The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-06-01
JAKE sHaRp.s CAREER.
Early Struggles and Home Lie OF TIN
New YORK street-Car Magnate-

Early struggles and Home Lie OF the
New YORK street-Car MaEnate.
It is singular that. as much as Jake
Sharp's name has been before the pub
lie. nothing is ever said about his home
life or his early struggles. and yet both
are unusually full of interest. Jacob
Sharp began life in the northern part
of New York as poor boy, who had
TO work so hard for his daily bread
that there was little time left for study.
and whatever spare time he did have
was given up to experiments which lie
hoped would result in the invention of
something that would be the founda-
ton of fortune, for he was ambitious,
and he worked with quiet. dogged
persistence that was bound to succeed
People were divided in their opinions
of him. some thinking him fool, 9th
ers believing him genius. When he
was nineteen he married his present
wife, who was then about fourteen.
and they went to live in a little log
cabin which he had built with his
own hands. He made all the furni-
ture. and some of it was beautifully
carved by the aid of jack-knife
Their home was on the edge Of the
forest which he cleared little BY little,
working for farmers at about eight
ollars per month. and having but lit
tie time TO work at home Still he
managed TO cultivate enough to give
them living in addition to his wages.
Here their first child was born.
During the first five years of their
married life no two ever worked hard
er than they, and It Was not long be-
fore their industry and frugaiity be-
gan TO tell. About this time Mr.. Sharp
patented his horseshoe which was the
foundation of his future success. aud
this was followed by other inventions
in rapid succession. In 1919 they left
Rome. and came to New York and
prospered
Their first child was born in log
cabin, their last in a house worth $50
600. Mr. Sharp became interested in
the horse-cars, and since 1852 has been
y.ng TO get franchise on Broadwa:.
At this time his wife kept and made ;
home for him, the ike of which few
men can boast Their home in Twen-
ty-thir1l street is large. rather old
fashioned building, with small grass
plot in front. and large yard in the
rear. The house is furnished hand
somely, and even luxuriously, but with
more regard for comfort than display
Mrs Sharp. like her husband. worked
hard in her youth. and brought mp her
children herself, but her innate refine
nj 1f.d fFs.n Ia IL
have long since overcome her early
lack of education. Some years ago she
began to paimt, feeling that she had ~
least love for art. and though she had
many periods of discouragement, has
succeeded so well that her house is
filed with handsome paintings. manY
of them better than the average shown
at the Academy. She paints from
nature, generally, and artists SAY that
her pictures are worthy of high praise.
The whole atmosphere of her home Is
one of peace. and comfort, and domes-
tie harmony. and she Is one OF th.
sweetest, best and kindest of women.
Her charities are unbounded, though
done in silence. She dresses simply
and plainly, exc ept on rare occasions,
and keeps an almost open house for
every body. All her children are liz
ing except her first-born son, who died
couple of years ago, and she has sew
eral grandchildren. all of them having
talent. and one. Miss Dell Rogers, is
bound for success in literature Their
home life is q model for every body to
follow. and it seems hard that their old
age should be overshad owed, and espe
tally that she should suffer- Ollrs
Harper. ia indianapolis Journal.