Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User Information
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Folder Listing
Cataloguing Information
Processed by
Charles Latham
14 February 1996
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 8 folders, 1 oversize folder
COLLECTION DATES: 1880-1930
PROVENANCE: Charles Latham, Jr., Indianapolis, IN, 23 January and 10 April 1996
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: (SC 1793) Mary Ellen Graydon Sharpe (mother)
ACCESSION NUMBER: 96.024, 96.0405
Joseph Kinne Sharpe, Jr., (1853-1920) was born in Indianapolis, the son of Joseph K. Sharpe and Mary Ellen Graydon Sharpe. He attended Wabash College, and then worked in his father's wholesale leather business in Indianapolis. About 1891 he turned to inventing agricultural machinery, and became associated with the Indiana Manufacturing Company (incorporated 1891), which, using patents developed by James Buchanan, manufactured some items, especially straw stackers, and let out the use of its patents to other agricultural manufacturers like John Deere, McCormick-Deering, and J. I. Case.
In 1907 the company, which was considerably in debt, was reorganized. A group of investors led by Frank K. Bull, a former officer of J. I. Case, and the corporation was changed from Indiana to West Virginia. Sharpe, who had been secretary of the company, became president, and held that position till his death. About 1915 he developed a "grain-saving wind stacker" which became the company's main product. During this whole period the company was under financial obligations to Theophilus King of Boston. A suit by King after Sharpe's death brought the company to an end about 1923.
Sharpe married Alberta Johnson in 1891, and they had one daughter. He was interested in dramatics, and was an early president of The Dramatic Club. About 1885 he had a trotting horse named "Racci," which once won a sleigh race on Capitol Avenue. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Light Infantry, and was a city golf champion during the early years of the game.
Sources: Materials in collection
Personal knowledge of processor
Dunn, Indiana and Indianans, III, 1432-143
Indianapolis Journal, Handbook of Indianapolis, 181-182
This collection, filling eight folders and one oversize folder, contains correspondence, legal documents, drawings, photographs, and advertising material. It is arranged chronologically.
Folder 1 contains the collection guide. In Folder 2 are materials from 1916-1917 concerning J. K. Sharpe's invention, the Grain-Saving Wind Stacker. These include the patent, testimonial letters, drawings, and advertisements, including a metal matchbox with a legend on celluloid. In Folder 3 is correspondence 1917-1920, mainly about the affairs of Indiana Manufacturing Company.
Folder 4 contains Sharpe's last will and testament (dated 1913), and Folder 5contains obituaries and letters of condolence at his death in 1920.
In Folder 6 is a brief from a 1922 suit by Theophilus King against Sharpe's estate. It gives considerable information about changes in the management of Indiana Manufacturing Company in 1907.
Folders 7-9 contain photographs: in Folder 7 two portraits of Sharpe, one in Indianapolis Infantry uniform about 1885, and also a picture of his horse "Racci;" in Folder 8 Bass photographs of the Sharpe Wind Stacker in action, in Folder 9 a tintype of Sharpe in a baseball uniform about 1880. OM 350 contains two drawings of the Wind Stacker, and a spreadsheet of Sharpe's estate 1920-1930.
FOLDER
1 Collection guide
2 Material on Sharpe Grain-Saving Wind Stacker ca 1915-1917 (See also Artifacts)
3 Correspondence 1917, 1920
4 Last will and testament (1913)
5 Obituaries and letters of condolence, 1920
6 Brief-- Estate of J. K. Sharpe vs Theophilus King, 1922
7 (VC) Photographs-- J. K. Sharpe and horse "Racci"
8 (VC) -- Sharpe Grain-Saving Wind Stacker in action
9 (VC) Tintype-- 2 baseball players ca 1880 (Sharpe seated)
OM 359
FOLDER
1 Drawings-- Wind Stacker; Spreadsheet of Sharpe's estate 1920-1930
MAIN ENTRY: Sharpe, Joseph Kinne, 1853-1920
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Sharpe, Joseph Kinne, 1853-1920--Estate
Sharpe, Joseph Kinne, 1853-1920--Photographs
King, Theophilus
Indiana Manufacturing Company
Indiana. Militia. Indianapolis Light Infantry Company--Photographs
Businessmen--Indiana--Indianapolis
Actions and defenses--Indiana--Indianapolis--Cases
Decedents' estates--Indiana--Indianapolis--Cases
Grain--Machinery--Photographs
Agricultural machinery industry--Indiana--Indianapolis
END