New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-03

in strength. After his return to his city home
last fall his friends and relatives had hope for
his recovery. but he unable to leave his
house during the winter, and could give no at
tenton to business affairs. He became alarm
ingly III on Monday. The best medical skill was
powerless to prolong his life.
1t said at his home last evening that ar
engagements for his funeral had not been COM
pleted Throughout Mr.. Hyde's long illness
James w. Alexander the first vice-president Of
the Equitable. has been acting president, and 1t
is understood that Mr.. Alexander will succeed
Mr.. Hyde as president Of the society.
Henry B. Hyde was born in Catskill, n. Y,
on February 10. 1894 He came to NewYork
in 1850 when he was sixteen years old. He
employed by Merritt, Ely & Co., merchants,
OF this city, for about two years, after which.
In January 1852. he obtained a cerkship in
the office OF the Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany, OF New-York.
His attention called to life insurance
early in life. In addition to his knowledge Of
the business obtained from his experience
IN the Office Of the Mutual Life. he acquired
great deal Of useful and interesting nforma-
ton the subject from his father, Henry II.
Hyde, Of Boston, who was one Of the most con-
spicuous and successful life insurance men Of
his day. Mr. Hyde the father. lived for many
years in Boston. representing the Mutual Life
Insurance Company Its general manager
for New-England
In March, 1859. young Hyde. who had be-
come cashier Of the Mutual company,
nounced to Frederick S. Winston, It's president.
that he had come to the conclusion that there
was room in the life insurance business for
new company organized along new lines, and
that after careful consideration he had de-
cided to organize such company. He thereupon
rendered his resignation. which accepted by
Mr. Winston, to take effect forthwith Two days
later he delivered up his keys, the cash and Sc
curities under his charge having been exam
ined by the actuares of the company and found
correct.
The Equitable Life Assurance Society Of the
United States was Incorporated on July 20 of
the same year. but a great deal Of preliminary
work was done before its organization. After
his retirement from the office Of the Mutual
company, Mr.. Hyde rented rear room on the
second floor OF the building then standing at
No 9S Broadway at annual rental Of 5000
and placed a sign bearing the title OF the COM
pany on the front OF the building.
The rest Of Mr.. Hyde's active business life
was spent in the interest OF the company At
the incorporation Of the Equitable Mr.. Hyde
was elected vice president and manager, and in
that capacity he continued until the death Of
President Alexander. in 1874. when he was pro-
NOTED to the presidency. For years he had re-
ceived one OF the largest salaries paid any busi-
ness man in the world-S1O0,0OO-but In spite
of this fact he had few financial relations out
side OF the Equitable. to whose interests and
DEVELOPMENT he gave the best efforts of his life.
He was however interested In the Columbia
Fire Insurance Company which failed in 1874
His administration of the affairs OF the
Equitable had always been strongly energetic
and progressive Perhaps the feature of his
administration that attracted most public atten-
ton was the payment without needless delay
of tn, $40 900 policy on the life Of Colonel wal
ton B. Dwight of this State. Colonel Dwight
carried In all more than S230,OOO in life insur-
ance All the other companies disputed pay
ment and carried the into the courts, rep
resented by Evarts Chcate Beaman: The
Equitable however. promptly paid the $4,000
policy and the consequent advertising proved
extremely valuable.
Mr. Hyde was a lifelong Republican, mem
Der of the Union, Union League, Lawyers.
Southside Sportsmens, Westminster Kennel
and Press clubs and a trustee " the Metro
politan Museum Of Art. In 1864 Mr.. Hyde mar
ried Miss Fitch, q daughter of Simeon Fitch
and she survives him. He leaves son. James
H HYDE who Is second vice president Of the
Equitable and a daughter who is the wife
OF Sidney d. Ripley treasurer OF the Equi-
table The son is recent graduate OF Har
ward and gave to the university fund to
Harvard and gave 10 the university fund 10
defray the expense of having lectures by emf |
nent Frenchmen. NJ. Bruaetere and NJ. Rod |
have already appeared in this course.