The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-05-02
B,L,SHARPSTE|N
DIES SUDDENLY
Famous Jurist and Pioneer
Goes 10 Last Sleep

Death again invaded the ranks of the
pioneers this morning when one of the
most distinguished upbuilders of the
| west and a brilliant member of the le-
gal fraternity of the state of Washing
ton answered the inevitable call of
eternity after a useful and honorable
career among his fellow citizens eX-
tending through eight decades and
Benjamin L. Sharpstein. able lawyer,
territorial legislator, delegate to the
constitutional convention, active pro-
mOter Of one of the finest public school
systems in any city in the United
! States, passed from this life to plead
his last case before the Eternal bar.
Until less than q year ago. Mr..
Sharpstcin had been an active member
Of the firm of Sharpstein & Sharpstein
and retained the clear perception and
energetic character which made him
one of the most aggressive attorneys in
the northwest. up to the time of his
death, which occurred at o'clock this
morning. Heart trouble was the i'm
diate cause.
The funeral will be held from the
house 365 Catherine street, Saturday
morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. AndreaS
Bard of the Episcopal church, will
preach the funeral service. Burial will
be in the Masonic ceremony where the
Blue Mountain lodge of Mason. OF
which Mr.. Sharpstein was member,
will hold their ancient and impressive
burial services.
benjamin L. Sharpstein. of the law
/ q CN1 tAs~ O. DeVy,S.f fllIy0
was pioneer Of 1865, and was born in
Bath, New York. October %. 1927. In
1894 he accompanied his parents to
Michigan. and when 10 years of age. he
moved to Wisconsin. where he studied
,law. gaining admission to the bar in
1852. For the ensuing IS years he
practiCed his profession, but in 1865. he
set out across the plains to Washing
ton, travelling y, the primitive fashion
of those days, namely, with team and
wagons.
Arriving in Walla Walla in due time.
Mr.. Sharpstein opened an office and
again engaged in law practice. He
seemed to have come into prominence
in his new home almost Immediately,
for in 1866 he was elected to the terri
tOrial legislature. AS his subsequent
career proved. the choice was Il wise
one. and the people approaching the
faithfulncss and ability of his public
service. twice returned him. In 1883
he was elected a member of the state
constitutional convention. Afterwards,
for three successive terms, he was
chairman Of the tide lands commission
i most Important post. for upan this
jbOard fell the burden and responsible
,ty Of experimenting the sale of tide
Hands.
Mr. Sharpstein has labored in many
ways for the development and upbuiid-
ing Of Walia Walla. but it is in the ed
EDUCATIONAL work of the city that his be-
, neflcent influence has been most SEN
sibly felt. For many years he was a
faithful and judicious member of the
board OF education. He took rank
among the leading attorneys of the In
land Empire and the firm of which he
was the senior partner did an eXten-
sive business He was Interested in
, large tracts of land in Walla Walla
land other counties. besides consider
able valuable city property.
in fraternal affiliations Mr.. Sharp
'stien was Il thrfy-second degree Ma
son. In Wisconsin. on December -
1S5o. he married Miss Sarah J. Park
ana 10 thcm have been born five chill
drcr: John L., partner in the firm;
Add;e, now Mrs. G. r. Upton: Frank b
of the law firm of Sharpsticn & Sharp
thur F.. deceased.