Ventura
County
Biographies
SARAH THOMPSON
A member of the Shearon
family, pioneer settlers of the Ojai Valley; Sarah Thompson has always lived in
this part of the state and is the widow of Charles H. Thompson, whose ranching
interests she is successfully managing.
Mr. Thompson was born in New York City, October 23, 1873, a son of
Thomas and Winnifred (Clark) Thompson, who were
natives of Ireland. The father followed
the occupation of a gardener until 1877, when he came to Ventura County,
locating first in the lower Ojai Valley, and later in the upper valley, where
he engaged in the raising of grain and hay.
He owned a large and productive vineyard and in the early days made
fifty thousand gallons of wine. In the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Thompson there were nine children, of whom five
are now living: Joseph, James, John,
Mrs. C. E. Gibson and Mrs. Elsie Ritner.
The educational advantages enjoyed
by Charles H. Thompson were those afforded by the public schools in the Ojai
Valley. He early became familiar with
agricultural pursuits and after managing the home place began farming on his
own account, purchasing land on the Carne Road, near Ojai. This tract, formerly known as the Burnet
place, he cultivated until the close of his career, specializing in the growing
of citrus fruits, and his orchards are still considered among the best in this
district. On his ranch are lemon trees
more than forty years old and orange trees nearly thirty years old which are in
fine bearing condition. Experience and
study taught him the most effective methods of fruit raising
and prosperity rewarded his intelligently directed labors. Practically his entire life was spent in the
Ojai Valley, for which he had a deep and abiding affection, and was always an
earnest advocate of movements for its behalf.
He was esteemed for his public spirit, his industry and honesty and his
passing on November 20, 1930, at the age of fifty-seven years, was mourned by
all who knew him. Apparently strong and
well, he had a weak heart but could not forego the pleasure of witnessing
athletic sports, although advised by his physician not to attend baseball games
or boxing matches as the excitement might prove fatal. In religious belief he was a Catholic, and
his fraternal connections were with the Knights of Columbus at Oxnard and
Ventura Lodge, No. 1430, B. P. O. E.
By his first wife, who was Miss
Addie McKenna, Mr. Thompson had two children:
Irwin, who is now in Hollywood, California; and Mrs. Adelaide Thompson,
of San Francisco. For his second wife
Mr. Thompson chose Mrs. Sarah Gibson and a daughter, Patricia Ann, was born to
them. She is nearly eight years of age
and attends the school near her home.
Since her husband’s death Mrs. Thompson has efficiently operated the
farm, continuing the production of citrus fruits, and has twenty-one acres in
oranges and four acres in lemons. She
belongs to the Woman’s Club of Ojai and has long occupied a prominent place in
the social life of the community by reason of her fine qualities of heart and
mind.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 239-240, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPIES