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1945 – David Barton Sharp

M. W. Brother David Barton Sharp was born on February 25, 1871, in Berlin Township, Holmes County, Ohio. He was the son of John Sharp, a farmer and merchant of the community, and Martha Ingram Sharp. He received his preparatory education in the public schools of Millersburg, Ohio, and attended Baldwin University and the Ohio State University, from where he graduated with the degree Bachelor of Laws in 1893. He was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Ohio in that year.

Brother Sharp never married. He made his home for many years with a sister and brother. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and gave much time to the service of that denomination.

His entry into the practice of law occurred in the City of Columbus, where he remained throughout his busy life. He was a loyal member of the Democratic Party, which he served as County Chairman during the early years of the present century; He served as First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Franklin County, Ohio, in 1899, and from 1937 until 1954.

Brother Sharp entered the Masonic Order late in life, having been raised in University Lodge No. 631, Columbus, Ohio, in 1921. He assumed a position of leadership in that Lodge in the early years of his membership, and served the Lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1926. In 1922, he became a member of York Chapter No. 200, R.A.M., Columbus, and served as its High Priest in 1930. In 1922, he also joined York Council No. 115, R. & S. M., and served as Illustrious Master in 1930. He was Knighted in Columbus Commandery No. 69, K. T. in Columbus in 1924, and served as Eminent Commander in 1937. He received the degrees in the Valley of Columbus, A. A. S. R. in 1922, and served as Most Wise Master of Columbus Chapter, Rose Croix from 1941 to 1948. He became a member of Aladdin Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. in December 1939. He was crowned a member of the Supreme Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the A. A. S. R., Northern Masonic Jurisdiction at Cincinnati, Ohio, in September 1940.

In the Grand Lodge of Ohio he served as District Lecturer (now District Deputy Grand Master) from 1930 through 1937. In 1938 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio by M. W. Brother Harry Meyer, and was advanced each succeeding year through the appointive and elective offices of the Grand Lodge, serving as Grand Master in 1944-45.

Brother Sharp was devoted to his profession, a highly respected member of the legal fraternity; His office lights betrayed his presence in the interests of his clients night after night. Indeed, nothing interfered with his zealous representation of a client who needed his services.

Many who knew him considered him stern, even stubborn, in his adherence to the basic fundamentals of our Order. But those who knew him best remember him as a man of judgment always considerate of his fellows, but inflexible in his determination to preserve the traditions and landmarks of the Order. His services to the Craft endeared him to us, and his accomplishments will long remain with us.

Brother Sharp passed into new life on September 8, 1958, at Columbus, Ohio. Memorial services were held on September 10, 1958, with interment in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Section A, Lot 5, MiIlersburg, Ohio.