Oliver Moulton Hyde

Oliver Moulton Hyde
Mayor of Detroit
In office
1854–1854
Preceded by John H. Harmon
Succeeded by Henry Ledyard
Mayor of Detroit
In office
1856–1857
Preceded by Henry Ledyard
Succeeded by John Patton
Personal details
Born March 10, 1804
Sudbury, Vermont
Died June 28, 1870 (1870-06-29) (aged 66)
Detroit, Michigan
Spouse(s) Julia Ann Sprague

Oliver Moulton Hyde (March 10, 1804 – June 28, 1870) was a Detroit businessman, manufacturer, and politician who was elected mayor of Detroit three times, in 1854, 1856, and 1857.

Biography

Oliver Moulton Hyde was born in Sudbury, Vermont on March 10, 1804, the son of Pitt William Hyde.[1] 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.[1]

In 1838, Hyde moved to Detroit and opened a hardware store on Woodward Avenue.[1] He began a business manufacturing counter scales at the same location.[2] Hyde branched out in business, opening a foundry and machine shop, and began manufacturing marine engines and other steamboat hardware.[2] In 1852, he began a dry dock business,[1] 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.[1]

Hyde joined the Whig Party and ran for multiple elected offices; later in life he joined the Republican Party.[1] 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.[1]

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.[1]

Oliver Moulton Hyde died on June 28, 1870.[1] He had three living children: Henry S. Hyde, Hattie S. Hyde, and Louis C. Hyde.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Silas Farmer (1889), THE HISTORY OF DETROIT AND MICHIGAN, pp. 1040–1041
  2. 1 2 Friend Palmer (1906), Early days in Detroit, Hunt & June, pp. 821–824

Further reading

Political offices
Preceded by
John H. Harmon		 Mayor of Detroit
1854 		Succeeded by
Henry Ledyard
Preceded by
Henry Ledyard		 Mayor of Detroit
1856–1857 		Succeeded by
John Patton
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