James Belser was a native of Clarendon County. He was an honor graduate of the University of South Carolina, receiving A.B. and LL.B. degrees in 1905. He joined Dr. W. D. Melton (his brother-in-law) and W. Gordon Belser (his brother) in law practice at Columbia. In 1908, he married Susalee Mikell of Edisto Island. Their two sons, J. E. Belser, Jr. and Townsend Belser, are members of the Columbia Bar.
Edwin Belser was an expert in equity practice and in real estate, corporation and probate law. He was a man of excellent business judgment and a director and counselor of many business groups.
He was a member of the local, State and American Bar Associations, to which he gave faithful service. He was always to be found on the side of decency and right. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia.
He was a fine example of the best in Southern manhood, a man of gracious hospitality, ever mindful of the comforts and pleasures of his guests.