Our Greats and Grands
James Meikel Sharp (Founder)
​
The story of J. M. Sharp Company begins not simply with land, but with character and service.
​
Founder James Meikle Sharp arrived in Ventura County in 1876 after a lifetime shaped by perseverance and self-reliance. As a child, he crossed the American continent by ox cart with his family, enduring months of hardship before settling in Oregon. That experience forged a resilience and clarity of purpose that would define his approach to agriculture, business, and community leadership for more than half a century it also instilled a deep understanding that communities endure only when individuals step forward to lead, organize, and serve .
Those values became the foundation not only of his ranching operations, but of his lifelong commitment to Ventura County’s civic, agricultural, and economic development. He believed that productive land carried responsibility—to employees, neighbors, markets, and future generations. These principles became the foundation of the J. M. Sharp Company and remain embedded in its governance today. This philosophy—long-term stewardship over short-term gain—remains a defining principle of the company.
Susanna Rebecca Plank Sharp
​
Susanna Rebecca Plank Sharp was a central figure in Ventura County’s early civic, educational, and cultural life—an educator by training, a community builder by instinct, and a steady presence behind many of the institutions that shaped the region.
Born in Pennsylvania, Susanna moved west with her family to California in 1869, settling first in San Francisco. She pursued formal education at the State Normal School, graduating in 1873 at a time when advanced education for women was still uncommon. Following graduation, she taught school in Sonoma County, establishing herself early as a committed and capable educator.
In 1874, she married James Meikle Sharp, a fellow Normal School classmate. The couple shared a belief in education, civic responsibility, and public service—values that would define both their partnership and their individual contributions to Ventura County.
​
Her commitment to education continued throughout her life, both formally and informally, through mentorship, advocacy, and sustained involvement in civic organizations dedicated to learning and cultural enrichment.
Susanna Sharp was deeply engaged in community life beyond the classroom. She emerged as a respected leader within Ventura County’s women’s civic movement, a space that played a critical role in shaping early social, cultural, and charitable institutions. She served as President of the Ventura County Federation of Women’s Clubs and later held leadership roles at the district level, including service on the Los Angeles District Federation of Women’s Clubs board. Through this work, she helped advance initiatives related to education, public welfare, cultural programming, and civic improvement—efforts that strengthened community life across the region.
Dr. Grace Honoria Sharp Thille
Physician, Pioneer, and Lifelong Servant to Community
Born: September 5, 1875 — Bennett Valley, California
Died: 1979 — at age 103 – Santa Paula, California
Grace Honoria Sharp Thille was a trailblazer whose life bridged the frontier era of Ventura County with the modern age. A physician, writer, and civic leader, she is remembered as Ventura County’s first woman physician and as one of the earliest women doctors in California. Her career unfolded at a time when women in medicine were still extraordinary exceptions.
Born into a family of Western pioneers, Grace grew up in rural Ventura County, where hardship and responsibility were part of daily life. From an early age, she assumed roles well beyond her years—caring for younger siblings, riding horseback across rough terrain to attend school, and witnessing firsthand the dangers of frontier living. These early experiences shaped both her resilience and her calling.
Dr. Robert Phillip Sharp
​
​​
Geologist, Educator, and Pioneer in Earth and Planetary Science
Born: June 24, 1911 — Oxnard, California
Died: May 25, 2004 — Santa Barbara, California
Robert Phillip Sharp was one of the most influential geologists of the twentieth century—a scholar whose work advanced understanding of landscapes on Earth and helped lay the foundations for interpreting planetary surfaces beyond our world. His long career spanned academic leadership, groundbreaking research, wartime service, mentorship, and scientific exploration. Robert P. Sharp’s life was defined by curiosity, exploration, and a belief that the same physical processes shaping Earth’s surface could illuminate the histories of other planets. His leadership at Caltech helped establish the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences as a world-renowned center for integrative Earth and space research.
