Eugene H. Belden

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Eugene H. Belden
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Jackson County 3rd district
In office
1881–1882
Preceded bySylvester A. Strong
Personal details
Born(1840-12-14)December 14, 1840
Spring Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJanuary 6, 1910(1910-01-06) (aged 69)
Jackson County, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyPopulist
Other political
affiliations
Republican
Industrial (1890)
Alma materMichigan Central College

Eugene H. Belden (December 14, 1840 – January 6, 1910) was an American politician.

Biography[edit]

Eugene H. Belden was born in Spring Arbor, Michigan on December 14, 1840. After attending lower-level schools, he began attending Michigan Central College at age 15. At age 20, he started attending the law department of the University of Michigan. He also studied law in the office of Governor Austin Blair.[1] Belden did not graduate from the University of Michigan, and he never practiced law, instead getting involved with farming and real estate.[2] He had also served as justice of the peace and public notary.[1]

In 1880, Belden was elected as a Republican to the Michigan House of Representatives, representing Jackson County's 3rd district. He served one term.[3] In September 1884, Belden was nominated at the Jackson County Republican convention for the state senate.[4] He was defeated when running for the 7th district seat by Michael Shoemaker.[5]

In 1890, Belden attended the founding convention of the Industrial Party. The Industrial Party was a fusion of groups including the Greenback Party, the Knights of Labor, and the Farmers' Alliance. By this time, Belden was a member of the Farmers' Alliance.[6] Belden was nominated for governor by the new party. He received 13,198 votes.[7]

In August 1891, Belden was appointed by Governor Edwin B. Winans to serve on Michigan's World's Fair commission.[8] He served as vice president of the commission.[9]

In December 1891, Belden attended the first convention of the People's Party of Michigan. He became chairman of the state executive committee.[10] In August 1892, he was nominated for the United States Senate by the Populists.[11] In January 1893, Belden received five votes for U.S. senator from the Michigan Legislature.[12] The Populists again nominated Belden for U.S. senator in July 1894.[13]

On January 6, 1910, Belden died after six months of illness.[14] He was a widower by the time of his death.[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 1. p. 71.
  2. ^ University of Michigan (1902). General Catalogue of Officers and Students, 1837-1901. p. 398.
  3. ^ "Legislator Details - Eugene H. Belden". Library of Michigan. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  4. ^ "Jackson County Republican Ticket". Detroit Free Press. September 14, 1884. p. 15. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Michigan Manual. 1885. p. 559.
  6. ^ "A New Party". The Niles Daily Star. August 1, 1890. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Michigan Manual. 1891. p. 377.
  8. ^ "Local Laconics". Livingston County Daily Press and Argus. August 5, 1891. p. 8. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ The Chicago Daily News Almanac and Year Book for 1893. 1893. p. 228.
  10. ^ "People's Party". Jacksonville Republican. January 2, 1892. p. 3. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ "All Pledge Bound". Lansing State Journal. August 5, 1892. p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "United States Senator". Detroit Free Press. January 18, 1893. p. 3. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Oh! What a Night!". Lansing State Journal. July 6, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Michigan Happenings". Livingston County Daily Press and Argus. January 19, 1910. p. 3. Retrieved May 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "354288". Michiganology. Retrieved May 19, 2024.