James R. Sharp was born in the city of Madison, Ind., on the 23rd of October, 1842, and is a son of John and Miriam (McCartney) Sharp, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. John Sharp was a printer by trade. He came to Indiana a number of years ago, settling in Madison, and later came to Johnson County, where he and wife died at the respective ages of forty-two and sixty-seven years. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Alice, wife of Henry; Miriam, wife of Mr. Reese, and James R. The subject’s youthful years were spent in the counties of Jefferson and Johnson, and at the early age of fourteen he began life for himself as a grocer’s clerk in the town of Taylorsville. Owing to the fact of his being obliged to rely upon his own resources at such an early age, his educational training was sadly neglected, but by coming in contact with the business world he soon obtained a practical education which has enabled him to discharge successfully the duties of a very active life. From Taylorsville he came to Edinburg, where he held a clerical position until September, 1861, at which time he entered the army, enlisting in Company E, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry, for three years’ service. He participated in the most active campaigns of the war, and took part in many of the bloodiest battles of that great struggle. On leaving the army he returned to Edinburg and accepted the position of bookkeeper in the bank of Harvey Lewis, and later, in 1885, became bookkeeper for S. Cutsinger & Co., in their starch factory at this place, a position he now holds. Mr. Sharp is a skillful accountant, and for nine years was city clerk of Edinburg. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and G. A. R., and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Church. His marriage with Miss Sarah Van Dorn, daughter of J. D. Van Dorn, whose biography appears in this work, was solemnized on the 24th day of October, 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have been born three children, namely: Jessie (deceased), Eva D. and Harry V.