Newspaper: Seaborn Jones Sharpless, Pike, Alabama. submitted by John E. Sharpless ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Copyright Nov. 2002 by John E. Sharpless The Troy Messenger, Thursday, September 12, 1889. Some Old People - Short Sketches That will be of Interest to the Public. Men and Women Whom we Know. Pioneers who came to Pike in the Early Days, and have Seen the Changes of Many Years. SEABORN JONES SHARPLESS, son of the late Thomas W. Sharpless, came to this county when a young boy. His father was one of the pioneers of Alabama, having settled near old Sparta, Conecuh County, at a very early date where the subject of this sketch was born February 14, 1821. In 1825 the elder Sharpless came to Pike County and settled on the Three Notch Road, near Gainor's Store when there were but 5 settlements between him and Monticello, then the county seat. Here young Sharpless grew to manhood, having such meager advantages of schooling as the county afforded. He says that he often, when a boy, traveled the road alone from his father's to Monticello when houses were miles apart and the country abounded in wild beasts. In 1846, Mr. Sharpless removed to near Tallahassee, Florida, where he was married November 5, 1850 to Miss Sarah Amanda Wolfe, by Rev. Mr. Mashoe. He remained in the Land of Flowers until January, 1858, when he returned to Pike and settled about a quarter mile from the site of his father's old homestead, where he and his wife have raised a family of five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living, doing honor to the old father and mother. Before the war, he was made a Mason in Harrison Lodge, but since then he joined the Primitive Baptist Church and in conformity of their articles of faith, he does not now affiliate with the order. In September, 1862, he joined the 57th Alabama Regiment, but subsequently, at his own request, was transferred and assigned to the Huntsville, Captain McGary, in Mobile harbor. Shortly after going aboard he was made master at arms of the vessel and in that positiion he served to the close of the war. In 1868 he joined the church at Hopewell, and since then has been a consistent member, conforming to all of the requirements enjoined upon him, performing of his duties as becometh a christian man. As a citizen he stands in the front rank of Pike county's many good citizens and in the relation of friend and neighbor none have a better reputation. Although sixty-nine years have passed over his head he does not appear to be more than forty-five, and he looks as though his life was not more than half spent.