Tristram T. Hyde
Tristram Tupper Hyde | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Charleston, South Carolina |
| Died | 27 January 1931 (aged 68) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman |
| Known for | Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina (1915–1919) |
Tristram Tupper Hyde (July 3, 1862 – January 27, 1931) held the office of mayor in Charleston, South Carolina from 1915 until 1919.
Early life
Born to Simeon Hyde and Ann Elizabeth Tupper, Hyde completed his education at the High School of Charleston. He entered into marriage with Minnie D. Black in 1886 and later wed Sue Estelle Thomas in 1907.
Hyde's career in business began as a real estate broker with Eben Coffin and Co., after which he established his own enterprise, Tristram T. Hyde and Sons. His leadership extended to executive positions including president of Commercial Savings Bank, White Swan-Ideal Laundry, and the Francis Marion Hotel Corporation.
Mayor
In the 1915 mayoral election, Hyde secured the support of former Mayor R. Goodwyn Rhett and Charleston’s commercial leaders, narrowly edging out the incumbent John P. Grace, known for his populist platform, by a margin of only 14 votes. The ensuing recount triggered unrest that tragically resulted in a reporter’s death; shortly thereafter, Grace conceded defeat.
During his term, Hyde emphasized stringent fiscal policies and sought to curtail government expenditures. His administration adopted a strict approach toward combating bootlegging, setting him apart from Grace’s policies. In the tightly contested 1919 election, Hyde was narrowly unseated by Grace.
Among Hyde’s notable accomplishments was the transfer of a large section of Hampton Park to state authorities to establish a new campus for The Citadel, thereby securing the institution’s presence in Charleston. He also played a pivotal role in advancing the city’s public waterworks infrastructure.
Beyond his political career, Hyde expanded his business ventures and was a key investor in the firm responsible for developing the Fort Sumter Hotel located on the Battery.
Later life
Hyde’s final resting place is at Magnolia Cemetery (Charleston, South Carolina).
Further reading
- Geddings Hardy Crawford. Who's Who in South Carolina. A Dictionary of Contemporaries Containing Biographical Notices of Eminent Men of South Carolina. Columbia, 1921.
- Year Book 1919, City of Charleston. Charleston, 1920.