Biography of 	Belden, J. Webster, M.D., Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Sumbitter	Mike Miller January 1998

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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.