Chaffee County CO Archives Biographies.....Sharpe, Charles M.  February 23, 1845 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net February 28, 2006, 2:53 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     In the death of this highly respected citizen of Chaffee county, after an
illness of short duration, central Colorado lost one of its best friends and the
mining industry of the state one of its most capable and active promoters.  From
the spot where his remains were buried can be seen the three great mountain
peaks, Harvard, Yale and Princeton, whose bases he pierced in order that their
hidden wealth might come forth to bless and brighten mankind, and there are in
the portion of the state wherein they stand a number of other mining properties
which he helped to develop with equally beneficent results.  Mr. Sharpe was born
on Beach Hill at Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, on February 23, 1845, and was
thrown on his own resources at the age of twelve.  At that age he made his way
to Chicago and went to work in the wholesale hardware establishment of Miller
Brothers, in which he remained eight years, working himself up from one position
to another, until when he reached his legal majority he was deemed worthy and
capable of being sent out as a traveling salesman for the house, in which
capacity he served it another term of eight years.  Later he started a shears
factory for himself at Belleville, Illinois, which he conducted for a number of
years.  In 1879 he sold this enterprise and the next year became a resident of
Colorado, locating at Buena Vista, where he opened the first assay office in the
town, having previously studied chemistry and assaying.  Soon after his arrival
he located “The Dandy,” a mineral claim which now forms a part of the property
of the Latchaw Mining, Tunnel & Milling Company, on Mt. Princeton. In the fall
of 1880 Mr. Sharpe discovered here a rich vein of ore that seemed to run
downwards, and he took up the claim and organized several companies to work the
property.  In 1900 the Latchaw Mining Tunnel & Milling Company was organized,
with him as superintendent, and it took in all the seventy Mt. Princeton claims.
 The work of tunneling the mountain was at once begun, and in the
superintendency of this work Mr. Sharpe was occupied until his death. In this
position, his eldest son, Charles I.N. Sharpe, has succeeded him.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905


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