My Genealogy Hound

George Belding, retired merchant, Hot Springs, Ark., an honored and much respected gentleman, was born in Hot Springs (now Garland) County, August 14, 1832, and is one of four children: Maria (wife of William H. Gaines), Albert (in Little Rock), Henry (in Texas), and George, born to Ludovicus and Lydia (Bassett) Belding, both natives of Massachusetts. The parents came first to Kentucky, thence to Indiana, and in 1828 to Arkansas, where they located at Hot Springs, in what is now Garland County. They came through in wagons, and when the county was very thinly settled. The family settled in Hot Springs, remained there a year or two, and then moved to the farm near the Ouachita River, in what is now Sulphur Township, where the father died in 1833. He left a widow and four children. George Belding was the youngest of this family, and remained on the farm until 1852, when he removed to Hot Springs with his mother, who died in the winter of 1864. The Belding family gained considerable notoriety in lawing with the Government and individuals for the Hot Springs. George bought the place where he now lives, in 1858, and built a log-house in which he still lives. This is one of the oldest landmarks in Hot Springs, and Mr. Belding is one of the oldest native-born residents now living in Garland County. During the war he went to Texas, and remained a resident of that State for some time. In 1853 he engaged in the mercantile business, and carried it on until 1861, but in the spring of 1866 he began again, and continued at this until 1871. Since that time he has not been engaged in any regular business. When he first located at the Springs, there were about 200 inhabitants, and he has since witnessed the marvelous growth and improvement of the place. He owns almost a block of business buildings, nearly in the center of the city. In his early life he was a Whig in politics, but he is now a Democrat. He was married in 1859, to Miss Amanda Irons, a native of Missouri, who bore him eleven children, six now living: Bettie, George R., Augustus G., Almond B., Selma L. and Fannie G. Mrs. Belding is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.