The following information was provided by F-A-G contributor Roy Frederick, #47654299.

CHARLES H. BELDEN. [Belden Electric Company of Joplin]Charles H. Belden has come the attainment of a distinguished position in connection with the business world of Joplin, where he has resided since 189U. His achievements worthily illustrate what may be attained by persistent and painstaking effort, for the admirable success that it has been his to gain is entirely the outcome of his own well directed endeavors. In 1900 he organized the Belden Electric Company which prominent concern has gradually extended the scope of its operations so that it is now one of the institutions of Joplin.
At Battle Creek, Michigan, on the 26th of October, 1859, occurred the birth of Charles H. Belden, who is a son of Stephen P. and Sarah (Harmon) Belden, the former of whom was a native of Rockyhill, Connecticut, and the latter of whom claimed Bangor, Maine, as the place of her nativity. The father removed to Battle Creek, Michigan, as a young man and there was foreman in one of the leading printing offices for a number of years. In 1862 he established the family home at Alton, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming operations for a time and whence he returned to his native state of Connecticut about the year 1865. From the latter place he went to Australia, where be passed the remainder of his life, his death having there occurred in 1909. The mother died in Connecticut in 1871.
After completing the curriculum of the public schools of New Britain, Connecticut, the same including a course in the high school, Charles H, Belden attended and was graduated from the latter as a member of the class of 1880. He then learned the printing trade and for a. couple of years was foreman of the New Britain Herald. In 1883 he became Connected with the American Electric Company of New Britain, which concern was later reorganized as the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, as a result of its having acquired the patents of Professors Thomson and Houston. In the following year Mr. Belden decided to make his home in the west and in that year he came to Missouri, locating in St. Louis, where for six years he ran the electric light plant of the firm of Carroll & Powell. This company promoted the electric railroad at Joplin and in December, 1890, Mr. Belden was sent here to superintend the same. He continued to be in the employ of Carroll & Powell for the ensuing five years. at the expiration of which he was identified with mining operation for one year. Thereafter he was superintendent of the Joplin Telephone Company for four years and in June, 1900, he organized the Belden Electric Company, which is one of the moat prominent and successful concerns of its kind at Joplin.
In East St. Louis, on the 30th of May, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Belden to Miss Emma Volkel, who was born and reared in East St. Louis. To this union have been born three children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated,—Mildred and Frank are in the employ of their father at the electric plant; and Russell is now a student in the Missouri University.
In the time-honored Masonic order Mr. Belden is a member of the East St. Louis Lodge, No. 504, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master; East St. Louis Chapter, No. 156, Royal Arch Masons; and Tapered Commandery, No. 50, Knights Templar, Belleville, Illinois, he is also affiliated with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He does not belong to any church or religious denomination, being a free thinker in religious matters. As a citizen he is eager and sincere in his attempts to further progress and improvement and as a substantial and successful business man he is everywhere accorded the confidence and regard of his fellow men,
[HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY MISSOURI, JOEL LIVINGSTON, PUBLIC DOMAIN]