Morning Press, 7 September 1906 — DEATH CALLS FAMOUS FLORIST Mrs. Theodosia B. Shepherd Passes Away. WAS KNOWN AS ‘THE BURBANK OF THE SOUTH” Originated a Celebrated Flower Garden in Ventura, and Put Forth a N umber of Imported Plants—Her Death a National Doss. [ARTICLE]

DEATH CALLS FAMOUS FLORIST Mrs. Theodosia B. Shepherd Passes Away. WAS KNOWN AS ‘THE BURBANK OF THE SOUTH” Originated a Celebrated Flower Garden in Ventura, and Put Forth a N umber of Imported Plants —Her Death a National Doss.

Ventura, and California at large, mourns the death of Mrs. Theodosia B. Shepherd, whose passing from this earthly life occurred yesterday morning in her home city. Mrs. Shepherd has a national reputation as a floriculturallst, a reputation second in the state only to that of Luther Burbank. In Santa Barbara she had many friends, and her presence at the flower shows of years ago was always sought. The remains will be taken Saturday to Los Angeles for cremation. Today between the hours of 3 and 5 p. m. those who desire to pay their respects may do so at the family residence on Chestnut street in Ventura. The Ventura Free Press gives the following interesting sketch of Mrs. Shepherd's career: Mrs. Theodosia Burr Shepherd was born at Keosauqua, la., sixty-one years ago, her father being Judge Hall, a noted man In his day and section. Her mother died early in her life and she took up her life with her grandparents, by whom she was raised. Her girlhood was that of other gills, but she early evinced her infatuation for outdoor life, and it was natural for her to be a lover of flowers. Never very rugged, after marriage and a few years spent in lowa she came westward with her husband, W. E. Shepherd, and settled In this city, which place she soon learned to love, and where she has since made her home. Upon arrival here he immediately turned her attention to flower life, and even in the early days her private garden became noted in the community, as her great public garden has since become noted throughout the world. Her flowers became to her as children. She early saw the vast possibilities in flower culture and determined upon devoting her life to that beautiful vocation. In soil and climate she soon found there was everything conducive to the verybest good of plant life and has never passed an idle moment, when strong enough to be out and among her flowers. The success of her efforts has been far beyond her early-dreams. WhereeVer in the world flowers are known, the efforts of Mrs. Shepherd jn flower production are known and talked about. With superior mind and deft hand she has wonderfully helped nature, and the thing she has done will live after her as long as the flowers live and are loved and talked about. Many rare and beautiful plant productions have found their way into the world through her delicate manipulation. One whose life is spent in such work as has been hers can not help but be friendly to humanity and broad in spirit. Mrs. Shepherd was this. She had friends everywhere and was called everywhere to tell of the things she knew about plants. When able, she never failed to respond to these calls, for shq was anxious for others that they should see the workings of nature as shd had found it— that they should study it as she had done, and found the good and the beautiful in it as she had. Nor was her reputation us an authority confined to the narrow bounds of the community or state. Her name was known abroad and in the gn at world outside the little circle, and her correspondence was from everywhere. Her creation of new flowers has been the marvel of the great seedmen ♦