Justice Hyde, age 3 months

Hope you all are well – with love – Grace

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This real-photo postcard was purchased at the Springfield Antique Barn in Springfield, Robertson County, Tennessee. (Well worth a visit if you are in the area, by the way.) Even with just the few clues written on the photograph, it didn’t take long to track down some information.

Justice Hyde was born 30 January 1920 in Robertson County, Tennessee, the son of George W. Hyde and Grace Earl Winters. (1) He was born just a few weeks after his family was enumerated in the 1920 United States Census. His parents and sister, Grace, resided on a farm on Sandy Springs Road. George was a 41-year-old farmer, who owned his farm. Grace was age 36, and their daughter, Grace V., was age six. (2)

In the 1930 United States Census, the George W. Hyde household was enumerated in Civil District 13 on Old Nashville and Hopkinsville Road. George was a 51-year-old farmer, who owned his farm. Grace E. was age 46, daughter, Grace V. was age 16, and G. Justice was age 10. (3)

By the 1940 United States Census the George W. Hyde household was enumerated in District 8, Cedar Hill, Robertson County, Tennessee. George was a 61-year-old farmer, who owned his home at a value of $600. Grace E. was age 56, Grace E. was age 26, and Justice was age 20. The 1940 census recorded the highest level of education each person had received at the time the census was taken. George W. had completed two years of high school, Grace E. completed one year of high school, Grace V. completed two years of college and was employed as a teacher in a county school, and Justice had completed four years of high school. (4)

On 13 October 1941, 21-year-old Justice Hyde registered for the World War II Draft Registration at Local Board Number 1, Springfield, Robertson County, Tennessee. His physical description was recorded as being 5’9″ in height, weighted approximately 175 pounds, with gray eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. Justice lived in Cedar Hill and worked at the Bell Telephone Company in Nashville. (5)

Corporal Justice Hyde served in the National Guard and enlisted in the United States Army, Quartermaster Corps, 26 January 1942 at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. (6)

While I have chosen to end this brief biography at the beginning of Justice Hyde’s military career, I can tell you that he survived World War II, obtained the rank of Major, and died at the age of 93.

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• (1) “U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2020); entry for Justice Hyde, 30 January 1920; citing Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, Box: 147, The National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri.
• (2) 1920 U.S. census, Robertson County, Tennessee, population schedule, Coopertown, enumeration district (ED) 183, p. 4A (penned), dwelling 73, family 76, George W. Hyde household; accessed via “1920 United States Census,” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2020); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1761.
• (3) 1930 U.S. census, Robertson County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 13, enumeration district (ED) 22, p. 9A (penned), dwelling 156, family 159, George W. Hyde household; accessed via “1930 United States Census,” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2020); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2270.
• (4) 1940 U.S. census, Robertson County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 8, enumeration district (ED) 74-9, p. 15A (penned), dwelling 248, household 248, George W. Hyde household; accessed via “1940 United States Census,” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2020); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 3930.
• (5) “U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2020); entry for Justice Hyde, 30 January 1920; citing Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, Box: 147, The National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri.
• (6) “U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2020), entry for Justice Hyde; citing World War II Army Enlistment Records, Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64, National Archives at College Park, College Park, Maryland.