Today in Wheeling History: January 13--Samuel J. Sharp, Wheeling inventor and industrial pioneer, received a patent for an innovative lubricator system designed for textile manufacturing (1920).
Samuel James Sharp was born on September 23, 1870, in Bellaire, Ohio, to William Perry Sharp (1838-1887) and Isabella Cunningham Sharp (1842-1919). After attending Washington Public School in Wheeling's First Ward and Glenn's Run school (later Warwood school), he completed his education at age twelve. His mechanical journey began as an apprentice in his uncle John M. Cunningham's blacksmith shop. Determined to advance his career, he pursued correspondence courses in mechanical engineering and refrigeration through International Correspondence School. This education led to his position as chief engineer of refrigeration at Swift & Company in Pittsburgh. His most significant professional role came at J.L. Stifel & Sons Co. in Wheeling, where he served as plant superintendent for 32 years. On January 13, 1920, he was granted patent US1328209A for his lubricator invention, designed specifically for steam-heated cylinder driers in textile and paper mills. This was one of his 16 patents, including the first safety device for overhead rails and the only patented Knights of Pythias badge. A renaissance man, Sharp was also a talented musician who helped organize the Grand Opera House band. Living at 102 North Tenth Street in Warwood, he maintained an electrically-equipped workshop where he continued inventing until his later years. He passed away on January 5, 1944, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: U.S. Patent Office (https://shorturl.at/y8Ty0), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/JvyY3), Google Maps (https://shorturl.at/S5473)
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office, Wheeling Intelligencer, Find a Grave, Google Maps
Samuel James Sharp was born on September 23, 1870, in Bellaire, Ohio, to William Perry Sharp (1838-1887) and Isabella Cunningham Sharp (1842-1919). After attending Washington Public School in Wheeling's First Ward and Glenn's Run school (later Warwood school), he completed his education at age twelve. His mechanical journey began as an apprentice in his uncle John M. Cunningham's blacksmith shop. Determined to advance his career, he pursued correspondence courses in mechanical engineering and refrigeration through International Correspondence School. This education led to his position as chief engineer of refrigeration at Swift & Company in Pittsburgh. His most significant professional role came at J.L. Stifel & Sons Co. in Wheeling, where he served as plant superintendent for 32 years. On January 13, 1920, he was granted patent US1328209A for his lubricator invention, designed specifically for steam-heated cylinder driers in textile and paper mills. This was one of his 16 patents, including the first safety device for overhead rails and the only patented Knights of Pythias badge. A renaissance man, Sharp was also a talented musician who helped organize the Grand Opera House band. Living at 102 North Tenth Street in Warwood, he maintained an electrically-equipped workshop where he continued inventing until his later years. He passed away on January 5, 1944, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: U.S. Patent Office (https://shorturl.at/y8Ty0), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/JvyY3), Google Maps (https://shorturl.at/S5473)
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office, Wheeling Intelligencer, Find a Grave, Google Maps
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