Columbia County PA Archives Biographies.....SHARPLESS, Joseph 1808 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 31, 2005, 9:35 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Co. JOSEPH SHARPLESS, an honored and highly respected citizen of the town of Bloomsburg, was for many years proprietor of a foundry on Center street and a leading business man, being one of the substantial citizens who made the town what it is to-day. Shrewd and energetic in his business affairs, he accumulated a handsome competency which enabled him to retire in 1879 and spend the declining years of his life in the peace and quiet of private life. He is a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Bonsall) Sharpless, and was born at Catawissa, Columbia County, December 6, 1808. Our subject is descended from John Sharpless, a native of England, who came to America at about the same time as William Penn, and located in Chester County, Pa. There the family lived for many years, Benjamin Sharpless, the father of our subject, being the first to settle in this district. He was born August 7, 1764, and after reaching man's estate he learned the trade of miller. In 1795 he crossed the mountains and located in Sunbury, Northumberland County, where he operated a mill for two years in partnership with Robert Coburn, but later was associated with Enos Sharpless. He also was employed as a teacher in the schools for some time. In 1805 he disposed of his business and moved to Catawissa where he purchased a farm adjoining the village, which is now laid out in town lots, and carried on agricultural pursuits. Four years later he purchased a gristmill and conducted it with much success until 1812 when he built a paper mill in company with John Clark on the site of the present paper mill and manufactured paper by hand, making it of rags as pulp paper was at that time unknown. He lived a long and useful life and passed to his final rest May 28, 1857. He owned a fine home in Catawissa which was erected by him in 1835. In Philadelphia in 1782 he was united in marriage to Hannah Bonsall, a daughter of Edward Bonsall, and the following children blessed their union: Mary Ann, who married a Dr. Wadsworth; Eliza, who died at the advanced age of ninety-four years; Edward; William; Joseph, the subject of this biographical sketch; Bonsall, who died in infancy; John; Harriet, the wife of George Reifsnyder; Sarah, the wife of Louis Yetter; and Kersey J. Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless were faithful members of the Society of Friends and liberally contributed to its support. Joseph Sharpless, our subject, assisted his father in the paper factory until he attained his majority, when, in 1841, he went to Roaring Creek and engaged in the general merchandise business for five years. His next business venture was at Berwick, Columbia County, where he conducted a foundry for two and one-half years. He then became interested in the manufacture of charcoal and pig iron at Foundryville, at which he continued until 1849. He then moved to Bloomsburg and purchased the Morse foundry on Center street, where Mr. Rollin's house now stands, and there operated the Sharpless Foundry for thirty years. He was extensively engaged in the manufacture of stoves, coal-breakers, and other articles in that line and by the use of good judgment in his management met with almost unbounded success. His rise to a place of prominence in the affairs of the town was due entirely to his own efforts, as he began life without capital and step by step worked his way to the front rank The career of this worthy gentleman is an excellent example of thrift and industry and the results thereof, and is well worthy of imitation by the coming generation. Since retiring from his foundry business in 1879 he has not been actively identified with any business although he is indirectly interested in several enterprises. Characteristic of the family, he has reached an advanced age and appears to be many years younger than the record shows. He is still active and light upon his feet, making from one to three trips to the postoffice every day regardless of the inclemency of the weather. His is a well known figure upon the streets of Bloomsburg and heartily enjoys paying his friends a visit at their places of business. He is a man who holds the esteem and respect of all for his many noble traits of character. He resides in a fine home on Main street which he erected in 1854, and also owns considerable real estate in the borough, having erected many handsome residences. On February 4, 1836, Mr. Sharpless ,was joined in a marital union to Mary Ellen Foster, who was born July 7,1817, and is a daughter of John F. and Eleanor (Hallingshead) Foster. She has been a faithful and loving wife and mother, and a true help-meet to her husband in every sense of the word, adding materially to his success in business. She is enjoying the best of health and lives in the midst of a large circle of old friends by whom she is dearly loved for her true womanly character. This happy union has resulted in the birth of nine children, namely: Harriet R., born February 23, 1837, resides at home, adding to the comfort of her aged parents in their declining years. Lloyd T., a grocer by occupation, was born March 18, 1839, and married Mattie Wagonseller. Benjamin F., born May 22, 1841, was twenty years of age when he enlisted in Company A, 6th Reg. Pa. Reserves, in the Civil War, and continued in the service until mustered out in June, 1864. He then learned the trade of a moulder and in 1868 became a partner in the firm, Sharpless & Harman, proprietors of the Eagle Iron Works, and later succeeded to the ownership of his father's establishment at Bloomsburg, which he operated with good results until 1893, when he remodeled the building, which is located on the corner of Center and Sixth streets, and fitted it up for stores and dwellings. He now occupies a portion of it with a well stocked shoe store which is proving a very remunerative business. He was united in matrimonial bonds to Sophia Hartman, a daughter of Charles Hartman, by whom he has had six children, namely: Joseph L., a clerk, Charles H., a grocer, Ray F., Arthur, and two who died in infancy. He is also president of the Bloomsburg Land and Improvement Company and is one of the good substantial citizens of the town. Loretta A., born January 4, 1843, is the wife of Jefferson Vanderslice; Clara, born November 12, 1844, died April 4, 1849. Elizabeth, born September 7, 1846, married Wesley Eyer. Araminta E., born November 24, 1848, married Jasper Wilson. Mary Ellen, born October 16, 1852, died September 9, 1853, Harry F., born October 4, 1863, is an extensive real estate dealer of Pueblo, Col. Politically Mr. Sharpless is an unswerving Republican and has frequently served as councilman and school director. He and his beloved wife are liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they have been attendants for many years. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 7.4 Kb