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Subject: Johnson-Sharp.Garrard.BIOS


Fidelio C. & Evalina J. Johnson  Sharp unknown - unknown Garrard County KyArchives Biography

Author: County of Christian, Kentucky, Historical and Biographical, William Henry Perrin, F. A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago and Louisville, 1884

FIDELIO C. And EVALINA J. SHARP. In the chapter on the early bar of Hopkinsville, mention is made of Fidelio C. Sharp, whose portrait appears elsewhere in this volume. While we feel that no words from our pen can portray even a faint outline of his active and useful life or add any luster to the already brilliant picture engraved on the memory of friends yet living; still we dream it just that some further mention be herein made, hoping that some may read and emulate his noble example. The only definite information we possess regarding the ancestry of Fidelio C. Sharp is that he was a son of Thomas Sharp, who emigrated from England prior to the Revolutionary war, setting in Virginia. He espoused the cause of the Americans in that war, and gallantry fought for independence, at the noted battle of King's Mountain. In 1787, in company with Cols. Madison and McDowell, he emigrated to Kentucky, settling in the then wilds of Logan County. In Virginia he had married Jean Maxwell, whose parents were stanch adherents of the "Scottish Kirk," and whose separation from the parent land was the result of their desire to enjoy, untrammeled, the faith of their fathers. Fidelio C. Sharp as one of the family of eight children, including three daughters, born to these parents. He as born in Virginia, February 22, 1784, and was consequently but a mere lad when the family removed to Kentucky. Born of such sturdy ancestry, and reared under the influences of pioneer life, he acquired, naturally, a love of liberty, and spirit which breathed forth the inspirations of independence. Of his early education we only know that what he obtained was self-acquired, and while his progress was necessarily slow, he was nevertheless laying a foundation deep and wide, whereon to build, in future years, a character which should serve as a landmark for the generations to follow. The study of law, to him, as natural and easy; he enjoyed the help of no instructor, save his books, which he obtained singly as necessity required, and read, often by the light of the midnight fire. He soon became noted as a land lawyer, a reputation he sustained through life; but it is of his private life we wish more fully to speak. He was gentle and kind to all, yet, with an unflinching tenacity, adhered to what he deemed to be right - faithful and honest in the small as well as in the great affairs of life, and no man could lay the charge at his door, that he betrayed a trust or forfeited his word. We quote from his published obituary "He was a friend of order, of peace, of morality, and piety." "He admired and loved our political institutions, and most earnestly and prayerfully hoped for the perpetuity of the Union." "Col. Sharp became the friend of literature. His conversation was marked by a strong reasoning faculty and close observation. He reviewed things around him with no ordinary mind. He conversed with equal interest upon the objects of nature, and the actions of men." "In domestic life he as the kind husband, the indulgent father and humane master. To render the family circle happy was to him a chief object. As a neighbor he as kind, free from reproachful remarks, and liberal in his charitable distributions." He became a resident of Christian County in 1819, and two years later contracted a marriage with Evelina J. Johnson, by whom he reared a family noted for their honor, culture and true citizenship. Col. Sharp was for many years a faithful consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he trustfully died on the 29th day of September, 1852. Mrs. Evelina J. Sharp (nee Johnson), as a remarkable adaptation to a remarkable husband. She as born in the year 1800, was highly educated at Frankfort, Ky., and removed to Hopkinsville in 1818, and as at the time of her death, perhaps, the oldest inhabitant of that city. Not only was she an old and honored citizen, but she was in many respects one of the most remarkable women in the State of Kentucky. Inheriting the talents of her father's family, coupled with a fine education, she was fitted to adorn any circle, and would have been recognized as a leader in any community. Her long association with her distinguished husband, also gave to her advantages and enabled her to display capabilities of a very high order. In strength of character, resolute and inflexible devotion to principles, she stood pre-eminent. Her devotion to her family, to her church, to her section, was evidenced by tireless ministrations, and the works of her hands and her heart were ever liberally supported by contributions from her purse. During the late war she was tireless in her efforts to relieve suffering, ministering to the wants of sick soldiers, not only visiting the hospitals daily, with baskets laden with delicacies, medicine, etc., but actually filling her own commodious house with the convalescent. For many years she was a zealous member of the Presbyterian Church of Hopkinsville, and probably the most liberal contributor to its support. She made many liberal donations to educational institutions, and was always ready with her means to sustain those enterprises which received the sanction of her ripe judgment. She possessed a large estate, and though she had a large family of children and grandchildren, such was her executive ability and business sagacity that she yearly increased her income. Until near her death she managed her own business, taking a lively interest in affairs of a public character. Like the ripened sheaf she as cut down in the fullness of her day, with a record replete with noble deeds. She died on the 7th of February, 1881. She went to her rest, as go the faith followers of her Redeemer, her fading eyes alight with the dawning beams, and her trusting soul alert of the coming joys, which irradiate and fill the realms of the children of God. The portrait of Mrs. Sharp also appears elsewhere. 


Submitted by: Sandi Gorin http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00002.html#0000404



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