HYDE, Hon. Ephraim Henry,
Lieutenant-Governor.

The name of Hyde holds an eminent position in the roll of Connecticut's colonial families. The progenitor of the family in America, William Hyde, was one of the founders of the city of Hartford, and, from that time to the present, members of the family, distinguished for their ability,
have rendered signal service to their State and country in the development of industry, as members of the professions and in the capacity of efficient and faithful public officials.
The Hyde family is an old one in England, the name being found on record for five hundred years. William Hyde, the immigrant ancestor, was a native of England. The exact date of his coming to America is unknown, but his name appears on record in Hartford in 1636. He was an original proprietor in 1639-40, his name being perpetuated as such on the monument in the old graveyard at the rear of the First Church in Hartford. He was doubtless a member of Rev. Thomas Hooker's company. He was in Saybrook as early as 1652, and we find him named as one of the original thirty-five proprietors of Norwich in 1660. He was a man of considerable wealth, and was prominent in the colony. He served several terms as selectman. His death occurred at Norwich, January 6, 1681. From him the line descends through Samuel Hyde, born in 1637, and died in 1677; his son, Thomas Hyde, born in July, 1672, and died April 9, 1755; his son, Captain Jacob Hyde, who was born January 20, 1703, and resided at Norwich West Farms. His son, Ephraim Hyde, was born April 23, 1734, and his son, Jasper Hyde, was born at Stafford in December, 1769. He engaged in the manufacture of iron in his native town, and accumulated great wealth for his day. He was one of the town's most useful citizens. His death occurred on August 5, 1848.
Hon. Ephraim Henry Hyde, son of Jasper Hyde, was born June 1, 1812, at Stafford, Connecticut. Notwithstanding the fact that his formal educational opportunities were limited, he became one of the leading citizens of the State, and served as its Lieutenant-Governor. He was a man of splendid mental capacity, ambitious and determined. He was progressive and aggressive, and the State will ever be indebted to him for his intelligent and Untiring efforts to promote agriculture and stock breeding, the cause of education and prison reform.
On his father's farm was an old hotel known as the halfway station between Hartford and Worcester. He attended the district school in his native town, and had about six weeks of study at the academy in Monson, Massachusetts. He worked in the hotel and on the farm. During this period he also had about four months' experience at driving a stage between Stafford and Sturbridge. At the age of eighteen he became a clerk in a country store. His thrift and industry are indicated by the fact that soon after attaining his majority he became proprietor of the business. As fast as his means increased he embarked on new enterprises. He was interested in a blast furnace for about eight years, and at the age of twenty-nine was the chief promoter of a cotton mill at Stafford Springs. For many years he was a member of the firm of Converse & Hyde, manufacturers of satinets, and he was actively engaged in many other industrial enterprises. While his industrial interests were large, he found his greatest pleasure in agriculture and kindred interests. He owned several large farms, and from about the year 1842 gave most of his time and attention to cattle breeding and the farming operation incidental thereto, entering upon a course that was to make his name familiar as a household word to the leading agriculturists throughout the country. He was convinced that Devons were best adapted to natural conditions in Connecticut, and imported many fine cattle of that breed. He also experimented with Ayrshires, Durhams and Jerseys. His Devon cattle won many sweepstakes, medals and other prizes. His study and efforts contributed greatly to the improvement of the breed on this continent, individuals from his herds being shipped to all parts of the country. The improvement in Connecticut herds was especially marked. The name of Ephraim Henry Hyde will ever hold a place of eminence in the development of modern agriculture and stock raising in
that State. His activities were not limited by the desire for personal gain; he gave liberally of his time, money and talents to the advancement of these interests.
The Tolland County Agricultural Society was organized in 1852, largely as a result of his influence and efforts. He was its first president, serving continuously until 1860, and again from 1864 to 1868. Hyde Park at Rockville was so named in his honor, and in recognition of
his services to the society. He was president of the Connecticut State Agricultural Society from 1858 to 1881; president of the American Breeders' Association from 1865 until the association was resolved into sections for each breed; president of the Connecticut Valley Agricultural Association, comprising New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut; president of the Tolland County East Agricultural Society from its organization in 1870 to 1876; vice-president of the State Board of Agriculture from its organization in 1866 to 1882, and was placed in the office again in 1890; vice-president of the New England Agricultural Society from its incorporation until his death; vice-president of the Dairymens' Association; was one of the incorporators of the Connecticut Stock Breeders' Association; for more than thirty years served as chairman of the State Commission on Diseases of Domestic Animals, and chairman of the committee to publish the first volume of the "American Herd Book."
Governor Hyde long felt the need of a school in Connecticut especially devoted to teaching agriculture, and he was one of the first two persons who discussed with the Storr Brothers the desirability of establishing such a school at Mansfield. The success of the undertaking was due largely to his zeal, support and untiring efforts in its behalf. In 1899 he was chosen one of the committee under whose direction the splendid buildings were erected at a cost of about $50,000. He was a member of the board of trustees and its vice-president. Soon after the Connecticut Experiment Station, and was elected vice-president of the board of control at its organization, March 29, 1879. He was president of the Tolland Centennial Celebration in 1876 and delivered the opening address. He also presided at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the primitive organization of the Congregational church and society at Franklin, Connecticut, October 4, 1868. His religion was of the practical kind that finds its expression in the practice of the Golden Rule rather than in dogmatic disputations. He was identified for many years with
the Universalist Society at Stafford, serving for fifteen years as sexton, organist and leader of the choir.
He married (first) September 27, 1836, Hannah Converse Young, who died February 26, 1862. He married (second) October 19, 1869, Mary S. Williams, of Hartford. Children by first wife: Ellen E., married Ernest Cady, of the Pratt & Cady Company of Hartford; Ephraim Henry,
a sketch of whom follows; four children died young.
Governor Hyde died June 18, 1896. In all his public life, covering a period of nearly half a century, his aim was to subserve the interest of the State, and not the shadow of a suspicion rests on his honored name. His conduct, motives and methods were straightforward and honorable, and his record one of which to be proud. Lieutenant-Governor Hyde filled a large place in the State, but his name will best be known as that of the eminent breeder, who, by his enlightened efforts, materially assisted in raising the farming industry of the State to a higher level, and in vastly increasing the value of its dairy farm and stock. But few men of half his age were to be compared with him in activity and endurance. Always strictly temperate in his habits, he saved himself from the infirmities that so often overtake public men in their declining years. With a tall and slender form, a well-bred face, a flowing white beard, and the graceful courtesy of an elder day, he presented a striking figure. Affable and agreeable, fond of society and companionship, kind and considerate of others, with a pleasant smile and a cheerful greeting
always, he had as large a circle of personal acquaintances and friends as any man in the State, and no one was more highly and widely esteemed.