Calvin L Sharp

Cal was born in Belknap, Massac County, Illinois on July 24, 1905. He is a full brother to Ralph Sharp, my grandfather, who was born in 1913. His mother was Hattie Orlena Teague, his father was John Calvin Sharp, a sawyer. Calvin Lavell was the first in the family to follow the "Westward Ho!" urge from the mid-West to California, and here is some more information on him.

At right is a portrait taken at age 21, so that would be about 1926. "Love You, Uncle Cal Sharp, Westwood, Calif."

The photo below left is Cal and little guy Ralph on a bicycle, probably around 1917.
After Cal was old enough to strike out on his own, he went to California to see about the logging industry.

In the town of Westwood, County of Lassen, State of California, the 1930 census taken in Enumeration district 18-19, sheet 1A, we have Renting a home at 321 Delwood Street :

Calvin L Sharp, on line 8, Head of house is listed as a White male, age 25 and Married.
He first married at age 23, had not been to school in the previous year, could read and write and He could speak English. He was born in Illinois, his father was born in Illinois, his mother was born in Illinois. Not an immigrant.... They spoke English at home while growing up. He worked as an Electrician at the Lumber Plant. He was not a veteran of any war.

Lee Norah Sharp, on line 9, Wife of H.O.H., is listed as a White female, age 26 and Married. She first married at age 24, had not been to school in the previous year, could read and write and She could speak English. She was born in Arkansas, her father was born in Illinois, her mother was born in Missouri. Not an immigrant.... They spoke English at home while growing up.

At right, obviously years later, is Cal and Ralph with their mother, Hattie. The year is 1962.

(This is probably the same trip Ralph took the photo of "Grandma Richardson's House".)

A Published Obituary from a local newspaper in 1983 reads as follows:

Calvin Lavell Sharp, 77, Chico, Calif., died Feb. 14 of a heart attack
suffered a few hours earlier at Chico General Hospital.
Mr Sharp is a former resident of Metropolis where he attended school. He had resided in California for 60 years. Survivors include his wife, Goldie; one son, Col. Bradford Sharp; two grandchildren; one great-grandson; one brother, Ralph Sharp, all of California; and one sister, Mrs. Gerald Roby, Paducah. Burial was in Westwood, Calif. on Feb. 16.