Joseph Hiserodt Sharpe was the son of Lewis K. and Margaret H. "Maggie" (nee HISERODT) SHARPE.  He was born in Natchez, Adams County, MS in October 1896.

During World War I, Joseph became a Cadet with the American Army, Aviation Section, Signal Corps.  On the 7th of January 1918, whilst flying a Dehavilland 6 training aircraft over what is now RAF Waddington, Lincoln, England, Joseph was killed in an accident.  Apparently the accident occurred on the last day of training.

Joseph was interred at the Newport Cemetery, Lincoln, England, War Graves Plot Section D, Grave 418.  The grave is along side the graves of men of the Commonwealth who gave there lives in the two world wars.  Joseph's is the only American grave in the cemetery.

The grave is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission,   as a Foreign National War Grave. It is one of the very few American war graves in the UK outside of Brookwood and Cambridge American Cemeteries.

Joseph's name is engraved on a Memorial Hall plaque in Natchez, erected in 1924.  The engraving reads:  *SHARPE, Joseph H. Capt. Avtr.  Immediately below Joseph's name is:  SHARPE, Louis K., Jr. Pvt.  Since Joseph was a Cadet at the time of his death, we believe that Joseph was actually the Private, and it's possible that his younger brother Louis (Lewis) became a Captain.  It's also possible that Joseph was promoted posthumously.

Joseph's mother remarried after the death of Joseph's father.  She became a "Gold Star Mother," and visited the overseas grave of her son.  She also founded the Joseph H. Sharpe Chapter of  Service Star Legion, the organization that provided the plaques on Memorial Hall. 

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Family Information

Some of the information presented here is unproved.  While much care has been taken to provide the best information possible at this time, we suggest that interested researchers conduct independent research.  We will be happy to make corrections as appropriate.  Ellen Pack

Joseph lived with his parents and younger brother Lewis K., Jr. at 411 S. Rankin Street, Natchez.  His father, Lewis K., Sr., was a traveling pharmaceutical salesman.

A  younger brother, Lewis/Louis K., Jr. was born in 1900, according to the 1910 Adams County census.  There is speculation that this younger brother removed to Checota, McIntosh Co., OK where he went on to be the founder of Sharpe Dry Goods Company of Checota.  However, discrepancies in dates of birth and a lack of early records prevent a conclusion at this point.

Joseph's father, Lewis K. SHARPE is believed to be the son of Thomas Spencer SHARPE M.D., of Natchez, and Mary Eugenia PIPES of Adams County.

Joseph's mother, Margaret H."Maggie" HISERODT, is believed to be the daughter of Joseph B. HISERODT and Evaline "Eva" CHAFFEE.

Joseph B. HISERODT was from New York, but had removed to Illinois by 1860 where he was employed as a farm laborer.  When war broke out, he joined the Union Army, and was attached to the IL Regiment, 15th Infantry.  That unit saw service in Mississippi, including the Siege of Vicksburg, and the occupation of Natchez.   It is thought that he decided to remain in the Natchez area after the war, sending for his wife.  He became a planter in Concordia Parish, LA, but like many, he resided in Natchez.

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