css3menu.com

html menu by Css3Menu.com


WHO WAS - William Sharp Was Pioneer of Chapmanville Community
in Plum Township
Venango County, Pennsylvania
By H. W. Strawbridge - July 16, 1957

William Sharp was born March 31, 1845, in Scott Township, Lawrence County, Pa. Hewas a son of Nicholson and Sarah Munnel Sharp.

In the spring of 1854, when William was 9 years old, his father’s family was in the processof moving to Plum township when William’s mother died of German measles. Theyoungest child was a 6-month -old daughter. For a while William was assigned to lookafter his little sister while his father moved stock and goods.

Their new home was situated just south of Chapmanville. At present there are nobuildings on that first Sharp homestead in Plum.

When the Civil War occurred, William’s two older brothers, James and Joseph Sharp,entered the service. James died in a Confederate prison on Christmas Day, 1863, andJoseph served until the end of the war.

Enlists at 19William decided to enlist when he was 19 years old. He enlisted Sept. 16, 1864, atHornellsville, N.Y., as a private in Company A of the 179th Regiment of New YorkInfantry. He was mustered into the service the next day at Elmira.

Military records state that he had dark complexion, gray eyes, brown hair, and a height of5 feet, 8 inches. However, some descendants today claim that William was taller thanthat.

The only thing known about his military service is that he participated in the closing daysof the Wilderness campaigns. William was close-mouthed about the war, as well as hisbusiness in general. He was discharged at a camp near Alexandria, Va., on June 8, 1865.

Following his arrival back home, his father put him in charge of 80 acres which was aportion of the larger Sharp farm. William’s portion was entirely situated east of theChapmanville-Sunville road, and it is the farm that was recently owned by the late JamesA. Sharp.

80 Acres of Woodland
Nearly all these 80 acres were woodland except a couple of fields located in the easternside of the farm. William selected the highest spot along the flat stretch of road, cleared it,then built a plank-framed house and barn.

In 1876 William executed an oil lease with the Brawley brothers of Petrolia on his 80acres, but descendants don’t believe any drilling was done at that time.

On May 18, 1867, William was married to Miss Esther Ann Armagost of Chapmanville. The wedding was performed at Chapmanville by Rev. Cyrus Shreve, a former pastor ofthe Plum and Troy Baptist Church. Esther was born in Clarion County on Aug. 24, 1851,one of several children of Rev. Isaac C. and Elizabeth Stalhman Armagost. TheArmagosts who were of Dutch descent, moved to Plum Township when Esther was a girl.

William and Esther spent their first 25 years on their farm south of Chapmanville, exceptfor a period of nearly one year, 1873 to 74, when they resided at Garland, Warren County. No one now knows what line of work William did while at Garland.

12 Children in Family
They had a total of 12 children. Their names and dates of birth were as follows: ScottSharp, April 2, 1868; Catherine Elizabeth Sharp, Jan. 29, 1870; Maggie Elwildaa Sharp,July 18, 1872; Clinton William Sharp, May 17, 1874; Ethel Lenora and Elda Luella Sharp(twins), Aug. 7, 1876; Judson Milo Sharp, Sept. 14, 1878; Alice Estella Sharp, Oct. 17,1880; James Arthur Sharp, Aug. 17, 1886; Don Nickelson Sharp, Jan 30, 1890; HarryIsaac Sharp, March 24, 1892 and Hazel Marie Sharp, May 19, 1894.

Scott died March 21, 1871, lacking 12 days of reaching his third birthday. William hadbeen clearing some land on the east portion of his farm. A storm came up and he hurriedto the house for shelter. After he arrived at the house he asked Esther where was Scott. She didn’t know. Unknown to either William or Esther, the little fellow had left the houseand waddled back to the area where his father was working. He got caught in the storm,developed a very bad cold and soon died. He is buried at Chapmanville.

Elizabeth or (Lizzie) was married to William W. Armstrong of Chapmanville on May 19,1886. They resided in the Chapmanville area, and he either worked in the lumber woodsor as a driller and tool dresser in the oil fields. He was also an excellent stone mason. Hedied June 18, 1938, and Lizzie died Dec 2, 1956. They are buried at Chapmanville. Thehad 12 children, 10 of whom reached maturity. All included Mrs. Minnie Battin, W. FrankArmstrong, Charles Armstrong, Leo I. Armstrong, deceased, Ben O. Armstrong, adeceased infant son, Mrs. Edith Hancox and Mrs. Pearl Wilson.

Maggie was married to Otis G. Proper of Diamond on Dec. 20, 1893, at Franklin. Withthe exception of one year at Gresham, 1905 to 1906, they lived their married life atDiamond where he engaged in farming. Otis died on March 17, 1928, and Maggie diedApril 3, 1937. They are buried at Chapmanville. They had two children, Sharp W.Proper, and Mrs. Thelma Weaver.

Dies at 17
Clinton died April 3, 1892, at the age of 17 of black measles. He had completed his gradeschooling and was attending a select school at Cooperstown. On a Saturday he decided totake the team and wagon to bring some wood to the house. When he crossed the run thepin holding the doubletrees came out and fell into the run. Clinton reached into the coldwater to retrieve it. As he already had a cold, this agitated his condition, and the measlesrefused to break out on him which caused his death. There was a severe epidemic ofmeasles in Chapmanville at that time which claimed a few lives. Clint had saved $100, andhis great ambition was to go to California. He is buried in the family lot in theChapmanville Cemetery. Ethel was married on Nov. 25, 1896, to William C. Boyle. Thehad resided at Spartansburg, Toledo, O., Alabama, Titusville, and near Centerville. Hewas employed for years as a boiler-maker in the Titusville boiler shop, and last operated aservice station in the city’s west end. Ethel died Jan. 10, 1923, and he died April 16,1942. They are buried at Centerville. Their children are Floyd C. Boyle, deceased, CarlL. Boyle, Mrs. Elda Bangs, Raymond J. Boyle and Laurence Boyle.

Elda was married to J. William Wood on Feb 8, 1898. They lived for years in theTownville area, then moved to a farm near Hydetown. He and his brother Clinton Woodoperated a saw mill for many years. He died March 16, 1935, and Elda died on April 18,1951. They are buried in the Greenwood Cemetery between Titusville and Hydetown. Their children include Miss Esther Wood, Theodore Wood, Deceased, Mrs. IsabelRobertson, Rudolph Wood, Willard Wood, Conrad Wood and Miss Lucille Wood.

Killed in Accident
Judson, or (Judd,) was married to Miss Mabel Baldensperker of Clarendon in 1913, Hewas a veteran of the Spanish-American War, following which he went west where hesuccessfully engaged in prospecting and mining. He moved to Warren County in 1909where he was an oil producer. He was killed on Oct. 20, 1930, when his left arm gotcaught in the engine of the powerhouse on his lease. His widow died on June 12, 1962. They are buried at Warren. They had one son, Neil Sharp.

Estella was married on March 23, 1902, to J. Axtell Jacobson. They mainly lived inTitusville where he worked for years at the Howard and Beaver wholesale house.Following this, they bought a lease in Cherrytree Township and moved there. Estella wasinstantly killed on Dec. 2, 1934, when their automobile was struck by a train crossing. Axtell died in Okla- (transcriber not sure of this word) at the South Franklin Street homeon Jan. 26, 1950. They are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. They had two children, Mrs.Alice E. Emminger, and Kenneth Jacobson.
James was married on Dec. 12, 1907, at Clymer, N.Y., to Miss Mae McFadden. Theyspent their married life south of Chapmanville on the Sharp family farm where he engagedin farming. He was a Plum township supervisor for 22 years, and was president of theVenango County Association of Township Supervisors for 14 years. He died on Feb. 25,1964, and is buried at Chapmanville. Mrs. Sharp lives at Spartansburg. They had twochildren, Mrs. Helen Gould, and little William Sharp, deceased.

Other Children
Nick was married on Feb. 15, 1910, at the Kepler Hotel in Meadville to Miss FlorenceTeed of Black Ash. They have spent their married life in Titusville where he worked formany years in the Forge Works. They are retired and live on East Walnut Street. theyhave three children, Mrs. Delores Funk, Loyal Sharp and Don Sharp.

Harry was married on May 9, 1916, at Chapmanville to Miss Wilda Rice of nearChapmanville. They first lived at Akron, Ohio, where he worked for the Goodyear TireCompany, then moved to Diamond where he farmed and served as Route 1 mail carrier. He was prominent in the IOOF organization, both locally and statewide. He died on Oct7, 1945, and Mrs. Sharp died Dec 24, 1955. They are buried in the Diamond Cemetery. Their children are Roderick (Dick) Sharp, Mrs. Margie Hummer, Carl W. Sharp,deceased, Harry I. (Bud) Sharp and Mrs. Irma A. Hasbrouck.

Hazel was married on June 28, 1916, to Charles A. Woods of New Castle. She has livedin the New Castle area these several years. She has two daughters, who are Mrs. BettyLeicht and Mrs. Joan Cox.

Move to Smaller Farm
In 1892 William and Esther Sharp moved from their farm to a smaller place inChapmanville, 29 acres, which he bought from the heirs of Mary Pierce for $1,000. It isthe present home of Freeman L. Proper Jr. The main reason they moved was that itbecame almost unbearable for Mrs. Sharp to go by the cemetery and see Clint’s grave.

In 1905 William bought an additional 30 acres from John W. Arters for $900. This madealtogether a decent-sized farm in that day. While he continued to hold title to his originalfarm for a while, he soon sold it to his son, James A. Sharp.

William kept both sheep and cattle. He ran his cows back and forth each day to milk themat the original farm. For a few years his oldest daughter, Lizzie, and her family lived onthe farm. If William would decide to stay for dinner, he would bring some eggs and askLizzie to make a custard pie.

In the fall of the year when he walked from the farm back to his Chapmanville residence hewould have his pockets filled with hickory nuts. There seemed to be oceans of hickorynuts on the farm. Then they spent Sunday afternoons cracking the nuts and eating them.

Plenty of RabbitsvWhile William was able, he enjoyed hunting rabbits with his sons. They often came backloaded down with rabbits. A grandson, Ben Armstrong, was then a boy and he used to goalong. He remembers they came back one time with about 45 rabbits. They gave to Benall the rabbits he could carry.

Ben also has the old octagon-barreled single shot .32 rifle that his grandfather Sharp used. He used scatter loads in it for hunting rabbits. The old gun has no name stamped on itwhatever, and undoubtedly it is well over 100 years old.

William at one time weighted 225 or 230 pounds. He weighted 185 pounds at last. Hewas bald in his later years. Descendants said he often wore a blue army coat.

His son-in-law, the late O.G. Proper, said that at the time of his marriage to MaggieSharp, William could make a standing jump from one end of a 12-foot plank to the otherend. He was at that time quite nimble and active for a heavy man.

However, he soon took ill with a case of rheumatic fever, which left him with a sore on hisleg that had a discharge from it the rest of his life. His wife dressed it with clean bandagesa couple of times every day.

William’s by-word was (By Dod). He chewed (Honest Scrap) tobacco. His grandson,Ben Armstrong, recalled going with his grandfather one day on the street car fromTitusville to Spartansburg to visit the Boyle family.

Home Enlarged
Around 1900 William had an addition built to his home. He tore off a one-story part, thenengaged Amos Irons to turn the original house around a quarter turn, which is the presenteast half which was said to be the oldest house in Chapmanville by the late Albert J.Morse. He then hired Curry Small to carpenter the west half, making a substantial-sizedhouse.

In 1905 William sold 10 acres of the Arters purchase to Dan Jennings, and the followingyear he sold 40 square rods to Etta V. Brush.

He held a few township offices. In 1896 he was elected an inspector of elections. Immediately after the turn of the century he was elected township treasurer for a fewyears. In 1908 he was elected as judge of election. He was appointed one of the townshippathmasters for awhile.

Mrs. Sharp had joined the Plum and Troy Baptist Church on March 13, 1862, andremained an active member of it. He attended church also, as long as he was able to getaround. Both used to sing in the choirs of both the Baptist and Methodist churches. Estersang alto and William sang bass.

In 1897 the Baptist Church burned down. That fall the present Baptist Church wasconstructed by an expert carpenter of the community, the late J.W. Beers.

When William learned of the building plans of the new church he claimed that two thingscould not be done. One was the octagon-shaped tower over the bell which narrowed to apoint at its very top, and the other was the rounded ceiling of the alcove behind the pulpit. However, the carpenter indeed proved to him that both could be done. The original belfrytop was removed a few years ago, and a rather flat top now is over the bell.

William was a member for many years of the Chase Post, GAR, of Titusville. He attendedmany of their summer meetings held at Mystic Park. In August, 1911, he went toRochester, N.Y., to attend the 45th national encampment of that organization.

He also belonged to a Farmers’ Alliance organization.

Mrs. Sharp was a fine dress-maker, and she did considerable sewing and crocheting. Shewas a good cook, and had entirely fulfilled her duties as a good housewife.

On May 18, 1907, the couple observed their 40th wedding anniversary with 160 relativesand friends calling.

On Jan. 1. 1917, they sold their Chapmanville property to J. N. Holder for $1,800, andmoved to 414 W. Spruce St., Titusville, here they lived in retirement.

Dies in Titusville Store
He died suddenly of heart trouble in Wilbur Battin’s Grocery on E. Spruce Street about 1P.M. on March 23, 1921. He walked into the grocery and asked if he could sit down. Heexpired a few minutes after being seated. a physician was summoned, but William wasdead before his arrival.

A prayer service was held in his home at 1 o’clock, March 25, at which a large number ofrelatives and Titusville friends attended, followed by the funeral in the ChapmanvilleBaptist Church where there was a large attendance of old-time friends. Rev. Frederick H.Baker, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Titusville, officiated. The G.A.R. conducteda ritualistic service at the grave in the Chapmanville Cemetery.

Mrs. Sharp eventually moved to the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs.O.G. Proper, in diamond. On the afternoon of August 20, 1926, she, Mr. and Mrs. Properand daughter, Thelma, took the automobile and started down the dirt road south of thepresent H.D. Shriver residence to pick blackberries. When they arrived at the curve by theRobert Kightlinger house, the auto veered into the ditch and overturned.

All were shaken up. But Mrs. Sharp was seriously hurt. She gradually worsened and diedin the Proper home the early morning of September 15, 1926, at the age of 75.

Transcribed by Dr. Harry Sharp
NY & FL
patroon@ibm.net

Disclaimer:there may be errors due to transcription ofinformation from both early and late (current contributors) work.