Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of
Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-William Sharpe
Portrait and
Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman
Brothers, Chicago, 1890
WILLIAM SHARPE, President of the
Farmers and Merchants' Bank at Clay
Centre, is likewise owner of the bank
building and a fine residence, the latter being situated
at the intersection of Sixth and Dexter
streets. Mr. Sharpe is of English birth and parentage,
having first opened his eyes to the light at
New Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 30,
1851. As a boy he was ambitious and bright beyond
his years, and at the age of fourteen went
alone to the great city of London and commenced
working at whatever he could find to do to earn
an honest living. He was first an errand boy then
a grocer's clerk, and finally resolved upon coming
to America with his parents, who, upon reaching
the United States, made their way directly to Kansas,
settling in Junction City in March, 1870.
Later, the parents of our subject removed to
Morris County, Kan., and William commenced working
for B. Rockwell, of Junction City, with whom he
remained two years and secured an education by
attending a night-school. Subsequently he became
the employee of Hall and Porter, druggists, with
whom he remained three years. In the meantime
he was married Dec. 4, 1875, to Miss Jessie Gertrude
Oxley, the wedding taking place near Council
Grove, Morris County.
In 1876 Mr. Sharpe with his young wife came to
Clay Centre and set up in the drug business for
himself, being one of the first to establish a regular
store of this kind in the place, and located in a
30-foot store on Lincoln Ave. Six years later he
purchased some real estate on Fifth street, where
he did business from 1883 until 1885. He then
put up a fine brick building on that street opposite
the public square, but later sold out his drug-store
and took part in the active management of the
bank on the 1st of January, 1886, although he had
been its president since May, 1882, and interested
in the concern since 1879.
During the summer of 1886 Mr. Sharpe and his
family sought the Pacific Slope, spending the summer
in California, and since that time they have
traveled over most of the United States. The
present standing of Mr. Sharpe, socially and financially,
is indicative of what a man may accomplish
by perseverance and industry. From a modest beginning
he has by prudence and forethought accumulated
a competence. He has endeavored to
pursue a course of strict integrity in all his transactions.
He has not been an office-seeker, but has
served two terms in the City Council. He is a
member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which he has been Treasurer ten
years and during the erection of the fine church
edifice in 1884. He stands high in Masonic circles,
being the Master of Clay Centre Lodge, No.
134, and High Priest of Chapter Bethany, No. 138.
He is also Eminent Commander of Coronado Commandery,
K. T., No. 20.
Mr. Sharpe established himself in Clay Centre,
with a capital of $175, but his credit was good and
his character irreproachable, and he also possessed
the good-will of Dr. C. W. Lindner, who was of
great assistance to him in building up a lucrative
trade. He preserved his old-time habits of temperance
and spent his evenings as far as possible
at his home with his family, escaping thus the
many temptations which are thrown around young
men. He is a man very fond of his home and his
family, which consists now of only his estimable
wife, their only child, Eula Maude, having died
March 1, 1880, when three years old.
Mrs. Jessie G. (Oxley) Sharpe was born in
Bethel, Fairmount Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1857, and is
the daughter of Robert H. and Rebecca (Ford)
Oxley, with whom she lived in Ohio until 1871,
and then the family removed to Morris County.
Robert Oxley was born in Fairmount County,
Ohio, where he was reared a farmer's boy, and
when reaching man's estate was married to Miss
Ford, a native of the same county. The latter
died March 4, 1889, at the age of fifty-two years.
Mr. Oxley is still living and makes his home in
Missouri.
William Sharpe, the father of our subject, was
likewise a native of Lincolnshire. England, and
married Miss Rebecca Mutton. They reared a
family of twelve children, of whom William was
the eldest born, and all of whom came to the
United States. William Sharpe is still living, having
attained to the age of seventy-one years. His
wife died in 1881, aged fifty-two years.