Sharpe, George Henry, 1828-1900

Born February 26, 1828, in Kingston, New York, Sharpe attended Yale University and graduated from Rutgers University in 1847. He entered private practice in New York City, New York from 1848 to 1851, with the firm of Bidwell & Strong (now known as Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft). He was Secretary of the United States Legation in Vienna, Austrian Empire for the United States Department of State from 1851 to 1852. He resumed private practice in Kingston from 1854 to 1861. He served in the United States Army during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, attaining the rank of Major General. He initially served as Captain of Company B of the 20th New York State Militia (known as the "Ulster Guard") for three-months service. He served as Chief of the Bureau of Military Information from 1863 to 1865. He was a Special Agent in Europe for the United States Department of State in 1867. He was the United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York from 1870 to 1873. He was Surveyor of Customs in New York City from 1873 to 1878. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1879 to 1883, serving as Speaker from 1880 to 1881. He served as trade commissioner to Central America and South America.

Sharpe was nominated by President Benjamin Harrison on July 2, 1890, to the Board of General Appraisers, to a new seat created by 26 Stat. 131. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 16, 1890, and received his commission on November 16, 1890. His service terminated on March 1, 1899, due to his resignation. He was succeeded by William Barberie Howell.

Sharpe died on January 13, 1900, in New York City.

Sharpe's parents were Henry Sharpe (1782-1830) and Helen Hasbrouck Sharpe (1797-1886). His grandfather was Abraham J. Hasbrouck, and great-grandfather, Joseph Hasbrouck, was a lieutenant colonel in the Revolutionary War. He is also a descendant of Louis DuBois.

Sharpe was married to Caroline Hone Hasbrouck, daughter of Abraham Bruyn Hasbrouck (and his second cousin once removed) and their children were Severyn Bruyn Sharpe, a county judge, Henry Granville Sharpe, a United States Army officer, and Katherine Lawrence Sharpe who married Ira Davenport. His granddaughter, Katharine Davenport Sharpe (Severyn's daughter) married Albro Newton Dana, a grandson of James Dwight Dana. He died while visiting the Davenport's residence at 31 East 39th Street in Manhattan. He was buried at Wiltwyck Cemetery in Kingston.