Oscar K. Sharrock

As printed in 1912

OSCAR K. SHARROCK, a contractor and prosperous citizen of Bucyrus, O., was born in a log hut near Iberia, Morrow county, O., September 6, 1849. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Woodside) Sharrock, and he is a great grandson of James Sharrock, who came to this country as a captain in the English army during the early years of the Revolutionary period, probably about 1776 or 1777. While in charge of a party succoring the wounded on a field of action, after the battle, he assisted a wounded American soldier, whom he recognized as an old schoolmate. Their acquaintance was renewed, they talked about the war and the causes of difference between the colonies and the mother country and Captain Sharrock finally became convinced that the cause of the colonies was a just one. He accordingly took an early opportunity of terminating his relations with the English army and, with some others, joined the Americans, serving under Washington and Lafayette against his former comrades. The principal scene of his military activities, while in the American army, was in New York State and he was engaged chiefly in patrolling the debatable ground between the advanced posts of the two armies, which was overrun and ravaged at frequent intervals by marauders of semi-military character from both sides. While engaged in these duties, he met and married Constance Williams, who was a sister of David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre. They resided in New York State but later, after the war, settled in New York City, where Capt. Sharrock acquired a quarter section of land in the heart of the city, in the vicinity of Wall Street. Here they both died when well advanced in years. They had a large family consisting of eleven sons and one daughter. Ten of the sons were sea captains, the exception being Benjamin, grandfather of the direct subject of this sketch, who was the second in order of birth.

Benjamin Sharrock, above referred to, was born probably before the close of the Revolutionary War in a log cabin in New York State. He contributed to the military record of the family, serving under Jackson at New Orleans in the War of 1812-15. At its close he returned home to New York State, but soon after, and before his marriage, removed to Ohio, settling in Guernsey county. Here he married a Quakeress by the name of Cotwell, of Quaker City in that county. This act seems to have been displeasing to his parents, as we are told that he was disinherited because of it. His father James had previously forfeited valuable property in England on account of his desertion of the Royal cause, which fact does not seem to have made him act generously towards Jhis son. However, the latter exercised his right to select his own wife, perhaps reflecting philosophically that "true love never does run smooth." Benjamin was a farmer by regular occupation and also a preacher, being known as Rev. Benjamin Sharrock. In 182 1 he came with certain others to Crawford county, where he had a very large tract of land, a part of it being secured from the Government and State for services as a surveyor, he having laid out some of the earliest roads in northern Ohio. His last years were spent quietly near Iberia, Morrow county, where he wa? a prominent citizen, being also widely known throughout this section. He had made a careful study of Indian life and nature, and was respected by the Indians, whom he had always treated justly. He died November 16, 1879, at the remarkable age of 104 years and was buried at Iberia, in Morrow county. Shortly before his death he walked from near Iberia to four miles west of Bucyrus. The stone that marks his grave is a mill stone that he cut in 1820 for the mill he owned at Rockford, this county, and which was a famous old time grist-mill. Benjamin Sharrock was a remarkable man in more than one respect. He never used intoxicating liquors, though their use was almost universal during his earlier years, and though he attained so great an age, he never used classes to aid his sight; moreover at the time of his death he still retained all his teeth, these last two facts, together with his age, indication a wonderful vitality. His wife, who had passed away some years before him, was the daughter of a pioneer settler of this part of Ohio, who also was familiar with Indian life and customs and who was a well known citizen.

Rev. Benjamin Sharrock and wife were the parents of quite a large family, of whom Joseph, father of our subject, was the second born. The latter first 'saw the light in Guernsey county, O., November 4, 1814. When two years old he accompanied his parents to the vicinity of Sandusky, where they remained for a while. He was married in Morrow county to Mary Woodside, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1818. This marriage took place several years before the Sharrocks located in Crawford county. Joseph and his wife became the owners of a fine farm in Bucyrus township, consisting of nearly 300 acres of good land. Here they spent the rest of their lives, Joseph dying in 1893 and his wife in 1883. They were regular attendants at church, though not members and were quick to support any good work. Joseph Sharrock was a man of musical talent and for a number of years took a leading part in musical entertainments throughout the county. He was a Democrat in politics.

The children of Joseph and Mary Sharrock were six in number, as follows: (i). Gardner accidentally shot himself April 3, 1874, when 32 years old. (2). Garrett is now a farmer in Crawford county. (3). Charles died two years ago at his home in Bucyrus, O. (4). Oscar is the direct subject of this article and will be further referred to herein. (5). Benjamin is a resident of Golden City, Mo. (6). James is a resident of Morrow county, Ohio.

Oscar K. Sharrock, whose birth has been already narrated, had some difficulty in obtaining an adequate education, as his father was opposed to his spending too much time over his books or at school. Without the latter's knowledge, however, and by dint of earnest application, with the friendly assistance of a Miss McCracken, he acquired a fairly thorough knowledge of the ordinary branches of study, so much so that for a time he followed the occupation of teacher. He continued to improve himself educationally, adding to his stores of knowledge and giving particular attention to language and rhetoric, also devoting much thought to public questions. His ability as a speaker and debater became known, and with it there grew up a demand for his services on the lecture platform. In this sphere of intellectual activity he has made a name for himself throughout this section, having lectured on subjects of historic interest, two of his most noted lectures being on the subjects of Benedict Arnold and the Expansion of the United States, on the latter subject he taking the affirmative proposition that "It was right for America to expand." On the platform Mr. Sharrock has an agreeable and sympathetic voice of commanding volume, and an easy delivery that never tires his auditors but holds their attention to the end. As a contractor in the line of his regular business he has been successful and is a thoroughly skilled mechanic and a reliable man of business.

He was married in Liberty township to Miss Cynthia A. McMichael, a daughter of David and Margaret (Anderson) Mc- Michael and a grand-daughter of Daniel and Mary (McDowell) McMichael. Grandfather McMichael was born in Ireland and came to America about 1794, when 16 years of age. His family locating in Westmoreland county, Pa., he there married, his wife, Mary being a native of Scotland. Soon after their marriage they moved to Ohio and settled north of the Sandusky near where Bucyrus is now located. He entered 160 acres of land at a point up the river and built a saw and grist mill — one of the first in the county. Of his eight children, David married Margaret Anderson, daughter of John Anderson, a pioneer in that locality. On his father-in-law's death David McMichael moved to the latter's farm, where he subsequently resided, dying Nov. 3, 1857 and leaving a widow and seven children — Rebecca Daniel L., John A., George W., Maria, Cynthia and David — of whom, George W. and Maria removed to Nebraska. Daniel McMichael, Mrs. Sharrock's grandfather, built the first white man's cabin in Liberty township and was the third settler in the county. Mrs. Sharrock was well educated and was for a number of years a teacher in the public schools.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock are as follows: (i). Walter Scott, was educated in Crawford county and is a steam engineer by occupation. He resides at home with his parents. (2). J. Wayland, who is a clerk in a hardware store in Bucyrus, married Bessie Souder and has a son. Jack B. (3), Maude Estella, was educated at Ohio Northern University and was employed for some years as a teacher. She is now in Cuba and also travels Southern territory as representative of the Crescent Mfg. Co. of Seattle, Wash. She is unmarried. (4). Mirian Thorne, a cultivated young woman, educated at Ohio Northern University, is residing at home. (5). Ross C, graduated from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., in the class of 1909 and is a civil engineer and assistant surveyor residing in Bucyrus. He married Lurlie Snavely and has a son, Harold C. (6). Mabel B. is the wife of Harry Ehrick, of Bucyrus and has a daughter, Thelma Norine. (7). Raloh Beaumont, who resides at home, is attending high school and will graduate in the class of 1913. It will thus he seen that Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock have a promising family who are contributing to the good citizenship of the state and upholding the family reputation, of which fact they may well be proud.

As printed in History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.