The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-01-05
NELSON CAMERON HYDE.

Death is making a sad record among the
elder and middle-aged prominent citizens
of the state. One has just passed on who
had more than local prominence in social,
business aud mystic circleS-in fact, in the
fraternal world-a measurably national
reputation.
Nelson Cameron Hyde died on Thursday
Dec. 28th, at his home In Poultney of
Brights disease at the age of So years. He
was born upon the ancestral farm upon
which he passed away Jan. 49, 1929. He
spent the most of his early life upon his
fathers farm. He was educated in the
common schools under the maStership of
Deacon Joseph Josin and Hon. Ralph
Richards, famous masters of their time,
and at Troy Conference academy, then
under the presidency Of the late Bishop
Jesse II. Peck of the Methodist church.
thus enjoying the instruction of the best
educators OF the period, receiving a sub
Stantial English education, which served
him well III his future business and public
career.
AT the age of II years he began service
of two years as an apprentice in the
famous Stanley stove foundry at POultney,
and there earned his first stipend and
afterWard engaged in the same vocation at
Milford, n. H., and Albany, N. Y. In
1873 he became the attorney and general
business agent of A. W. Gray & Sons,
manufacturers of horse-powers and separ-
his five years engagement did much to
Systemic their business and establish
trade for the expectation of their manu-
features to foreign countries. In 1879 he
engaged with Hon. WOrthington C. Smith
as general agent of the st. Adams Foun-
dry company, position he occupied for
10 years, retiring to his farm because of
impaired and failing health. He was also
engaged with the late Gov. John Gregory
Smith in silver mining operations in Col
OradO, and other matters which pertained
to Vermont interests. He was withal an
intelligent, practical farmer, and for sew
eral years president of leading agricul-
tural association, which not only held
successful exhibitions, also an annual win
ter meeting for the discussion of agricul-
tural topics. In 1878 he was a useful and
influential member of the legislature from
POultney, and afterward was a frequent
attendent on the session of the legislature
as member of the 'third house." gaining
a general knowledge of state legislation,
and was at times an important factor in the
political conventions of his party.
He was widely known in fraternal cir
Giles, being for more than a quarter Of
century identified with the order of Odd
Fellows, filling most of the stations in the |
subordinate and grand lodge. He had |
been grand patriarch and grand master of |
the state grand bodies. He was six years |
grand representative to the Sovereign |
Grand Lodge OF the United States and was
member of the special committee to re-
wise the ritual and work of the order,
which presented as a result the present
beautifed work now practiced. In this
relation he attained measurably national
reputation and acquaintance. He was also
Leading member of the Knights of
Pythlas,, having been past grand chan
cellor. lie was charter member of Unity
lodge, No. 3, of ST. Adams. and its first
chancellor commander In later years he
had been an active, successful business
man, and a useful public citizen. In re-
llglouS preference he was Congregation
allSt and in politics republican
He married Ann Cook, an estimable
Wallingford woman, who died January 30,
1892. Five children survive them, among
whom are Fred II. Hyde, deputy grand
master of Odd Fellows, and Nellie Sabin
Hyde, prominent musician and vocalist,
and sister, Mrs. Nellie lily de Sabn.
Mr.. Hyde's step-father, Ira NJ. Clark,
died on Wednesday-the day previous to
his own.
The funerals were observed at Poultney
on Sunday at O'Clock p. III.