Oliver Moulton Hyde
Encyclopedia
Oliver Moulton Hyde was a Detroit businessman, manufacturer, and politician who was elected mayor of Detroit three times, in 1854, 1856, and 1857.
on March 10, 1804, the son of Pitt William Hyde. At age 23, Hyde married Julia Ann Sprague, and opened a dry goods store in Castleton, Vermont
. In 1834, he sold the store and moved to Mount Hope, New York
to manage two blast furnaces.
In 1838, Hyde moved to Detroit and opened a hardware store on Woodward Avenue. He began a business manufacturing counter scales at the same location. Hyde branched out in business, opening a foundry and machine shop, and began manufacturing marine engines and other steamboat hardware. In 1852, he began a dry dock business, and also built a sawmill near Saginaw, Michigan
.
He had a reputation for extensive charity work, and gave or privately loaned a substantial portion of his fortune.
Hyde joined the Whig Party
and ran for multiple elected offices; later in life he joined the Republican Party
. Hyde was elected to the city council numerous times, and served as mayor of Detroit in 1854, 1856, and 1857. He was also appointed Collector for the Port of Detroit under presidents Zachary Taylor
and Millard Fillmore
.
In 1863, Hyde suffered a dehibilitating stroke, after which he was almost completely confined to his house. A second stroke followed four years later. Nevertheless, Hyde actively supported recruiting and public service during the Civil War
.
Oliver Moulton Hyde died on June 28, 1870. He had three living children: Henry S. Hyde, Hattie S. Hyde, and Louis C. Hyde.
Biography
Oliver Moulton Hyde was born in Sudbury, VermontSudbury, Vermont
Sudbury is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 560 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 3.15%, is water.-Demographics:...
on March 10, 1804, the son of Pitt William Hyde. At age 23, Hyde married Julia Ann Sprague, and opened a dry goods store in Castleton, Vermont
Castleton, Vermont
Castleton is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. Castleton is about to the west of Rutland, and about east of the New York/Vermont state border. The town had a population of 4,717 at the 2010 census. Castleton State College is located there, with roots dating to 1787...
. In 1834, he sold the store and moved to Mount Hope, New York
Mount Hope, New York
Mount Hope is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 6,639 at the 2000 census.The Town of Mount Hope is in the northwestern part of the county, west of Middletown...
to manage two blast furnaces.
In 1838, Hyde moved to Detroit and opened a hardware store on Woodward Avenue. He began a business manufacturing counter scales at the same location. Hyde branched out in business, opening a foundry and machine shop, and began manufacturing marine engines and other steamboat hardware. In 1852, he began a dry dock business, and also built a sawmill near Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
.
He had a reputation for extensive charity work, and gave or privately loaned a substantial portion of his fortune.
Hyde joined the Whig Party
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
and ran for multiple elected offices; later in life he joined the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. Hyde was elected to the city council numerous times, and served as mayor of Detroit in 1854, 1856, and 1857. He was also appointed Collector for the Port of Detroit under presidents Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
and Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States and the last member of the Whig Party to hold the office of president...
.
In 1863, Hyde suffered a dehibilitating stroke, after which he was almost completely confined to his house. A second stroke followed four years later. Nevertheless, Hyde actively supported recruiting and public service during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Oliver Moulton Hyde died on June 28, 1870. He had three living children: Henry S. Hyde, Hattie S. Hyde, and Louis C. Hyde.