Merrell Q. Sharpe

Merrell Q. Sharpe
17th Governor of South Dakota
In office
January 5, 1943  January 7, 1947
Preceded by Harlan J. Bushfield
Succeeded by George T. Mickelson
Personal details
Born (1888-01-11)January 11, 1888
Marysville, Kansas
Died January 22, 1962(1962-01-22) (aged 74)
Kennebec, South Dakota
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Emily Auld
Alma mater University of South Dakota
Profession Attorney


Merrell Quentin Sharpe (January 11, 1888 – January 22, 1962) was a Republican American politician from Kennebec, South Dakota. He was the attorney general of South Dakota from 1929 through 1933, and governor of South Dakota from 1943 through 1947.[1]

Biography

Sharpe was born in Marysville, Kansas (in Marshall County), on January 11, 1888. Educated in the public schools of Axtel, Kansas, he taught in rural schools two years before enlisting in the United States Navy, where he served for four years.[1] He married Emily Auld and they had one child, Lorna Mae Sharpe.

Career

Sharpe worked as a newspaper reporter while he studied at a Kansas City law school. He moved to South Dakota and earned a LLB from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1914.[2] He had a private law practice in Oacoma, South Dakota, where he also farmed. Sharpe was the Lyman County State's Attorney from 1916 to 1920. During World War I he served as a corporal assigned to Camp Dodge, Iowa, and later as an officer candidate at Camp Grant, Illinois.[2]

Sharpe served as state Attorney General from 1929 to 1933. From 1937 to 1939, he was chairman of the South Dakota code commission appointed to revise the state's statutes.

Elected in 1942, Sharpe served as 17th governor of South Dakota from 1943 to 1947. During his tenure, he devoted himself to the war effort, promoted education, encouraged tourism and conservation.[1]

Death

Sharpe died in Kennebec and is interred at Graceland Cemetery, Oacoma, Lyman County, South Dakota USA.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Merrell Sharpe". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Merrell Q. Sharpe". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Buell F. Jones
Attorney General of South Dakota
19291933
Succeeded by
Walter Conway
Political offices
Preceded by
Harlan J. Bushfield
Governor of South Dakota
19431947
Succeeded by
George T. Mickelson
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