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J. H. Sharer

It was in this little hamlet of Freedom, known only for its isolation and its poverty, that J. H. Sharer, the second generation funeral director became a senior member of the firm of J. H. Sharer & Son.

He was born July 1, 1842, the first born to Philip Sharer. Being the oldest of a large family, he was compelled at twelve years of age to earn his own living by working on the farm, in the brick yard and driving teams. The only time allotted for school was three months during the winter. In the fall of 1859 he was apprenticed at the cabinetmaking trade with his father in a part of the building the firm still occupies.

GENERAL SHARER, Grand Army of the Republic, Civil War
The Civil War coming on before concluding his apprenticeship, he enlisted in the army, August 8, 1862, intending to join the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. But, his captain was made colonel of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment and he was therefore mustered in as a private in Company F of that regiment September 18, 1862. January 1, 1863, he was detailed as Ordnance Sergeant at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and March 1, 1863, he was assigned to Post B at the same place. October 1, 1863, Mr. Sharer rejoined the regiment and went to Tennessee, but on May 1, 1864, he was detached from the company and made principal musician of the regiment and leader of its band, which position he retained until the close of the war. He returned home July 5, 1865, and resumed his place at the work bench vacated three years before.

He continued the furniture and undertaking business in the same building as his father. The business was conducted in the name of Philip Sharer from 1841 to 1868, Philip Sharer & Son from 1868 to 1882, J. H. Sharer from 1882 to 1898, in the latter year his youngest son, Roscoe T., joined the firm.

John H. Sharer became a charter member of the first Grand Army Post in Alliance in 1866, serving as aid on the staff of several department and national commanders. He was appointed on the Stark county soldiers' relief commission on the passage of the law, and has been appointed for sixteen consecutive years. He served as master of Alliance Lodge, Free and Accepted Mason for eight years, and also high priest of the chapter.

Formed The Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA)
When enrolled in the army, Mr. Sharer's occupation was given as undertaker and having gained much practical knowledge in this line during the war he had an abiding faith in the benefits that would come to the general public.

He joined in a call for a convention of undertakers at Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1881. There he formed a state association of which he was elected secretary for eight years and two as president.

Formed The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
John H. Sharer was also a delegate to the first national convention, and formed a national association. He was chairman of the national executive committee until 1886, when elected secretary and unanimously chosen for twelve years; ten years as secretary and two years as president.

Formed The Ohio State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
In 1901 he was appointed chairman of a committee to draft and secure the passage of a law to regulate the practice of embalming in Ohio, so as to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious disease, and provide for the better protection of life and health. The matter was taken up and prosecuted with vigor until April 30, 1902, when the act was passed and an embalmer's law placed on the State of Ohio statute books. The law provides for an examining board, consisting of three practical practicing embalmers appointed by the governor, the president and secretary of the state board of health to be ex-officio members. When the board was named, Mr. Sharer received the three-year appointment without solicitation and when it organized for work he was unanimously chosen secretary and treasurer.

There were fifteen hundred embalmers in the state to be licensed and it became his duty to systemize the work, arrange for all examinations, prepare the questions and issue the licenses.

John (J. H.) Sharer

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