John W. Sharai

As printed in 1906

JOHN W. SHARAI is numbered among the oldest settlers of Berrien county, where he owns a farm of thirty-five acres, situated on section 22, Sodus township, and he also owns forty-two acres of the old homestead property. He was born in St. Joseph, Berrien county, this state, December 9, 1845 a son of Tanos and Louisa (Wheeler) Sharai, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of his brother, Edwin Sharai.

John W. Sharai, whose name introduces this record, was the eldest of five children.

horn of his father's family, and was very young when he was brought to this township by his parents, the family having previously lived in Pipestone township, this county. Here he was reared under the parental roof, assisting his father in the duties of the farm, being assigned such duties as his age and strength permitted of, and when not occupied at farm work he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home, there acquiring the education which fitted him to later carry on his business affairs, when he started out in life on his own account. He continued as a member of his father's household until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account, choosing as his vocation the work to which he had been reared. He purchased thirty-eight acres of land on section 22, Sodus township, and he is also operating an additional forty-two acres, which was a part of the old homestead and which was inherited by him from his father's estate. Here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and each year he harvests good crops as the result of the care and labor which he bestow upon the fields. He is practical and progressive in carrying* on his work, using the best machinery to facilitate his labors, and he is accounted one of the enterprising citizens of his community, where he has taken a deep and helpful interest in all that pertains to general progress along agricultural lines.

Mr. Sharai has been twice married, his first union being in 1869, when he wedded Rebecca Seeley, who died leaving two children: Willie and Lula, the wife of Nels Wikoff. For his second wife Mr. Sharai those Miss Josephine Thebo, and unto them have been born five children, as follows: Johnie, who wedded Nellie Eckright; Laura, the wife of Amos Thomas; Clarence, who married Etta Taylor; and Lenora and Letha, both of whom are with their parents.

Our subject is a Democrat in his political views, giving active and helpful support to the principles of his party, while in his fraternal relations he holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grange. Mr. Sharai has spent his entire life in Berrien county, which covers a period of fifty-one years and therefore is widely known. He has always been an industrious and hardworking man, accomplishing whatever he has undertaken, for he has allowed no obstacles to deter him in his pursuits, and today his farm is an indication that his has been a successful career.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.