Nathan Alonzo Belden was born Saratoga County, New York in 1819 to Scottish parents Simeon and Caisina Belden. He was a blacksmith by trade. The Belden family was just passing through Downers Grove in 1844 when Nathan met Pierce Downer. Nathan fixed a shoe on a horse owned by Pierce, who then convinced him to settle in the area. Nathan opened a blacksmith shop near Maple and Main Streets. Nathan donated his time and supplies to help build the Methodist church in town. He died at the age of 44, perhaps the hard life of a blacksmith contributed to such an early death.
