An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, 1902
published by Western Historical Publishing Company

Joseph Shepard

Mr. Shepard was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1843. He lived with his parents there until his majority was attained, going with them to Kansas. In 1864 he set out across the plains with mule teams for Boise, Idaho, where he was engaged in mining for four years, going then to the Feather river country, on the headwaters of the Boise, where he prospected all summer, returning to Boise in the fall. The next spring he prospected on Cedar creek, and the next he went into the Boise basin, where he worked for two years, going then to Walla Walla. Early in the spring he went to Cedar creek, in the British possessions, and after prospecting all summer he returned to Walla Walla, wintering there. The next season was spent in the Spokane country and in the Coeur d'Alene region, and the next in the Eldorado country, not far from Baker City. During the summer, fall and winter of 1870 he was engaged in rocking on the Snake river bars, and the ensuing quadrennium was spent in the country around Sparta, where he wrought at placer mining. In 1875 he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pine valley, and turned his attention to farming and cattle raising, a line of activity in which he has been engaged ever since. He brings the same enthusiasm and vigor to his efforts in this direction which formerly characterized his search for earth's hidden treasures, and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of his section.

On December 22, 1891, our subject married Miss Elizabeth Gosen, and to them have been born six children, namely: Harry E., Luis, Delbert, Violet, Lillia, and one that died in infancy.

We should not forget to record the interesting reminiscence that Mr. Shepard was one of the five men who were attacked by twenty Indians on Big Camas prairie in the fall of 1864. In the fight thirteen of the redskins were killed, but fortunately none of the whites were injured. The battle occurred at daybreak.

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