On the farm, Henry discovered large deposits of coal, shale and clay.

He built a small kiln to study the effects of firing temperatures on clay and shale.

[1] In 1885, Henry S. Belden established the Diebold Fire Brick Company near Canton in Stark County, OH.

[3] In 1904, Paul Belden, Henry’s youngest son, returned to Canton to assist his father as the company was in dire financial straits.

[3] In 1909, Paul Belden was authorized to obtain any capital needed to operate the business.

[4] By 1912, the company included operations in Canton and Perry County, Ohio, referred to as the Somerset Plant.

[5] In 1946, Belden acquired the plants of the Finzer Brothers Company in Sugarcreek, OH in Tuscarawas County, OH.

[7] In 1973, The Belden Brick Company acquired the assets, properties and manufacturing facilities of the Moomaw Brothers at Sugarcreek, OH.