Biographical History
Sarah Locke Smith was born Sarah Anne Jane Locke on August 5th, 1860, in Lockeford, California (San Joaquin County). Her parents were George Shepley Locke and Susan Lucretia Hammond. Sarah attended the San Jose Normal School in San Jose, California, where she received an elementary education degree in 1879, and May of 1880 she received a secondary education degree, graduating in twenty-first class. During her time at the Normal School, Sarah's interests included botany and poetry. Between the years 1880-1882, Sarah taught in Humboldt County. On December 25, 1882, she married William Thomas Smith, and later the couple moved to Ferndale, California. They had six children, three boys and three girls: Elmer William Smith, 1883; Harry James Smith, 1885; Warren Locke Smith, 1886; Ethel Smith, 1888; Mildred Smith 1891; and Gertrude Smith, 1898. Sarah Locke died on June 19th, 1939 in Ferndale, California.
Shirley Orpha Smith, daughter of Warren Locke Smith, was born December 31, 1924. She completed her B.A. in 1947 and received her Occupational Therapy Certificate from San Jose State College in 1948.
From the guide to the Sarah Locke Family Collection, 1865-2004, 1879-1948, (San José State University. Library.)
