Sharp, Edward A., Sr.

Edward A. Sharp, Sr. Soundex Code S610

Originally published in the 2009 Founders' Day booklet Modified 9/3/12.

Edward A. Sharp, Sr., (1860-1952) was born in in Illinois. He worked as an agent.

Sharp was the first Clerk of the Village of Rogers Park, which was incorporated in April, 1878. He also served as Treasurer of the Rogers Park Village Board in 1888. In 1890, Sharp served as the Collector, and in 1891, Sharp was the Clerk of the Rogers Park Village Board.

The boundaries of the Village were Devon Avenue to the south, Ridge Avenue on the West, Rogers Avenue on the north and the Lake Michigan on the east. His service contributed greatly to the development of Rogers Park. As he stated in a 1927 interview, “there were some improvements made; the sale of intoxicating liquors was prohibited, a village policeman was put on, also a volunteer fire company organized, contract was made with the Rogers Park Water Company to build a water plant, and surveys were made for sewerage. It was all installed in about two years for $150,000” (more than $3 million today), "paid by special assessments." He had 18 children, many of whom are buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Edward Sharp was cited in the History of Rogers Park, Document #28

"The Rogers Park Building and Land Company's agents sold lots and induced the purchasers to build on them. In order to improve the streets, take care of storm water, install sanitary sewerage and consider means of getting a supply of water for household use, it was decided to incorporate under the state law and they did so. The place was changed from Township government to that of an incorporated village...With the incorporation of Rogers Park into a village, there were some improvements made: the sale of intoxicating liquors was prohibited under the four-mile rule, a village policeman was put on, also a volunteer fire company organized, contract was made with the Rogers Park Water Company to build a water pant and surveys were made for sewerage."