Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. Vol. 2, p. 150. JUDGE HARRY H. BELT Judge Harry H. Belt, circuit judge of the twelfth judicial district, comprising Yamhill and Polk counties, has the distinction of being the youngest judge elected to the circuit court bench in the state. He is one of Oregon's native sons, for his birth occurred at Salem, November 24, 1883, his parents being John D. and Nellie (Hackleman) Belt, the former born in Missouri and the latter in Oregon. In 1853 the father accompanied his parent son their journey across the plains with ox teams. The family located at Salem, where the grandfather took up land and cleared and developed it, placing many improvements on his property. He was also a physician and in addition to cultivating his farm practiced his profession at Salem, continuing active along those lines during the balance of his life. His son, John D. Belt, on starting out in the business world engaged in the drug business, becoming proprietor of a store at Salem and later conducting an establishment of that character in Dallas. In the management of his business interests he won a substantial measure of success and is now living retired at Forest Grove, Oregon. The mother also survives and they are highly esteemed residents of their community. He is a democrat in his political views and strictly adheres to the principles of that party, steadfastly supporting its measures and candidates. Harry H. Belt attended the public schools of Dallas and later became a student at the State Norman school at Monmouth, Oregon, from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. Subsequently he taught school for three years in Yamhill county, and so excellent was his record as an educator that he was called to the office of superintendent of schools of Yamhill county, which office he capably filled for three years, when he resigned in order to devote his entire attention to the study of law. While teaching he had devoted his leisure hours to mastering the principles of jurisprudence, his uncle, Judge George H. Burnett, now serving as judge to the supreme court of Oregon, being his instructor. In 1906 he was admitted to the bar and then entered the office of Oscar Hayter, a prominent attorney of Dallas. While well grounded in the principles of common law when admitted to the bar, he has continued through the whole of his professional life a diligent student of those elementary principles which constitute the basis of all legal science and this knowledge has served him well in many a legal battle before the court. Judge Belt's ability as a lawyer soon won recognition and he was called to the office of circuit judge of the twelfth judicial district, being at the time of his election the youngest chosen to that office in the state, the territory over which he originally had jurisdiction comprising Yamhill, Polk and Tillamook counties. The last named county, however, is not now included within the boundaries of the twelfth judicial circuit, which comprises Polk and Yamhill counties. At the close of his six years' term Judge Belt was reelected without opposition and is now the incumbent in the office. He has made a record over which there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil and his native sense of justice as well as his knowledge of the law have made him an able presiding officer over the tribunal of which he has charge. His decisions indicate strong mentality and careful analysis, his ability being based upon a finely balanced mind and splendid intellectual attainments. On the 3d of July, 1907, Judge Belt was united in marriage to Miss Martha Paldanius and they have become the parents of two children, George L. and Myra, who are attending school. Mrs. Belt is a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist. In his political views the Judge is a republican and a stalwart supporter of party principles. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit underlying these orders. He possesses a high sense of duty and honor and never swerves from the course which his conscience dictates as right. He has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state and the sterling traits of his character have established him high in public regard. * * * * * * * *Census notes collected by the transcriber: 1910; April 21; Yamhill Co, OR; Ward 1 McMinnville City, South McMinnville Precinct, 905 Vine st, page 254. *Harry H. Belt, head, male, white, age 26, born Oregon, parents born Oregon, 1st marriage, married 2 years, superintendent, county schools, rents house, can read, write & speak English. *Martha Belt, wife, female, white, age 22, born Oregon, parents born Sweden, 1st marriage, married 2 years, 0 children, no occupation, can read, write & speak English. 1920; January 3; Polk Co, OR; Ward 2 Dalles City, Precinct #38, page 289, 1015 Ash st. *Harry H. Belt, head, male, white, age 36, married, born Oregon, parents born Oregon, occupation district judge, owns home free of mortgage, can read, write and speak English. *Martha Belt, wife, female, white, age 32, married, born Oregon, parents born Sweden, can read, write and speak English. *George L. Belt, son, male, white, age 9, single, born Oregon, parents born Oregon, attends school. *Mira Belt, daughter, female, white, age 6, single, born Oregon, parents born Oregon. 1930; April 7; Marion Co, OR; 3 Ward Salem, Pct #17, page 76, 380 Lesley. *Harry H. Belt, head, male, white, age 46, married, born Oregon, parents born US, 1st marriage at age 24, lawyer, supreme judge, not a veteran, has a radio, owns home free of mortgage, value of home $88,000? *Martha Belt, wife, female, white, age 42, married, born Oregon, parents born Sweden, 1st marriage at age 20, no occupation. *George L. Belt, son, male, white, age 19, single, born Oregon, parents born Oregon, att. school. *Mira N. Belt, daughter, female, white, age 16, born Oregon, parents born Oregon, att. school. *Barbara Belt, daughter, female, white, age 5, born Oregon, parents born Oregon. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.