R. H. Belden was born in Ontario, Canada in 1857 and settled in Griggs County in 1880. He homesteaded on East half of Section 28 in Lenora Township where he began farming. He married Irene Trina Tockle who came from Norway. He became acquainted with Miss Tockle at the time she operated a boarding house in Cooperstown. There were three children, 2 died in infancy. Mabel, the surviving child, married Evan Gutormson who had come from Iowa and had purchased the East half of Section 28 and West half of Section 29 in Lenora Township.

Mr. Belden had a large windmill on his farm, which was also used to grind feed. One time when the windmill would not start, he climbed up to fix it. It suddenly started, his thumb was caught, and Mr. Belden had no choice but to jerk the thumb off.

Mr. Belden was active in community and Township affairs.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 336