Death claimed another pioneer of Ventura County when Mrs. J. M. Sharp passed away Sunday night [July 8, 1934] at the family ranch home at Saticoy.
Mrs. Sharp was born June 14, 1851, in Philadelphia, and came to California in 1869 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Plank, living first in San Francisco.
There she graduated from the Normal school in 1873, afterward teaching school in Sonoma County. In 1874 she was married to J. M. [James Meikle] Sharp, a classmate in the Normal school. They lived near Santa Rosa two years, then moved to Ventura County, living first in the Santa Ana District.
Mrs. Sharp was one of the first teachers in the Santa Ana School. In 1882 the family came to Saticoy where they have since resided. Mrs. Sharp was always active in community life and church work. She was a past president of the Ventura County Federation of Women’s clubs, and had served on the board of the Los Angeles District Federation of Women’s clubs.
Mr. Sharp died about a year and a half ago, and surviving Mrs. Sharp are the following children: Mrs. J. P. Thille, Julian H. Sharp, Mrs. W. H. Duval, Nathan Sharp, Hubert C. Sharp, and Leslie T. Sharp. In addition there are 15 grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be conducted at the home Tuesday afternoon. Public services will follow at the Santa Paula Cemetery at 3:15 o’clock. The H. B. Skillen Mortuary of Santa Paula is in charge of arrangements.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman