The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-20
DEATH OF REV. N. A. HYDE
HE WAS ONE OF INDIANAPOLIS'S
BEST CITIZENS.
First Came Here as Pastor of PIym-
Outh Church-Wide Church Work
Died in Vermont.

"a AiNS~OSS SOSbCiuoS AAOii -
announced the death there of the Rev
n. A. Hyde, Of this city, who has been
there since June at his summer home. No
particulars of his death were given, and
the announcement was shock TO his many
friends who saw him here last in appar-
emily good health He was one of the most
prominent divines of this city and had
host of friends and admirers.
He leaves a widow, who was with him.
but no children except Josephine, an adopt
ed daughter, who is we'll known and is an
accomplished musician.
a later telegram last night stated that
brief services would be held at Ludlow
Monday, but that the funeral services
would be held here in the fall probably
awaiting the Homecoming Of members Of
his wifes family.
The Rev. Nathaniel Alden Hyde was born
in Stafford, Conn. in 1927 His father was
a thrifty and successful iron founder. His
mother was a direct descendant of John
Alden. one of the Pilgrims coming on the
Maylower. His father died while he was
young and left to him the charge OF his
large estate. When twelve years of age he
entered Monson Academy. where he re-
manned four years before going to Yale,
from which he graduated in le4i lie then
took uD professional studies in AndoVer
Theological Seminary, which were con-
tinued until 1851
During 1851, 1852 and 1853 he preached in
small towns in Connecticut, and then be-
came assistant secretary Of the Children S
Aid Society in New York. which he held
until 1856. lie was ordained "a minister In
December, 1891, at Columbus, o., where
he remained fer a brief period.
CAME TO PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
In 1858 Plymouth Church, in this city,
was organized, and he was called as its
pastor. He accepted and the first services
were held in the old Statehouse. He was
an enthusiastic worker, and through his
efforts a church edifice was erected on the
site occupied by part of the English Ho-
tel. He held the pastorate of this church
for ten years. In 1867 he was appointed
secretary of the State American Home Mis-
sionary Society, because or his knowledge
OF the needs of the work and his acquain-
lance with the people and churches OF the
State. He was married in August 1866 to
Miss Laura X. Fletcher, daughter or
Stoughton A. Fletcher. sr and few years
later, because of the interests OF his fam
lily, resigned the position as secretary or
the missionary society and became pastor
of the Mayfiower Congregational Church,
with which he remained as pastor until 1887.
Since his resignation he had been, however,
closely identified with the work of the
church up to the time of his death.
His work along religious and literary lines
was remarkable. His capacity seemed to
be unlimited, and he was always successful
in carrying out his plans, which were al
ways for the betterment OF the conditions
of the organizations with which he was
connected. He was identified with many
of the allied church societies In an official
capacity. He was president OF the state
Home Missionary Society, secretary or the
State Congregational Building Society, sec
rotary of the State Congregational Asso-
citation, corporate member of the American
board of commissioners for foreign mis-
sions, representing the churches OF Indiana
trustee of the Chicago Theological Semi
nary al a representative OF Indiana, preSl-
dent of the board of trustees or MaynoWer
Church. chairman of the building COM
During earlier years he was president of
the Art Association. from which he resigned
about six years ago because the decision of
the board TO keep the exhibit open on
Sunday did not meet his views; president or
the New England Society of indianapolis,
which position he had occupied from Inc
time of its origin, and at one time president
of the Board of Childrens Guardians: lie
was conservative but progressive, and his
work was consulted upon almost every oc-
casion by those interested in the same
work and also in politics, in which he
took much interest but not as a politician.
REV E. D. CURTIS'S TRIBUTE.
He was one of the best known men in the
State, and of him the Rev. E. d. Curtis,
of 9O2 North Delaware street, with whom
he was intimately associated for the last
fourteen years, said:
TOO much could not be said of him. He
had the qualifications of a Puritan an
cestry. He had great strength of character,
and his conscience his king. He was
a man possessed of sagacity; wise and de-
liberate, and would have made great
diplomat. He occupied great many i'm
portant positions in the life of the city, and
was a man to whom people generally looked
up with esteem. He was man or high
literary attachments, man or culture. IL
is difficult to emphasize the regard Whlcn
people felt for DR.. Hyde. He was esteemed
as good and wise He was a very earnest
preacher, and possessed fine ability and
power in making his statements. lie was a
man such is always called upon to read
papers and statements requiring fine dis
tinctionS and eXactneSS. He was man OF
great benevolence. He had ample means
and was very liberal in assistance to the
church generally. He also did great deal
in the way of personal benevolence. He
was a very busy man, having large cor
respondeLce resulting from his many con-
nections with church and missionary work.
He was methodical in his habits and was
always up early in the morning and at hls
desk He was a man of extreme courtesy,
courtly manners and dignihed. He was
very popular in the society in winch he
moved. He was built in large mold.