married to Mary A. Williar, who was a daughter of John and Rachel Williar, and was born in Frederick County, Maryland, May 7, 1817, and died when 87 years old. She came by stage coach to Ohio in 1837. (Abigail Pretsman, paternal grandmother of Mrs. Sharp, died at the remarkable age of 108 years, and the maternal great-grandmother, Mary Decker, died aged 99.) In 1840 they moved to Franklin County and located in Mifflin Township, moving later to Blendon Township, where he followed the carpenter's trade for some years and then cleared up an 80-acre farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, moving to Genoa Township, where he bought 190 acres. He cleared a part of this land also and was one of the most progressive men of his neighborhood. He was the first one to recognize the value of tiling and he was a pioneer in raising fine stock. He died at Westerville in his eighty-third year. His family consisted of eight daughters and three sons, namely: Priscilla, Amanda. Jasper N., Samantha, Martha A., Nathan S., Medora and David, twins; Mary Luella, Cloa J. and Evelyn, all born in Franklin County. Jasper served in the One Hundred and Thirty-third. O. V. I., and died in service. Mr. Hutches was a Republican and Know-nothing in his political views, and was a Methodist in his religious belief.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908