Henry Clay Ide

Henry Clay Ide (September 18, 1844 – June 13, 1921) was a U.S. judge, colonial Commissioner, ambassador, and Governor-General. Born in Barnet, Vermont on 1844-09-18, Ide graduated from Dartmouth in 1866, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He practiced law in St. Johnsbury, Vermont from then until 1891. From 1876 to 1878, Ide was State Attorney for Vermont. From 1882 to 1885 he was a member of the Vermont State Senate. President Benjamin Harriso... more

Henry Clay Ide (September 18, 1844 – June 13, 1921) was a U.S. judge, colonial Commissioner, ambassador, and Governor-General. Born in Barnet, Vermont on 1844-09-18, Ide graduated from Dartmouth in 1866, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He practiced law in St. Johnsbury, Vermont from then until 1891. From 1876 to 1878, Ide was State Attorney for Vermont. From 1882 to 1885 he was a member of the Vermont State Senate. President Benjamin Harrison appointed Ide Presidental Commissioner to Samoa in 1891. The formal title of the post was American Land Commissioner in Samoa, one of three representatives (of the United States, Germany, and Great Britain) responsible for adjudicating land claims by foreigners in the islands, as provided for in the Treaty of Berlin (1889). Ide reached Apia on 1891-05-16, but only held the office for six months, until he resigned because of a serious illness in his family and left the islands on 1891-11-12. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote to him two days... less