time when a student is shown by the prominence he has even at his present
early age attained at the bar. He was elected County Superintendent of
Schools for Wasco county in 1878. Naturally ambitious and realizing the
scope that the practice of law afforded an active, energetic young man to
attain fame and fortune, he early decided to adopt it as a profession. He
read Blackstone, etc., under Hon. J. B. Condon, of Tlie Dalles, and in Jan-
uary, 1880, having passed a very successful examination before the Supreme
Court, he was admitted to the bar. He was elected a member of the Ht)U8e
from Wasco county at the last general election, but resigned his office be-
fore the Legislature convened to accept the office of Circuit Judge of the
Fifth Judicial District, tendered him by Governor Thayer upon the resig-
nation, September 1, 1882, of Hon. L. L. McArthur. During the brief time
he has been on the bench he has given universal satisfaction, showing an
earnest and conscientious disposition to deal justly and at the same time
hew closely to the strict line of the law. His opinions are indicative of
careful study and a thorough knowledge of the common law. He is a pleas-
ant, companionable gentleman and makes friends rapidly. Politically
speaking he is a Democrat, v.nd matrimonially considered he is a young
bachelor, although not beyond redemption. He is six feet one inch high,
weighs about 170 pounds, and is of robust, hearty health. As a friend he
is valued, as a man he is esteemed, as an attorney he is respected, and as a
Judge he is honored and revered.
HON. ROBERT SHARP BEAN.
"Every man has two educations — one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives himself." Very early in life the subject of this sketch learned this important lesson, and the fruits of its strict observance are being enjoyed by him at present. Only tweutj'-eight years of age and an Oregon boy, it is certainly pleasant to record the won- derful success that has crowned his eiJbrts. He owes his present success to no accident of birth or fortune, but he has earned it through the toilsome avenue of study and hard work. His early education was imparted to him in a district school during the winter months, when the plow of his father's farm stood idle in the granary. Who knows what dreams of future success flitted across the mind of the plow-boy when dreamily following the furrow behind the jaded team? Some whisper of the prosperity and honor in store for him must have been borne to his ears as an encouragement to him in the routine work of farm life. He was possessed of an active brain and un- daunted courage, however, and in early life became imbued with a desire to follow the profession of law, and his school days were improved with that object in view. He was born in Yamhill county on the 28th day of November, 1854, and moved with his parents to Lane county at an early age, where he has resided ever since. He entered the Christian College at Mon- mouth in September, 1869, pursuing his studies during the winter and working on the farm during the summer months. He graduated with high honors in June, 1873. He worked at the carpenter's trade until November, 1874, when he commenced the study of law with the late Hon. John M.
