James Sharp (mayor)

James Sharp
Mayor of Salt Lake City
In office
1885–1886
Preceded by William Jennings
Succeeded by Francis Armstrong
Constituency Salt Lake City, Utah
Personal details
Born November 18, 1843
Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Died May 7, 1904 (aged 60)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Religion Latter-day Saint

James Sharp (18 November 1843 – 7 May 1904) was the sixth mayor of Salt Lake City, serving from 1885 to 1886. For several years, Sharp was also a member of the University of Utah board of regents. He was that university's chancellor from 1882 to 1883.[1]

Early life and career

Sharp was born in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland on 18 November 1843. He was the son of John Sharp, a LDS Church leader who was also the director at Union Pacific Railroad. Sharp came to America in 1848 in St. Louis and journeyed to Salt Lake City in August 1850. In 1862, he served under the command of Lot Smith during the Utah War. Sharp succeeded as director of Union Pacific Railroad after his father. In 1876, he was elected in the state legislature and later became the speaker in 1884. Sharp was elected as mayor in 1885 and served until 1886.[2]

References

  1. Chamberlin, R. V. (2003). "James Sharp". Utah State Historical Society. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  2. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1904). The Improvement Era 7. Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. p. 635.
Political offices
Preceded by
William Jennings
Mayor of Salt Lake City
1885–1886
Succeeded by
Francis Armstrong