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 May 2, 1907, 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.
GEORGE J. RUARK.
George J. Ruark, one of the prominent citizens of Garfield county, is actively identified with farming interests and now makes his home in Pomeroy. He was born in Jefferson county, Kansas, August 17, 1858, a son of Thomas and Mary A. (Messenger) Ruark, who were natives of Illinois and of Ohio respectively. In early life they removed with their respective parents to Wayne county, Iowa, and were there married. They began their domestic life in that county, where they continued to reside until 1857 or 1858, when they became residents of Kansas but after two years returned to Wayne county, Iowa, whence in 1862 they started across the plains with ox teams and wagons for the Pacific coast. The journey was a long and arduous one, but day after day they pushed forward and eventually reached Clarke county, Washington, where they located, establishing their home ten miles north of Vancouver, where they lived until the spring of 1871. In that year they became residents of Walla Walla county and Mr. Ruark engaged in the live stock business until the spring of 1879. In the fall of 1878 he and his family removed to what is now Garfield county, establishing their home near Deadman's Hollow, eighteen miles east of Pomeroy. There the father engaged in farming until 1890 and, adding to his possessions from time to time, he acquired ten hundred and forty acres of valuable wheat land. In the spring of 1890 he removed to Whitman county, his son, George J. Ruark, taking charge of the old home farm in Garfield county. The father then continued in active connection with farming and live stock interests in Whitman county until 1900, when he retired from business life and removed to Asotin, Washington. He owned four hundred and twenty acres of land in Whitman county, which he leased on his removal to Asotin, where he still maintained his residence at date of death, January 8, 1908. His widow still survives and is now a resident of Pomeroy. In politics the father was a democrat and took active interest in the work and success of the party. For a number of years he served as postmaster of Deadman but otherwise refused public office. He belonged to the United Brethren church and was one of the sterling citizens of Garfield county.
George J. Ruark was educated in the district schools and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In the fall of 1883 he began farming on his own account, renting land in conjunction with his brother Charles and with his father. The Bowman ranch of one thousand acres, which they operated in partnership for three years, returned to them a gratifying annual income and on the expiration of that period George J. Ruark began farming independently, renting two hundred and seventeen acres of the same ranch. This he cultivated for a year and in 1888, having carefully saved his earnings, he bought a small place on which he located. He also continued to cultivate rented land in connection with his home farm and in the fall of 1889 he rented his father's farm of ten hundred and forty acres, which he continued to cultivate for five years. He then returned to his own place, which he farmed in connection with other land until the fall of 1902, when he sold that property and bought his present farm of fourteen hundred and twenty acres, situated at the head of Deadman's Hollow. This is now being cultivated by a tenant, and Mr. Ruark established his home in Pomeroy in the fall of 1903. From this point he directs and supervises his business interests and at the same time he has the enjoyment of city life.
In 1889 Mr. Ruark was united in marriage to Miss Olive Vannausdle, of Garfield county, a daughter of Harris Vannausdle, who came from Nebraska in 1884. He is still living and makes his home among his children. Mr. and Mrs. Ruark have an adopted daughter, Elma Maurene.
Politically Mr. Ruark is a democrat and on the party ticket was elected a member of the board of county commissioners in 1894, filling the position for four years in a most acceptable and creditable manner. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He ranks with the leading and representative men of Garfield county, for by his enterprising efforts he has contributed much to the upbuilding and development of this section. He stands for progress and improvement along all lines and his cooperation can ever be counted upon to further any well devised plan for the general good.
DAVID B. FERREL.