Charles A. Sharrock

As printed in 1902

CHARLES A. SHARROCK.

At the time when the colonists were engaged in a struggle for independence with the mother country, the Sharrock family was founded in America by the great-grandfather of him whose name introduces this review. He was a native of England and came to America as a British soldier, but becoming convinced of the justice of the cause of the colonists he deserted the English army and joined the American troops, whom he assisted until war was ended and the republic was established. He afterward took up his above in New York, where he spent his remaining days. His son, Benjamin Sharrock, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the Empire state and fought for the American cause in the second war with England. He had become one of the pioneer settlers of Guernsey county, Ohio, and from there entered the service for the war of 1812. After the cessation of hostilities he made the third settlement in Morrow county, Ohio, and there he operated a water-power gristmill for a number of years. He continued a resident of that county until called to his final rest. He met death in a tragic way. Robbers effected an entrance into his house and not only took from him six thousand dollars, but also broke his back and he died soon afterward in great agony, when one hundred and four years of age.

Joseph Woodward Sharrock, the father of our subject, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1814. when his father was engaged in the military services of his country in the second war with England. Amid the wild frontier scenes and environments the son was reared and after acquiring a good English education he devoted his attention to farming, which he made his life work. In 185 1 he came to Bucyrus township, Crawford county, where he made his home for more than forty years, his death here occurring on the 26th of October, 1893, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years. He was a successful farmer and business man. ever worthy of trust and confidence. In his habits he was very temperate and though he was not a church member, his life was in conformity to the basic principles of Christianity, for he lived an honorable, upright life, never used profanity and was kind, considerate and just. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Woodside. She passed away eleven years prior to the death of her husband, being called to the home beyond at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of six sons, but had no daughters. Of the family Gardner was accidentally shot when twenty-nine years of age, while the others. Garrett. Charles A.. Oscar K., Benjamin F. and James J., are still living.

On the home farm Charles A. Sharrock was reared, and no event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age and then established a home of his own. He wedded Mary A. Stineman in 1870, a daughter of William and Susan Stineman, of Crawford county, and their union has been blessed with two children: Alvertis D., who married Emma Mullenkopf; and Minnie A., the wife of Tira E. Ditty. Both the son and son-in-law are farmers of Bucyrus township.

After his marriage Mr. Sharrock began farming on the old Stineman homestead, where he remained until 1882, when he came to his present farm. Here he owns two hundred and forty acres of land and altogether he has about four hundred acres in Bucyrus township. Upon his place he has a fine barn, one hundred by forty feet, with thirty-foot posts and a basement. This was built in 1892 and in 1897 he built another good barn. In 1900 he erected his present palatial residence, which is built of brick, contains twelve rooms and is supplied with all modern conveniences and is very tastefully furnished. It is one of the most imposing country homes in the county and stands as a monument to the enterprise and industry of the owner. In politics Mr. Sharrock is a Democrat and in 1900 he served as land appraiser. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Honor. In 1876 he visited the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and in 1893 the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and at other times he has traveled quite extensively over the country, gaining that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. He is a citizen of worth, highly esteemed by all who know him, and in this volume he well deserves representation.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.