Hyde's Early Life

Andrew Hyde was born January 26, 1841, the son of JamesHyde, a paper maker in Lee, Massachusetts. Andrew’s mother died when he was an infantand he was sent to live with his uncle’s family in Tatham. At age 15 (1856) he wasapprenticed to a tool maker in Manchester, Connecticut where he mastered every aspect ofthe mechanical trades from the foundry floor to the drafting table. At the end of hisapprenticeship, Hyde signed onto a New Haven, Connecticut sailing ship engaged in theSouth American trade. When his ship returned from the voyage, he still yearned for moresea adventure and signed on for a second trip. Hyde returned to this country  in 1861 (age 20) to find America’s young menmobilized to fight the Civil War. He enlisted in the First Connecticut Heavy ArtilleryUnit where he served the Union for three years.

The Thomas Edison Connection

After the war, Hyde was employed by Springfield Armory. During hisstay in Springfield, he married Rose L. Fuller. Hyde left Springfield Armory in favor of aposition with Thomas A. Edisonin Newark, NJ. He became superintendent of Edison’s works and applied his mechanicalgenius to the perfection of Edisons many inventions. Hyde began playing the violin duringhis stay in New Jersey.