Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

their superior educational facilities. Soon
after completing his studies he engaged
in the tailoring business, continuing for
a short time, resigning from that to enter
the firm of his father which was incorpo-
rated under the firm name of Seth Belden
& Sons Company, another brother, James,
also being a partner in the firm. After
the death of his father, Mr. Belden with
his brother continued to carry on the
business. During the two years spent
in this business, Mr. Belden was all the
time storing up the knowledge of mercan-
tile life and preparing himself for a suc-
cessful business career. His next posilion
was with the Newton & Hills Com-
pany, coal dealers, as a clerk in their of-
fice. Soon after, in 1882, together with
Mr. Hills of the firm, the Hartford Coal
Company was organized, of which Mr.
Belden was made president and Mr. Hills,
secretary and treasurer. Later Mr. Belden
was elected to the offices of both president
and treasurer, which he held until his
death. Under the able management of
the officials of the firm, the Hartford Coal
Company soon grew to large proportions,
conducting an extensive business in Hart-
ford and vicinity. During his entire business
life Mr. Belden displayed to a marked
degree the talents which were apparent
in his early ancestors for organizing and
managing financial ventures. He was
conservative in his dealings, yet progres-
sive, which combined qualities mark the
true business man.
In spite of his activities in the business
world, Mr. Belden found time to take a
keen interest in the civic matters of his
native city, and was an earnest student
of the political warfare being waged at
that time. He was a staunch adherent
of the Republican party and its principles
and it was only natural that his fellow
citizens should recognize his worth as a
public official. Having been born and
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
20
reared in the city, the personal success
of Mr. Belden was certain and the only
difficulty lay in persuading him to overcome
his aversion to publicity. He was
nominated by his party to the Court of
the Common Council of Hartford, and
elected from the Third Ward, which
district he ably represented in the term
of 1875, justifying the expectations of his
constituents. However, Mr. Belden could
not be again prevailed upon to accept
a candidacy for public office, but was
influential and helpful in the local councils
in his role as a private citizen.
Possessed of broad sympathies and a
personality which quickly won him true
and lasting friends, Mr. Belden was very
prominent in the social and club life of
Hartford. He was a member of St. John's
Lodge No. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, of Hartford ; B. H. Webb
Council, Royal Arcanum ;
Hartford
Council, Improved Order of Heptasophs
and Sicaogg Tribe, Improved Order of
Red Men.
On May 28, 1868. Mr. Belden was married
to Mary E. Sill, a daughter of Micah
and Adelaide (Rapael) Sill, of Hartford.
Mr. and Mrs. Belden were the parents
of three children: 1. Frederick Seth, born
in Hartford. May 29, 1869; he was graduated
from the Hartford High School, and
then entered the employ of H. H. Whitman,
a dry goods merchant. He was
later employed by the Jewell Belting
Company, remaining there for eight
\ears, at which time he resigned to become
associated with his father in the
firm of the Hartford Coal Company, hold-
ing the office of assistant secretary ; since
the death of his father, in 1902, he has
been president of the firm ; in 1914, Mr.
Belden bought the oldest coal yard in
Springfield, Massachusetts, which he reorganized
under the name of the May-
nard Coal Company, Maynard being the
;