Charles L. Hyde Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 421-422

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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CHARLES L. HYDE. In past ages the history of a country was the record 
of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, 
and those whose names are foremost in its annals ere 'he leaders in 
business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind 'over 
matter, not man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully 
establish, control and operate 'extensive business enterprises. Mr. 
Hyde is unquestionably one of the strongest and most influential men 
whose lives have become an essential part of Pierre and Hughes county. 
Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for 
devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to 
every-day common sense, guided by resistless will power, are the chief 
characteristics of the man. 

Mr. Hyde was born in Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, in 1861, and is 
a son of James F. and Harriet (Blake) Hyde, natives of Massachusetts 
and Maine, respectively. The father, who has been engaged in 
merchandising and manufacturing throughout his active business life, is 
now living in Lincoln, Illinois, at the age of eighty-six years. 

At the age of eighteen years, Charles L. Hyde was working as a farm 
hand or cowboy in Colorado, and from 1880 until 1886 was a commercial 
traveler for an eastern manufacturing house. He was then united in 
marriage with Miss Katie L. Robinson, a farmer's daughter living in 
Trumbull county, Ohio, and they have become the parents of three 
children, as follows: Ruth, now ten years of age; Charles L., Jr., 
seven years; and Dorothy, three years. 

After his marriage, Mr. Hyde located in Lima, Ohio, where he was 
engaged in mercantile business until coming to Pierre, South Dakota, in 
1888. Since 1885, however, he has owned property in this state, and 
since locating here has given the greater part of his time and 
attention to the real estate business, though he is interested in many 
other enterprises, being vice-president of the National Bank of 
'Commerce and also president of the Capitol Milling Company. He has 
large cattle interests in Sully and Hughes counties, and owns real 
estate-in most of the principal cities, and farm lands in many of the 
counties of the state. Though he is comparatively a young man and but a 
few years since worked for a few dollars per month, he has by his own 
well-directed efforts become the wealthiest citizen of Hughes county, 
paying more taxes than any two of its citizens, while he is one of the 
heaviest taxpayers of the state. His financial career has been most 
remarkable, and results solely from his own perseverance, forethought 
and integrity. His connection with various business enterprises and 
industries has been of decided advantage to his city and state, 
promoting their material welfare in no uncertain manner. In politics he 
is independent and was once a candidate for State Senator, but was 
defeated by a small vote. He is a temperance man, using neither liquors 
nor tobacco, and is a member of the Congregational church.