Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 483. JOSEPH F. BELSHEE one of the leading farmers and energetic business men of Sherman county, resides three miles east of Monkland. He was born April 16, 1856, in Hancock county, Illinois, the son of Robert and Ellen (Smith) Belshee, both natives of Virginia, as were their parents. The parents of Robert Belshee were David and Eleanor Belshee, their ancestors of foreign birth, probably of Ireland. David lived in Virginia until he was thirty-two years of age, when he moved to Missouri, where he followed farming as he had in Virginia. He came to Oregon one year before his son. He, ninety years old June 1, 1905, is mentally bright, in excellent health and makes his home with our subject. The mother of our subject died in Hancock county, Illinois, October 13, 1875. Until 1878 our subject was reared in Illinois where he attended the public schools and the high school at Warsaw, at intervals working on the farm with his father. The family came to Oregon together and our subject took up land, a quarter section, and purchased other land from the railroad company. He had no capital at first and rented land in the Willamette valley. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he is steward and trustee. Politically he is a Prohibitionists. October 26, 1875, in Hancock county, Illinois, Mr. Belshee was united in marriage to Emma Bledsoe, a native of that county, born January 15, 1855. She is the daughter of Benjamin F. and Millie (Breeden) Bledsoe, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Iowa. Benjamin F. Bledsoe was an early Illinois pioneer and assisted in driving the Indians from the territory, and, also took an active part in the expulsion of the Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois. He was the captain of the company, a farmer, dying January 22. 1871, on his farm in Hancock county. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Belshee was a pioneer Methodist Episcopal preacher in Jackson county. The two brothers were ministers in the Methodist and Baptist churches. One of the brothers of the father of Mrs. Belshee was a preacher; the other a captain in the confederate army during the Civil war. Our subject has one brother and one sister living; Charles H., a farmer near Woodland, California; and Causby, wife of John B. Gilbert, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Belshee, also, has one brother and one sister: Richard 0., an Arkansas farmer; and Clarrissa, wife of Washington Golliher, a farmer in Hancock county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Belshee have the following named children: Robert W., a farmer; Wesley R., living three miles south of our subject; Charles R., a farmer; Howard B., Homer, a schoolboy, living at home; Benjamin T., also at home; Robert M., a grandchild, son of Robert W. and Jessie (Thompson), died November 10, 1901; Millie E., single, living at home; Clarrissa E., Cassie F., Jennie M., born in Sherman county, May 31, 1894, died June 4th, of the same year; Josie F., born June 5, 1888, died July 8, 1889, and Boyd, born February 22, 1897, died March 5th, of the same year. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.