Samuel L. Sharpsteen, the accomplished and truly artistic photographer of Grand Rapids, and prize winner at all photographic exhibits where his work has been placed in competition with that of others, was born near Battle Creek, Mich., 10 June 1850, and is the fifth of the eight children that graced the marriage of Anson and Caroline (Parker) Sharpsteen, natives of New York and early settlers in Michigan, the old homestead here entered by them being still the property of the family. The father died on this homestead in 1876, and the mother in 1889, and of their children all but one are still living. The parents were sincere members of the Methodist church, and in politics the father was a republican and locally quite prominent. Samuel L. Sharpsteen was educated in the public schools of Battle Creek, and remained with his parents until twenty years of age, when he apprenticed himself in the art, as far as it was then known. He then went to Owosso,Mich., and in partnership with his elder brother opened a gallery. The partnership lasted but six months, when the subject became the sole proprietor and carried on a successful business until 1882, when he removed to Ionia, where he remained eight years; he then passed one year and six months in Detroit, thence he came to Grand Rapids and stands today as the leading photographer of the city. Mr. Sharpsteen married, in Owosso., Mich., Miss Nettie Tuttle, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and to this union were born two children – Carrie and Roy – but both have been untimely called away. Mr. Sharpsteen is a Blue lodge Mason, is a republican in politics, and is a member of the Lincoln club. He is the owner of considerable realty in the north, has a pleasant residence at No. 305 S. Union street, and he and wife hold high rank in the social circles of the city of Grand Rapids. As an indication of the excellent photographic work done by Mr. Sharpsteen, it may be mentioned that he took first prize, a silver medal, at the photographic convention held at Chautauqua, NY., where eighteen states were represented and where there were forty-four exhibits of competitive skill.