New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-02

James Jerome Belden ex- congressman and bank
err born in Fabus. y. Y, September go
1926 He OF Puritan descent, the family being
well known in Connecticut Colonial history An
active and promising lad. with only common
school education and brief attendance at the Faous
Academy. he began his business career at an early
age in village store In his native town FROM
there he went TO Adams Jefferson County. y. Y,
where he remained five years as clerk and partner
In the business Of a country merchant. Allured by
the discovery OF gold In California, he gave up MS
position in the spring of $50 and went 10 the Pa
Siao coast He there fell and upon n ms re-
store for the sale of mining and camp supplies,
tTappngs etc. and soon succeeded in aCcumulatllS
a capital of several thousand dollars.
Returning last IN 1888. he took up his residence
store but he disposed of his interest in that
business and thereafter for number OF years de
voted his attention mainly 10 the constr uCuoh o.
public works by contract. He married the daush-
early residents Of Syracuse and a large manufact-
urer and contractor His first contract in which
Eegted with the enlargement Of the Qsweso Canal
Beden and Henry d. Denson he engaged in the
cons tructon OF railroads. reservoirs, canals and
Contracts of the rm We're the building Of street
railroads in Detroit, the enlargement OF the locks
of the Syracuse Northern and Chenango Valley
COUNTY besides large contracts for dredging in
New-York and other harbors. and for repairs And
principal contract for Iem1oying the broken rock
I az e me 9 tbs nI,ed StoteS rCVer1mSnI lis
last considerable work the construction OF the
West Shore Railroad between Syracuse and Little
Falls.
The Republicans OF Syracuse elected Mr.. Belden
Mayor by unusual majority. and he entered
upon the Office in February, 1871 In this position
he displayed executive qualities and gained the ad-
miration OF the community by the vigUr and ability
with which he discharged his official duties At the
close OF his term ne was reelected without sub
stantial opposition.
Mr.. Reden had been prominently connected with
the First and Third National banks and with the
Syracuse Savings Bank. In 1881 he established the
Robert Gere Bank. of which he became president
ard for which fine building was erected.
Upon the election OF Frank HtSCock to the United
States Senate. in 1887 Mr.. Belden became the Rep
resentative in Congress from the Onondaga dis
trict and was three times In succession reelected
nv the Republicans. serving until 1893. In the
House he served on the committees on appropra,
tfors District of Columbia etc. He took special
interest in the veterans Of the Civil War. and
successful in securing pensions for disabled SOL
diers In 1890 he chairman of the Republican
Congress Committee. He declined renomina ton to
the IIVth Congress in 1894 but was elected to the
I,Vth Congress In 1896 as the candidate of the Nc
Kfnlev League, with a Democratic Endorsement
In 1898 he refused denomination
Mr. Pelden amassed large fortune. and he was
ths owner Of the Hotel MaHh9 tan in this city.
making il his home considerable part Of the time.
He was a trustee of Syracuse University from It's
Foundation and was identified with all the public
m OF Syracuse.