Biography - John Sharrock
JOHN SHARROCK. The life of Mr. Sharrock has been a busy one and his
personal efforts for advancement were begun at an early age. His experience
has been a somewhat checkered one, as continued success falls to the lot of
very few, but he has on the whole been successful, and is now the owner of a
good property in Shelby County. Some years since he retired from the more
arduous duties of life, and is now living in quiet and comfort in the
village of Tower Hill. He has the confidence of the community as a man of
sterling integrity, and all his acquaintances recognize the public spirit
which he considers the duty of every loyal citizen.
Everard Sharrock, father of our subject, was born in New York City, and
married Amy Stevens, a native of Maryland. At a very early day he emigrated
from Richland County, Ohio, to what inow Christian County, Ill., and after a
sojourn in this State of fifteen years, removed to Dallas County, Texas.
There the faithful wife and devoted mother died in 1848. After that sad
event the father went to Oregon, where he died in 1859. They had a family of
thirteen children, our subject being the third. His birthplace was Marion
County, Ohio, and his natal day December 12, 1819. His early youth was
passed in the Buckeye State, whence he accompanied his parents to Illinois
in 1832.
Our subject grew to manhood upon his father's farm in Christian County, and
prior to his marriage he entered eighty acres of Government land in
Christian County. On March 30, 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss
Catherine, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Handson) May, natives
respectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana. The May family emigrated from
Kentucky to Shelby County, Ill., about 1831, and the following year Mrs. May
passed from earth. Mr. May survived until 1849. Mrs. Sharrock was among the
younger members of the family, which comprised ten children. She was born in
Floyd County, Ky., February 10, 1822, and was at an early age deprived of a
mother's care. She grew to a noble womanhood, fitted to aid her husband in
all his labors.
Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock settled in Christian
County upon the farm which he had pre-empted. After sojourning there three
years they removed to Shelby County, locating in Tower Hill Township, of
which they have since been residents. Upon his arrival here Mr. Sharrock
entered upon active labor upon a farm, which he made his home until 1865. At
that time he retired from farming pursuits, and going to the village of
Tower Hill, engaged in mercantile business until 1884. Having by his
unceasing labor and good management acquired a comfortable competency for
his declining years, he sold out his interests and now in the declining
years of his life is resting from the arduous toil of his younger years.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock are the parents of eleven children, namely: Amos J.,
Francis M., John E., Julia A., Marquis L., Amanda, Leniotia, James H.,
Lovina, Abraham L., and Charlie. Of these the following are deceased: John
E., Julia A., Leniotia, James H., and Charlie. Mr. Sharrock has held the
office of Highway Commissioner for sixteen years, and also served as School
Director and Trustee. At one time he received the nomination of County Clerk
on the Greenback ticket, but declined to run. Politically he is an active
Republican and formerly took an active part in political affairs. He and his
estimable wife are active members of the Free Methodist Church, where he has
filled the offices of Steward and Class-Leader. They have been identified
with the church and church work for nearly fifty years and he has served as
Sunday-school Superintendent.
While operating as a farmer Mr. Sharrock engaged very largely in
stock-raising. He now owns eighty acres besides village property. In 1849 he
crossed the plains to California, driving an ox-team the entire distance —
over three thousand miles from his home in Tower Hill Township. He was
absent fifteen months and returned via the Isthmus. During the Civil War he
served eleven months with efficiency in Company H, Ninth Illinois Infantry,
and took part in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, evacuation
of Corinth and Iuka. He was discharged for disability. His sons, Amos and
Francis, served three and two years respectively in Company G One Hundred
and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry.
Extracted 17 Jun 2019 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 647-648.
