My Genealogy Hound

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 be 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 Presbyterian 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.