BIO: WILLIAM CRAIG SHARP, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 289-290
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    WILLIAM CRAIG SHARP, in his life time the well known proprietor of the
  "Franklin Hotel," at Carlisle, was a life long resident of Cumberland county,
  having been born in Hopewell township, that county, where his father, James
  Sharp, was engaged in farming. His mother, Mary Ann McCune, was a daughter of
  John, of Irish descent.
    
    William C. Sharp received his education in such schools as were afforded by
  his native district. One of his first teachers was a Mr. Peoples. His home
  training was chiefly in the line of farm work, and was unlimited in quantity.
  He remained on the home farm actively interested in its cultivation until
  1861, when he located in Newburg, and there engaged in butchering for a year
  or so. His next employment, which continued for a like period, was that of
  stage driving. He then bought and sold stock for several years. For some time
  he had been fascinated with the idea of conducting a hotel, and at this time
  he saw an opportunity to engage in that line. He conducted the "Exchange
  Hotel" at Newburg until Oct. 24, 1876, bringing that familiar hostelry up to
  a first-class basis. At about this time the "Franklin Hotel" had burned down,
  and Mr. Sharp determined to remove to Carlisle, rebuild the hotel, and spend
  his days as "mine host" there. With him it was only necessary for him to make
  up his mind, the ways and means he was always able to settle at once. He went
  to Carlisle, bought the remains of the "Franklin Hotel," and straightway set
  about the rebuilding. The brick part and the brick stable were erected by
  him, and when completed he opened a comfortable hotel to the public. He was
  eminently successful in this work, his naturally social nature making of him
  an ideal hotel: man, and he was soon known all over that section of the
  State, and his hostelry became very popular. It was on Oct. 26, 1876, that he
  took possession of the "Franklin Hotel," and there he continued actively
  employed until his death Jan. 7, 1883.
    
    On Jan. 27, 1859, Mr. Sharp married, in Indiana, near Logansport, Martha
  Agnes Sharp, who was born there in 1840, daughter of James Sterritt and
  Margaret Jane (Quigley) Sharp, the latter a daughter of Joseph and Mary
  (Sharp) Quigley. When James S. Sharp went to Cass county, Ind., he made the
  journey by wagon. The country then was infested with Indians and wild beasts,
  and so far as cultivation was concerned was entirely unbroken. To William C.
  and Martha A. Sharp were born four children, as follows: Margaret Jane, who
  married Robert M. Searight, of Carlisle; Charles, of Carlisle; James, a
  liveryman at Shippensburg, Pa.; and Mary Ellen, wife of John Culbertson, of
  Carlisle. Mr. Sharp was an active worker in the Second Presby-
    
    290  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  terian Church, where his wife attends. His ballot was cast in support of the
  men and measures of the Republican party.
    
    Mrs. Sharp remained at the "Franklin Hotel" until April 1, 1883, when she
  removed to her present home at No. 14 West High street. She has been active
  in good works, and is a sincere Christian woman of cheerful, hopeful
  disposition, well liked by all who know her.