Belden, J. Webster, M.D.

Submitter Mike Miller

Belden, J. Webster, M. D., successful and widely known physician of New Orleans, is the son of Dr. James G. and Arabella E. (Treat) Belden, and was born in this city, Oct. 10, 1856. His father, for many years a physician of high standing, was a native of Moscow, N. Y., and his mother was born at Palmyra, that state. The Belden family, of English descent, can boast of an American citizenship of nearly 3 centuries, dating from the year 1640. Dr. Belden's great grandfather, John Belden, was an officer in the American army during the Revolutionary war. His great grandmother, Ann Webster, was a sister of Noah Webster, the eminent American lexicographer. His grandfather, Ebenezer Belden, with Noah Webster, his uncle, was the publisher of Webster's dictionary, Webster's spelling book, and a daily newspaper in New York City, the first daily paper issued in this country. Though not a politician, Dr. James G. Belden was elected state treasurer of Louisiana in 1864. For nearly half a century he was a prominent figure in the social and professional life of New Orleans, and followed here a long and honorable career. Dr. James Webster Belden was educated at Fairchilds academy, Flushing, L. I.; the Moravian institute, Philadelphia; Tulane Medical college, at New Orleans, and the New York Homeopathic college. He has been a practicing physician in New Orleans for more than a quarter of a century, following his father's profession and emulating his example. Dr. Belden married, March 31, 1891, Miss Lucy E. Whitall, daughter of Rev. Charles West and Harriet (Harding Barnett) Whitall, of New Orleans. One child, Webster Whitall, was born to this union Oct. 23, 1892. Dr. Belden is a member of the democratic party and though not actively identified with political movements, he takes a deep interest in all those questions which concern the moral and material advancement of the people. He was appointed to membership on the state board of medical examiners by Gov. Foster in 1895, a position he has continued to hold through successive reappointment to the present time. In religion he adheres to the principles of the Episcopal church, and is a member of Trinity congregation. As a member of the Round Table club, of the Southern Homeopathic association, and the New Orleans Homeopathic association, he finds opportunity for social and professional advancement, in which he is always a leader.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 42. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.