Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
JOSEPH L. SHELTON, a substantial
and highly respected farmer on Mission creek, Chelan county, is a genuine
westerner, having been born in Boulder county, Colorado, January 11, 1867.
His father, Joseph M., was a native of Virginia, descendant of an old and
prominent family. He served for years in the confederate service,
and was taken prisoner a number of times. He died at Lowell, Washington,
in 1894. The mother, Missouri C. (Jones) Shelton, was born in Missouri,
her parents being Virginians. She passed away at Everett, Washington,
in November, 1902.
Joseph L. Shelton remained in Colorado until
he was fourteen years of age, coming to Ellensburg, Washington, in 1881.
Here, with his parents, he raised stock, there being at that early period
but few settlers in his vicinity. His father engaged in the horse
raising business in company with T. C. Helm, and our subject rode the range
for them. For eighteen months he lived on Bellingham Bay, going thence
to North Westminster, British Columbia, where he followed teaming.
He followed the same pursuit in the Fraser river country, and for two years
at Everett, Washington. He then traded some Ellensburg property for
ninety acres of land on the Columbia river, eight miles below Wenatchee,
and in 1902 disposed of the same and purchased eighty acres on Mission
creek, Chelan county. Forty-five acres of this is tillable, and he
has four acres set out in a promising orchard.
Our subject has three sisters living: Delcie,
wife of Lon Jones, of Puget Sound; Minnie, wife of T. G. Collins, for six
years chief of police of Everett, now a builder and contractor; and Pearl,
who is still single, a cashier and bookkeeper, of Everett. In February,
1890, at Albany, Oregon, Mr. Shelton was united in marriage to Ida M. Howard,
a native of Linn county, Oregon. Her parents were early pioneers
of that state, and her father is now in Alaska, where he has been for several
years. They have two children, Hazel, ten yars of age, and Bertha,
eight years old. Mr. Shelton is a member of the Odd Fellows.
Politically his affiliations are with the Democratic party, although he
is not an active campaign worker, and is inclined to be independent on
party issues. He is a highly respected and influential citizen.