Born in a log cabin on May 24, 1850, in Jefferson County. Wis., to parents of Scotch-Irish-English descent. At the age of five years he came with his parents to Mitchell County, settling near St. Ansgar. His early education was received from his mother, who had been a teacher, and also from the rural schools. In 1871 he graduated in the first class from the Cedar Valley Seminary; in 1877 from the liberal arts college of the state university, Iowa City, and from the law college in 1882, with honors, and a year later began practicing law in Osage. In 1889 he was elected senator from this district - Mitchell, Worth and Winnebago counties - and served on important committees in the twenty-third general assembly. He was a member of the Masonic order, the Blue lodge, the chapter and commandery; also the Phi Beta Kappa society and the Sons of the American Revolution. For many years Judge Clyde was a member of the board of trustees of Cedar Valley Seminary. On July 19 1877, Judge Clyde was united in marriage with Miss Harriett L. Wedgewood of Waukon. He is a member of the Baptist Church.