Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1904 — JOSEPH SHARP DIES SUDDENLY. [ARTICLE]

JOSEPH SHARP DIES SUDDENLY.

Passes Away At His Home in This City \y Thursday Morning. ' Sharp, Rensselaer’s veteran photographer, mention of whose illness has been made from time to time in these columns, died at his home on South Weston street quite suddenly Thursday morning at about 3:15 o’clock. ' Mr. Sharp had been in very poor* health for several months from stomach and liver trouble, but it was not thought there was any immediate danger of death. He had done practically no work in his studio for several months, and for the past few weeks had been confined to the house. He complained of feeling bad along toward morning Thursday and on his wife asking him questions replied that he could not hear her. Suddenly he gave a gasp and it was all over. Mrs. Sharp hastilly arose, turned up the light and went back to the bed, only to find that the death angel had already been there. She called her father, who occupied an upstairs room, andLfriends were at once notified. (Joseph A. Sharp was born in Frankfort, Ky., April 26, 1846, and was aged 57 years, 8 months and 4 days at the time of his death. He was married to Mattie A. Stively, who survives him, Oct. 8, 1874. He moved to Rensselaer in November, 1877, and had been a resident of this city for more than twenty-six years. He was of a joval, happy nature and liked by all. He was a great fisherman and spent much of his leisure time in pursuing the finney tribe on the placid Kankakee and other streams. Probably no more successful or ardent follower of this sport ever resided in Rensselaer, and to mention Joe Sharp, as he was famihlarly called, even in an obituary, and not mention his fishing exploits, would make the story incomplete. He was also a great lover of flowers and the lawn in front of his gallery was filled with the choicest flowers. As a citizen and neighbor he was all that could be desired and hundreds will mourn his loss. He leaves a widow and one sister, who resides at Mari in, Ohio, and who with her daughter will attend the funeral. The funeral will be held at 10 a. m. f to-day (Saturday) from Trinity M- E. church, and interment will be in Weston cemetery,]