South Dakota Governor. Usually called "M.Q.", Sharpe taught school for two years, served in the Navy for four years, and worked as a newspaper reporter while studying at the Kansas City Law School. He then moved to South Dakota, received a law degree from the University of South Dakota in 1914, and became an attorney. Sharpe served as Lyman County State's Attorney from 1916 to 1920. He served in the Army during World War I, first as a Corporal assigned to Camp Dodge, Iowa, and later as an officer candidate at Camp Grant, Illinois. A Republican, he 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. In 1942 he was elected Governor, serving two terms, 1943 to 1947. During his administration Sharpe advocated development of the Missouri River and established the state Natural Resources Commission. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1946, after which he returned to practicing law. His Oacoma home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Lake Sharpe, created near Fort Thompson by the Big Bend Dam, was named for him.
South Dakota Governor. Usually called "M.Q.", Sharpe taught school for two years, served in the Navy for four years, and worked as a newspaper reporter while studying at the Kansas City Law School. He then moved to South Dakota, received a law degree from the University of South Dakota in 1914, and became an attorney. Sharpe served as Lyman County State's Attorney from 1916 to 1920. He served in the Army during World War I, first as a Corporal assigned to Camp Dodge, Iowa, and later as an officer candidate at Camp Grant, Illinois. A Republican, he 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. In 1942 he was elected Governor, serving two terms, 1943 to 1947. During his administration Sharpe advocated development of the Missouri River and established the state Natural Resources Commission. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1946, after which he returned to practicing law. His Oacoma home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Lake Sharpe, created near Fort Thompson by the Big Bend Dam, was named for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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