My grandparents, C.J. Freitags, came to Sharon, Kansas, in the year of
  1907. They bought a farm 2 1/2 miles west of town. I didn't come until
  December 10, 1910. I am the oldest grandchild. My parents divorced, so
  my home was with my grandparents until I married. I was born June 29, 
  1896, at Grant City, Missouri.
     In those early years, Sharon Valley was noted for its fruit orchards.
  Most everyone had some fruit trees, while others had large orchards.
  Farmers raised corn, Kaffir, Oats, alfalfa, cattle, and hogs. Not much
  wheat was raised at that time.
     Every farm had cows and chickens. At that time I remember Sharon had
  at least two cream stations. Some of the farmers shipped their cream to
  other towns. They probably got a few cents more. Sharon also had two grain
  elevators.
     These were the years before combines. Several farmers had threshing
  machines, also corn shellers. They would thresh the neighbor's oats and
  wheat. In those days the grain was either threshed from the bundles or
  stacks; later, the straw was baled or spread out on the land and worked
  under.
     Everyone had a garden, so most of them raised their own food, and
  canned vegetables and fruits for winter use. A few farmers raised water-
  melons, cantaloups, and peanuts to sell for the holiday season.
     I attended a country school known as Central View; and after graduating
  from eighth grade, I attended the high school at Sharon for two years.
     On February 27, 1916, I was married to Fred Fisher, a neighbor boy who
  lived north and west of my grandparents. He was the third son of Mr. and
  Mrs. J.F. Fisher. The Fishers were among the earliest settlers. J.F. Fisher
  was a farmer and stockman, who spent most of his life dealing in livestock.
  He bought and sold cattle, horses, and mules. In those days Sharon had a
  stockyard, also a depot. J.F. was known to ship carloads of cattle to 
  Wichita, also Kansas City.
     In those days farms were small and it wasn't to hard to rent a place.
  Fred and I rented farms until 1922, when we purchased the home of Mrs. Joe
  Manly, a widow. It was located at the northwest corner of Sharon, just west
  of the high school. We lived there for sixteen years. Fred worked on the
  construction of 160 Highway, running a maintainer, mowing roadways, and
  blading the dirt to fill the chuckholes. Lawrence Tilton was County Engineer;
  Deb Shell maintained the west end of the highway.
     We then traded the place with Mrs. P.B. Cole, who owned a farm south and
  west of Sharon. We lived on the farm until Fred passed away; then I sold
  the farm and moved to Medicine Lodge.
     I am a member of the United Methodist Church where I enjoy Golden Agers'
  Club. Each afternoon, Monday through Friday, I work with a group of Golden
  Agers, who meet to quilt at Fellowship Hall. This project has filled a
  wonderful place in my life, and I have made new and lasting friendships. I
  enjoy the Leisure Time Center for recreation and meals with other Senior
  Citizens.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 176 
     Submitted by: Emma (Fry) Fisher