Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 1018

John H. SHARER a retired farmer and stockman living in Garden Plain township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1854, a son of Samuel and Magdalena (HOY) SHARER. The former was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born February 14, 1829, and came to Whiteside county, Illinois, with his father, Jacob SHARER, in 1866, purchasing the land upon which his son Albert now resides. Subsequently he rented the farm to his son Samuel, but made his home thereon until the time of his death, which occurred April 25, 1892, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years, two months and eleven days.

John H. SHARER was about twelve years of age when he accompanied his father's family on the removal to this county and supplemented the education which he had received in the schools of his native county by attending for a short time the country schools of this locality. As he was the eldest son in a large family of children, it was necessary that he assist in the work of the home farm when still very young, being able to do almost a man's work when but fourteen years of age. He had handled teams since his seventh year, and often, while working on the farm, when his barrow struck a stump his father would have to come to his assistance, either removing the obstruction of lifting the harrow over the stump. Thus he early became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and was well qualified to carry on his farming interests successfully when he started out in life onhis own account.

On attaining his majority he worked by the month as a farm hand until his twenty-fourth year and was then engaged in the cultivation of rented land for fourteen years, on the expiration of which period, in the year 1892, he purchased a tract of one hundred and fifty-three acres, the greater part of which was improved. The buildings on the farm, however, were rather old and somewhat dilapidated and in 1901 he erected one of the handsomest residences in the county, subsequently also building some of the finest barns to be found in this county. He has since erected another dwelling on the farm, in which he resides, for his sons, who now largely relieve him of the active work of the fields, occupy this old homestead. The success which has come to him is but the merited reward of his well-directed labor and unremitting industry, for he started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward to a place among the prosperous and representative citizens of Whiteside county.

On the 18th of September, 1878, Mr. SHARER was united inmarriage to Miss Mary STARBUCK, of West Virginia, a daughter of Benjamin and Anna STARBUCK, both of whom were twice married. The children of this father's first marrieage were: Amanda, who married a Mr. ANDERSON and lived in Indiana; Oliver, deceased; and John, who has also passed away. Mrs. STARBUCK had one child by her first marriage, Martin H. HUBBARD, who is now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. STARBUCK were born six children who lived to maturity: Martha, deceased; Adaline, the deceased wife of Addison SHAVER; of West Virginia; Benjamin B., who has also passed away; George, of West Virginia; David, likewise of that state; and Mrs. SHARER. The last named was but seven months old when her mother died and she was reared by Mr. an Mrs. William HUFFMAN, who settled in Newton township, Whiteside county, in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. SHARER are the parents of seven children, namely: Edgar, who on the 8th of January, 1900, wedded Mary A. CURRY; Charles W., who married Lorena HAWK; Lester, who married Miss Ida S. BLUBAKER; George H.; Benjamin S.,; Ada May; and Willard L.

In his political views Mr. SHARER is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Albany, with which his wife is also identified. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. Having resided within its borders for forty-two years, he is widely and favorably knowm th circle of his friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.