JUDGE BENJAMIN L.SHARPSTEIN: No history such as this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fitting memorial to Judge Benjamin L. Sharpstein, who left the impress of his individuality for good upon the commonwealth in many ways and whose career ever reflected honor upon the state that honored him. A Mexican war veteran, a pioneer, lawyer, legislator and member of the state constitutional convention, he indeed played an important part in shaping the annals of Washington. For forty-two years he was a resident of Walla Walla and through that period was not only closely connected with its interests and development but was also associated with many of the movements which have shaped the policy and directed the upbuilding of the state. Judge Sharpstein was a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Bath, Steuben county, October 22, 1827. He was a lad of seven years when his parents removed westward to Michigan, settling first in Macomb county, where they resided until their removal to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. In the family were two sons, John and Benjamin L. The former became an attorney of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and later went to San Francisco, California, where he served as a judge of the supreme court. After the Civil war his brother Benjamin read law with him for some time. Reared upon the home farm, Judge Sharpstein divided his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him in connection with the development of the fields. He did not care, however, to make farming his life work and turned from agriculture to a professional career, it being his desire to prepare for the bar. He therefore entered upon his studies, which, however, were interrupted when he was nineteen years of age, for in 1846 his patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the American amiy as a soldier in the Mexican war. Upon the close of hostilities with that country he returned to his home and resumed the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1852. Judge Sharpstein was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah J. Park, who was indeed a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She has long figured prominently in the social circles of Walla Walla and her life has been fraught with many good deeds and characterized by the highest principles. Following their marriage Judge and Mrs. Sharpstein continued to reside in the middle west until 1865, when they determined to try their fortune on the Pacific coast and with their three eldest children, John L., Ada A. and Arthur P., they left the Mississippi valley and with a large train of immigrants started across the plains for Oregon. The city of Salem, Oregon, was their objective point but on reaching Walla Walla, Judge Sharpstein was so favorably impressed with the opportunities of this section that he determined to make his home here. Thereafter he was identified with the city and was a most important and influential factor in advancing the best interests of the community, in promoting its progress and upbuilding and in upholding its standards of citizenship. He not only held high rank as a lawyer but was also prominent in shaping the political history of his state. At the bar he was forceful and resourceful.. He tad .comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudencfe and- was most, accurate in applying those principles to the points in litigation. His arguments were most logical, his reasoning sound and clear and his deductions -accurate. In political faith Judge Sharpstein was a democrat and held loyally to the principles of his party, although he knew that such a course would deprive him of many political honors, for the district and state in which he lived were over whelmingly republican. However, his fellow townsmen recognized his genuine worth and patriotic spirit to such an extent that in 1866, again in 1879 and once more in 1886 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature by overwhelming majorities. In 1889 he was chosen as a member of the state constitutional convention and aided in framing the organic law of Washington. He left the permanent stamp of his wisdom and farsightedness upon that valuable document. His marked ability as a lawyer, combined with his patriotic citizenship and his keen insight into the present needs and the future possibilities of the state, made his service of the greatest worth to the commonwealth and he bore a most important part in shaping the constitution. He was again called to public office in 1890, when he was appointed a member of the tide land commission, Judge Sharpstein was also a leader in local affairs and for twenty-seven years in all, with some periods of intenuission, he served as a member of the school board and during much of that time was its president. He did most effective work in advancing the standards of the schools and improving the methods of instruction, and one of the fine school buildings of Walla Walla fittingly bears his name. While many public interests thus claimed his time and attention, Judge Sharpstein regarded the practice of law as his real life work and, admitting his three sons to a partnership, thus organized one of the strongest legal firms of Washington. One of his sons, Arthur P., died in 1896. Two sons, John L. and Frank B., are still engaged in the practice of law in Walla Walla, while the youngest son, Charles M., has made for himself a national reputation as farmer, art critic and writer. He, too, is a resident of Walla Walla. The only daughter, Ada A., is now the widow of C. B. Upton and lives in Tacoma. Mrs. Sharpstein is still living and although now almost eighty years of age is wonderfully well preserved, being able to do her own marketing and attend to her business affairs. The family of Judge Sharpstein has worthily maintained the high position established by the father, who departed this life honored and respected by all who knew him. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of those with whom he came in contact and his name is written large on the pages of Washington's history. LYMAN'S HISTORY OF Old Walla Walla County 1918
good old memories
JUDGE BENJAMIN L.SHARPSTEIN:
No history such as this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fitting memorial to Judge Benjamin L. Sharpstein, who left the impress of his individuality for good upon the commonwealth in many ways and whose career ever reflected honor upon the state that honored him. A Mexican war veteran, a pioneer, lawyer, legislator and member of the state constitutional
convention, he indeed played an important part in shaping the annals of Washington.
For forty-two years he was a resident of Walla Walla and through that period was not only closely connected with its interests and development but was also associated with many of the movements which have shaped the policy and directed the upbuilding of the state.
Judge Sharpstein was a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Bath, Steuben county, October 22, 1827. He was a lad of seven years when his parents removed westward to Michigan, settling first in Macomb county, where they resided until their removal to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. In the family were two sons, John and Benjamin L. The former became an attorney
of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and later went to San Francisco, California, where he served as a judge of the supreme court.
After the Civil war his brother Benjamin read law with him for some time. Reared upon the home farm, Judge Sharpstein divided his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the
playground and such tasks as were assigned him in connection with the development of the fields.
He did not care, however, to make farming his life work
and turned from agriculture to a professional career, it being his desire to prepare for the bar. He therefore entered upon his studies, which, however, were interrupted when he was nineteen years of age, for in 1846 his patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the American amiy as a soldier in the Mexican war.
Upon the close of hostilities with that country he returned to his home and resumed the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1852.
Judge Sharpstein was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah J. Park, who was indeed a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She has long figured prominently in the social circles of Walla Walla and her life has been fraught with many good deeds and characterized by the highest principles.
Following their marriage Judge and Mrs. Sharpstein continued to reside in the middle west until 1865, when they determined to try their fortune on the Pacific coast and with their three eldest children, John L., Ada A. and Arthur P., they left the Mississippi valley and with a large train of immigrants started across
the plains for Oregon.
The city of Salem, Oregon, was their objective point but
on reaching Walla Walla, Judge Sharpstein was so favorably impressed with the opportunities of this section that he determined to make his home here. Thereafter he was identified with the city and was a most important and influential factor in advancing the best interests of the community, in promoting its progress and upbuilding and in upholding its standards of citizenship.
He not only held high rank as a lawyer but was also prominent in shaping the political history of his state. At the bar he was forceful and resourceful.. He tad .comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudencfe and- was most, accurate in applying
those principles to the points in litigation.
His arguments were most logical, his reasoning sound and clear and his deductions -accurate.
In political faith Judge Sharpstein was a democrat and held loyally to the principles of his party, although he knew that such a course would deprive him of many political honors, for the district and state in which he lived were over whelmingly republican. However, his fellow townsmen recognized his genuine worth and patriotic spirit to such an extent that in 1866, again in 1879 and once
more in 1886 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature by overwhelming majorities.
In 1889 he was chosen as a member of the state constitutional convention and aided in framing the organic law of Washington.
He left the permanent stamp of his wisdom and farsightedness upon that valuable document. His marked ability as a lawyer, combined with his patriotic citizenship and his keen insight into the present needs and the future possibilities of the state, made his service of the greatest worth to the commonwealth and he bore a most important part in shaping the constitution.
He was again called to public office in 1890, when he was appointed a member of the tide land commission, Judge Sharpstein was also a leader in local affairs and for twenty-seven years in all, with some periods of intenuission, he served as a member of the school board and during much of that time was its president.
He did most effective work in advancing the standards of the schools and improving the methods of instruction, and one of the fine school buildings of Walla Walla fittingly bears his name.
While many public interests thus claimed his time and attention, Judge Sharpstein regarded the practice of law as his real life work and, admitting his three sons to a partnership, thus organized one of the strongest legal firms of Washington.
One of his sons, Arthur P., died in 1896. Two sons, John L.
and Frank B., are still engaged in the practice of law in Walla Walla, while the youngest son, Charles M., has made for himself a national reputation as farmer, art critic and writer. He, too, is a resident of Walla Walla.
The only daughter, Ada A., is now the widow of C. B. Upton and lives in Tacoma.
Mrs. Sharpstein is still living and although now almost eighty years of age is wonderfully well preserved, being able to do her own marketing and attend to her business affairs.
The family of Judge Sharpstein has worthily maintained the high position established by the father, who departed this life honored and respected by all who knew him. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of those with whom he came in contact and his name is written large on the pages of Washington's history.
LYMAN'S HISTORY OF
Old Walla Walla County 1918